A new performing arts facility, named after a former student who has performed for royalty, is the centrepiece of a $14 million facility upgrade at Valley View Secondary School.

The Raymond Crowe Performing Arts Centre includes a studio space, a recording studio and theatre seating for up to 200 people.

Raymond Crowe, a former student and ambassador for the school, is best known for his shadow play using Louis Armstrong's What a Wonderful World – which has been performed on the Late Show with David Letterman and at the 2007 Royal Variety Performance in front of Queen Elizabeth.

The world-famous ’unusualist’, who spoke at the official opening event today, graduated from the school in 1979.

The Raymond Building also includes a learning hub, general teaching and learning areas, wellbeing space, and a new front reception to greet visitors to the school.

The upper-level of Arman Building, named after former student City of Adelaide Councillor Arman Abrahimzadeh, OAM, was also refurbished, including five new classrooms.

“Our school motto is ‘Every Student Matters’ and the facility upgrade has certainly shown our students how valued they are and had a big impact on the learning culture in our school community,” Valley View Secondary School Principal Yvette Swaalf said.

“The new centre will bolster our performing arts curriculum across dance, drama and music, and we’re thrilled to be able to name the space in honour of our school ambassador Raymond Crowe.”

“New classrooms along with flexible learning spaces are all welcome additions to our school and will support staff to continue delivering our learning program to give every student the opportunity to realise their potential.”

The school has seen a huge transformation in the past few years with enrolment figures almost doubling – growing from 278 in 2017 to 524 in 2023.

Students will also benefit from a new covered outdoor learning area, which has provided an additional inviting space to use for learning and break times.