St. Peter’s College began in 1987 as the Cranbourne Campus of St. Francis Xavier, Beaconsfield with 48 students in Year 7. A year level was added in each of the two subsequent years with year 10 first being offered in 1992. Fr. James McGuigan who had been Parish Priest of St. Agatha’s since 1980 was a driving force behind the establishment and development of the Campus until his untimely death in 1991.

An Interim Board of Management containing Cranbourne and Beaconsfield representation was formed which determined that the College would become independent from the beginning of 1994 and be known as St. Peter’s. Mr Terry Feely was appointed as the first Principal and Mr John Clancy became the first Chairperson of the St. Peter’s College Board.

In 1994 the College was a Year 7 – 10 Campus of 280 students. A rapid phase of growth and development commenced with the VCE being introduced and the first Year 12 group graduating in 1996. The Curriculum diversified to a great degree with particular expansion in areas such as Technology, Sciences, Visual Arts and Languages Other than English.

The person and story of St. Peter greatly contributed to a distinct character and ethos, expressed in symbol, art work and the liturgical life of the College. A reputation for excellence in the performing arts was quickly achieved and in 1998 the College was recognised in the Federal Parliament for its work towards Aboriginal Reconciliation. By that year the student enrolment had grown to 570 with 41 teaching staff.

This growth was supported by continued curricular expansion and a succession of new buildings; the Library (1995), the Breen Building (1998), the Clancy Building (2000), the Tarraville Building (2002), the Florence Williams Building (2003).

In 2000 the College opened its large Multi-Purpose Hall and in this year also, Mrs Marleen Ling succeeded Mr John Clancy as chairperson of the College Board.

In February 2003 its tenth year the College relocated and began to refurbish the Chapel of St. Peter’s in Tooradin. The magnificent bequest including the contents were blessed and re-dedicated by Fr. Andrew Wise who had been appointed Parish Priest of St. Agatha’s succeeding Fr. Herman Hengel earlier that year.

In 2003 the College participated in the Diocesan School Renewal Program which resulted in the Strategic Plan 2003-2008.

In May of 2004, Mrs Julie Kelly succeeded Mrs Ling as Chairperson of the College Board. Mr Robert Carboon succeeded Mrs Julie Kelly after her family relocated in the course of 2006.

The present enrolment stands at 930.