St. James College in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, teaches over 400 students from grades 7 to 12 under the direction of the headmaster Anne Rebgetz. St. James College, informally known as "Jimmies", was established in 1868 with only 12 students and is the oldest Roman Catholicboys' school in Queensland. In 1893, the Christian Brothers agreed to take over the school following major economic depression, the government's refusal to pay staff wages and inconsistent student enrolment. Jerome William Long was the first lay Principal to lead St James between 1871–1877, and again in 1880-90, he is accredited with being the first teacher to hold a Class 2, Division 1 certificate in Queensland. Long was honoured by the college, which named Long House after him. In 1994, the college began to accept enrolment from girls in years 8 and 11, making it a co-educational institution. In 1994, its name was changed to St. James Prac.; it was then reverted to St. James College in 2001. In 2002, its first female principal was appointed. The college has also been known as Edmund Rice College, St James's, and St James Practical College. The college constructed a new library and science complex, named the Joseph Canali Centre completed in 2015 when the college began accepting enrolments for grade 7. In 2013 enrolment stood at approximately 480 students. In 2016 St James brought a dog named "Jimmie" into their library, he is a pug.
Headmasters
House system
There are four houses at St James College, Carey, Hogan, Long and Mary Rice, and are all under direction of the Assistant Principal - Pastoral, Martin Wiseman. Carey, Hogan and Long were all original houses of St James; Mary Rice was added in recent years.
Current houses
Carey House is named after Tom Carey, an old boy of the College. Hogan House is named after Br Hogan, the first Christian Brother principal of the College. Long House is named after Jerome William Long, the first lay principal. Mary Rice House is named after Mary Rice, the daughter of Edmund Rice, the founder of the Christian Brothers.
"Jimmies" basketball
St James College offers a unique and exciting basketball program that is fully inclusive to all levels of ability for both boys and girls. The Jimmies Basketball Program is accessible to all students regardless of their financial circumstances and focuses on development of the individual.
2013 State Championships
In October 2013, St James College won the 2013 Queensland State Basketball Championship and was crowned the "Best Basketball School in Queensland". The team will now travel to Melbourne in December to represent Queensland in the Australian Schools Basketball Championship.
