2017 Guildford Grammar School 2016 annual report 2017 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 will commence the transition to a fully co-educational school from 2018. At the end of 2017 the school had K-6 (415 students) and boys’ only from Years 7-12 ( 676 students). There are boarding facilities for 148 boys from Years 7-12. Guildford Grammar School is leading the way in 21st 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 21st 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 2017 ANNUAL REPORT Headmaster’s Report real world, in which women and There is something very special about men collaborate, lead and succeed working in a School, the energy and as equals. Our desire is for all of our dynamic of the students, the possibility students to be free of the perception of what they will achieve in the years that gender is a determinant of ability. ahead, their openness and optimism, Our World Scholars Cup teams once the joy expressed in the activities again performed at an exceptional shared, the emotion expressed at our level in the Australian competition, Year 12 Valedictory Chapel service in Athens and at the Tournament of as we farewell the students with Champions at Yale University, with confidence and faith that they will the team comprising Emerson Varris, make their mark. Ashton Reid and Zachary Matthews Deep in the roots of the vocation of finishing in 2nd place in the World in education lies the hope that we can the senior category, an exceptional support the next generation of our result. children to know who they are, know The number of students achieving what their strengths are, to know what High Distinctions in the Australian will for the first time enable all our values drive them and to go beyond Mathematics Competition and National students to complete their education at our gates to make a positive difference Chemistry competitions significantly the School. With each individual being in the world. increased, with Jonathan Rose able to experience all that the School achieving in the top 1% in both. The constant 24-hour negative media has to offer and all benefiting from the cycle can certainly lead to despair, fear, increased diversity of the student body. The Boodjar Bidi dance group and the confusion and individualism as we are The change is purpose driven, it is one String Ensemble performed the piece reminded of the atrocities that people inspired by hope, it is future focused Kolbang Djin Djin alongside WASO commit across our globe. Our School and looks ahead with confidence to the musicians, in front of the Prime Minister Purpose calls our community to turn School community being enriched by and other very distinguished guests away from this fear, to do the opposite the dynamic of all our students, male from Australia and Germany, at the and value justice, peace and love. This and female, naturally learning and Asia Pacific Regional Conference Gala message starts for our students from growing together. Dinner. Day 1 in Kindergarten and must be At our Remembrance Day Requiem role modelled throughout. It must be The words of Carey Baptist Grammar Eucharist, we were privileged to have a strong and explicit- evident in how School (VIC) Headmaster Gerard choral setting specially written for the we interact, in what we value, in the Cramer in 1977 still ring true today: Service by Mr Gething, and then sung confidence we inspire, in the belief we “The point I wish to emphasise is by the School’s Chapel Choir consisting have that each individual is valued and that the change to co-education is of students from both the Senior can make a difference. designed to make the school a better place for both girls and boys. There has School and Preparatory School, male When the Prefect group independently been a regrettable male chauvinistic and female, and a number who will be chose ‘Valuing Diversity’ as the theme tendency for some people to say that coming to our school next year. for their leadership focus in 2017 it co-education is a good thing because Harry Weston was awarded the Top was a statement of ‘hope’ calling the it is so good for the boys (civilising Scholarship Prize valued at $90,000 at student body to strive for greater them, giving them gentler habits) as the Bond University Film and Television inclusion, openness and awareness of if the effect on the girls is of minor Awards evening as well as the awards the broad diversity of talents and gifts importance. This is, of course, an for Best Director and Best Sound, of the students in the School. indefensible attitude. At Carey, girls and Tjiirdm McGuire was chosen to play The Preparatory School themes of boys will be treated equally; indeed, a lead role in the mini-series ‘Grace ‘Growth’ and ‘Kindness’ have strongly this in itself is one of the main objects Beside Me’ which will be aired on SBS called all the students to reflect on their of co-education.” next year, and Ryan Buckridge has interactions with others and to value all As our girls and boys move to having been offered a role in the WA Opera in the community. the opportunity to complete their production La Bohemei, playing in schooling together they will do so The extension of co-education into the February 2018. Senior School from the start of 2018 in an environment that reflects the 3 2017 ANNUAL REPORT The Symphony on Swan concert held Toby Digney was selected for the Old Guildfordians Association and in the majestic setting at the front of prestigious Fogarty Scholarship Foundation and I thank all members Woodbridge was a most memorable to attend UWA and Blake Weller of these groups for their passion and evening. G-Jazz, G-Funk and the Rock was offered WAYJO and WAAPA commitment to our community. scholarships. Symphony Orchestra performed with The 2017 Prefect group led the School professional musicians Courtney These achievements don’t just happen with distinction and I thank Captain of Murphy and Kirste Oates in front of and I pay credit to our incredibly School Dane Begovich, Vice-Captain over 700 people. dedicated and professional team of School Lawson Pensini and Captain In a memorable performance the 1st of staff who work with passion and of Boarding Reuben Williams for their VIII Rowing crew won the Head of commitment. I thank all of you for fine example and dedicated service. the River for the first time in 24 years creating such a positive and dynamic You leave the School in good spirit and and the PSA Golf Team won the PC School culture and in particular this good heart. Anderson trophy for the fourth time year, for embracing change with As I reflect on the year and our shared since 2011. optimism and enthusiasm. experiences I am full of hope for what lies ahead. We are part of a school Rourke Turton won a silver medal We also farewelled our Bursar Mr Kent community that genuinely cares representing Australia as part Peters who has been appointed as about our Anglican Ethos and our of the Oceania Youth Team at the Director of Business at Canberra Grammar School. Kent has given collective purpose, we look to a future the Commonwealth & Oceania his heart and soul into serving the that embraces our diversity and the Weightlifting Championships, School and his personal support and strength that will flow, we are inspired Harrison Hobson was selected in the encouragement has been unwavering.