St. Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace

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St. Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace
Crest of St. Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace
Servire Deo Sapere
Established July 5, 1875
School type Private Boys
Principal/
Headmaster		 Mr Peter "Cho Po Po" Chapman
Location Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Campus Spring Hill
Enrollment 1241
School colours Red and Black
Homepage http://www.terrace.qld.edu.au


St. Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace was founded on July 5, 1875 in Brisbane, Australia. It is a Catholic boys' school and is commonly referred to simply as 'Terrace' because of its location. It is located in Gregory Terrace in Spring Hill. Brisbane Grammar School and Brisbane Girls Grammar School are also located on Gregory Tce. St Joseph's College follows the Edmund Rice tradition.

Contents

[edit] Academia

Terrace has produced 17 Rhodes Scholars since 1875, as well as consistent OP 1s. There were 17 OP 1 students at the college in 2005. This accounts for approximately 8.5% of the senior cohort, placing the school well above the state OP 1 average of 4%. In 2004, the college produced and outstanding OP 1 result of 21 (24% better than 2005).

[edit] Extracurricular Activities

Terrace has won ten GPS rugby titles - the last of these was the undefeated side of 2004 - as well as two cricket last title in 2004, . It has also won numerous swimming and rowing titles, however. It has also proven quite successful at Volleyball and Basketball, winning a few titles.

Terrace has strong tradition in debating, with its Senior A team reaching ten QDU Grand Finals in a row from 1994-2003, winning eight of them; winning many GPS titles - the Senior A team won the 2006 GPS and QDU titles, going through undefeated.

Terrace has several well performing orchestras, and also participates in extracurricular academic programs including Queensland University of Technology's Q-Start program, the Siemens Science Experience, and the Tournament of the Minds.

Gregory Terrace in recent years have experienced immense success in Cross country. From 2001 to 2004 Terrace won four straight GPS titles. Unfortunately Terrace after a results recount controversially fell short of a fifth straight title by one point or one place in an age group. Terrace once again met the same fate in 2006.

[edit] Tradition

Terrace versus Nudgee rugby game fetches crowds upwards of 8000. It is generally regarded as the most contested rivalry in GPS. Nudgee was borne from Terrace itself, and this rivalry celebrates the playing of the boarders of Terrace in the days of old. As the story goes, a famous rugby match was played between the two schools to decide who would don the blue and white. Unfortunately Terrace was defeated in the match and settled for the now famous red and black. A fierce rivalry was born.

There is also strong rivalry between Terrace and Brisbane Grammar in Debating. In the past few years the GPS contest (at (1) team level) has been dominated by these two schools. The Senior A debate usually draws a crowd of around 1000 boys, which is extraordinary given the nature of the event. Both schools usually have a strong showing in the QDU State Team selections as well. There has been some talk of the introduction of social debates throughout the year, with the opposition being local girls' schools, for instance All Hallows and St Margarets who also embrace debating with passion.

[edit] House System

The House System at Terrace is one of the most integral parts of its culture. The System is actively integrated into college life, extending beyond inter-house competition. The system has been exported to two North-American Colleges, and continues to form the basis of college life, peer interaction and student responsibility. The Houses are Barrett, Kearney, Mahoney, Reidy, Treacy and Windsor, all named after esteemed personalities who have contributed much to the Terrace Tradition, both indirectly and directly.

The House System at Terrace provides a pastoral network that enables all students to develop holistically in a safe caring environment. Each student is in one of the College six Houses, Barrett, Kearney, Mahoney, Reidy, Treacy and Windsor. Each House is divided into 11 or 12 smaller groups that are vertical, meaning there are mixed aged students in these groups who are led by a staff member we call a tutor.

These Tutor Groups meet for 14 minutes in the morning and again for 7 minutes in the afternoon. Tutors are often in a position to see and solve a problem, provide advice, guidance and encouragement to boys in their care. The tutor becomes the direct link with the school and home. A successful education depends on a close partnership between the College and the home.

