16 November 2023

Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Melbourne have come out on top in the 2023 Learning Environments Australasia (Victorian/Tasmanian chapter) awards.

Ballygriffin, the senior learning centre at Avila College, Mount Waverley, has been named the overall winner, as well as receiving the award for new building/s or facilities (small). St Gabriel’s School, Reservoir, has received the award for modernisation (small).

Opened in 2022, Ballygriffin features flexible and interactive contemporary spaces for learning and teaching, purposefully designed to cultivate community connections, and incorporating numerous common areas and multipurpose zones where students can collaborate and interact. With an emphasis on sustainability and innovation, the building is environmentally sensitive in design, maximises natural light and connects seamlessly with the college’s green site.

The project at St Gabriel’s School won the award for modernising learning spaces for contemporary learners. The judges made mention of the flexible and adaptable mix of formal, informal and transitional spaces, indoor and outdoor, allowing multiple learning settings including collaborative and practical activities.

In addition to the two winning schools, St Therese’s School, Essendon, and Xavier College, Kew, were commended for their modernisation projects.