Xavier College History

By Osca878
  • 1540

    16th Century

    A Jesuit Enterprise was created by St Ignatius of Loyola, previously before is radical conversion to Christianity was a 16th century Spanish Courtier and Soldier. He and his close friends formed the society of Jesus.

  • First Victorian Jesuit Schoo/Xavier's Establishment

    In 1854 St Patrick's College in East Melbourne was established and was entrusted to the Irish Jesuits in 1865. 7 years later more land was needed to house boarders and the construction of a building on the future lands of Xavier began.

  • Opening of Xavier College

    On Sunday the tenth of February 1878 Father Thomas Cahill was the first college rector.

  • Early building construction

    The beginning of the main oval began in 1883. The West Wing and the Great Hall were construction 1890.

  • Finacial Strife in the 1900's

    Financial difficulties in the early 1890's, luckily after the completion of the magnificent Great Hall. The school survived however St Patrick's ownership was transferred over to Xavier College.

  • Next Major Development

    The next major development was the purchase of Studley House in 1920 which was bought by T M Burke, a catholic businessman.

  • Opening of Preparatory school

    The first preparatory school, opened in 1921 which was later renamed Burke Hall after the generous catholic businessman's donation.

  • The Golden Jubilee and the Burke Hall Chapel

    Xavier Golden Jubilee in 1922 was marked by the initial collection funds for the chapel as a memorial for the students that had been killed in the first World War.
    The Burke Hall chapel was built another gift from the generous Burke family in 1926.

  • Kostka Hall Opening

    The opening of the Kostka Hall campus in Brighton in 1937 school hosted students from Year 5-8 and later from kindergarten.

  • Building Expansion's

    The 1940s to 1970s expansion included the Rigg Wing in 1951 at the Senior Campus, the East Wing in 1958, the Teaching Wing at Kostka at 1959, The Keenan Wing and the Montague Theatre in 1968 and Kostka Hall extension in 1969

  • Modernising of the Buildings (Mid 1980's)

    A spacious year 5 block at Burke Hall was created as well as the Crosbie Wing at the senior campus and at the same time the miraculous sport centre in 1993.

  • Early Learning Centre

    The Opening of the St Louise House saw girls enrol at the school for the first time when the early learning centre was opened in 2002. At Burke Hall and Kostka Years prep to 4 could now also attend.

  • New Complex's

    A new science, library, art and IT facility's was built at the Kostka in 2006. New Art and Science facilities were opened in 2008 and new 5/6 facilities in 2011.

  • Closure of Kostka

    The closure of Kostka happened in 2020 and the beginning of a new year 7/8 building at the senior campus along with the remodelling of the chapel oval. The creation of the Manresa precinct to house the previous students of Kostka.

  • The 150th anniversary

    The new buildings and completion of the remodelling of the Chapel oval will aim to be finished by the 150th aniversary of Xavier College.