2 minute read
Annie Hughston Centre
NEW ANNIE HUGHSTON CENTRE
Fintona’s built environment has changed throughout its history. From its first location in Mayston Street, Hawthorn East, then to Burke Road, and finally to Balwyn, Headmistresses and Principals have worked tirelessly to ensure students’ needs have been met through the provision of buildings and grounds that support their learning and development programs.
The Annie Hughston Centre, named after the School’s founding Principal, has created a hub of innovation at Fintona, optimising the relationship between science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and design to enrich learning opportunities now and into the future.
Well known architect and past parent, Corbett Lyon, and his team, worked closely with builders, McCorkell Constructions, project stakeholders and members of the wider school community to create this incredible building that is iconic and fit for purpose; one which embraces our history, culture and physical environment.
Officially opened on Thursday 1 April 2021, The Annie Hughston Centre features:
– state-of-the art laboratory spaces with the versatility to cater for students of all ages – general learning areas with flexible floor
plans to augment curriculum delivery collaboration, exploration, and interactions – a technically enhanced studio that supports a culture which will enable our girls to further develop their design thinking capabilities – writeable surfaces for problem solving and collaborative activity – zones designed to encourage incidental interactions and open staff spaces which create a community hub feel that fully supports students’ learning and connectedness – quiet study nooks and small group conversational areas – seamless ICT connectivity and Audio-
Visual capabilities.
The green outdoor spaces that have been enjoyed over decades, are cherished by past and present students, staff, and our parent community. The landscaping and gardens surrounding the Annie Hughston Centre were equally considered, alongside classroom facilities, to ensure we created optimal garden and lawn areas to be enjoyed for years to come.
The Hon Josh Frydenberg MP, Federal Member for Kooyong and Treasurer of Australia, officially opened the building following a memorable keynote address from Dr Bronwyn King AO, an Old Fintonian, who has a remarkable career as a radiation oncologist and is also an anti-tobacco campaigner.
Thank you to the many parents, past parents, Old Fintonians and staff members who generously contributed to this project that will enrich the learning of Fintonians for many years to come.
DID YOU KNOW… – The carpet in the Annie Hughston
Centre is binary code for the School’s motto, Age Quod Agis. Laura Nan, then
Year 7 student, helped our architects determine the layout of the carpet – The brick façade is a fractal design pattern that is connected to the footprint of the building – The outdoor seated area was developed from the Fibonacci sequence
Rachael Falloon
