Our Campuses
Our expansion to a multi campus school is a pivotal chapter for the College, and the wider community. It represents our dedication to providing a comprehensive and forward-thinking Catholic education for families in the Echuca Moama region that prepares students for success in an ever-changing world. It also preserves our cherished traditions, while embracing the possibilities of the future, and honours our school’s enduring legacy and commitment to excellence and growth.
Brigidine Campus
Our Brigidine Campus in Dickson Street Echuca is the original and historic site of St Joseph’s College which was founded in 1886.
Over the years we have preserved our iconic period architecture, including the centrepiece of our campus, the exquisite 1899 Convent Chapel with its marble altar and jewel-like stained glass. The Chapel is at the heart of our daily life, providing a place of gathering in joyful times and in sadness, as well as a quiet, reflective and prayerful oasis for students and staff in the midst of their busy day.
Our historic Hall, built in 1894, continues to be used for drama classes, assemblies, parent nights and special events, and the original Apsley House now accommodates our reception, meeting rooms, staff offices, as well as a number of classrooms.
Tradition and contemporary life have always mixed easily at St Joseph’s College, where icons, such as the ornate fountain in the forecourt, foster a deep sense of stability and permanency, and the massive Oak tree, planted the day the school opened in 1886, sits adjacent from our modern multipurpose building, aptly named The Oak Centre, where the whole school can gather together for assemblies, sports and special events.
We are proud to offer students access to a state of the art Allied Health facility, complete with sophisticated hospital equipment to enable practical hands-on learning for students interested in a career in the health industry.
In the Design and Technology field we boast a number of creative spaces for students to learn techniques and grow their skills, talents and confidence in art, media, food, wood, metal, textiles and music.
Cill Dara is a heritage-listed house from where we provide Learning Enhancement services. The Brigidines and Presentation Sisters have always been committed to bringing education to the most vulnerable. St Joseph’s is proud that we continue that work today with more than 200 students receiving intervention and support from our extended team of more than 20 skilled educators, para professionals and aides.
Our library is overflowing with books to engage readers of any level or interest or to provide a quiet place to study. Our in-house IT department is only too happy to help with any technical issues. We are lucky to also have a canteen which provides an ever changing menu of delicious and healthy food made onsite, and which can also cater for large meetings and events.
A major capital works project commenced at our Brigidine Campus in late 2024, beginning with stormwater upgrades and the underpinning of the main administration building. In 2025, a comprehensive refurbishment project is underway to enhance campus facilities, including upgrades to the Delaney and Apsley toilet blocks. These improvements will ensure a modern and comfortable experience for students and staff alike. In addition, the Apsley building will undergo a transformation of its own, with the Hopwood Meeting Rooms being revamped into an improved boardroom and new HR office spaces. These renovations aim to create a more dynamic and professional environment that fosters collaboration and supports the growing needs of the campus community. The 2025 refurbishment promises to elevate the Brigidine Campus to new heights, ensuring it remains a vibrant and functional space for all who use it.
Kildare Campus
In 2020, a greenfields site at 194 Mt Terrick Rd, now known as our Kildare Campus, was secured for the future provision of Catholic education in the Echuca Moama district. This 80 acres of land future-proofs our school by enabling us to meet the increasing demand for enrolment at the College.
The location of the new campus provides clear and quick travel to and from our current Brigidine Campus at Dickson Street in Echuca’s main township and Moama (via the new bridge).
The site has provided the means to prepare a facility that is state of the art and opens the doors to a future-oriented education for those who enter its gates.
Building commenced on the Kildare Campus in November 2021, and with Stage 1 works completed by June 2023 our first intake of Year 7 students commenced on the site in July of the same year.
Stage 1 works included an administration building, learning building, library, wellbeing and first aid rooms. Landscaping, car parks, two state-of-the-art basketball/netball courts, outdoor exercise equipment and green spaces for passive recreation were also completed.
Stage 2 works commenced in June 2023 and included a technology building, science classrooms, art spaces, a new learning space, learning enhancement provision and further landscaping works and play spaces.
In 2024, Year 7 and 8 students attended Kildare Campus, and Stage 2 works were completed. This included the addition of a Covered Outdoor Learning Area (COLA) over our basketball and netball courts. Works also commenced on an MCG-sized football oval and a soccer pitch, which are scheduled for completion in early 2025.
This stunning architecturally designed education facility symbolises the bond between tradition and innovation that will define the St Joseph's College experience for generations to come.
The Brigidine charism is echoed throughout the design with the use of St Brigid’s Cross, archways and even the propagation of our historic oak tree.
