Reaching a New Milestone: Fraser Centre Topping Out Ceremony
Ivanhoe Grammar School celebrated a significant milestone in the construction of the Fraser Centre, with staff, students, project partners and members of the School community gathering for the building’s Topping Out Ceremony. The event marked the completion of the highest structural point of the new Senior Years facility at our Ridgeway Campus and recognised the many people bringing this transformative project to life.
Named in honour of former Principal the late Rod Fraser AM, the Fraser Centre recognises his contribution to Ivanhoe Grammar School during his 20 years of leadership. During his time at the School, Rod shaped many of the initiatives and opportunities that continue to define the School today, including its global outlook, the introduction of co-education, the commitment to character education and focus on preparing students for life beyond the classroom. Principal Gerard Foley, who worked closely alongside Rod as Deputy Principal and Head of Ridgeway Campus during much of his tenure, warmly welcomed Sandy Fraser, Rod’s wife, to the ceremony, and said the new building was a fitting tribute to his enduring legacy.
‘Rod is the architect of modern Ivanhoe, and the Fraser Centre is a fitting recognition of Rod’s leadership and commitment to the School. His legacy continues through this building, which represents our shared vision for the future of teaching and learning at Ivanhoe. From the outset, we wanted to create a building providing a bridge between school and university, a place that better prepares our senior students for the independence, collaboration and ways of learning they will experience beyond Ivanhoe Grammar School,’ Gerard said.
One of those with a particularly close connection to the project is architect Randal Marsh (’77) of Wood Marsh Architects. Together with colleagues Roger Wood and Craig Miall, Randal has helped create a contemporary learning environment that reflects both the School’s heritage and its aspirations for the future. Deputy Principal and Head of Ridgeway Campus Amber Sowden has been closely involved in the Fraser Centre project and believes it will be a significant addition to the Senior Years experience. She said the Fraser Centre has been thoughtfully designed to support the way young people learn.
‘Featuring flexible learning spaces, collaborative breakout areas and a dedicated Futures Centre, this building will support student learning and their journey as they explore career pathways, university opportunities and life beyond school. The purpose-built rooftop Kempen Terrace and café will provide a vibrant community gathering space, while the new state-of-the-art Andrianopoulos Theatre seating more than 300 people will enhance learning and performance opportunities for our Senior Years students,’ Amber said. It was fitting that Peter Kempen AM, former long-standing Chair of the Board of Governors, and donors George Andrianopoulos (’77) and Chris Andrianopoulos (’81), were in attendance to see the spaces named in recognition of their contributions to the School coming to life.
Adding to the significance of the occasion was the presence of Year 11 students Sadie, Molly, Thomas and Jaidyn who are excited about the new facility. These students were excited to witness this important stage of construction, gain a glimpse of the innovative spaces and tour the building. Their enthusiasm reflects the broader impact the Fraser Centre will have on generations of Ivanhoe students for years to come.
A project like this would not be possible without the vision, generosity and expertise of many people. The Fraser Centre has been brought to life through the support of donors, architects, project consultants, contractors and our construction partner Building Engineering, who marked this milestone by presenting the School with a lemon-scented gum tree that will be planted near the entrance of the building. The countless hours of work contributed by everyone involved will leave a lasting legacy, creating a transformative learning environment for generations of students.
With the structure now ‘topped out’, the Fraser Centre moves one step closer to completion. More than a building, it represents an investment in the future of learning at Ivanhoe Grammar School.
