In 1960,[1] the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers established St Brendan's College for boys in James Street, Devonport.

Shaw College was a Catholic Girls School established by the Sisters of St Joseph.

In 1972, by agreement of the Archdiocese, the Christian Brothers and the Sisters of St Joseph appointed one Board of Management (Devonport Regional Catholic College Board of Management) and in 1981 Br Reg Long was appointed Principal of the co-educational ‘St Brendan-Shaw College’.

The barque of St Brendan symbolises missionary endeavour, while the 12-pointed star on the sail is taken from the Shaw badge, where it represented 'Light from Knowledge'.

St Brendan-Shaw College is a member of the Sports Association of Tasmanian Independent Schools (SATIS).