forwardThe official journal of Guildford Grammar School December 2011 midsummer night’s dream Senior School Community Crafting guitars Masterclass at Guildford Preparatory School Old Guildfordians Rather Beastly Remembering Roy Schuler FROM THE HEADMASTER A School will never rise above the Congratulations also to Mrs Leah Truscott, quality of its Common Room who has been appointed Head of Society and Environment from January 2012. Mrs One of the most important focus areas Truscott will replace Mrs Natalie Shaw, for me as Headmaster is the appointment who has been appointed Associate Deputy and development of outstanding staff Principal at Peter Moyes Anglican Community at Guildford Grammar School. We are in School. Mrs Truscott is highly regarded as a fortunate position with the quality of an exceptional teacher and curriculum leader our staff, who are highly committed and in her subject area of Geography and as the dedicated, and this position has been Catalyst Curriculum Project Leader. further strengthened this year as we continue to attract exceptional people In reviewing our strategic priorities in to join our community. Inspirational and the area of Information and Learning positive people inspire students to achieve Technologies (ILT), we decided that to their best and aim for personal excellence. further develop the integration of ILT in The Strategic Leadership Team have the curriculum it was important that we undertaken to provide increasing add the position of Head of e-Learning to opportunities for staff to develop their the staff. Mr Rod Manson, who is currently practice through shared and professional Headmaster Stephen Webber the Information and Learning Technologies learning, and in working to continue the Coordinator at Wesley College, has been development of a Professional Learning appointed to this position from the start of gives incredibly without counting the cost, Community at the School. As a stage in 2012. He has an outstanding reputation and we will certainly have time next year to this process, all members of the Strategic as an innovative educator and will be a express our sincere appreciation for all he Leadership Team are participating in a 360 wonderful addition to our team. has done at Guildford Grammar School. degree review through Human Synergistics Mr Andrew Beck has been appointed as the (Leadership Impact), followed by an Following an extensive recruitment Indigenous Program Coordinator from the Investment in Leadership Excellence course process, Mr Clayton Massey has been start of 2012, replacing Mr Frank Bobongie, provided by The Pacific Institute. The next appointed as Head of Senior School to who retires from the role after 5 years of stage will provide further development replace Mr Lange. Mr Massey is currently wonderful service. Mr Beck has extensive programs to wider groups of staff and the Deputy Headmaster: Curriculum and experience in Indigenous education having students. Earlier this year a group of Year has an outstanding reputation as a highly worked as the AISWA Future Footprints 11 students took part in a trial of the PX2 respected educational leader both within Coordinator and recently for Madalah as a student development program run by The the School and well beyond. He has been project officer, and will be an exceptional Pacific Institute, and provided positive and the driving force behind the research addition to our staff. most valuable feedback on its benefits. and initial implementation of the Junior Mr Mal Green, currently one of our Senior School Marshals, has announced his retirement at the end of the year. Mr Green has given exceptional service to the Mr Lange is someone who gives incredibly School over 37 years, which is a wonderful without counting the cost, and we will achievement. He is held in the highest regard by staff, students and parents, certainly have time next year to express and I would like to express our sincere our sincere appreciation for all he has done appreciation for all he has done at Guildford Grammar School. I know he will be dearly at Guildford Grammar School. missed by the entire School community. Mrs Diana Griffiths will also be retiring at the end of the year. Diana commenced at the School in 2000 and was promoted Staff Announcements Secondary Catalyst Program and has to Acting Deputy Head for Term One in As many people in the community will played a lead role in building the academic 2003. In this era, this was a significant know, Mr Kevin Lange has announced his culture in the Senior School. Mr Massey is appointment, being the first female member retirement from the position of Deputy currently working toward his Doctorate of of staff who in the 107 year history of the Headmaster / Head of Senior School as Education, having completed a Master of School held this position at this level. After at the end of Term 2, 2012. Mr Lange Education