Reddam House North Shore has celebrated its official opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on 17 February.
Hosted by Principals Dave and Dee Pitcairn, the event welcomed Ms Felicity Wilson MP for North Shore, representatives from Built and AJC Architects, and Mr Glenn Andrew, APAC Regional CEO of Inspired Education Group.
Reddam House North Shore has opened its doors for its inaugural academic year, welcoming close to 500 students into a state-of-the-art, innovative learning environment.
This milestone marks the beginning of a bold new chapter in urban education, situated within the iconic Harry Seidler-designed Simsmetal House in North Sydney.
The school’s first-year enrolment has reached capacity, reflecting an overwhelming demand for premium private education in Sydney, particularly in the northern suburbs.
With ongoing growth projected, Reddam House North Shore is set to accommodate up to 1,350 students, cementing its role as a premier educational hub for the region.
This transformative project has been brought to life in partnership with Australian national contractor and property developer Built and AJC Architects. Their commitment to excellence and precision has ensured the seamless transformation of this heritage site into a cutting-edge vertical campus, blending modern educational requirements with the integrity of its architectural legacy.
Built Development Director Mr Jono Cottee highlighted how the successful transformation of the historic building into a state-of-the-art school demonstrates the immense opportunities that lie within our city’s rich history.
“By leveraging our unique capability as both developer and builder, we’re proud to have given new life to this heritage asset and transforming it into an innovative, purpose-built education facility that matches Reddam House’s forward-thinking vision,” he said.
Reimagining urban education
Reddam House North Shore redefines what it means to learn in a modern, urban environment by seamlessly integrating design with Reddam’s ethos. The school’s approach fosters creativity, critical thinking, and a love of learning, all within a dynamic setting that prepares students for the challenges of the future. As an ‘urban vertical school,’ it combines heritage preservation with cutting-edge facilities, including:
- Over 9,000m² of floor space featuring science labs, multiple libraries, auditorium, breakout spaces, as well as fully equipped arts, dance, drama, and music studios.
- A dedicated VR classroom introducing Inspired Metaverse. Through Inspired Education’s global partnership with Meta, the school harnesses the latest Virtual Reality technology to immerse students in transformative educational experiences – from the trenches of WWI to the surface of Mars.
- Outdoor terraces and a rooftop area with stunning Sydney Harbour views.
- A newly uncovered modernist art wall, now part of a heritage trail celebrating the building’s unique history and iconic status in Australia’s modernist legacy.
Leading the way are school principals Dave and Dee Pitcairn, the dynamic duo renowned for their exceptional experience, bringing their passion for innovation and academic excellence to North Shore.
“This school is more than just a building; it’s a community of students, parents, and educators united by a shared vision to inspire greatness in every child. We are proud to welcome our founding students and families as we embark on this new journey together,” said the Pitcairns.
Mr Glenn Andrew, Asia-Pacific CEO of Inspired Education, added: “Reddam House North Shore shows our commitment to expand Reddam’s success story and meet a growing demand for world-class, co-ed, and independent education in Australia. By blending global best practices in education with a true student-centric approach, we will be shaping future leaders from this vibrant community in North Sydney.”
About Reddam House
Founded in 2000, Reddam House schools offer a forward-thinking, student-centred education model that nurtures individuality, self-confidence, and talent. Reddam House encompasses several campuses in Sydney, as well as three Early Learning Schools – St Leonards, Lindfield and Woollahra. Reddam House is well-known in Sydney for its academic excellence, as well as sport, drama, dance, music and arts program, delivered in an exceptional, secular, co-educational and nurturing environment.
About Inspired Education Group
As the leading global group of premium schools, Inspired, founded by Nadim M Nsouli, provides a premium education to 90,000+ students in 110+ schools, across six continents. Inspired utilises the best educational practices from every corner of the globe to nurture and create well-rounded individuals from Kindergarten to Year 12. Students benefit from a robust, holistic, international curriculum formed around Inspired’s three pillars of modern education: academic excellence, creative arts, and sports, with highly qualified specialist teachers who deliver Inspired’s methodology worldwide.