2016 Guildford Grammar School 2016 annual report 2016 ANNUAL REPORT Guildford Grammar School is a prestigious Anglican School established in 1896. The School is magnificently situated on almost 100 hectares along the banks of the Swan River, and houses one of the most beautiful and historical chapels in WA; the Chapel of St Mary and St George. The School has a long- standing reputation for providing a broad-based education for young people and is known for its high academic standards, sporting and cultural opportunities and traditional values. Guildford Grammar School is co-educational from K-6 (454 students) and boys’ only from Years 7-12 (727 students). There are boarding facilities for 148 boys from Years 7-12. Guildford Grammar School is leading the way in 21 Century education, through the introduction of its unique Catalyst curriculum, developed especially for students in Years 7-9. Catalyst allows students to participate in a three-year program of electives and projects designed to build on skills that will enable them to contribute to our changing world. Numeracy and literacy are the foundations of the Catalyst BIG skills, with a strong focus on critical thinking, problem solving, teamwork, collaboration and research; skills all highly sought after by 21 Century employers. An innovative new teaching facility has been built to accommodate the flexible learning style of the program. We offer a wide range of sporting and co-curricular programs, competing in the PSA sporting competition in Rugby, Soccer, Hockey, Cricket, Swimming, Water Polo, Tennis, Volleyball, Cross Country and Rowing. Co-curricular programs include Music, Drama, Chess, Debating, Cadets, Philosothon, Tournament of Minds, Human Powered Vehicle Challenge, Public Speaking, World Scholar’s Cup, DaVinci Decathalon, OptiMinds and Golf. Throughout the year, students have opportunities to participate in a number of local expeditions and international study tours. Recently groups travelled on a history tour to France and a tour to Canberra. Guildford Grammar School has an open enrolment policy. There is a strong and effective pastoral care structure, through a house system, year group mentors, peer support leaders and the School’s Chaplains. The School has a wonderful sense of community with many opportunities for our students, families and staff to participate in the broader life of the School. Our collaborative team of expert staff are well supported with opportunities for professional development and they actively engage in the continual improvement of our School. We are all dedicated to achieve the School Purpose to inspire students to achieve personal excellence and to be outstanding citizens who work to create a just, loving and peaceful society. 2 2016 ANNUAL REPORT Headmaster’s Report types and backgrounds. Natural To celebrate the year we have experience at school in working shared and as we look ahead to together in a co-educational setting our exciting future together, I have makes inherent sense in helping them chosen the theme of ‘The Challenge to prepare for this reality. of Change’. With the School’s recent Whilst the announcement has been announcement, you will probably not made and I am confident that the be surprised at this choice. majority of the School community will At a recent Preparatory School ultimately embrace the move, there assembly address, I was most remains a great deal to be done to impressed by the wise words of Year 6 prepare for the transition in 2018. I student Danyelle Shafer. She stated look forward to continuing to receive feedback from our community and “Today I would like to talk to you engaging in the process with you all. about change and challenges. These two words go together like fish and I have no doubt that the change chips, Tom and Jerry or ice cream and ahead will require us to have courage chocolate sauce. They even share the together as we work through the same three letters and in fact you can’t Through all of the research undertaken, challenges presented; however, this have challenge without change. for which I sincerely thank my Research also enables us to grow through the Assistant Ms Jennyfer Leah, it became experience. As long as you live, you will face clearly apparent that firstly, we were Every year I get great joy from changes and with each change will not fully living out our Purpose by witnessing students and staff achieving come a challenge. The secret is to denying our Preparatory School girls amazing feats through being prepared find the positive in the change and the opportunity to continue through to challenge themselves and aim for rise to the challenge that follows. into the Senior School with the boys personal excellence. Fine examples Remember that each challenge and secondly, our Purpose would be from this year include: presents an opportunity to learn from more fully achieved for both the boys your experiences and become a better and the girls by us moving to a fully co- The World Scholar’s Cup performance person. “ educational model. by nine of our students who represented the School in Prague Given the news regarding a key I must admit that through spending and at the Tournament of Champions new direction for the future of many years in single sex boys’ at Yale University, with the team Guildford Grammar School it is schools I had my blinkers on and had comprising Emerson Varris, Ashton totally understandable that some of grown accustomed to just accepting Reid and Zachary Matthews finishing in our students, parents, staff and Old misconceptions such as the stereotype 4th place in the Junior Division out of Guildfordians will be feeling uncertain that boys and girls learn differently. approximately 300 teams. about what lies ahead. There is actually a vast range of I have spent close to two years difference within a specific gender Emerson Varris and Zachary Matthews thinking, reflecting, researching by nature of our diversity as human were also awarded 3rd and 4th and digesting the broad spectrum beings, and much more so than ranked Top Scholar in Australia and of information on the merits of co- between different genders. the Americas respectively, wonderful achievements. education and single sex education As mentioned in my 2015 Prize and have come to the point where I am Giving address the world of work Australian Mathematics Competition 100% certain that Council have made has significantly changed in recent High Distinctions were awarded to the right decision for the future of our decades and successful companies Samuel Morrison, Benjamin Bozich, School. are strategically embracing diversity Joel Moffet and Jordan Syme, with There are many reasons for this, many of employment to gain a competitive a significantly higher percentage of of which are communicated through advantage through innovation and students achieving awards in Science the key information that is available adaptability. In their future lives and Mathematics competitions this on our website and the brochures that beyond our school gates our students year. will be working and researching in have been distributed; however, the Zac Williams was awarded the “Winner teams of people of both genders and most significant one is related to our – Best Public Speaker” in the State School purpose. with a diverse range of personality 3 2016 ANNUAL REPORT Round of the Lions Youth of the Year however, it also takes energy, drive and School in a stronger position than it Program. selfless commitment. I thank all of you was. The Prefect’s focus on celebrating for making such a difference and for application and effort towards The Boodjar Bidi Dance troupe and creating such a positive and dynamic String Orchestra performed at Telethon academic studies has provided a strong School culture. in partnership with east Kalgoorlie example to all students. Primary School and recorded the Earlier this year I attended a National The Community Service Committee highest number of YouTube views of Leading Team Awards luncheon in provided strong leadership throughout any performance. They also performed Melbourne on behalf of the School to the year, particularly so through the another piece at the beginning of the receive a ‘High Performance Award’, implementation of the Senior School WASO Symphony in the City concert on which was one of only five national Fete afternoon which engaged 10 December. awards presented to organisations. The the entire student body and raised School was nominated for the award by The commissioning and subsequent significants funds for OXFAM. Leading Teams facilitator Darren Harris singing of The Lord’s Prayer in the who has been working closely with the At one of the many Old Guildfordian Noongar language during a Chapel School since 2013. functions I attended in my first year at Service was accompanied by the the School I was taking questions at Boodjar Bidi dancers. This award acknowledged the the end of my short presentation. An exceptional leadership shown by a Bailey Gillam was awarded the prize elderly Old Guildfordian with a strong number of key staff who have worked as Best Editor at the national Bond family history in farming asked me with commitment and enthusiasm University Film and Television Awards if it was likely that the School would to embed the program in the School evening. consider going fully co-educational. and enhance our culture of excellence As a new Headmaster and given the The Senior Drama Production of across a range of areas. In particular, I tone of the question I thought I knew Amadeus was a highlight and thank Mr Valentine, Mr Fernandes, Ms exactly what his opinion would be and showcased the polished acting skills of Leah, Mr Lovrich and Mr Evans as the that he was seeking reassurance that our students.