CELEBRATING 125 YEARS OF HISTORY 1896-2021
Robert Zordan – 2003 to 2010
When Robert Zordan was appointed as the eleventh Headmaster of Guildford Grammar School in 2003 , he was already familiar with the School . He had previously been on staff from 1988-1997 and was appointed to a senior administration position as Dean of Studies in 1991 . Robert left the School to take up a position as Headmaster of Christ ’ s College Canterbury in Christchurch .
Robert was aged 46 when he took up the new position in second term , joined by his wife Kathy and son Gabriel , who joined Henn ’ s House . Robert was expected to strengthen the School ’ s academic culture and expand boarding enrolments . He said Guildford Grammar School had a rich heritage and traditions that should be upheld , but the school needed to be innovative , creative and forward thinking .
Lady Day 2004 saw the 90th celebrations for the Consecration of the Chapel of St Mary and St George . Robert said the Chapel was a place for the spirit and was used daily for services and congregational singing . In the same year , an appeal was held to refurbish the ageing DLD . The inaugural Chapel Gift was held , and new banners were introduced at the Preparatory School . Freeth House was moved to the rear of School and St George ’ s House .
The year 2005 saw the Old Guildfordians celebrating their centenary with an impressive Old Guildfordians dinner . Artist , Ron Gomboc was commissioned to provide a suitable sculpture which was placed near the Chapel .
After years of parents and players from other PSA schools complaining about having to play on the muddy Guildford fields , The One Campus Project finally commenced . All the sporting facilities now had proper drainage .
By 2006 , due to the mini boom in the Western Australian economy , Guildford was reporting an increase in enrolments , after several years of dwindling numbers . This was an important year for the School as boarding for School , St George ’ s and Henn House was phased out .
Between 2003 and 2011 , a Strategic Plan was developed to aid a decision in planning for the size of the School in the future . Guildford had gone from an enrolment of 870 to a predicted roll of close to 1,200 . This would aid Guildford ’ s increasing competitiveness in the PSA competition .
Finally , in 2007 after many years of planning , traffic lights were installed at the new
Headmaster Robert Zordan with the 1st VIII in 2010 and the christening of the new boat named in his honour .
entrance to provide safe crossing of the highway for the Preparatory School parents and students . Work began on the upgrade on the old Henn ’ s and St George ’ s House and the Sir Francis Burt Senior Hall and the Graham Malcolm Junior Hall of Residence were opened in March 2007 .
2008 saw the official opening of The Guildford Grammar School Foundation Pavilion near Roberts Oval at the Preparatory School and the One Campus Project was officially opened at the P & F Sundowner held in February .
Mrs Heather Yeates was appointed as the first female Chairman of Council . Work also commenced on the new school entrance in early 2008 .
After many years of the PSA Head of the River being held near the Narrows Bridge in Perth , the competition was moved to Champion Lakes in 2009 . Guildford were PSA Golf champions with a win by both the senior and junior teams .
The Year 7 boys , previously at the Preparatory School , were moved to the Senior School in 2010 and Catalyst was established .
In the December 2010 , Robert Zordan was farewelled . “ Under your vision and leadership , our School has undergone a physical and cultural renaissance . You and your legacy will form a much-valued chapter in the history of the School and in the memories of those who shared the time with you .”
Stephen Webber – 2011 to 2019
Stephen Webber was appointed as the twelfth Headmaster of Guildford Grammar School in 2011 . He was born and raised in Adelaide , one of four boys in a family that highly valued education . He was largely educated in State-based primary and secondary schools in South Australia until Year 10 , when he transferred to St Peter ’ s College in Adelaide .
Stephen is married to Lynn and has three children . When the position as Head of Senior School at Wesley College came up in 2006 , the family did not hesitate to move west .
Stephen ’ s aim was to maintain the balance between Guildford Grammar School ’ s century old traditions and forward thinking .
Work began on the new Catalyst building in Stephen ’ s first year . He and his wife were still living in the old Headmaster ’ s house , but as the building expanded closer , the decision was made to purchase a new home for the Headmaster away from the campus . The old Headmaster ’ s house was demolished . This was the first time the Headmaster had not lived on the school site since 1910 .
The new Thwaites Centre , named after former Headmaster , Peter Thwaites was opened on Lady Day 2013 with members of the Thwaites family present . The new building had 14 new classrooms , eight Catalyst program laboratories , IT resource areas , staff planning and resource areas and a new administration area .
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