Principal's news

Last week we began our camps program for 2022 with successful Year 7 and Year 10 camps.  I thank all of the staff who gave up their time (and comfortable beds) to be with the students and provide these wonderful opportunities.

This week, we are celebrating International Women’s Day with a guest speaker at assembly and a range of activities. We celebrate women around the world and acknowledge the need to continue to work toward gender equality. At Shelford, our purpose is to empower women and girls; we work hard each day to provide an environment that stimulates and challenges our students and inspires them to be courageous.

We are currently reviewing our camps programs in the Junior and Senior School. We are also interested in reviewing other trips, tours and exchanges that we offer students. It is an opportune time to do this, as we emerge from COVID-19, and begin to reimagine interstate and oversea travel.

I believe that these programs are vital in our school. It actually is a key way that we work towards empowering our students and giving them a broader outlook on the world.

Camps can be linked to curriculum and also allow for an outdoor education program, sustainability and environmental focus and opportunities for education on indigenous culture. Camps also offer a myriad of opportunities for experiences that build a stronger sense of self, physical wellbeing and emotional intelligence. They offer opportunities for increased independence, responsibility and support in establishing identity. 

Trips and tours enable students to gain a global experience, and to understand the world and different cultures. They can provide opportunities for service learning.

Language exchanges offer immersion in culture and assist language acquisition.

It is imperative that in reviewing this area of the school and planning for the future, we consider a variety of views. We will be forming a working group to consider the scope and sequence of our camps; opportunities for trips and tours; and to confirm arrangements for language tours. 

This group will consist of members of the leadership group and teachers, students and parents. If you are interested in being involved in this group, which will meet 4–5 times during the year at Shelford, please contact me on: kbrennan@shelford.vic.edu.au

Katrina Brennan

Principal