St Edmund’s College was founded in February 1951, when the Christian Brothers established St Edmund’s School for blind boys at the invitation of the Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal Gilroy, and the Society of St Vincent de Paul.
Located in the idyllic suburb of Wahroonga on Sydney’s North Shore, the College began in a two-storey home set on spacious grounds. The upper level provided dormitory accommodation for students, along with rooms for the Brothers and a chapel, while the lower level housed classrooms, dining and recreation areas, a kitchen and shared living spaces. The school opened with just nine students, with early enrolments coming from across Sydney, regional New South Wales, and interstate, including Brisbane and Melbourne.
Over time, St Edmund’s has grown into a leading special education school in Sydney. The College now supports both male and female students with a diverse range of learning needs, including sensory impairments, intellectual disability (mild to moderate), and autism. While much has changed, our commitment remains the same — to provide an education that responds to the individual needs of each student and helps them build the skills, confidence and independence to take their place in the wider community.
In 2015, the school was renamed St Edmund’s College, reflecting its growth and development. Today, the College supports around 120 students and continues to provide a supportive, inclusive and purpose-driven learning environment for young people across Sydney.
