Senator for Victoria Jana Stewart and Catholic Education Sandhurst executive director Kate Fogarty cut the ribbon to officially open the new building stage at St Anne’s College.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Staff, students, builders, designers and dignitaries came out of the woodwork for the keenly anticipated official opening of a new trades hands-on learning space at St Anne’s College on October 16.
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Known as Stage 3A within the school community, the new state-of-the-art facility will provide the college’s students with opportunities to engage in design and technology, metalwork, textiles, robotics and woodwork.
Designed by Dr Ken Woodman — the architect responsible for designing the college’s previous building stages — the new area will expand the students’ learning in several fashions.
“The spaces provide an opportunity for students to explore design and technology with computer-aided design laboratories, maker spaces, fabrics room, robotics space, 3D printing, wood and metal workshops, all around a central fabrication area,” Dr Woodman said.
“This is truly a hub for creativity and hands-on learning.”
Father Ronald Masilang RCJ blesses the new facility at Kialla.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
College captains Alick Jarvis and Liliana Cirillo welcomed guests to the official opening where St Anne’s principal Anthony Butts, Catholic Education Sandhurst Ltd executive director Kate Fogarty and Senator for Victoria Jana Stewart addressed the audience inside the new wing.
Catholic Education Sandhurt executive director Kate Fogarty addresses the crowd.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Ms Fogarty said Stage 3A was a practical and future-focused addition to the college.
“Each stage of development is intentionally designed to grow with the needs of our students and staff, ensuring that as the college expands, it continues to offer contemporary and high-quality learning environments,” she said.
St Anne's College captains Liliana Cirillo and Alick Jarvis admire the new 3D printers.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Blessings, hymns, a gospel reading, homily and prayer followed, before St Mel’s Parish Priest Father Ronald Masilang RCJ moved between each room in the facility, blessing them, as the college’s primary school choir entertained guests with song.
Ms Stewart and Ms Fogarty then cut the ribbon and unveiled a plaque that will be mounted on a wall at the new facility.
Students now have options to explore design and technology with computer-aided design laboratories, maker spaces, fabrics room, robotics space, 3D printing, wood (pictured) and metal workshops, around a central fabrication area.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Guests toured the new spaces after a final blessing by Fr Masilang.
The building stage was made possible by $5 million of funding from the Federal Government and $3 million that was contributed by the St Anne’s College community.
Guests were able to tour the facility after the official opening.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
This year has been a history-making one for the college, which added its final year level (Year 6) after beginning with just Foundation and Year 7 students when it was established in 2019.
Additional year levels were added to primary and secondary levels each year, with its first Year 12 cohort graduating last year.
St Anne’s College principal Anthony Butts.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
