Our College & History
Welcome to De La Salle College, home to over 1,000 students across three distinctive campuses: Tiverton, Holy Eucharist, and Kinnoull. Designed to support every phase of your son’s development, our campuses are the foundation for a journey toward personal excellence. Embracing an open enrollment policy, we offer a contemporary learning environment for all.
Since its foundation in 1912, De La Salle College has dedicated itself to providing a holistic Catholic education rooted in the Lasallian tradition for boys in Years 5 — 12. As a non-zoned institution, we proudly welcome students from across the Melbourne metropolitan area, blending tradition and innovation in education.
Our holistic approach ensures that every student is both challenged and supported, providing a variety of educational pathways, including the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) and the VCE Vocational Major, catering to the diverse interests and aspirations of our students. Within our faith-driven and growth-oriented community, students are nurtured in a culture steeped in social justice, with access to supportive networks, dedicated teaching staff, and cutting-edge technologies to unlock their full potential.
Beyond the classroom, De La Salle College offers an extensive co-curricular program, featuring robust sports, dynamic music and drama opportunities, and comprehensive wellbeing support through our GROW program. With a focus on broadening horizons, we provide rich opportunities in music, performing arts, and a variety of sports, backed by expert coaching and performance opportunities.
Our commitment extends beyond academic excellence to fostering social responsibility and empathy. Students engage in various fundraising and volunteer initiatives, embodying our core values of service, respect, and inclusiveness. We aim to equip our students with the skills for lifelong learning and a deep-seated understanding of the Lasallian faith experience.
Experience the De La Salle College difference firsthand by joining a College Tour and discover why De La Salle College is the perfect choice for your son’s education and future.
For more information on our enrolment process or to access application forms, please visit our Enrolment Page or contact our Registrar or (03) 9508 2186.
History
Beginning over a century ago with 54 boys in a parish hall, our College now educates over 1,000 students across three campuses. It’s a rich history and one that informs our direction for the future.
Early History from 1912
Three Irish brothers, Br Dunstan Drumm, Br Leopold Loughran and Br Jerome Foley, arrived in Melbourne on 4 February, 1912 after a long sea voyage that took them from a bleak northern winter into a hot Australian summer.
Having settled into ‘Coldblo’, a house owned by St Joseph’s Parish, they began teaching 54 boys the very next day in the parish hall.
These early days, and indeed the early years, would provide an exciting challenge for our three pioneers in establishing De La Salle College in Malvern.
A New Beginning in 1929
A momentous year in the history of the College was 1929. The size and public profile of De La Salle grew dramatically with the move from the first school building in Stanhope Street West to the new Tower Building, erected on the site of our present Tiverton Campus.
That year also saw the return to the College of Br Jerome Foley for a seventeen-year appointment as Headmaster.
Dr Eric D’Arcy, retired Archbishop of Hobart and Oxford educated academic, spoke of his old De La Salle teacher:
‘Br Jerome, one of many great leaders De La Salle has seen, had the difficult task of steering the College through the hard years of the Great Depression and the Second World War and was loved and respected by generations of De La Salle Collegians’.
1953 and Beyond
In 1953 a second property, ‘Kinnoull’, was purchased in nearby Northbrook Avenue and, since then, each decade until the end of the century has seen further expansion and growth.
Today the College comprises over 1,000 students and 150 staff divided between Tiverton Campus on High Street, Kinnoull, our senior campus and Holy Eucharist, our Year 9 Campus in Malvern East.
The growth and development of the College, along with the many students who have passed through its gates, are a fine tribute to those three Irish brothers.
Securing our future for the next 110 Years
On Monday, 8 August 2022, our College was pleased to announce it is joining Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) as its trustees, the De La Salle Brothers transition from their ownership role.
In a joint statement to the community, the College said it was looking forward to embracing the many exciting years ahead as it continues to grow and prosper under the Lasallian charism.
You can read more about this important and exciting announcement here.
College Master Plan Update
We are excited to announce a significant evolution in our educational approach starting in 2027, as we shift our focus exclusively to secondary boys’ education. Our last intake of Year 5 students will be in 2025, marking the end of a 112-year tradition and initiating a strategic pivot to enhance our secondary educational offerings.
In the coming months, we will begin several urgent capital projects as precursors to a comprehensive major works program set to start soon after. We will keep you updated on these developments as they unfold.
This new educational model promises to enrich the community in Melbourne’s south-east and ensures the continued growth and success of our College, staying true to the spirit of De La Salle.
You can read more about this announcement here.
Archives
Preserving the history of the College is important to us, should you have a question for our College Archivist or have any items of memorabilia you wish to donate to the College please send us an email archivist@delasalle.vic.edu.au.
