Introducing the FOXFORD INNOVATION CENTRE

The College is proud to announce the commencement of construction of the Foxford Innovation Centre.

On the corner of Buckley and Lorraine Streets, the new building’s design is inspired by our mansion and original school building. With arches and curves that reflect the heritage façade of Bruton House, the new building will seamlessly integrate with the College’s existing buildings.

The Foxford Innovation Centre has been designed around agile and dynamic breakout areas that offer IT connectivity, flexible furniture and connection to the outdoors, providing the opportunity to adapt their use to meet the curriculum’s evolving needs. The spaces also allow staff and students from various learning areas to come together, collaborate and learn from one another.

The Foxford Innovation Centre reflects a significant investment in the future of educational opportunities for St Columba’s College students and is an essential part of the College’s vision of providing a modern and dynamic learning environment. The building’s design, facilities, and technology infrastructure reflect the best practices in STEAM education, providing a world-class education to our students.

The Foxford Innovation Centre brings together the College’s vision, with the design expertise of CHT Architects, the planning experience of Fontic and the building knowledge of Building Engineering. We will continue to update the community on building progress.

Visit www.columba.vic.edu.au

WHY FOXFORD?

The Foxford Innovation Centre has been named for the Foxford Woollen Mills in Ireland. The Mills were established in 1892 by a Sister of Charity, Mother Agnes Morrogh-Bernard, in the village of Foxford, County Mayo, on the river Moy. Mother Agnes arrived in Foxford to find a community in dire need. Inspired by the village, its people and the river it sat on, Mother Agnes decided to open a mill as a means of improving people’s livelihood, and prospects for the area.

To achieve her vision, Mother Agnes knew that the Foxford community needed to be both brave and inclusive. Breaking with convention, she partnered with John Smith, a Tyrone Protestant, to build the mill, a connection facilitated by the well-known Irish political leader Michael Davitt. A Protestant and Freemason working with a Catholic nun in 19th-century Ireland was a rare thing. The business, and in turn, the village, prospered employing 220 people in the first 90 years. The Foxford Woollen Mills are still open today and have become a place of pilgrimage for many Sisters of Charity and Mary Aikenhead Ministries members.

It is Mother Agnes’s spirit of innovation and tenacity, that inspired the name of our new building. A place where our students will follow in her footsteps, to design, create, collaborate and innovate.

Adapted from The Story of Foxford Woollen Mills at www.foxford.com