Welcome to the Transformed Mabel Jewell Baker House

Walford is proud to announce the opening of the new Mabel Jewell Baker House, a significant milestone in our campus renewal journey and an exciting new chapter for our students. 

Officially opened on 15 May 2026, the House was celebrated alongside special guests, donors, and members of the Walford community whose generosity and vision made this transformation possible. The opening included a blessing by Anglican Diocese of Adelaide Archbishop The Most Reverend Dr Bradly S. Billings, as well as a meaningful smoking ceremony by Uncle John Lochowiak, acknowledging the rich cultural heritage of the land and marking the beginning of a new era for this historic space. 

We were thrilled to welcome keynote speaker Pamela Martin, a Walford old scholar, former Head Prefect, distinguished lawyer and public servant, and a woman whose life of service and leadership reflects so much of what we hope for every Walford graduate. Pamela spoke warmly about her earliest and most prominent memories of Walford life in Mabel Jewell Baker House.

“Walford is very good at using and repurposing the buildings and keeping them so that they play a part in the future of the school while showing respect for our past,” she said. “I think this redevelopment is a perfect illustration of that and how wonderful it is that it now provides state-of-the-art learning spaces for the Year 7s. What a wonderful place to be and to learn, and to be introduced into the Secondary School.”

At the heart of the campus, the newly reimagined Mabel Jewell Baker House seamlessly blends heritage and contemporary architecture. Carefully restored and thoughtfully redesigned, it honours its past while offering modern, flexible learning environments that reflect the way students learn today. 

Now home to our Year 7 cohort on the ground floor, the House has quickly become a vibrant hub of learning, connection, and belonging. Light-filled classrooms, adaptable learning spaces, and inviting indoor and outdoor areas provide opportunities for collaboration, independent thinking, and meaningful engagement. 

Principal Deborah Netolicky said “Year 7 is a significant year of transition, new routines, new friendships and new responsibilities. This hub will their nest: a place of care and challenge, where they feel known, supported and ready to grow.” 

Year 7 at Walford is a unique and important stage of a student’s journey. It marks the start of their Secondary School experience—a time when students are supported to grow in confidence, develop strong relationships, and embrace new academic challenges. Mabel Jewell Baker House has been designed specifically to support this transition.

Within this space, students experience a dynamic and connected approach to learning. They move between collaborative group work and focused individual study, engage with teachers in flexible settings, and benefit from an environment that encourages curiosity, creativity, and a sense of ownership over their learning. 

Beyond the classroom, the House fosters a strong sense of community. Shared spaces and connections to the Heart of Walford create opportunities for students to build friendships, feel a sense of belonging, and confidently take their place within the Secondary School. 

The opening of Mabel Jewell Baker House reflects Walford’s commitment to providing exceptional learning environments that honour our history while embracing the future. It is a space where our Year 7 students can thrive—academically, socially, and personally—as they begin this important next chapter. 

Explore Mabel Jewell Baker House

We invite you to experience Mabel Jewell Baker House firsthand, and learn more about what makes Year 7 at Walford such a strong and supported beginning, by booking a personalised tour.