St Andrew’s Opens New Performing Arts Precinct on the Sunshine Coast

St Andrew’s Anglican College has officially opened its new $37.5 million Performing Arts and Administration Precinct at Peregian Springs, creating purpose-built spaces for music, drama and creative learning, and expanding opportunities for students to explore their talents.

Opened on Friday 16 October 2026, the precinct is the largest building project in the College’s history. It brings together specialist Arts facilities, flexible learning spaces and a new administration centre, supporting the College’s continued growth and its commitment to developing students’ knowledge, skills, confidence and personal capacity.

The opening was attended by Archbishop Jeremy Greaves, College Principal Karen Gorrie, College Council Chair Ros Cheales, Ninderry MP Dan Purdie representing Education and Arts Minister John-Paul Langbroek, Federal Member for Fairfax Ted O’Brien, Noosa Mayor Frank Wilkie and Division 9 Councillor Maria Suarez.

Speaking at the opening, Mr Purdie described St Andrew’s as “certainly one of the best schools in the state, if not Australia and beyond”.

He also encouraged students to appreciate the opportunities available to them.

“Students, you don't appreciate this yet, but you will in time look back and appreciate how privileged you were to have not only these amazing facilities, but all these people here in front of me who have invested a lot in your future,” he said.

The Queensland Government contributed $1.6 million towards the project.

Purpose-built spaces for creativity and collaboration

Designed by COX Architecture, the precinct includes dedicated band and strings rooms, a black box theatre, breakout studio rooms and general learning areas. Specialist acoustics and natural light support a range of learning and performance activities, while a central courtyard, café and outdoor gathering and performance spaces create opportunities for students to connect beyond the classroom.

The new administration centre provides a welcoming reception for families and visitors, alongside a large undercover gathering space.

Together, these facilities support a broad range of creative pursuits, from instrumental music and drama to songwriting, ensemble performances, sound recording and technical production. They also provide room for students to collaborate, experiment, develop practical skills and discover interests that may shape their future.

For Principal Karen Gorrie, the precinct represents much more than a new building.

“This building represents our belief in the extraordinary potential of the Arts to shape young people,” she said.

“Through the Arts, students have opportunities to find their voice, develop confidence, collaborate with others, persevere through challenges and experience the joy of creating something together.”

Growing opportunities in music and performance

The precinct builds on the College’s established Arts program, including Headliner Collective, which brings together students in Years 5–12 to explore contemporary and popular music through songwriting, covers and original work.

Headliner Amped also gives student bands opportunities to perform for a live audience alongside musicians from other Sunshine Coast schools, helping young performers build confidence and share their music beyond the classroom.

The new facilities provide greater scope for these programs to grow, while supporting students at different stages of their creative journey. Whether learning an instrument, developing an original song, working behind the scenes or performing on stage, students can access spaces designed to support their interests and ambitions.

As the College continues to develop its Arts program, the precinct also creates opportunities to strengthen connections with other schools, artists and creative organisations across the region.

A musical acknowledgement of Country

The opening included a commissioned musical work by Thomas Green, a Queensland Conservatorium composition lecturer whose recent work includes projects with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Australian Youth Orchestra.

The composition was developed in consultation and collaboration with Kabi Kabi, Birri Gubba and Yuru peoples, and Mack Muckan, a South Sea Islander man of Undumbi Culture. The work provided a musical acknowledgement of Country as part of the celebration.

Its inclusion reflects the role the Arts can play in bringing people together, sharing stories and recognising the cultures and communities connected to a place.

Honouring the College’s Arts legacy

The precinct’s black box theatre was named the Chris Ivey Theatre in recognition of former Principal Chris Ivey’s contribution to St Andrew’s over almost 18 years.

During his tenure, the College grew from around 800 to 1,450 students, with major developments including the Richard Gowty Centre, Learning Hub and Aquatic Centre. His own involvement in College productions, including as an assistant director, also reflected his longstanding interest in the Arts.

Mr Ivey described the new precinct as a reflection of the collaboration and commitment that have shaped the College.

“This building, to me, is a perfect example of everything I love and continue to love about St Andrew’s,” he said.

The theatre naming acknowledges this contribution while looking ahead to the generations of students who will learn, rehearse and perform in the space.

Investing in the future

The Performing Arts and Administration Precinct forms part of the College’s broader Master Plan for the future of its Peregian Springs campus. Further planned developments include a Wellbeing Hub, additional learning environments, a Sports Hub and a Primary precinct.

For now, the new building marks an important milestone for St Andrew’s and its Arts community. Its success will be measured not simply by the facilities themselves, but by the ideas explored, performances shared, skills developed and connections made within them.

“A building like this only reaches its potential when it is filled with people, ideas, music, performance and creativity,” Mrs Gorrie said.

“We want our students to find their place here, to explore their creativity and to discover what they are capable of.”

As students take to the stage, enter the rehearsal rooms and make use of the new learning spaces, the precinct opens a new chapter for the Arts at St Andrew’s, one grounded in creativity, collaboration and the potential of every student.