PR E PA R ATORY S C HO OL
New beginnings
The beautiful thing about a school like
Guildford Grammar School is the wonderful
framework of tradition that is created over
the generations. A school with a long history
has a sense of longevity and dependability.
In an environment of flux and uncertainty it
stands as an anchor held tightly in place by
its founding ideals and core values.
Paradoxically, its tradition, values, growth
and constants are forged through turnover
and change. The very nature of organic
structures such as schools is that the
people who make them what they are,
are constantly changing. Each student
and staff member that passes through
the school adds their thread to the ever
growing tapestry that is the life of Guildford
Grammar School. Parents, council members,
Old Guildfordians and even unrelated
benefactors (as in the case of the Chapel)
also have a profound effect on creating the
life of this school over the decades.
The past few years have certainly seen the
obvious signs of change. We have seen
the inevitable changes in the leadership of
the School, the retirement of long serving
staff members, and the new visions and
directions that are a key part of every new
staff member that is employed. Our students
have continued to weave a wonderful legacy
through their amazing achievements and
parents have had a strong impact through
the bodies that serve the School community
like the P&F, FOPS and FOSS. But perhaps
the most obvious changes have been the
development of the new buildings.
Mr Justin Krause
The Catalyst project and its physical
incarnation in the Thwaites Centre has been
a stark symbol of innovation and growth in
the School. It is with great excitement that
we anticipate now the next phase in the
Preparatory School building program.
Much like the Thwaites Centre is now the
home to the Catalyst program, the new
buildings in the Preparatory School will bring
form and shape to the drive, innovation,
collaboration and passion for deep and
exciting learning, in buildings that will reflect
the excellence and the joy of the learning
process. As we look upon the neatly prepared
ground that will take the foundations of
these fine facilities, I am reminded of the
process that has preceded this point. The
outside observer may only note the physical
process and perhaps pay some attention
to the plan and design drawings that are
shared. What is not immediately clear to all is
the depth of thought and planning that has
gone ahead of this.
Ideas take shape and grow as the process
unfolds. Input from visiting other facilities
and thought provoking questions about
our vision and purpose start taking shape in
layout and design. As you enter each phase
of consultation, those tasked with bringing
this dream to life, probe and interrogate
to get to the core of what you want the
building to do, to mean and to be. Hours
of planning, questioning and debating
finally come together in a neat synergy that
is presented in a plan that you have never
seen, although when you first gaze on it
there is a great familiarity and bond. Every
aspect of its creation has received thought
and direction. The building will entirely
serve the values, purpose and intention of
its creation. Each room, colour and detail
thoughtfully incorporated.
It is true that the people make the School
and not the buildings, but the growth,
learning and development of each child will
surely be greatly enhanced by being in a
building that has been built with such great
thought, not only for function at its simplest
level but for many of the deeper intentions
of the experience: collaboration, innovation,
inquiry and o