Guildford 2013 annual report 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Headmaster’s Report

2013 has been another exciting year for implement their Investment in Personal the School, and we have celebrated many fine Excellence program throughout the School, achievements. We commenced the year with involving every staff member. The model celebration of the 2013 WACE results which developed involves our staff being trained demonstrated a very strong performance from to run the program internally, and feedback the group, with 22% of the boys achieving an from all participants has been overwhelmingly ATAR of over 90 and 46% over 80. positive, providing a strong endorsement of the impact of the program. There have been a plethora of wonderful academic, artistic, cultural and sporting In enhancing the Culture of Excellence achievements throughout the year. throughout the life of the School, the focus has been on addressing this at a personal level, as In the State Finals of the RACI Chemistry to what this means for each student and staff Titration Competition, the Year 11 team won member. Only then can we collectively work the competition towards achieving excellence in the broad range Following on from the success of winning of endeavours. Best Overall School in 2012 at the National Headmaster Mr Stephen Webber In the sporting program our work with Bond University Film and Television Awards, the organisation Leading Teams has had this year Benjamin Griggs (12Ha) was the a significant impact on the unity; sense of recipient of the $90,000 Best Film maker victory was the result of meticulous planning, purpose and attitude of many of the senior Scholarship, the People’s Choice Award, Best dedication and commitment from staff, students regarding how they approach their Comedy, Best Screenwriter, and runner up students, parents and Old Guildfordians, with respective PSA competitions. Through an honest Dean’s Choice Award for his filmA Day in the the full support of the impressive Guildford analysis of the current sporting culture and Life of a Librarian. Alex Berry (12Ha) and Rowing Association. the desired future culture, students from Years William Yagmich (12SG) were awarded the 10, 11 and 12 developed the 3G trademark, Best Experimental Film Award and Alex was also The 1st XI Cricket team narrowly finished in with the three pillars being united, hard and the runner-up in the Scholarship. In another second place overall on points, after they gave professional. Work still remains to be done National competition Cohen Dix (11SG) and themselves every chance to win the Darlot Cup with the senior boys to lead the embedment of Harry Cassell (11SG) were awarded the with a stirring final round victory over Hale this throughout the School; however, genuine 2013 National Australian Teachers’ of Media School. traction occurred this year. association award for best Music Video. In the PSA Inters Athletics, Reilly Oliver (8Fr) Another of our Key focus points has been how Our Philosothon team again represented set a new PSA record in the U14 100m event we best support the Academic Growth of each at the National finals in in a time of 11.8 seconds, as well as winning individual in the School as they work towards Melbourne, recording an excellent fourth place the 200m, leading to him being awarded achieving their own personal excellence having finished second in the State competition. the Graham Gipson trophy for the most outstanding performance on the day. The implementation of the Honour Rolls for The junior debating team won their division in Excellence and Improvement in Attitude and the both the WADL competition and the AHISA In the PSA Inters Swimming, William Rollo Effort was well received by the students with competition this year. (11Wb) performed at a very high level to record first place in two events. many greatly appreciating the recognition they In the Australian Mathematics Competition received for their application to their studies. These fine achievements all reflect the diverse Thomas Stanicich (8He) finished in the top Every single student can realistically aim to be range of opportunities available to students 0.5% to achieve the highest honour of a recognised in this way if they are prepared in the School and the high standard of Prize, with a number of boys achieving High to consistently approach their studies with performance demonstrated. Distinctions. determination and commitment to improve. Following the process of extensive community The feedback from the community on the Robin Shaw’s new role as Academic Talent consultation and the development of the Senior Drama production of The Crucible was Development Coordinator led to the Strategic Plan in 2012, this year saw the overwhelming; with many people commenting implementation of the Strive program in the implementation of the plan with our collective that it was the best School production they had Senior School with a pilot trial, which will be focus on each of the Key Issues identified. ever seen. Audiences were captivated from expanded to include Year 7 and 8 English and the opening scene; the creative use of sound, Staff development and feedback through a Mathematics as well as the Strive electives lighting and stage led to a dramatic, ethereal new supportive review process has enabled an of Nanotechnology and Critical and Creative feel with the cast rising to the challenge of the increasing number of professional conversations Writing in the Catalyst program in 2014. It has demanding and moving script. regarding future directions, goals and personal been heartening to receive feedback regarding development plans. Student feedback for the success of the pilot program and the strong In an exceptional team performance at teachers and mentors as part of this process has interest in the new electives. the Head of the River the boys secured the been illuminating, informative and inspiring, in prestigious Hamer Cup for the overall champion The Homework Help program expanded this terms of student support and gratitude. school on the day. It was the first time we had year, with Old Guildfordians coming into the received the trophy since 2001, when shared, In a first for a school in Australia, we have School as academic coaches both directly after and the first outright since 1992. The team partnered with The Pacific Institute to school and also during Boarders’ prep at night.

