The school was delighted to welcome former Headmaster Richard Russell back to officially open the Russell Building, the newest addition to the school estate named in his honour.
The sun shone through the autumn chill as Richard cut the ribbon in a traditional opening ceremony, alongside Dan Gabriele, the current Head, and Matthew Pellereau, Chair of Governors. Matthew Pellereau welcomed guests to the occasion, and spoke in recognition of the building as a fitting tribute to Richard’s tenure as Headmaster. Speaking to the guests, Richard congratulated the architects, TP Bennett, the Estates team and the contractors who worked so hard to create the “superb asset to the school estate.”
The Russell Building opened to pupils at the start of the 2025-26 year. The building is home to the Geography, Computer Science and Learning Support departments, as well as the Glyn House offices. The cedar-cladded two-storey building provides 10 light and spacious modern classrooms and several offices. Sustainable design is at the heart of the construction, with features including specially designed airflow systems and reduced-carbon sustainably-sourced materials. Accessibility features include automatic doors and a lift. It sits on the edge of the school site, alongside the main teaching block and accessed from the central quad, with striking external perspectives and thoughtful maximising of the flow between the indoor and outdoor spaces.
Richard Russell said: “I have been delighted to come back not just to see old colleagues and pupils, but to see the new building in action for the first time. It has been fantastic to see it alive with learning. As well as the airy and large new classrooms for Geography and Computer Science, it is especially pleasing that the Learning Support department has substantial and thoughtfully designed facilities here.”
Dan Gabriele, Head, said: “During his 20 years as Headmaster, Richard oversaw several of the most important developments to the school estate, including the expansion of the junior school that brought together the old pre-prep and prep schools into a cohesive whole, and the construction of the Stewart Building housing the Sixth Form centre, Mathematics department and Roebucks café. It is therefore fitting that his long service to Colfe’s culminated in the opening of the Russell Building, an addition to the school’s estate that greatly enhances our pupil experience.”
