See the pictures: Next stage of building work starts at Blackfriars

The next stage in the transformation of Blackfriars has started, with this week’s demolition of three Highbury Street properties to make way for a state-of-the art, two-storey building.

The building, adjoining the Aquinas Centre to the east, will become home to Blackfriars’ new Food Science and Hospitality offerings and allow the school to extend our acclaimed STEM program.

From 2024, Food Science and will complement the 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.

Together with Hospitality, it will also deliver a springboard for students exploring a VET course at TAFE.

The new building, which will be similar in size to the Aquinas Centre, will also house a new school canteen and a cafeteria space for students.

It will offer additional spaces for STEM, including areas dedicated to virtual reality, robotics, electronics and 3D printing.

“Also, in this building will be a home for our Year 9s – a Year 9 hub upstairs from 2024,” Principal David Ruggiero said.

“So, exciting times ahead. A wonderful time to be at Blackfriars.”

Following its completion, the Maher building will be demolished to create an open-air, piazza-like space.

Building work was due to start in early 2023.

Mr Ruggiero has also announced the creation of several 3×3 basketball courts – for use by Primary and Secondary students.

Meanwhile, to cater for a growth in mid-year Reception enrolments, the Senior Library is being reconfigured to incorporate the Primary Library space.

The OSHC room will move to the existing Primary Library and the current OSHC space used as an additional Reception classroom from the start of the 2023 school year.