Throughout the year, Interhouse Competitions are held between each of the Houses. These events include Soccer, Swimming, Cross Country, Debating, Theatre Sports, House Choir and Athletics.

[edit] Barrett House

House Dean: Mrs Jan Cameron

Br James Joseph Barrett was the founding Headmaster of St Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace in 1875, after having been detailed to investigate the possibility of establishing just such a school the year before by Br P. A. Treacy. At the end of his own secondary schooling he had been offered a scholarship to Sandhurst Military College but declined in order to join the Brothers of the Christian Schools of Ireland (which later became the Congregation of Christian Brothers) in 1861. He arrived in Australia in 1871 and was assigned the task of raising funds - travelling vast distances on horseback in search of the desperately needed funds to finance the schools.

When Br Barrett was sent to Maryborough in 1874 to investigate the setting up of a school there, he met one of his former teachers in the person of Dr James Quinn, Bishop of Brisbane, who persuaded him that Brisbane was a preferable location. So it was that three Brothers accompanied him to commence teaching in the original St Stephan's Church on 5 July 1875.

Br Barrett was a strict man and remained as Headmaster until 1881. He returned to Terrace in 1885 and taught the young Jame Duhig. He died at the age of 81 in 1921 at Nudgee College.

[edit] Kearney House

House Dean: Mr John Hinch

Br James Anselm Kearney was another of many Irish Christian Brothers who spent nearly all their teaching lives in Australia. After a Christian Brothers’ education in Ireland, Br Kearney came to Australia in 1911 and from then until his death in 1964 he served as a teacher and Headmaster in many schools throughout Australia. His educational qualifications included a Master of Arts at a time when Masters’ degrees were quite uncommon. His thesis was in the area of English literature, particular comedy, but he taught Latin and French as well, had a good knowledge of Greek, was fond of teaching singing and was an accomplished pianist.

He was appointed in charge of the Brothers at a number of schools (which appointment automatically meant he was headmaster). He was in charge at Terrace on two occasions: 1925-30 and 1935-37. He taught many of our distinguished Old Boys including a number of Mahoneys and Windsors. The original swimming pool was an unusual innovation built in 1927. He composed the lyrics of a School Song set to the tune of the Welsh song Men of Harlech. This was first performed at Speech Night in 1929 and still has the power to stir our hearts and unite our minds. It is said of him that his discipline has his affection, and that this was returned by his students. This great man has set a high standard for Kearney students to emulate.

[edit] Mahoney House

House Dean: Mr William (Bill) McCulloch

Mr J. R. Mahoney, Headmaster of Yeronga State School, decided to send his sons to St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace in 1923. Thus began the Mahoney family’s association with Terrace. The eldest of the Mahoney boys, James attended Terrace in 1924-25. He was awarded the Rhodes Scholarship in 1929 and thus became Terrace’s first Rhodes Scholar. After study at Oxford University, Hames returned to the French Department at Queensland University. Eventually he became Professor of French and was warded the Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur in recognition of his services to the French nation. His son, Jim, is also a Terrace Old Boy and was awarded the Rhodes Scholarship in 1962. This father and son combination is unique in the history of the Rhodes Scholarship in Queensland.

Other members of the first generation of Mahoneys at Terrace – Bernard (1927-28), John (1929-31) and Bill (1929-30) – were Duces of the College and University Open Scholarship winners. All of the Mahoneys were keen sportsmen as well as successful students.

In 2005, upon the passing of JJD Mahoney, an award in his honour was introduced to recognise 'significant contributions to the college by a senior student' in the area of Campus Ministry. JJD Mahoney left a considerable amount to the Campus Ministry actions of the college. The award recognises the outstanding contribution to the Campus Ministry projects of the college by a senior school student.

[edit] Reidy House

House Dean: Mr Ray Celegato

Mr Michael Conley will take over as Reidy House Dean in 2007, as Mr Ray Celegato has been appointed as the Inaugural Dean of Waterford Place, Terrace's 'GT130' project.