The colour scheme of the school is based on the seasons and incorporates natural timber features, high ceilings and huge windows that provide natural light and a very calm and warm indoor/outdoor environment.
Sustainability is also a key component with the inclusion of solar panels, power saving climate control heating and cooling and automatic lighting as well as a self sustainable watering system from the onsite dam.
The contemporary open plan design allows for flexible and collaborative working environments with the inclusion of standing tables, break out areas, quiet zones, wobble chairs and even pedal desks to cater for different learning needs.
From 2025, Kildare Campus will accommodate Years 7 to 9, with Stage 3 Capital Works also to begin. Stage 3 works will include a Multi-Function Centre (including spaces for performing arts, sport and physical education, science, community use and teacher planning) and an extension to the Stage 2 Learning Building. The State Government has committed $6 million to Stage 3 works. (More information on Stage 3 below.)
Kildare Campus - Future Capital Works
Stage 3 Development Kildare Campus: Multi-Function Centre and Expansion of Hayden Building
Scheduled for commencement in Term 3 2025, Stage 3 of Kildare Campus will see the construction of a cutting-edge Multi-Function Centre (MFC) alongside the expansion of the Hayden Building (General Learning Area). This ambitious project, designed by renowned architect Clarke Hopkins Clarke, is set to provide a new hub for creativity, community and culture.
The Multi-Function Centre: A Hub for Performing Arts, Physical Education and Collaboration
The heart of the new development, the Multi-Function Centre, will feature two spacious interior multi-sport courts, retractable seating for 800 people, a stage, as well as dedicated areas for dance, drama, music and office spaces. Additionally, a 250-seat Theatrette will provide a versatile venue for performances, gatherings, and presentations, solidifying our commitment to fostering a rich artistic and academic environment.
This modern facility will act as a dynamic platform for students and the broader community to engage in physical education, creative exploration, performance and expression. Whether it’s through the arts or community events, the centre is designed to inspire and enable the next generation of performers, creators and thinkers.
Extension of the Hayden Building: Supporting Growth in General Learning
In tandem with the MFC, the Hayden Building will undergo a significant extension to accommodate the growing needs of the school’s general learning programs. This extension will provide additional classroom space, ensuring St Joseph’s College continues to meet the evolving demands of a diverse student body and a rapidly changing educational landscape.
Architectural Vision: Fire, Light and Connection to Land
The architectural design of the new development is deeply symbolic, drawing inspiration from multiple sources that reflect St Brigid’s rich spiritual heritage and the natural environment.
At the core of the design concept is the sacred Perpetual Flame of Kildare, which St Joseph’s College continues to honour as a symbol of the new light of Christianity that reached Ireland in the fifth century. This flame burns as a beacon of hope, justice and peace, and the design of the Multi-Function Centre takes cues from its warmth and light. Architect Clarke Hopkins Clarke has thoughtfully incorporated these elements into the building’s design, envisioning the new facility as a 'lantern' within the school — a place of spiritual reflection, community gathering and empowerment.
The building’s interior spaces will be designed to create an intimate, welcoming atmosphere, reflecting the divine presence of Christ and promoting a sense of peace and belonging. Architectural features, such as arch details and the repetition of design elements, evoke the image of fire and its transformative, unifying power.
In addition, the exterior design of the Multi-Function Centre will be inspired by Indigenous Australian cultural symbolism. Fire holds profound significance for the Yorta Yorta people, who see it as a source of stories, memories, and teachings passed down through generations. For them, fire is not merely a destructive force but a vital and regenerative element, one that connects the people to the land. The curved lines formed through dry, cool burning and natural regeneration serve as a metaphor for renewal, community and healing.
CHC’s incorporation of these design principles into the building’s form and function will create a space that not only honours Indigenous wisdom but also reflects the broader community’s shared values of justice, healing and connection to the land.
A Beacon for the Future
This new development represents more than just the physical growth of St Joseph’s College, Kildare Campus; it embodies the school’s commitment to nurturing creativity, spirituality, and cultural awareness in the next generation. The Multi-Function Centre will be a beacon of light and hope for students, staff and the wider community, providing a place to learn, create and come together in a spirit of unity.
As the Perpetual Flame of Kildare continues to burn brightly, so too will the heart of the school be illuminated by this new architectural marvel, which will serve as both a functional and symbolic space for years to come.
Scheduled for commencement in Term 3 2025, the development marks an exciting new chapter for St Josephs, aligning with the school’s mission to inspire hope, justice, and peace through education, creativity, and connection.