Grand Opening of the New Harrison Centre
RGS expressed its gratitude to Peter Harrison and The Peter Harrison Foundation at the grand opening ceremony of the Harrison Centre on Tuesday.
https://youtu.be/Kk4Jz5PAlo0
The ceremony marked the official opening of the our new Harrison Centre with over one hundred guests invited to attend including representatives and the Trustees from The Peter Harrison Foundation, architect Walters and Cohen, building contractor Beards, RGS Governors, current and former staff including the present and four previous Heateachers, as well as many partners from the local community, including Reigate and Banstead Councillors, Mayor Roger Newstead and the Headteachers from Micklefield and Reigate Parish Schools.
The RGS Harrison Centre is a wonderful new learning and community resource. With the generous benefaction and support of the Peter Harrison Foundation, we have established a new centre: a new heart-of-the-school. Inside the facility there is a new Sixth Form Centre complete with café and social facilities; a High Performance Learning and Innovation room; a library and learning resource centre; a careers library; a series of private study areas as well as some more collaborative spaces; dedicated library classrooms; an upgraded selection of resources and books; classrooms and more. Outside, the area around the war memorial has been remodelled and the war memorial itself has been revitalised, there is a terrace overlooking St Mary’s Church, a lovely garden area and social spaces for students.
The ceremony opened with a triumphant fanfare, arranged by RGS music teacher Mr Hare and performed by RGS musicians, followed by Head Boy, Thomas Guise, and Head Girl, Laura Hawrych, reciting a poem called ‘Alma mater; aedificata’ written by English Teacher and poet in residence Mr Wileman. Speeches followed by the Headmaster and Peter Harrison. Mr Fenton expressed his gratitude to all those who helped make the building happen and paid particular thanks to The Peter Harrison Foundation;
“I am so thankful for the generous donation provided by The Peter Harrison Foundation, without which this amazing Harrison Centre wouldn’t have been possible. Peter, you are a true Reigatian and one of the most important philanthropists of our time.”
Another fanfare followed before Peter Harrison unveiled the Commemorative Stone which reads:
“This stone was unveiled on 24th April 2018 by Peter Harrison KGCN CBE resident of Reigate & Chairman of The Peter Harrison Foundation whose generous gift made this building possible”.
Peter Harrison said,
“God bless all the students and staff who will attend and teach in the magnificent new building. I feel that this will be a massive addition to the school’s established reputation for delivering a powerful education, together with student happiness in the forthcoming decades and beyond.”
Visitors and students joined in unison to sing the school’s song ‘To be a Pilgrim’ to close the ceremony and a thank you video was played to Peter Harrison and visitors.
Photos from the day’s events can be viewed on the RGS Foundation’s website.
