Staffing Update - Farewells
It is the time of year when we are ready to farewell staff who are retiring or leaving Shelford to take up wonderful opportunities elsewhere. It is sad to say good-bye but important to acknowledge service to the school.
Judith Moore has been teaching piano here at Shelford for over forty years. Her rapport with students, experience and enthusiasm, have meant that many students have chosen to benefit from her instruction. At Shelford, Judith is renowned for her velvet jackets and floral dresses, wearing her hair up and her lipstick on, always chatting to students as they make their way to and from lessons. As Judith says, Shelford is a magical place – that is why she has been here for so many years. Thank you, Judith, and best of luck for your retirement!
Deb Pettigrew is retiring from Shelford after a long period of service, over twenty years, as the Head of Visual Arts. Deb is a dedicated, kind and funny teacher, with a wealth of knowledge and expertise, a passion for what she does and a lifelong learning mindset. We wish Deb all the best, as she focuses on her health, continues to work as a mentor to other art teachers, including those at Shelford, and sometime in the future, returns to work in a reduced time capacity. Deb has taught many Shelford students over the years, and has had a lasting impact on many of them, instilling a love for creating and an appreciation for what art can add to their perspective on life. Her outstanding teaching in VCE has meant that she has consistently taught students who gain full marks. Her students have entered design and fine art courses and pursued careers in the visual arts field. More than that, she has filled many students with confidence about their abilities and encouraged a love of creating art, giving them the gift of a lifelong appreciation of the visual.
Florence (Flo) Fournier is leaving Shelford in order to relocate to Europe and travel in 2023 and beyond. Flo has worked at Shelford for 18 years as a French teacher. During that time, she has been an active part of the Staff Association, and a much-loved teacher, who is full of energy and fun. Her flash mobs are notorious, as are all of the singing and humour that are part of the magic of being taught by Flo. It has been wonderful to have a native speaking teacher of Flo’s calibre at Shelford for this time and she has appreciated working with her colleagues and the wonderful Shelford students over the years. Bon Voyage and Bon Chance Flo!
Christine Thibou is retiring, in order to spend more time with her family and pursue further study. As a librarian and technology teacher, Christine has excelled. The development of the Digitech program from Prep – Year 8 has been a highlight for her. Christine has been active in moving the Shelford community to the LMS and on to the App with a single sign on. She has been a regular Junior School camp teacher, helped at countless sporting events and been involved in the life of Shelford and its students over a long period. We thank Christine for overseeing the ICT area, such a key part of the school, especially in recent years.
Chanie Stock is taking up a new opportunity in 2023 as a Wellbeing Coordinator at a Jewish faith-based school. As an English and Literature teacher at Shelford, Chanie has built strong relationships with the students, families and staff, and has instilled a love of literature and writing in many students. A passionate and inspiring teacher, Chanie has contributed to the growth of the Year 9 WOW and Year 10 Literature courses and has encouraged many students in their literature journey. Chanie has coordinated Debating and it is fitting, that in her last year here, the Year 10 team were unanimously awarded first place in this prestigious competition; a testament to Chanie’s enthusiasm and dedication to the debating program. Chanie is known for her generosity in providing delicious food to students and colleagues, especially baked treats and her early morning yoga, philosophising and gardening – all of which she has shared with our students. We thank Chanie for her time as a teacher, pastoral care teacher and Year 7-10 English Faculty Head and wish her well in her new role in the area of wellbeing.
Madeleine Coulombe will be an English teacher at Eltham College in 2023. In her time at Shelford, Madeleine has been an outstanding Literature and English teacher and has led the English Faculty with great care, expertise and focus. The Shelford English model, with an emphasis on dialogic teaching, has been an innovative and challenging program which has developed the capacity of our students. Madeleine has also made a strong contribution to the professional learning of our staff through her role with the staff professional reading group and in running the Praxis group’s professional learning this year. I know Madeleine’s students will wish to thank her for her expertise, dedication and the warmth and collegiality, with which she imbues her classroom.
Kara Patrick is taking up a role as a VCD teacher at another independent school in 2023. In her time at Shelford, Kara has developed the Visual Communication and Design curriculum in Year 9 and 10 and taught the students through the VCE. She is a warm and genuine teacher, who builds wonderful relationships with her students. Under her tutelage, her students have flourished in their design work and the subject has grown in popularity. We wish Kara all the best for the future.
Karla Nyhuis is taking up a role closer to her new home in Croydon, as a Junior School drama teacher. Karla has made a strong contribution to our performing arts team, both in music and drama. Her direction of the Junior School 'Lion King' musical was exceptional and the Junior School students’ regular plays at Chapel, display their developing skills and her genuine warmth for the students. We wish Kara well for the future.
Judy McKay, our psychologist and member of our counselling team, is leaving Shelford to move to London in 2023. She is keen to experience a different way of life and enrich her professional experience. We have so valued Judy’s calm, articulate and reassuring presence and her work with our students, teachers and families. We wish her all the best for the adventure ahead.
Shelley Porter is taking up a role with a VET sports and recreation component at MLC in 2023. We thank her for her expertise this year with the PE VCE students, her leadership of the faculty and her work with carnivals and other events throughout the year and wish her all the best for her future, personally and professionally.
Lisa Barton is leaving her part time maths teaching role at Shelford to focus on her own family. We wish her all the best.
Katrina Davey and Mel Webb kindly stepped in to support Shelford this year, when we had a resignation in late January 2022. Mel is an outstanding global politics teacher and Katrina has done a wonderful job overseeing our Year 9 challenge programs. With young children, neither Mel nor Katrina are in a position to continue their work in to 2023, so we sadly say good-bye and wish them well for the future. We know they will stay in touch with Shelford and our students and staff in the future.
Zoe Quirk is finishing her contract with us at the end of the year and we thank her for her wonderful calm demeanour, flexibility and professional, organised teaching approach. We wish Zoe all the best.
Sophia Edgecombe also completes her contract this year. She has been a calm and genuine Year 3 teacher, who has formed strong relationships with the students and supported their growth and development in all its facets. We wish her well as she takes up a role as a foundation teacher at another independent school.
Jacinta Chambers and Una Alagic, who have been on maternity leave, will not be returning to Shelford. Una is now living in Perth WA and Jacinta will not return to teaching until her daughter is at school age. Both Jacinta and Una are thriving in their role as mother and we wish them and their families all the best for this wonderful stage of their lives.