State-of-the-art building to transform Blackfriars campus and learning
Blackfriars Priory School has taken the next step in the transformation of its Prospect Road campus, with work now under way on a new, $13 million state-of-the-art building.
When complete, the Albert Centre will be home to Blackfriars’ new Food Science and Hospitality offerings and expanded and enhanced STEM spaces, including laboratories and a dedicated virtual reality (VR) lab.
Named for the school’s Patron, St Albert the Great, the two-storey building will also house a new canteen and cafeteria space, as well as a dedicated hub for Year 9 students.
Designed by architects Swanbury Penglase, the Albert Centre will dovetail the award-winning Aquinas Centre – opened in early in 2021 – to further transform and enhance the school.
Once complete in early 2024, an adjacent 1970s-built building will be demolished to make way for an open-air plaza.
“We’re thrilled to be able to take this next step in the transformation of our school,” Blackfriars principal David Ruggiero said.
“Over the past few years, starting with the Aquinas Centre – the first new stand-alone building project at Blackfriars since 1980 – we have worked to create modern, aesthetically pleasing spaces that take our students’ learning to the next level.
“The Albert Centre continues that work, providing another fabulous space for our current and future students to enjoy.”
From 2024, Food Science and Hospitality will complement Blackfriars’ existing health and physical education and science programs and provide an explicit pathway from Middle Years to Stage 2 Nutrition and/or Stage 2 Food Technology.
It will also deliver a springboard for students to explore career pathways in the food and hospitality industry.
“This is such an exciting time for everyone at Blackfriars,” Ruggiero said.
“Not only will the Albert Centre allow us to expand our curriculum to offer Food Science and Hospitality, we’re delighted to be able to do more in that vital STEM space.”
Artist’s impression looking through the Albert Centre’s ground floor
Horizon Construction Services is delivering the project. Managing director Matthew Pezzuto said his company was “extremely pleased” to partner with Blackfriars to create the Albert Centre.
“We are excited to be a part of the next stage of significant building works undertaken at the school,” Pezzuto said.
“The building will be an ultra-modern education facility that will give students a truly world-class environment in which to learn and thrive.”
In 2023, Blackfriars is celebrating its 70th anniversary. It will host a Platinum Jubilee Ball, at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, on Saturday 11 November. For tickets, or for more information, see blackfriars.sa.edu.au.
Blackfriars also hosts monthly school tours. Book a spot at blackfriars.sa.edu.au/visit.