Brother William Mark Reidy was an Irishman who came to Australia at an early age and immediately demonstrated his many talents which resulted in his being involved in school administration for most of his teaching career. He spent twenty-three years at Terrace and for sixteen of these he was Headmaster on four occasions.

He did not suffer fools gladly and expected every boy to be a Terrace man through and through. While encouraging students in the classroom to work to their potential he could be seen regularly on the playing field urging the rugby players to ever greater efforts.

Brother Reidy was noted for the strength of his character, a trait he attempted to inculcate in those he taught. He enjoyed the warm friendship of scores of prominent business and professional men in Brisbane whom he had educated at Terrace.

He died in Sydney in 1962 at the age of eighty-three but because of his strong Queensland associations he was buried in the Brothers' plot at Nudgee Cemetery.

[edit] Treacy House

House Dean: Mr Adrian Pauley

Br Patrick Ambrose Treacy was the Irishman in charge of the three Brothers who restarted the mission of the Christian Brothers in Australia in 1868 in Melbourne. Melbourne thus became the location of the Provincial Headquarters for all of Australia and New Zealand. In 1874 he sent Br J. J. Barrett to Brisbane to investigate the possibility of opening a school in Queensland (Maryborough was thought to be the best site) and in 1875 he authorized the establishment of a Christian Brothers’ school in Brisbane.

Br Treacy resided in Australia until 1900. During his 32 years ‘Down Under’ he authorized the opening of 26 schools, including Mt. Carmel College in Charters Towers and Christian Brothers’ High School in Dunedin, New Zealand. He embarked on many fund-raising tours to raise money for these ventures and was well supported be Catholics wherever he went. In 1900 he returned to Ireland to begin what became a 12-year appointment as a member of the Christian Brothers’ General Council. On completion of his term he returned to Australia and, when diagnosed as suffering from cancer, he requested to spend his last days at Terrace.

Br Patrick Ambrose Treacy died on the 2nd of October 1912, in the Brothers’ Residence on the corner of Gregory Terrace and Rogers Street. A plaque on the wall of what is now the Brothers’ Common Room commemorates the extraordinary dedication of this outstanding pioneer.

[edit] Windsor House

House Dean: Mr Laurie Mobbs

Dr Henry Windsor had been a student at the Brothers’ College in Omagh, Ireland and when he arrived in Australia he became an eminent benefactor of Terrace. Three of his sons – Harry (1922-30), Morgan (1924-31) and Clem (1929-31) – followed him into the medical profession and all were admitted to the Royal College of Surgeons. A fourth son, Gerard (1929-38) joined the RAAF and died over Norway in 1942. Dr. Harry Windsor earned his place in Australian medical history with his pioneering work in heart surgery especially at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney.

Dr. Henry provided the funds to build a swimming pool at Terrace in 1927 during the time of the Headmaster Br J. A. Kearney. This original swimming pool was slotted into the only parcel of land available at that time – between what had been the original Boarders’ Dining Room and the Billet Street fence. The pool was trapezoidal in shaped to fit the area and was approximately 7m wide at the shallow end, 5m wide at the deep end and 11m long. The stone retaining wall, which was part of the original 1880’s landscaping, provided a very functional diving platform at the deep end. This pool was a great benefit to the generations of Terracians (and Brothers) and was intensively used during the summer months for Physical Education classes almost up to the day it was eventually demolished in 1983 to enable the tunnel under Gregory Terrace to be built.

The second generation of ‘Windsors’ individually earned reputations for themselves as students who were wholeheartedly committed to Terrace and they were talented young men. For some, their gifts lay in the academic area, while others made their mark chiefly in the sporting arena. It is the ability to accept and rejoice in the talents one has been given that is most worthy of emulation. The third generation of ‘Windsors’ are currently in the College.

