23 Facts About Percy Henn

Percy Umfreville Henn was a clergyman and teacher in England and later Western Australia.

Percy Henn taught at various schools until 1900, when he became a missionary in Western Australia in country towns.

In Western Australia Percy Henn married Jean Elliott and had four children.

Percy Henn was born in Manchester, England, as the tenth child of Rev John Percy Henn and his wife Catherine, nee Holcroft.

Percy Henn was educated at Christ's Hospital, London, as a bluecoat boy, and then at Worcester College, Oxford, on a scholarship.

Percy Henn graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1887, proceeding to a Master of Arts three years later.

Percy Henn decided, before taking on a spiritual career, that he would become a teacher.

Percy Henn began his career as an assistant master at Hurstpierpoint College, West Sussex.

Percy Henn became recognised as a teacher when he became a founding headmaster at Worksop College in Nottinghamshire; however he resigned in 1899 amidst differences with a new superior who disagreed with Percy Henn's philosophy of a school grounds with beautiful buildings dominated by a chapel.

In January 1900, Percy Henn arrived as a missionary in Perth, Western Australia.

On 3 April 1902, in Geraldton, Percy Henn married Jean Elliott.

Percy Henn became a rector in Northam for three years, signifying the end of his missionary term.

Percy Henn returned to England and became organising secretary in the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in the dioceses of Canterbury and Rochester.

In 1910, Percy Henn returned to Perth to take up the position of Headmaster of Guildford Grammar School.

Percy Henn's task was to oversee the first attempt by the Church of England at secondary education since 1873.

Percy Henn's first thought for the new school was the provision of a chapel.

Percy Henn became a member immediately; however, Christ Church did not gain representation until 1920.

In 1918, Percy Henn suggested that Christ Church Grammar School's oval be widened and made a first-class playing field.

Percy Henn was enthusiastic about this, however the Guildford Preparatory School did not integrate with the main Guildford Grammar School until 1921, when it became Guildford Grammar Preparatory School, and Priestley resigned from his position as the Head of the Prep School around this time.

Percy Henn became canon of St George's Cathedral, Perth in 1921.

Percy Henn has a Guildford Grammar School house named after him, Henn's House, founded 1927.

Percy Henn left his job as Headmaster at Guildford Grammar School in 1925 and returned to England.

Percy Henn retired permanently to Perth in 1933 and died in 1955, age 90.