The college was established in 1891, as the boarding campus for St Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace. Its location was selected by Brother Patrick Ambrose Treacy, founder of the Australian Province of the Christian Brothers, at the request of the Archbishop of Brisbane at the time, Robert Dunne. Brother D. F. Bodkin was appointed first Headmaster. At the time of Nudgee College's Golden Jubilee in 1941, the late Archbishop Sir James Duhig described the College as being "the jewel in the crown of the Christian Brothers' Schools in Queensland".
School buildings
The main building, whose facade was used in the movie Phar Lap, was completed in 1891; the architect was Andrea Stombuco. The matching chapel was completed in 1916 and is used for weddings and funerals in addition to school celebrations. In 1993, after refurbishment, it won Royal Australian Institute of Architects Conservation Award and Regional Commendation. A second school building was completed in 1919. All 3 buildings were in Italian Renaissance Style. In 1938, Nudgee Junior College was opened at a separate campus in Indooroopilly. In 2015, it was renamed Ambrose Treacy College. Building has continued at Boondall, and the campus now has sporting and academic facilities including technologically advanced classrooms throughout the school, an award-winning multi-level learning centre, science laboratories, a vocational education centre, a 400-seat auditorium, 13 playing fields for cricket, rugby and football, 12 tennis courts, indoor and outdoor basketball and volleyball courts, a multi-purpose gymnasium, an Olympic grade athletics track, a weights room, Olympic 50 metre and 25 metre heated swimming pools, a sound-proofed, digital recording studio, art workshops, and cattle yards.
Other significant developments
In July 1967, a 17-year-old student of the college, John Frances Treacy, was murdered outside the chapel by a 29-year-old man, John Martin Heywood. Heywood had befriended Treacy while in hospital in August 1966. Heywood, who had a long criminal history, was convicted of the murder, and spent the remainder of his life in prison or in mental hospitals. In August 2008, a 59-year-old man from, Victoria accused a priest from the College of abusing him and four other students who have since committed suicide due to the abuse. The College was unable to locate any records of the man attending the school and denied any wrongdoing.
Battle Of The Colours
In 1991, the following was printed in the Centennial Rugby Program, dubbed - "The Battle of The Colours", for the 100th anniversary of the annual Nudgee vs Terrace rugby match: The result of the Centennial Nudgee vs Terrace rugby match was a 15-all draw.
Academic
Nudgee College's teaching and learning ethos aligns with framework. In addition to a wide range of subject offerings, Nudgee offers students access to learning support, an enrichment and extension program and a vocational education and training program. The school is also a pioneer in the field of flipped learning.
Co-curricular
As a member school of the GPS Association, Nudgee students are able to take part in cricket, rowing, volleyball, debating, swimming, football, tennis, cross country, rugby, basketball, chess, and track and field. The school also offers students access to an extensive music program, Theatresports, a robotics and steam club, and a cattle club, Art Club.
''The Season''
In 2017, Nudgee College was featured in series one of Onion TV's production of The Season. The series followed the school's first XV as they progressed through the 2017 GPS season, which ultimately ended with a tied Premiership with The Southport School. The Season aired on Fox Sports 3 in Australia and Sky Sports in New Zealand. The episodes are now available to watch on the .
Nudgee International College
While Nudgee International College sits within the grounds of Brisbane GPS School St Joseph's Nudgee College at Boondall, Nudgee International College is a completely separate entity and is not part of St Joseph's Nudgee College. In early 2012 it was announced that the International College would be closing. As of late 2012 the site has ceased to function as a separate college, with the building and facilities were tuned over to the St Joseph's Nudgee College. The site was repurposed by the school for planned redevelopment.
