On Friday 7 September  the first phase of SciTec was formally opened by His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester.

The event was attended by over two hundred guests, including the Deputy Lieutenant and High Sheriff of Northamptonshire and other local dignitaries, Governors, the Master and members of the Court of the Grocers' Company, donors to the project, other friends of the School and representatives of the design and construction teams. The glorious weather added to the occasion, showing the magnificent building at its best.

His Royal Highness, a trained architect, visited the Sir Howard Stringer Biology and Owen Chemistry Departments before having an extensive tour of the "green" roof and the observatory.  While touring the laboratories he met pupils of every age.  A wide variety of

practical work was taking place in the sixteen laboratories. Guests wandered freely throughout the building, able to appreciate its unique design and gaining a full understanding of one of the major aims of SciTec – that science should be on show.
 
At the end of his tour the Duke was formally welcomed to the School by the Headmaster in a speech that outlined the vision behind the SciTec project and the statement it makes about Oundle's commitment to science and technology. He made reference to the generosity of so many Old Oundelians, parents and other donors adding also that the School's relationship with both the design and construction teams had been positive, creative and enjoyable.

His Royal Highness then unveiled the stone commemorating the event. In his speech he spoke of his enjoyment and appreciation of what he had seen, both in terms of the science on show and the quality of the design and construction of the building.

Chairman of Governors, Sir Toby Frere, thanked His Royal Highness for opening the building and for his kind words. He also referred to the generosity of the Grocers' Company as the largest donor to the project. Whilst emphasising that further phases of SciTec have to be assessed alongside other School priorities, he reiterated the Governors' and Headmaster's commitment to the SciTec vision.
 
Guests and science staff enjoyed lunch in Great Hall during which the Duke was introduced informally to a large number of visitors, including those most closely associated with the project.

The opportunities that this first phase of the SciTec project presents will now be explored and developed. The impressive refurbishment of the adjacent Needham Physics Centre, carried out on the upper floor over the summer and to be completed on the ground floor next summer, will complement the innovative SciTec building and create a fully integrated science complex.

The School officially took possession of the SciTec Phase 1 building on Monday 4th June 2007.

The transfer of equipment from the existing Chemistry and Biology departments in the respective Palmer and Sir Peter Scott Buildings was completed a week earlier and new equipment has since been arriving daily. The teaching of Chemistry in SciTec  began on 11th June and Biology commences on 18th June.

Now that the site huts have been removed from the Home Close area the necessary landscaping process has begun. The lake is complete, having had its northern edge planted and been filled to its designated level. Water is constantly circulated and a sensor system triggers either overflow or a top-up as necessary.

The external appearance of SciTec is very striking, yet the structure sits comfortably among its surroundings, and internally the building is everything we had hoped for, displaying all the simplicity of layout and materials intended by the architects within a very complex design. Early visitors have been bowled over by the ambience created and especially the feeling of open space and visibility.

There will be many minor finishing touches to add between now and the official opening on 7th September. Once the demolition of the existing Palmer Chemistry building is completed in early summer and the area landscaped, the full impact of SciTec will be apparent.

R I Briggs