[edit] Famous Alumni

[edit] Rhodes Scholars

  • James C. Mahoney (1929)
  • Henry Finucan (1937)
  • Colin Apelt (1954)
  • Cedric Hampson (1955)
  • James J. Mahoney (1963)
  • John Corbett (1965)
  • Patrick Carroll (1974)
  • Michael Wilson (1976)
  • Peter Donnelly (1980)
  • Bryan Horrigan (1986)
  • John Devereaux (1988)
  • Liam Kelly (1989)
  • Andrew Rosengren (1991)
  • Robert Dann (1997)
  • Ben White (1998)
  • Ben Juratowich (2003)
  • Simon Quinn (2005)

[edit] Cultural/Political

[edit] Sporting

[edit] History

On July 5, 1875 three Christian Brothers opened their first school in Queensland, in Pugin's Chapel, the old St Stephen's Cathedral, with 26 boys enrolled. Within two months, on September 19, the foundation stone for a permanent residence and school had been laid on land on the crest of a hill and opposite a large park in Spring Hill. The land had been presented to the Brothers by an old boy of the Christian Brothers in Ireland, Dan McSweeney, a painter. While Br Joseph Barrett, Terrace's founder, and Br Paul Nunan continued teaching their classes, Br Brendan Nugent went to North Queensland "four days by steamer" away on a fund-raising tour.

The Brothers took up residence in the new building on Gregory Terrace in early 1876 and school facilities were provided in a large room - and for several years two schools functioned at Terrace and St Stephen's. In 1879 a single-storey stone building was completed facing Rogers Street, and the school at St Stephen's was closed. The west wing of the Residence was completed in 1887 to provide accommodation for boarders, and the school building was extended the following year by the addition of a second floor, thus completing what is known today as College Hall. The photos of all students since 1924 are displayed on its walls. By 1891 there was insufficient room for the numbers to board and the boarding school was transferred to a country property along Sandgate Road to begin St Joseph's College, Nudgee (Nudgee College).

Terrace undertook further expansion in 1918-19 when the Science Hall was built and opened. A third storey was added 20 years later. A three-storey teaching block which linked this building with the Residence was built in 1954.

Thus the land that Dan McSweeney had given the Christian Brothers almost 80 years earlier had been effectively built out. By the early 1960's, with increasing numbers of students and with changing trends in education it became imperative that Terrace expand further. Under Br J S Campbell's guiding influence, Terrace began to absorb residential land in Billet Street opposite the existing school. The first block was bought in 1961 and the foundation stone for a new Senior school was blessed by the College's most distinguished Old Boy the Archbishop of Brisbane, Sir James Duhig, in 1963. The new school including a chapel and library was opened in 1964. Gradually, the school development spread down Billet and Victoria Streets, with the Reidy Block completed in l971, the Centenary Building in 1975, the Manual Arts building constructed in two stages in 1981 and 1984, the completion of Centenary Hall and the construction of the Swimming Pool (now known as the Campbell Centre) in 1987 and the Religious Centre and Chapel, Mt Sion, in 1989. Billet Street itself was merged into the school grounds, linking the new and old portions of the College.

Terrace also spread beyond its Spring Hill campus. In 1958, the Rowing shed was built on riverfront land at New Farm which had been donated by Archbishop Duhig. In 1961, the Brothers purchased farmland at Tennyson and began to develop its magnificent playing fields. In the 1970's, Terrace established an Outdoor Education Centre on the banks of Lake Maroon, near Boonah. A tunnel was constructed under Gregory Terrace to provide students with safe access to Victoria Park and the training fields and Tennis courts.

Major building changes occurred in 1995, marking 120 years of Catholic Education in Brisbane, the GT120 Project. These included the Science/Music building; elevated walkways linking the Junior School to the 1964 wing; extensions to the Library; Drama Centre (old Junior School Library); Film and Television Room; conversion of Mt Sion to Main Administration offices (whilst retaining the Chapel/Prayer Centre); new offices for House Deans, Heads of Faculty; refurbishment of Staff Workroom to include interview room and Senior Teacher's office; also the shade area on Duhig Place, a project of the Parents and Friends. These recent developments have been made possible by the generosity of the Terrace Family in supporting the Gregory Terrace Foundation.

