From small beginnings, great things grow. The beginnings of Ormiston College were small, with just 162 students in Year 1 to Year 5 when teaching commenced in 1988. However, the groundwork and the foundations were strong; established at the first meeting convened in November 1985 to found an independent school in the Redlands area of Brisbane.
From the outset, establishing the positive environment of the school was critical. An initial 16 acres was purchased in late 1986 in open farmland country close to the fresh expanse and cooling breezes of Moreton Bay. By 1989, an additional 29 acres was purchased and, such was the popularity of the College, at the end of those four short years another six classrooms were added to accommodate a total 346 students.
Growth was rapid, requiring clear foresight and planning and excellent management by the Board of Directors, the Interim Headmaster, Dr Max Howell, and the College Executive Committee. In 1990 an administration block, and a music and art centre were completed and the first Year 7 grade was added to the private elementary school, building the school to 402 students. By 1994, the College had grown from Years 1 to 11 and accommodated 725 students, expanding the private high school to Year 12 in 1995 when Mr David Hosking accepted the position of Headmaster, providing exceptional service to the College over the next 11 years.
Ormiston College expanded rapidly with the Library Resource Centre opening in 1995, followed closely by the heated Marsson Aquatic Centre opened by Tracey Wickham in 1997, and the professional-standard Lingo Lin Performing Arts Theatre in 1998. We had our first intake of Pre-School students in 2000. Our magnificent indoor multi-sport Somerset Sports Centre opened in 2004.
Following years of detailed planning and consultation, the Early Learning Centre was completed and opened in July of 2007 by the familiar and endearing children’s show personality, Noni Hazlehurst, and has proven to be an enriching and supportive first step in the lives of our children. The Junior Arts Centre, with a 150-seat theatre and six practice rooms, was opened in 2011 by Senator Clair Moore. It provides exceptional learning spaces for the Junior Music, Visual Arts and Drama programs, enhancing the cultural development of our Junior students.
Set at the epi-centre of the campus, the Ormiston College Centre for Learning and Innovation (CLI) was opened in 2019. The impressive facility provides a collation of library, academic, social, creative, archival and technological services in a flexible and futuristic space for all students to connect, collaborate, learn and innovate.
The CLI is home to Australia’s largest interactive floorspace and Australia’s first holographic wearable computer, as well as 3D printers, programmable drones, writeable glass, a green screen studio, and more. Since its opening, the CLI has gone on to win multiple awards in recognition of its design and function. In 2021 the CLI was announced announced as the Winner of the 2021 Australian Library and Information Association’s Library Design Award – School Libraries.
In July 2021 a spectacular, Athletics Precinct was officially opened; built to incorporate international standards and accommodate many different sporting activities including track, jump and throw events in Athletics.
After dedicating much time and effort to design and planning, in November 2023 the College opened a new state-of-the-art Science Precinct featuring 21st century relevant learning spaces including nine purpose-built science laboratories, one of which is specifically appointed for Junior School students, prep rooms and general learning classrooms.
Today, Ormiston College stands amidst 67 skilfully maintained acres showcasing a rich blend of sporting ovals and facilities, a state-of-art Centre for Learning and Innovation, widely spread heritage-inspired buildings, natural bushland and green space, beautifully manicured lawns and lush gardens. As a world standard coeducational, non-denominational Christian College, Ormiston College now caters for over 1400 students from Prep to Year 12
History Timeline
1985
Ormiston College is established as the first independent school in the Redlands area of Brisbane.
1988
Teaching commences with just 162 students in Year 1 to Year 5.
1989
The College experiences rapid growth, with an additional 45 acres of land, six new classrooms and a total of 346 students.
1990
An administration block and a music and arts centre are completed. The first Year 7 grade is added to the private elementary school, increasing the number of students to 402.
1994
The College now teaches Years 1 to Year 11 and accommodates 725 students.
1995
The private high school expands to incorporate Year 12 and the Library Resource Centre opens. Mr David Hosking accepts the position of Headmaster – a role he will excel at for the next 11 years.
1997
The heated Marsson Aquatic Centre is opened by Tracey Wickham.
1998
The professional-standard Lingo Lin Performing Arts Theatre opens.
2000
The College welcomes the first intake of Pre-School students.
2004
Our magnificent indoor multi-sport Somerset Sports Centre opens.
2006
Our current College Headmaster, Mr Brett Webster, is appointed and establishes Ormiston College as one of the premier schools in the Independent Schools Association.
2007
The Early Learning Centre is opened by children’s show personality, Noni Hazlehurst.
2011
The Junior Arts Centre, with a 150-seat theatre and six practice rooms was opened by Senator Clair Moore.
2012
To provide students with high quality health support a Health Centre, encompassing treatment rooms and rest areas was constructed and a permanent registered nurse appointed.
2013
Aligning with the transition of Year 7 to Secondary School, a dedicated Year 7 precinct was established.
2019
The Ormiston College Centre for Learning and Innovation (CLI) was opened. The impressive facility provides a collation of library, academic, social, creative, archival and technological services in a flexible and futuristic space for all students to connect, collaborate, learn and innovate.
2021
A spectacular Athletics Precinct, built to incorporate international standards and accommodate many different sporting activities was opened.
Present
Today, the Ormiston College campus spans 67 acres and showcases a rich blend of facilities, set in natural bushland and beautifully manicured green space. We cater for over 1400 students from Prep to Year 12, with 105 teaching staff and 64 non-teaching staff in support.