Burke Hall

In 1919, prominent Melbourne businessman Thomas Michael Burke purchased Studley Hall, a mansion located on Studley Park Road, Kew, and presented it to his friend Archbishop Daniel Mannix. In turn, Mannix offered the property to Xavier College. The Senior Campus had been operating since 1878 and was ready for expansion.

On 13 February 1921, Studley Hall was officially opened as the new Xavier College Preparatory School. The name Studley Hall was retained for the next five years when, in 1926, another gift from the Burke family was received – a Chapel donated by Mrs Burke in memory of her deceased brother Francis Brady who had attended Xavier between 1904 and 1909. In a gesture of great thanks, the name of the campus was changed to Burke Hall.

Burke Hall catered for boys only for its first 81 years and then, in 2002, an Early Years Centre was opened which offers co-educational schooling from 3-year-old level to the end of Year 4. From Years 5 to 8, Burke Hall remains a boys-only school. Currently there are 750 students at Burke Hall, including 70 girls.

In 1996, major extensions and renovations took place with the building of a new primary wing and open learning areas. 1997 saw the construction of a multi-purpose hall, incorporating Sports and Drama facilities. In 1999, the Science wing was totally renovated. A new Years 5 and 6 classroom wing opened in early 2011.

Xavier College - Burke Hall is a vibrant, thriving campus where the curriculum embraces the total development of each student. The curriculum is inclusive of students with special needs, providing support as well as extending and enriching gifted students and thereby ensuring the nurturing of talent and potential.

The curriculum is holistic, providing rigour and challenge in its core areas, fostering creative expression and talent through the Humanities and Arts programs, and enabling students to reach their goals in their physical development through the extensive Health and Physical Education and Sports programs.

For further information about the Burke Hall Early Years curriculum, please click here.

For further information about the Burke Hall Middle Years curriculum, please click here.

The students’ spiritual life is a central focus at Burke Hall, where the boys and girls are enlightened and challenged in their faith development, are exposed to many social justice issues, and are encouraged to be ‘men and women for others’. There is a full-time chaplain and there are many opportunities for the boys to celebrate the sacraments (for example, family and class Masses, Sacrament of Reconciliation) and deepen their relationship with their Creator.

The empowerment and support of students as they participate in the curriculum is underpinned by the pastoral program along with their Homeroom group, all of which contribute to the students’ overall growth and development.

Currently the main intake years at Burke Hall are 3-year-old and Year 5, with a smaller intake at Year 7. Places are limited from 3-year-old to Year 4 as there is only one class at each level.

For information about how to enrol at the Burke Hall, please click here.