As part of our 170th anniversary year, Jane Barker Hall will be transformed into a new Senior School Research Centre.
As our School has grown and evolved, so too have the learning needs of our students. To ensure every girl has access to inspiring, contemporary learning environments, we have looked at how we can make the best use of our entire campus. This led us to a space rich with historical significance, situated at the heart of our school: the Jane Barker Hall.
It’s really great timing for me because the new space will open when I’m finishing Year 7. This new space will motivate me because it’s somewhere where I can just be in the present. I’m really excited to know that I’ll be able to use it next year.
Grace
Rich in history and central to School life, the Jane Barker Hall holds a special place in the hearts of generations of St Catherine’s students. By transforming this treasured space into a new Senior School Research Centre, we will honour our heritage while creatinga future-focused learning environment for today’s girls.This project will focus on transforming this historic building sustainably, making the most of existing structures to reduce environmental impact.
The renewed facility will provide a modern library and research centre, five new classrooms, expanded seminar and teaching spaces, dedicated study areas and collaborative breakout spaces. An enhanced ICT infrastructure and the refreshed Una Fitzhardinge Room will further support a dynamic and engaging learning experience. Designed to meet the needs of students from Years 7 to 12, the Jane Barker Hall will offer spaces for research, collaboration, creativity and independent study, supporting every girl as she develops the skills and confidence to thrive academically.
It’s a beautiful place that many people know from their time at St Catherine’s and now there will be all these new reading nooks and study spaces. It will just encourage people and help me to study.
Chloe
Importantly, this project reflects our commitment to sustainability. Rather than constructing a new building, we will sensitively restore and adapt the existing Hall, preserving an important part of our School’s history while reducing environmental impact. By retaining and enhancing this much-loved landmark, we can celebrate our past while creating a modern, welcoming and highly functional space for future generations.
Located at the heart of the campus, the revitalised Jane Barker Hall will improve access to key learning resources and provide a vibrant hub for student life. Thoughtfully designed to support both independent and collaborative learning, the space will offer greater flexibility, improved accessibility and the technology required for a contemporary education.
The revitalisation of the Jane Barker Hall is an investment in our students, ensuring every girl has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive in an environment designed for the future. Together, we can preserve our legacy while creating a vibrant and sustainable learning hub that will serve St Catherine’s girls for generations to come.
