College History

Christian Brothers' College, St Kilda, is an independent Catholic school in the Edmund Rice tradition with a history dating back to the 19th century. It owes its beginnings to the vision of Edmund Rice who established the Order of Christian Brothers in Ireland and opened his first school in 1802. In 1878 Br. Corbett, along with three other Christian Brothers, came from Ireland to St Kilda and the first classes at CBC began on the 26th of July, 1878. The school was the second Christian Brothers' College to be opened in Victoria. Many dedicated lay teachers, parents, past students, students and the wider community, have assisted the school since its early days. The Principal of CBC is appointed by the Province Leadership Team of the Christian Brothers and, with the co-operation of staff, works to support parents in the Catholic education of their sons.

Blessed Edmund Rice

The Founder of the Christian Brothers was a man of vision, practicality, faith and compassion.

Following the tragic death of his beloved wife, Edmund experienced great emptiness and restlessness that drove him for a number of years into relentless work. His merchant business developed to such proportions that he became a very wealthy man.

But he wanted more. His emptiness challenged him to look deeper. He pondered the Scriptures for light. It came. "The spirit of the Lord has been given to me, for he has anointed me. He has sent me to bring the good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to the captives and to the blind new sight, to set the down-trodden free, to proclaim the Lord's year of favour." A mid-life decision led him to exchange his security in a flourishing business for the risks and uncertainties of a mission to the poor and deprived. In 1802 he sold all he had and used his life and accumulated wealth to give the greatest gift he could give, a solid Christian education. Others followed in his footsteps.

The History of Christian Brothers' College

CBC is a Catholic Boy's secondary school established by the Christian Brothers in 1878. Traditionally, the Christian Brothers and the Irish Orders of nuns followed the wave of Irish immigrants who migrated to Australia in the mid-19th century.

In the 1870's the Parish Priest of St Mary's East St Kilda, Fr. Corbett, called a public meeting of prominent Catholics in St Mary's Church. With great enthusiasm they raised the money necessary to support the Brothers in St Kilda and rented for them a house in Wellington Street, where they began teaching. This was the first Christian Brothers' School in St Kilda and opened its doors on the 26th July 1878.

After some years of teaching in the St Mary's building, the Brothers bought a house and property, known as the Vale Estate fronting onto Westbury Street. Here in the new building, secondary classes were taught. The Brothers lived in the house until the move to 35 Westbury Street in 1977. Parts of the original house are still standing today and are, at present, the administration centre of the school. The building is named after the founder of the school, and is known as the Corbett Wing.

Subsequent additions were made to the Corbett Wing and, in time, the McCartney Wing, Logue Hall and the Francis McCarthy Creative Arts Centre were added. The College has recently undertaken a massive multi-million dollar refurbishment program and now boasts state-of-the-art facilities in all learning areas.

College Colours

The colours of CBC are dark blue, light blue and green. Green represents Ireland, the birthplace of the Order of Christian Brothers and blue for Mary, Mother of Jesus, to whom Edmund Rice, Founder of the Christian Brothers, had great devotion. Our College is dedicated to St Joseph, foster father of Jesus.

Origins of College Crest and Motto

There have been four separate College crests since the foundation of the College in 1878. The first, introduced by Br J.C. O'Shea in the late 1890s, was a modification of the Christian Brothers' own crest and bore the motto "Signum Fidei". The second crest was similar to the first but slightly less ornate and bore the motto "Virtus Sola Nobilitas" and was probably introduced by Br J.S. Tevlin. The third crest of the College is retained on the College Gate. You will notice that the star is still retained in the centre of the crest. The Principal, Br J.V. Coghlan introduced the fourth crest of the College in 1957.