GO FORWARD : Guildford Grammar School 1896-1996

Illustrated history of the school published for its centenary.

Guildford Grammar School traces its foundations back to 1896 when Charles Harper, an influential Western Australian, established in the billiard room of his house (Woodbridge House) a school (under the guidance of Frank Bennett, the first Headmaster) which was to cater to the educational needs of his children, and those from the surrounding district. Harper’s vision was to create a school based on the English public school system, whilst also attempting to accommodate the different culture of the modern colonial society.

In 1900, the school moved to its current site. The school was originally called The Church of England Grammar School. Together with Christian Brothers College (Aquinas), The High School (Hale School), and The Alexander Scotch College (Scotch), the school established the Public Schools Association in 1905. Initially, the school only had 14 students, but in 1910, with over 100 students, it was taken over by the Trustees of the Church of England. Canon Percy Henn was appointed Headmaster.

In 1914, the Chapel of St Mary and St George was consecrated, and, to the east of the Senior School, the Preparatory School was founded by Henn and Cecil Priestley. Currently, the Preparatory School is co-educational and also includes boarders. These boarders are accommodated in the Graham Malcolm Junior Hall of Residence.

In March, 1942, the staff and students of the Senior School were evacuated to Fairbridge Farm School near Pinjarra for 18 months, as a precaution during World War II.