On 10 March 2010, His Grace Archbishop Denis Hart joins the Ave Maria College community for the Blessing and Official Opening of the piazza and surrounding learning areas.

In addition to the glass roofed piazza, onto which the Hall now opens, the project included a new media centre, a band room and music practice rooms, three new classrooms and a circuit room, a canteen, staff dining room and offices, and the relocation of administrative services into well-appointed office space. The piazza and staff dining room feature four stained glass windows, originally installed in the Brisbane house of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, and now gifted to the College.

The piazza is a popular meeting place for students and staff alike. It has quickly become a focus for functions and events, such as the Arts Exhibition and the Night of Excellence.

The project provided a challenge to the architects and builders because it was situated in a central area of the College, affected a Heritage building, removed the Hall from usage and required the demolition of several classrooms. It also challenged staff and students who had to work around its periphery.

This project was the third stage of a Master Building Plan that has led the transformation of the school’s facilities over the past decade. As with the previous two stages, the building of these facilities was made possible with a loan from Catholic Development Fund.

Principal
Ms Olwen MJ Horton