2 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

The Prefect group also took the fine initiative prominent Old Guildfordian John McGuire The 2013 WACE results received at the very to run and supervise sessions at lunchtimes, (Fr 70-72), recent graduate Dylan Collard end of the year once again reflected a strong during which they provided academic support (Ha 07-09) and 2013 Young Australian of the performance from the cohort, with a large to students. Year, Akram Azimi, in what was a most moving number of boys achieving their aim of personal and powerful ceremony. excellence. A summary of the results including The much anticipated opening of the Thwaites highlights of outstanding achievements is Centre this year has had a significant impact on We farewell several long serving members available on the website. In particular we would the teaching and learning environment and the of staff this year who have given exceptional like to highlight the following points: feedback that I received from students during service to the School. our shared lunches clearly articulated the pride • A pleasing 22% of the boys achieved an Mrs Glenice Grime stepped down officially they felt about the new facility and how it ATAR of over 90 and 46% achieved over this year, following 37 years of service in the supported their learning. 80. Dining Hall, lovingly feeding and caring for the In other developments we were pleased to boarders and catering for countless large School • We congratulate Dux of School, Tristan finally open the new boarding facility to the events. Dale, on scoring an impressive 99.65 and east of the Sir Senior Hall of the other seven students who join him in Residence, to house an additional 24 students Ms Heather Hambleton has been a dedicated qualifying for the Academic Honour Guild to meet the strong growth in demand for teacher and incredibly committed, enthusiastic by achieving scores above 97.5; Campbell boarding places. and passionate staff member of the Preparatory Beck, Alexander Morrison, John Ridley, School for 32 years and her positive outlook Jack Read, Alexander Duthie, Zakary We look ahead with anticipation to the new and no-nonsense approach will be greatly Langtry and Jackson Passeri. Preparatory School development which will missed by staff and students. provide state-of-the-art teaching and learning • 95% of the cohort qualified for an ATAR facilities as well as incorporating wonderful play Mr Lloyd Tonkin retired this year following a and 86% of courses studied were at facilities in the landscape design. period of Long Service Leave, having served the the highest Stage 3 level. Both of these School in the Sports program for 32 years, with measures are amongst the highest for I acknowledge and thank all members of the many of those coordinating Hockey. Mr Tonkin schools in the state and are a result of us community who have supported our Annual is a legend in hockey circles and his enthusiasm supporting students to be the best that Giving campaign, through the Foundation, and passion for the sport drove its development they can be and where it is their goal, to which we initiated this year, both in support in the School. aim for University entry. of the building program and the Go Forward and Indigenous Scholarship trusts. We do not Mr Graeme Hartley is looking forward to further • This is supported by the fact that 95% of currently have a compulsory Building Fund developing his work as a counsellor, having students were offered a place at UWA, levy as is the case at many schools and thus given outstanding service to the School for 26 Curtin, Murdoch or ECU in the first round the Annual Giving program enables people to years, as an exceptional teacher and in several of University offers. consider making a contribution considering senior leadership roles, including Day and These significant statistics are not reflected in their individual circumstances. We look forward Boarding Housemaster and Deputy Headmaster: the published SCSA list of top 50 schools based to acknowledging the overall level of support at Curriculum. on the percentage of Stage 3 WACE scores the end of the financial year in 2014. Earlier this year we farewelled Mr Richard above 75, which is just one of the reasons I continue to be impressed by the significant McLain, a most highly respected member of that School Principals across all sectors do not support that members of our community the teaching staff who gave exceptional service support the publication of these tables. One provide to the School. I thank all Fellows of to the School for 23 years; as an outstanding of my major concerns remains that too many Council for their commitment, dedication and English teacher, Mentor, passionate Football and schools across the state have low percentages selflessness in their contribution to the most Basketball Manager and Indigenous Support of students doing subjects at the highest Stage important governance of the School and in teacher. 3 level. The fact that 25 of the top 50 listed particular Chairman Michael Abbott, for his schools had less than 65% of their course personal support and strong leadership. As we look ahead it is also imperative enrolments at Stage 3 level backs this up. that, whilst the Pastoral Care and Spiritual I also thank people who have given their time experiences we provide to students has We remain committed to supporting students and energy in support of the P&F, the Old consistently been viewed, as a strength of the to achieve their own level of personal excellence Guildfordians’ Association and the Foundation School, we must ensure that we continu