FROM THE HEADMASTER
Teamwork
Following extensive community
consultation in 2012, teamwork was
incorporated into the list of the School’s Core
Values. This may not have been surprising
given the importance of groups of people
working cohesively to achieve success
together. High on the list of personal qualities
sought after by employers is the ability for
people to work collaboratively and to lead in
a way that encourages participation. In this
edition of Forward you will find numerous
examples of exceptional teamwork occurring
across the life of the School and the benefits
that flow from this approach.
The School community was greatly saddened
by the recent passing of our much respected
former Headmaster, Mr John Masson
Moody AM. His funeral service was held
in the Chapel of St Mary and St George,
and as expected the Chapel was full of
people who came to pay their respects to a
man who not only left his mark on our fine
school, but education across the country. The
eulogies were delivered by his sons Bill and
Tom, his granddaughter Annabelle and past
Headmaster of Hale, Mr John Inverarity. John
asked me to share my thoughts on the legacy
that John Moody had left the School. The
following of course only partly captures the
extent of his outstanding contribution.
As a highly respected educational leader
on the national stage, John’s extensive
contributions to organisations such as
AHISA enabled Guildford Grammar School’s
reputation to be significantly enhanced.
His wise counsel was sought by colleagues
throughout the country and John developed
a very talented and committed Senior
Leadership Team, many of whom went on to
lead other schools. He initiated an open and
transparent external evaluation of the School
which enabled key strategic improvements to
occur in the modernisation of the curriculum,
significantly improved academic results, as
well as improved sporting performances in
the PSA competition. Under his leadership
the School enjoyed enrolment growth,
which enabled what was called ‘the decade
of development’, with a number of key
building developments and widely improved
facilities and infrastructure. He established a
structured Indigenous Scholarship program
and was passionate about the opportunity
that was provided to many students to
attend the School. John was a relationship
and community builder who worked
hard on knowing students’ names and
demonstrating care and compassion, whilst
maintaining discipline and standards. He is
fondly remembered as a Headmaster who
united the community, gave selfless service,
raised standards across the board and set
the foundation for the School to thrive
into the 21st Century. What will mostly be
remembered is the type of person that he
was, generous of heart, strong in values and
passionate about supporting young people
to achieve their potential. He was a true
gentleman.
In a strong gesture of support and respect,
it was a pleasure to have the Principal of
Pembroke School in Adelaide, Mr Luke
Thomson, in attendance at the funeral,
given John Moody’s key role as one of the
foundation Principals of one of the leading
schools in the country. The former GovernorGeneral of Australia and Governor of WA,
Major General Michael Jeffery AC, CVO, MC
was in attendance and commented on John’s
distinguished military career, which was cut
short following a football injury, to the loss of
the Defence Force and the gain of education
and our School community!
The Senior School drama production of Les Misérables was outstanding.
2
I always appreciate the dedication and
commitment of our staff when working
together to ensure that School events are