The facility, supported by the Creative Minds: the world needs you campaign, will enable a new chapter in the history of the College by cementing our connection to the Performing Arts and further facilitating culture and performance as a core offering.
The gathered crowd, including major benefactor Old Collegian Michael Flanagan (Peart, 1951-55) and Chair of the Board of Governors Simon Power, looked on as Senior Chaplain Reverend Gareth Walters and Teacher of Te Reo Māori Leo Tahitahi blessed the site. They were then addressed by Acting Headmaster John Payne and Head of Performing Arts Emma Featherstone.
“This facility will offer students a new variety of subject and co-curricular options alongside our dynamic Fine Arts, Computing and Technology spaces,” Mr Payne said.
“Being able to be creative, innovative and flexible is vital to our students’ ability to strive and thrive in the future, and we look forward to the opportunities to nurture these qualities that the new building will afford us,” he said.
Head of Performing Arts Emma Featherstone thanked Mr Flanagan, donor of an $8 million lead gift for his “tireless efforts to see this dream realised”, and the Board of Governors for its “continued forward-thinking approach to the lives of the students we serve”.
The Performing Arts Centre was designed by Old Collegian and architect Andrew Patterson (School, 1974-78), and Ms Featherstone noted the collaborative dynamic she has enjoyed with the team throughout the ideation of the project.
The Performing Arts Centre is the first major project of the Next Horizon campaign, with $14.5 million secured towards the project so far.
If you and your family believe in the importance of the arts, and that embedding culture in our young people enriches and informs our society, we invite you to come forward and pledge your support to the Performing Arts Centre.
There are lots of opportunities to be involved and join our cast. Together we can provide the financial support needed to begin this next era of our history.
