The Master Plan
A School of Stories, A Future of Opportunity
For more than a century, Guildford Grammar School has been shaped by visionaries—people who saw beyond the present and imagined something greater. From Charles Harper transforming a billiards room into a classroom in 1896 to the generosity of Cecil Oliverson, whose gift of the Chapel of St Mary and St George remains a cornerstone of our School, each chapter in our story has been written by those who believed in the power of education.
Now, it is our turn to shape the next chapter.
The Guildford Grammar School Master Plan is a bold step into the future—one that respects our heritage, inspires innovation and strengthens community connections. It is a vision that ensures our School remains a place where students learn, grow and thrive for generations to come.
A Vision Informed by Community
Crafting a plan of this scale required careful thought, collaboration and consultation. We began by listening—engaging with students, staff, parents, Old Guildfordians and the wider community to understand their aspirations. Through research and site analysis, we examined how our campus serves our students today and what it will need to support them into the future.
Through this process, we assembled a project team, held workshops and conducted a comprehensive site analysis. We mapped out the phases of growth, identified key capital project sites and refined our approach through continued engagement with our community. A priority matrix was then established, ensuring that each stage of the Master Plan aligns with our educational vision, sustainability goals and long-term aspirations.
Three Pillars for the Future
At the heart of the Master Plan are three guiding principles, each designed to shape a campus that is forward-thinking, deeply connected and grounded in tradition.
Heritage
Guildford Grammar School’s history is embedded in every brick of our heritage precinct. The Master Plan prioritises preserving and enhancing our historic architecture, ensuring that treasured buildings continue to serve as places of learning, gathering and connection. Restorations will breathe new life into our heritage spaces, reinforcing the timeless link between past, present and future.
Innovation
A future-focused learning environment is essential for student success. The Master Plan introduces modern, adaptable spaces that encourage personalised learning and creative thinking. Technology-enabled classrooms, wellbeing-focused environments and sustainability initiatives will ensure that Guildford Grammar remains at the forefront of education, preparing students for an ever-evolving world.
Culture & Land
Set on 78 hectares of natural beauty, our School has always had a deep connection to the land. The Master Plan embraces this by reimagining our wetlands and riverfront as immersive outdoor learning spaces, ensuring that students engage with the natural world as an extension of the classroom. By incorporating sustainability-driven practices, enhancing native landscaping and reinforcing our connection to the Noongar people and culture, we create a campus that respects, protects and learns from the land.
A Campus Transformed
The Master Plan introduces three key campus concepts designed to enhance learning, improve accessibility and strengthen community connections.
- The Third Classroom: Our wetlands and riverfront are among our most remarkable natural assets, yet they remain underutilised. This initiative will rehabilitate these spaces, transforming them into a dynamic, hands-on learning environment that deepens students’ connection to nature.
- Connected Campus: Seamless movement between the Senior and Preparatory Schools will bridge the divide, fostering stronger links between students of all ages and creating a greater sense of unity and collaboration.
- Campus Life: A holistic approach to campus design will integrate nature, sustainability and wellbeing, creating spaces that inspire curiosity, connection and discovery. By embracing green infrastructure, native landscaping and rewilding initiatives, we will enhance biodiversity and support sustainable practices across our School.
Next Steps: Bringing the Vision to Life
The journey does not end with a plan—it begins with action.
The next stage of the Master Plan involves a detailed feasibility study, assessing the viability, cost and impact of each priority project. The School Council will then determine which development will be prioritised first, ensuring that every step is taken with careful consideration and a long-term vision.
Once the first project is selected, we will engage the community again, refining the design through consultation with students, staff and families. Our architects and planners will shape spaces that are future-ready yet deeply connected to the School’s legacy. Once finalised, construction will begin, setting in motion a new era for Guildford Grammar School.
A Future of Opportunity
The Guildford Grammar School Master Plan is more than just a blueprint—it is a promise. A promise to preserve the past, shape the future, and create a campus where students, staff and families feel inspired, connected and empowered.
With the spirit of innovation, the strength of our history and the support of our community, we look forward to writing the next chapter together.