The strong academic tradition of Terrace continues today with the great majority of students aiming for some form of higher education. Since 1875, more than 195 past students have entered the priesthood or religious life, including the late Archbishop Sir James Duhig and Archbishop Francis Rush retired Archbishop of Brisbane, Bishop John Torpie retired Bishop of Cairns and Bishop Bill Morris Bishop of Toowoomba. Terrace is proud of its fifteen Rhodes Scholars.

[edit] School Crest

Crest of St. Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace
Enlarge
Crest of St. Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace

The Crest was designed in 1950.

The CELTIC CROSS is an emblem of the Christian Brothers and the symbol of their Irish origins, and of the Cross of Christ.

The BOOK symbolizes learning and teaching, the quest for knowledge, wisdom and understanding.

The ALPHA and OMEGA are symbols of God being the beginning and the end.

The STAR and RAYS are symbols, firstly, that both teaching and learning are to be directed by God; the star, symbol of unfading hope and faith; the rays shining on the book directing the school's endeavours.

The STAR is rich in symbolism, recalling as it does enlightenment and guidance in the Star of Bethlehem, Jesus the Morning Star (Rev.22.16;2 Pet 1.19), and Mary Star of the Sea. It was, however, a passage in the Book of Daniel which inspired both the inclusion of the star and the school motto:

They that are learned (i.e., in the law of God and in true wisdom which consists in knowing and loving God - hence Servire Deo Sapere (est) on the scroll below: To serve God is to be Wise 1), "Shall shine as the brightness of the firmament (..et qui in iustitiam erudiunt multos - quasi stellae in perpetuas aeternitates 2) and they who instruct many unto justice shall shine like stars for all eternity. (Dan 12.3) Thus the star symbolises also the reward of teaching directed by God.

It was early one morning in l950 between 2.00 and 3.00a.m. when Brs. F J Levander (Headmaster) and J S Campbell who had been working all night on the design of the new crest, finally and triumphantly came upon this concise statement of hopes and aspirations. The est (understood) in the motto, was omitted for balance.

In the Brothers' Annals of Gregory Terrace, Br Levander wrote in l950:

A new Crest was designed for the school. This was preferred to mutilating the Congregational Crest. Until then, Terrace had used the original Congregational Crest and this had been updated in l920. We may regret the omission of facere et docere, the Congregational motto, but this is assumed from the beginning and need not be included in the crest of a particular school. RED and BLACK are the school colours, worn with courage and pride, to which we attach loyalty and honour.

No symbolism was intended in the formation of the bar at the top: it merely completes the shield-design. If one is free to imagine, the two blank spaces in the bar could symbolize future areas as yet unrealized, in which we hope to grow and develop.

[edit] School Song

Terrace to the Fore

Many years have now passed o'er us
So 'tis time to rise in chorus
For the men who went before us
Terrace to the fore.

Men of spirit bold, unjaded,
They the haunts of fame invaded;
So upon the heights they made it
Terrace evermore!

They were brave and game men;
We shall be the same men!
If we fight to do the right,
Ours shall be their fame, then!

Who shall dare to stain our glory?
Who shall mock our noble story?
Let our song forevermore be,
"Terrace to the Fore!"

Br. J. A. Kearney

[edit] Trivia

The colours of the school (blue and white) were disputed by St. Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace and St. Joseph's Nudgee College. One rumour was that in order to decide who got the colours, a rugby match was held between the two schools which Nudgee College won. St. Joseph's Gregory Terrace is now Red and Black. This is something which is traditionally taught between the two schools making this the biggest GPS games for both schools. Co-incidentally the colours blue & white and red & black are opposites.

[edit] External links


Members of The Great Public Schools Association of Queensland Inc., Queensland, Australia
Anglican Church Grammar School | Brisbane Boys' College | Brisbane Grammar School | Brisbane State High School | Ipswich Grammar School | St. Joseph's Nudgee College | St. Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace | The Southport School | Toowoomba Grammar School
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