News
Published on
April 7, 2025
St Aloysius College is proud to unveil plans for a state-of-the-art, multi-level primary school building in the heart of Adelaide. This exciting development was designed in collaboration with students, teachers and leading architects at Grieve Gillett Architects and Hayball, and will provide an innovative and dynamic learning environment tailored to the needs of our youngest students.
With construction already underway by Schiavello, a top 100 construction company, the new vertical primary school will feature 22 contemporary classrooms, a high-tech STEM learning space, a dedicated music room, sensory areas, and a 25-metre swimming pool. Students will also enjoy a rooftop play area with breathtaking views across the city, encouraging outdoor learning and active play.
Principal, Ms Paddy McEvoy, shared her enthusiasm for the project, highlighting the collaborative approach taken in its design. “Our students and teachers have been involved in every step of this process, ensuring the spaces created truly support modern learning,” she said. “This new campus will foster creativity, collaboration, and a strong sense of community, reinforcing our commitment to empowering young women.”
“In selecting Grieve Gillett Architects and Hayball to design the new facilities, we were impressed with their depth of experience in vertical primary schools as well as the strong representation of female architects within their teams,” Ms McEvoy said. “These professional women consulted closely with our students in the design and planning stages, sparking curiosity for students and exposing them to strong female role models.”
When speaking about the new development Mercy Education's CEO Louisa Rennie said, “For 145 years St Aloysius College has championed the education of young women and empowered them to step into the world as Mercy women filled with strength and courage to blaze a trail for future generations. The development of its vertical primary school campus, under Paddy McEvoy's leadership is an important contribution to the city landscape and the continued success of girls’ education in Adelaide. We look forward to the impact the campus will have on students and staff as a modern, dynamic and high-performance space for generations of young women to come."
The building reflects best-practice educational design principles. The teams’ depth of experience in designing vertical schools, coupled with strong female representation within their leadership, aligns with St Aloysius College’s vision of shaping confident and compassionate young women.
Named in honour of Mercy Sister, Teresa Dunlevie, a former Principal from 1918 to 1944, the new primary school will be the tallest of its kind in the CBD.
“For generations, St Aloysius College has championed excellence in girls’ education. This development ensures that our students will continue to benefit from a forward-thinking and engaging learning environment,” Ms McEvoy said.
As part of the College’s broader vision for the future, this project underscores our dedication to providing an exceptional education in a supportive and inspiring setting. We look forward to welcoming students to this remarkable new space and seeing their learning experiences soar to new heights.
This article was originally published on St Aloysius College Adelaide's website on 9 March 2025.
