Woodford House opens in front of 200-strong crowd

Bishop Andrew (left), Board chairman Phil Williams, Dame Kate Harcourt and principal Julie Peterson celebrating the opening of the new performing arts centre. Photo/ Supplied.

About 200 people gathered at Woodford House last night to celebrate the opening of the Dame Kate Harcourt Performing Arts Centre.

After becoming aware that some of the buildings required strengthening to meet the new seismic standards, the school used it as an opportunity to develop spaces better equipped for modern learning.

With this the old arts block, Haddington, was demolished in 2015 with the blessing of the Casely family and this new performing arts centre has since taken its place.

The facility spans three levels and includes a drama and dance studio with sprung floors, a music rehearsal space, three classrooms, five tutorial rooms, acoustics throughout the teaching spaces, costume and prop storage facilities and a school maintenance workshop.

Woodford House communications manager Chloe Johnson said it was a space that would provide the girls with excellent teaching facilities rather than being a space for public performances.

"It was a real honour having the Harcourt family here opening the centre. Dame Kate gave a lovely speech and then sung the school hymn from when she was here at school."

About 40 old girls joined with Ms Harcourt from the audience to sing the hymn.

"It was very special for us to watch," Ms Johnson said.

Alongside this new performing arts centre renovations commenced last January inside the Woodford Building, which included a new kitchen, laundry, extended dining room and outdoor deck for Year 13 students.

The Bernard L Chambers Founders' Room was also developed as a multi-purpose space for the Woodford House community to use.

Around $6 million has been invested into these building projects and Ms Johnson said they were grateful for the generous support of their community.

"We would like to especially acknowledge and thank the Chambers Charitable Trust for their substantial contribution in supporting Woodford House as a leading school for girls."