Tours and Open Days
Governor Stirling Senior High School
Discover if Governor Stirling SHS is the right fit for you!
We warmly invite all prospective students and their families to join us for a Principal’s Tour at Governor Stirling SHS. During your visit, you’ll have the opportunity to:
- Meet our principal and dedicated staff.
- Tour our beautiful school.
- Observe the positive and inclusive learning environment GSSHS offers to all students.
Our 2026 School Tour Dates:
Wednesday 25 February 2026
Wednesday 18 March 2026
Wednesday 20 May 2026
Wednesday 24 June 2026
Wednesday 5 August 2026
Wednesday 9 September 2026
Wednesday 4 November 2026
Our tours begin at 10:00 am, starting from Front Reception. Tours will go for 40 minutes, followed by a Q&A session in the boardroom. To avoid disappointment, please note that bookings are essential through Trybooking. Click here.
Prospective Parent Evening:
We invite all parents to join us for an exciting Prospective Parent Evening, where you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about our school’s Approved Specialized Programs and general programs. These include Engineering, Artsmedia, and AFL, offering students unique pathways to explore their interests and talents. During the evening, you’ll meet our Transition Officer and ASP coordinators, who will provide valuable insights and answer any questions you may have. After the presentations, we’ll offer a guided tour of the school so you can get a firsthand look at the facilities and resources that support our students’ growth and success. Don’t miss out on this chance to explore all that our school has to offer!
2026 Week 8, Wednesday 25 March 5-6pm
For Prospective Parent Evening Bookings, click here.
We look forward to welcoming you and helping you make an informed decision about your student’s future.
If you are unable to attend on these dates, please contact us for a tour at a time that suits your family.
We hope to see you soon!
Our Staff – Executive Team
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
Manager Corporate Services (Acting): Stacye Bennett
stacye.bennett@education.wa.edu.au
Heads of Learning Areas
English : Rachel James
Mathematics: Michael Natoli
Science: Will Dunning
Physical and Health Education (Acting): Rachal Hughes
The Arts: Olga Konstantouras
Humanities and Social Science and LOTE:Lauren Barrie
Technology and Enterprise: David Scuderi
Wellbeing Support Team
Psychologist 6274 0330
Nurse 6274 0328
Chaplain 6274 0329
Program Coordinators
Honour before Honours
Governor Stirling Senior High School
School History
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.
Current Long Serving Staff
| 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 O'Halloran | 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 |
Previous Long Serving Staff
| 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 |
Alumni Database 1956-Present
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
Finding Your Way…
