CELEBRATING 125 YEARS OF HISTORY 1896-2021
brought together with the many celebrations which began at Woodbridge where it had all begun in 1896 . A School Ball was held at Government House and the Carl Vine Concert was a great success . The launch of publications including Go Forward by Dr Michael White and Guildford , The Life of the School by Nic Ellis and Tall Stories which was a collection of anecdotal stories from Old Guildfordians , were published . The Old Guildfordians Dinner was such a wonderful success that a special marquee was erected on the Chapel lawn to accommodate the large attendance .
John was delighted when Guildford won the PSA Swimming in 1996 and the 60 male performers won the Rock Eisteddfod with John Travoltas , Fred Astaires , Michael Jackson , rappers and one style confused young man stole the limelight .
As John neared his retirement , he said “ Boys are in need of mentors and should be encouraged to strive in areas other than sport .”
Guildford won the PSA cricket in 1982 and 1986 with outstanding players like Tom Moody and Brendan Julian , among other Australian and State representatives . The Head of the River was won in 1988 and 1993 . By far the most successful was Rugby with winning years in 1980 , 1981 , 1983 , 1984 , 1985 , 1986 , 1987 and 1994 . The Soccer 1st XI were successful in 1990 and 1994 and Squash had a run of winning years which included 1982 , 1983 , 1985 , 1986 and 1987 . Tennis was won in 1982 and 1983 .
Kim Walton – 1997 to 2002 In 1997 , Kim Walton was appointed as the tenth Headmaster of Guildford Grammar School . He was aged 42 and was previously deputy Headmaster of Camberwell Boy ’ s Anglican Grammar School in Melbourne . Kim began his education in a tiny school at Gladstone in South Australia and finished his secondary education in a high school in Adelaide . He was the son of a German refugee and his family had no involvement with private schools .
Kim arrived with his wife Marian and two children Thomas and Peta , who both began at the Preparatory School . Peta went on to Perth College and Thomas boarded in Henn ’ s House .
Kim ’ s aim was to ensure that all the students achieved their potential . Doing well in sports and arts was just as important as performing well academically .
Kim was a computer enthusiast and keen water sportsman . He said the pace of change with computers in the classroom had been rapid and teachers had to live with the fact that the students might actually know more than them . They had the time and the inquiring minds to go on with it .
In 1999 , Kim said that , “ Success by some girls ’ schools had led teachers and parents believing that males were somehow inferior .” In a newsletter he said it was time for the school to refute the assertion of academic excellence for girls and to demand that our boys be convinced they can succeed .
Students at Guildford Grammar School were encouraged to behave in a gracious and dignified manner when playing sport . Kim also had a close association with Ian Lillico who was a leader in the field of boys ’ education and was a youth suicide consultant . He warned that boys who built a tough outer shell were more at risk .
Kim introduced Mandarin Chinese to the school curriculum in 1998 . He said , “ It is undoubtedly the business language of the 21st century in South East Asia ”.
Amongst Kim ’ s travels in 2002 was a fourday field trip to the Super Pit in the Goldfields with 23 Year 12 Geography students .
In Kim ’ s first year , Guildford won PSA Swimming . The suit coat number one uniform was phased out over two years , saving parents the extra expense . Freeth House began a two year transition from boarding to day boy house . The Chapel was placed on the Heritage Register .
In 1998 , with dwindling boarding numbers at the Preparatory School , Malcolm House was relocated to School House with approximately six boarders . The inaugural football match between Hale School and Guildford Grammar School was named the Drake-Brockman / Veryard competition and named after the first Football Captains at each school .
Guildford again won the PSA Swimming in 1999 and new uniforms for the girls at the Preparatory School were introduced .
The year 2000 saw Malcolm House moved to the old Harper House for boarders in Year 5 to 8 . Toxic algae in the Swan River disrupted the rowing training and the Swan River later flooded .
In 2001 , the launch of a Concept Plan for the Development of the flats was introduced . Guildford again won the PSA Swimming and shared the Hamer Cup for rowing with Hale .
Prefects 1997 Back row : Henry Johnston , Nicholas Christie , Adam Dobson , Julien Lim . Middle row : Ben Fairhurst , Christopher Buxton , Troy Kenyon , Liam Bruce , Vitek Kicinski ,
Aaron Cole , David Louw . Front Row : Lance Coppin , John Toll , Deputy Headmaster Dr Bruce Matthews ,
Headmaster Mr Kim Walton , Jonathan Denniss , Michael Wallace .
In Kim ’ s last year of 2002 , Guildford again continued the winning streak with the PSA Swimming . The Geoffrey Mueller Tennis Pavilion was opened in November to honour the long- serving staff member and tennis coach . Geoff served from 1967-2000 .
Although Kim was supported by many parents and prominent Old Guildfordians during his time at Guildford , he did not have the full support of the Council and his contract was not renewed for 2003 .
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