A New Chapter Begins: The Emily Centre Opens!
The start of Term 2 has been one of great excitement and enormous pride, as our students and staff stepped into the newly opened Emily Centre for the very first time. As students took in the state-of-the-art facility and the light-filled, modern learning spaces, a sense of exhilaration spread spontaneously amongst the various groups. Teaching and learning in the Emily Centre marks not only the beginning of a new term, but the beginning of a new chapter in the life of St Peter’s Girls’ School.
Students from Reception to Year 12 smiled broadly as they saw the expansive double-court gym, with each House name proudly displayed above in House colours. The girls were delighted with the Performing Arts spaces. These clearly reflected their needs as learners, having been designed in close collaboration with our architects and staff. The spacious general learning classrooms, the breakout areas filled with natural light and contemporary, comfortable furnishings, and the modern and the stylish changerooms and bathrooms, were received with great enthusiasm. Every space has been thoughtfully designed to inspire both learning and Saints Girls’ pride.
The Emily Centre is more than just a new building; it carries deep historical significance. Named in honour of Mother Emily Ayckbowm, the founder of the Community of the Sisters of the Church, it pays tribute to the woman whose vision laid the foundation for our School. In 1894, St Peter’s Girls’ School began with just four students on Kermode Street in North Adelaide, following Mother Emily’s mission to provide education for girls and opportunities for those in need. Today, more than 130 years on, her legacy continues to shape who we are. As our students experience the Emily Centre for the first time, they are walking in the footsteps of a rich history, one grounded in courage, compassion and a belief in the transformative power of education. I wish to thank every member of our community who has made it possible for our School to build such a fabulous new facility that will benefit our students and staff in the years to come.
It has been a truly uplifting start to Term 2, and we look forward to all that will be learnt, created and achieved within the walls of the new Emily Centre.
Cherylyn Skewes
Principal
Save the Date
The official opening of the Emily Centre will take place on Friday 12 June from 12.00–2.00pm, with Old Scholar Ms Melanie Cooper AM (Kennion 1977) formally opening the Centre. All students and staff will be involved in this special celebration.
Following the ceremony, small group tours will be available for families from 3.30pm with the last tour commencing at 5:30pm. Families should allow 30 minutes for this. A TryBooking link, along with further details, will be shared in the coming weeks.