The Heart of Walford is Officially Open

On 15 October, at 10am, Stages 2 and 3 of the Heart of Walford were officially opened in a ceremony in the new ‘heart’ of Walford’s secondary campus. The opening was attended by Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia, and proud Walford old scholar, alongside special guests, staff and secondary students who will enjoy the space each day. This is the second outdoor space Walford has opened this year, with the new wonderland-themed Junior School playground opened in February.

Walford has partnered with Matthews Architects in the Heart of Walford outdoor beautification and landscaping project. Works on Stage 1 of the Heart of Walford project began in 2022, with the 1920s ‘Old Hall’ being removed, and the ‘town square’ being completed. This year, Stages 2 and 3 have been brought to life by Pascale Construction, opening up the centre of the secondary site into a calm oasis of green space, seating and natural features. The Heart of Walford features open lawns, gardens, gathering spots, a 27 metre water feature and three new flagpoles. It also includes a sculpture, titled Nest, by local artist Sally Wickes and featuring a glass piece by glass blower Llewelyn Ash, son of Walford old scholar Janet Ayliffe who is a prominent printmaker and painter. Nest represents how each individual Walford girl is known, supported, and nurtured by interconnected communities of parents, staff, and old scholars. If seen from a certain angle, the steel rings of the sculpture form the shape of a heart, a nod to its place in the heart of the School.

Principal Dr Deborah Netolicky says, “The Heart of Walford is designed to be a hub for collaboration and togetherness, as well as a calm space where the Walford students and wider community can come together, belong, learn, grow and celebrate, not just as individuals, but as a vibrant and tight-knit community. Each day, throughout the day, our students and staff move through this heart space and greet one another by name. A nod, a smile, or a ‘good morning’ as we pass each other in our school’s heart, is an expression of ‘I see you; you are known; you are valued’. Ultimately it is our students who will take ownership of this space, and fill it with joy and connection.”

Walford is currently undertaking a full internal refurbishment of its Wait Building into art studios, new Year 12 learning commons spaces, and refreshed locker rooms, ready for 2025. These works will allow construction to begin on Walford’s next multi-million dollar building project from December this year: the construction of the Jewell Pavilion and the renewal of heritage-listed Mabel Jewell Baker House, originally known as Woodlyn House, into flexible, technology-rich and modern learning spaces.