OLD GUILDFORDIANS
Transformative leader recognised Mitchell Wells ( He 1985-1992 )
After an astonishing 11 years of service as a Fellow of Council for Guildford Grammar School and as a member of the Management Committee for The Old Guildfordians Association , Mitchell Wells ( He 1985-1992 ) has been elected as an Honorary Life Member , the Association ’ s highest honour .
Honorary Life Membership is bestowed to a member who has given long and outstanding service or other exceptional service to the Association or its objects . One such object is ‘ to support , foster and further the interests of the School and its students ’. This is the area in which Mitchell has served with distinction and generously in the hours he has given .
Mitchell was a member of School Council ’ s audit and risk committee , governance committee , recruitment committee for a new Principal and the masterplan steering
The Honorary Life Members ’ badge . committee . He was elected Chair of Council in 2014 and served in the role for six years .
During Mitchell ’ s period as a Fellow and Chair of Council , a major infrastructure program was embarked on . This included the Thwaites Centre , installation of the synthetic turf hockey pitch , rebuilding the Preparatory School , and the approval of a new Boarding House .
The new Boarding House was of special interest for Mitchell given he was a boarder at the School , and he has always recognised that boarding has a special place at Guildford Grammar School . Mitchell was closely involved in the development of the idea of renewing boarding at the School . Soon this inspiring building will be completed , and this state-of-the-art facility will keep alive the boarding experience at Guildford Grammar School for decades to come .
Perhaps the most significant responsibility for a board of governors of an independent school is the appointment of a new Principal . Mitchell ’ s tenure on School Council spanned the recruitment and appointment of two school Principals .
The initiation of the concept of Guildford Grammar School ‘ going co-ed ’ in the Senior School began in 2016 . Mitchell was Chair of Council at the time and he worked skilfully to bring Council ’ s vision to fruition . The School ’ s community was divided on the matter , making this Mitchell ’ s most testing time as Chair of Council , but Mitchell faced this challenge head-on and his commitment
Mitchell Wells was elected an Honorary Life Member of The Old Guildfordians Association at the Annual General Meeting on 1 December 2020 .
to his responsibilities and workload are undeniable . The intensity of that time is now balanced by the School ’ s flourishing co-educational environment , with boys and girls collaborating and learning together in an environment that mirrors the real world .
The number of hours Mitchell gave as Chair of Council were extraordinary , with the transformative projects described above almost taking over his life . Guildford Grammar School and The Old Guildfordians Association are indebted to Mitchell for his service – not only the length of service but also the quality .
After giving so much , Mitchell now plans to focus on his young family and his roles as a corporate consultant and charter pilot for his aviation business , Wells Aviation . We wish Mitchell and his family every happiness , health and success for the future .
Honorary Life Members
† Hugh A Brown ( Staff 1918-1927 ) † Percy U Henn ( Headmaster 1910-1924 ) † John L Wickham ( SG 1929-1936 ) † Frank W Meagher ( Boarder 1915-1918 ) † Robert E Freeth ( Headmaster 1928-1949 ) † Donald M Collisson ( Staff 1912-1953 ) † Robert H Holmes ( Sc 1924-1933 ) † Robert C Crowther ( St 1925-1934 ) † Graham Malcolm ( Sc 1930-1932 ) † Harold E Gladstones ( Boarder 1913-1917 ) † John F Burt ( SG 1919-1929 ) † Harry C Pope ( SG 1926-1932 )
† Hubert T Stables ( Boarder 1909-1915 ) † Alexander R Williams ( Boarder 1918-1921 ) † John L Longson ( St 1940-1941 ) † Gerald R Newson ( Staff 1953-1974 ) Roger L Day ( He / Ha 1954-1959 ) Barry J Evans ( St 1949-1953 )
† David A Lawe Davies ( Headmaster 1957-1978 )
† Allan R Terry ( St 1938-1940 ) † David K Malcolm ( Sc 1950-1955 ) † Laurence J Kiernan ( St / Sc 1937-1945 ) † Francis T Burt ( SG 1931-1935 )
Arnold Green ( Sc 1955-1963 ) Robert J Meadows ( St 1954-1959 ) Michael L Kiernan ( Sc 1963-1966 ) John A Harris ( Ha 1965-1969 )
† Roy Schuler ( Prep 1941-1942 , Sc 1946-1950 , Staff 1982-1994 )
Geoffrey P Davis ( Ha 1962-1968 )
† John M Moody ( Headmaster 1979-1996 ) Peter B Verschuer ( Wb 1964-1970 ) Mitchell M Wells ( He 1985-1992 )
† deceased
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