Casey Grammar School officially opened the Joan Reid Learning Centre this month.
Chairman of the Board Malcolm Wells officially declared the building open on Tuesday 3 March, cutting the ribbon alongside Cranbourne MP Pauline Richards, principal Fiona Williams, and school captains Ryan and Sienna.
Parents, principals from neighbouring schools, current and past board members and education leaders attended, including the Chief Executive of Independent Schools Victoria and the Executive General Manager of Ecumenical Schools Australia.
“This building represents far more than new facilities. It reflects who we are,” Mr Wells said.
“It was Casey Grammar School’s values that led me to choose the school for my own children in its early days, and those same values continue to underpin our culture today.”
At the heart of the new Learning Centre is the school’s library, designed as a central gathering place where students can learn and connect.
Mrs Williams spoke about the significant trees that the builders and architects preserved throughout the project.
The trees were planted and donated in 1996 by the school’s patron, Dame Elisabeth Murdoch.
“These trees link our past to our present, and remind us that we are stewards of something that has been lovingly built over time,” Mrs Williams said.
“We wanted to honour that legacy as we open doors to the future.”
Assisted by school captains Ryan and Sienna, Mrs Williams unveiled honorary plaques for each preserved tree.
The Learning Centre honours one of the school’s founders, Joan Reid, who later became the inaugural chair of the Board. The original Joan Reid Learning Centre was removed in 2024, with the new building now offering expansive spaces and modern facilities for students.
In her address, school captain Sienna reflected on the deeper meaning of the day.
“Today is about opening more than a building. It’s about opening doors to connection and achievement,” she said.
In addition to a new library, staff and students can now enjoy new classrooms, a STEM room, a Senior School study hall, and a multipurpose foyer for events, learning and art displays.
The project also includes a new courtyard featuring a nature play area and playground.