Degree in 2007. I am confident this appointment Diana was temporarily has provided exceptional service to the that Mr Massey will thrive in this new appointed to the position of Acting Senior School in this position, and previously as position and that the Senior School will Master in Semester 2, 2006. In 2010 she Dean of Studies, for over 14 years. I have benefit from his wider influence and overall was granted Long Service Leave to pursue greatly appreciated his professionalism, strategic leadership. It is an exciting time interests as a Lecturer at TAFE, and to the commitment, wonderful support and care of growth and development in the School School’s delight returned again in 2011. for all in the community during my time and we are most fortunate to be able to fill During Diana’s career at Guildford she has here at Guildford and know that he will be the large shoes of Mr Lange with someone been actively involved in many co-curricular sorely missed. Mr Lange is someone who of Mr Massey’s calibre. activities including; Debating, TOMS, Year 2 FROM THE HEADMASTER 10 Leadership program, TIC Rowing and has been an outstanding English teacher. Mr Roland Warren (He 97-03) has made the personal decision to resign from the School at the end of 2011 to pursue travel interests. Roland is an Old Boy of the School who returned to teach in 2010 following completion of his Bachelor of Arts/Education at UWA. Roland will continue with his commitment to the Rowing program until the end of Term 1, 2012. His passion, energy and enthusiasm will be missed. Congratulations to Mr Paul Brown who has been appointed Head of Boarding at St Peter’s College in Adelaide commencing in 2012. Paul has provided strong leadership in the Graham Malcolm Junior Hall of Residence and we wish Paul, Sarah and Oscar the very best with their move to Adelaide. Academic Culture The Year 12 students have again led the School with distinction and have continued to build on the Academic Culture of the School, through setting a fine example for other students. Eighteen students were inducted into the Senior Academic Honours Society, along with 21 students in the Intermediate section, 15 in the Junior section, and 22 in the Year 7 division. It is wonderful to see students supporting each other in their academic pursuits and that there exists a feeling that it is positive to aim for your personal best. The Arts Guildford Grammar School has an excellent reputation for providing high quality Arts programs and there have been many fine events this semester that I wish to highlight. Giving new meaning to skeleton staff! The Senior Drama Production of A During September, Mr Krause, Head of the Preparatory School, invited Mr Webber to Midsummer Night’s Dream was memorable. attend the Friday morning assembly. Imagine his surprise when Mr Webber rocked up The performance from the students was with a very bony guest, borrowed from the science department! To add to the story, exceptional and incredibly entertaining, Mr Webber had driven the skeleton all the way from the Senior School to the Preparatory with the audience often in fits of laughter School, along the footpath on Great Eastern Highway, in the School’s golf buggy! at their on-stage antics. The cast was highly There was however an important message behind the fun. The skeleton was a professional and committed throughout visual representation to the students that all the bones that make up our body are and obviously enjoyed the experience and fundamentally important and essential in complimenting each other, just like the students challenge of such a major production. Other of our school. Together, we all contribute to a truly wonderful and remarkable school. highlights included the Year 11, Year 10 and The skeleton, now known as ‘Skelly’, has since returned to his position in the science lab! Junior Drama productions in Term 4. The Preparatory School students performed at the Perth Concert Hall for the annual The Guildford Arts Supporters rose to the pieces, And the Lark Sung in the Laurel IPSHA event in a creative, entertaining challenge of holding this year’s Art Exhibition Tree, for our collection. Mr Derums is a and fun production created by Dr Anita off campus at the Midland Junction Arts renowned artist and well known nationally Fuhrmann. Centre, which provided a wonderful for his mature paintings that continue to Several Music concerts have highlighted the showcase for our students’ work, alongside present unmitigated beauty in the hope range and depth of talent in the School, that of professional artists. Art teacher Mr of them giving pleasure and the space for with personal highlights being the vocal Adam Derums held his own exhibition this contemplation. He is on leave during the performances and breadth of contemporary year at Goddard de Fiddes Gallery and the end of 2011 attending a residency in New performances.