At Governor Stirling Senior High School we believe in an educational experience that promotes respect, hard work and achievement where every child is encouraged to become a person of honour and integrity.
Our school aims to provide students with a well-balanced education within a supportive learning environment designed to unlock their individual potential.
To enrich the learning experiences of each child the school offers a range of programs including:
• Department of Education Gifted and Talented Education Program in Mathematics, Science and Humanities from Year 7
• Approved Specialist Program in Engineering
• Approved Specialist Program in Artsmedia, Certificate II in Creative Industries
• Approved Specialist Program in Australian Rules Football, Certificate II in Sport and Recreation
• Academic extension
• School based programs in netball and music
• Italian and Indonesian languages
• Nationally accredited vocational certificate programs for senior students
• Aboriginal academic program Follow the Dream with dedicated staff
Our teaching and support staff have been selected for their ability to lead, encourage and teach students to imagine the possibilities, create opportunities and achieve their dreams.
We have a proud history that includes an alumni of Olympians, football stars and State champions, entrepreneurs and authors, parliamentarians and community leaders, who have all shaped the future of this state.
In 2013 we began another exciting chapter in the life of Governor Stirling Senior High School. Having now settled into the new $63 million dollar state-of-the-art campus, we will strive to continue our proud history of producing young men and women who believe in the value of respect, hard work and achievement.
“Honour Before Honours”
Principal Leo Surjan
leo.surjan@education.wa.edu.u
Deputy Principal: Lee Barclay
lee.barclay@education.wa.edu.au
Deputy Principal: Leonie Squire
Leonie.squire@education.wa.edu.au
Deputy Principal (Acting): Tom Jones
thomas.jones3@education.wa.edu.au
Danielle Altinier: Manager Corporate Services
danielle.altinier@education.wa.edu.au
English (Acting): Ross Hamilton
Mathematics: Vashti Sims
Science: Shuan Barton
Physical and Health Education: Natalie Tempone
The Arts: Olga Konstantouras
Humanities and Social Science and LOTE: Jaclyn Pitchford
Technology and Enterprise: David Scuderi
Psychologist 6274 0330
Nurse 6274 0328
Chaplain 6274 0329
Program Coordinators
Guildford’s significant history as one of the founding centres in the establishment of the Swan River Colony has always included a strong educational foundation. Guildford was established, in the rural centre as an important market town and inland port, along with Fremantle and Perth, which were designated the port and administration centres respectively.
In 1834 the Government established the first schools within the Colony (5 years after the establishment of the Swan River settlement in 1829), with three teachers appointed, one for each of the founding centres. Since the establishment of these first colonial educational institutions, there has always been a strong sense of school tradition within the region.
Governor Stirling Senior High School was established in 1958 in its present location situated on the picturesque banks of the Swan River in Woodbridge. It was officially opened on 28 October 1959 by the then Minister for Education, Mr A.F.Watts GMG MLA, at which time the school officially changed its name from the former Midland Junction High School.
Built on the actual site of Governor James Stirling’s country retreat, a small cottage which he named ‘Woodbridge’ after his wife’s family home, (not the present Victorian-era Woodbridge House built in 1883–5 just west of the original, by Charles Harper, a successful local businessman and parliamentarian).
The school crest of Governor Stirling Senior High School recognises its heritage through the motto of the former Midland Junction High School ‘Honour Before Honours’, and the traditional State swan.
Governor Stirling Senior High School holds significant ties to Western Australia’s historical educational foundations through our long tradition of outstanding academic and sporting excellence.
Henry Lipiec | Jan-79 | 45 years |
Rose Babij | January 1984 (Left Semester 2 1994 Ð 1996) | 36 years |
Jennifer Lumia | May-85 | 35 years |
Kevin Peterson | Jan-90 | 30 years |
Jules Zaffino | Jan-90 | 30 years |
Kevin Ireland | Feb-91 | 29 years |
Frank Cavicchio | Feb-93 | 27 years |
Heather Bainbridge | Aug-95 | 25 years |
Ruth OÕHalloran | Feb-94 | 26 years |
Jennifer Laker | Jan-95 | 25 years |
Joe Pelican | Jan-97 | 23 years |
Brian Owen | Jan-98 | 22 years |
Andrew Davini | April 1997 (Prac Student), February 1998 Ð current. Left 2000 Ð 2002, returned 2003 | 22 years |
Bruce Arnell | January 1972 – December 2011 | 39 years |
Brian Crisp | 1964 – 1999 | 35 years |
Linda Lockyear | September 1985 – July 2017 | 32 years |
Margaret Matthews | October 1987 – December 2008 | 32 years |
Ian Bradford | January 1980 – July 2011 | 31 years |
Kevin Elphick | January 1984 – January 2014 | 30 years |
Eleanor Jones | August 1978 – September 2008 | 30 years |
Leonie Boys | January 1991 – January 2018 | 27 years |
Kay Jones | January 1977 – March 2004 | 27 years |
Garry Gardner | February 1990 – December 2016 | 26 years |
Carol Hooton | March 1984 – May 2010 | 26 years |
Alexander Moroz | January 1990 – December 2016 | 26 years |
Constance Rapson | November 1991 – December 2015 | 24 years |
Suzanne Reynolds | December 1996 – January 2018 | 23 years |
David Shepherd | January 1990 – January 2013 | 23 years |
Dr Picasso Art | November 1995 – January 2018 | 23 years |
Erica Phillimore | January 1996 – January 2018 | 22 years |
Jennifer Lucas | November 1997 – August 2019 | 22 years |
Sue Zarrop | Jan-98 | 22 years |
Miriam Fawcett | January 1995 – April 2016 | 21 years |
Rodney Kemp | January 1983 – March 2004 | 21 years |
Al Babij | December 1997 – November 2017 | 20 years |
Quita Beny | January 1987 – December 2007 | 20 years |
Glenys Hyde | February 1984 – March 2004 | 20 years |
Sarah Mirco | January 1994 – December 2013 | 20 years |
Sue Modra | April 1999 – January 2019 | 20 years |
The school endeavours to keep an up-dated contact list of all our Alumni’s for the purpose of events, reunions and community engagement.
If you are a past student of this school and you would like to add your contact details or up-date your contact details,
Please email the school on GovernorStirling.SHS@education.wa.edu.au