Student Wellbeing

The term ahead 

Welcome back to Term 4! As we embark on this final chapter of the school year, we were excited to see our students return last week with a renewed energy and focus. This term brings a range of exciting opportunities, including special events and transition activities that will help prepare our students for the next stage of their educational journey. Whether it's our Year 12s approaching their final exams or the Year 7s to 11s getting ready for new challenges, there is much to look forward to as we continue to grow together. 

Best wishes to our Year 12 students 

As our Year 12 students approach their final exams, they carry with them not only the knowledge they’ve gained but also the values that have shaped their journey at Shelford. These exams represent the culmination of years of hard work, and we know that our students will face this challenge with integrity, respect, passion, and creativity. 

Integrity is about staying true to themselves during this time, approaching their studies with honesty and giving their best effort. Respect, both for themselves and others, is vital as they navigate the emotions and pressures of the coming weeks. It’s about treating themselves with care - taking breaks, resting, and maintaining balance - while also showing kindness to peers on the same journey. 

Passion has fuelled their learning throughout their time at Shelford, and now that same passion will carry them through their exams. We encourage them to approach their revision with enthusiasm and a determination to succeed, trusting in the effort they’ve already invested. Finally, creativity - something we value deeply - reminds our Year 12s that they can think outside the box, find new ways to approach problems, and stay flexible as they prepare. 

In the coming weeks, their teachers will continue to support them, offering guidance, clarity, and encouragement. 

As they embark on this final chapter, we remind them that they are not defined by exam results alone. They are also defined by their integrity, respect, passion, and creativity - qualities that will take them far beyond the exam room. We wish our Year 12 students the very best and look forward to celebrating their achievements at the end of this journey. 

A Reflection from our Co-Captains Audrey and Abi 

In Shelford's last and commemorative year communities both within the school and externally have come together to celebrate Shelford for a final time. 

Although our school’s closure has left lasting sadness, activities have been incorporated throughout the year to unify us as a collective. As a means of supporting each other, more attention has been paid to fostering the connection of students between year levels. We have combined the junior and senior school students in assemblies to sing the school song as a collective, in which the lyrics emphasise the importance of female education and the beauty of memories. Workshops have been completed allowing us to annotate the school song, discovering how its lyrics highlight different things to different students. As old school photos have accompanied the song at each assembly, we have reflected on Shelford’s history, not only as it impacts the people currently sitting in the hall but also those who have previously been educated by the institution. There have been lots of laughs as we see photos of different people throughout the years, but by looking at the school’s history holistically, we can clearly see the vast impact our school has had over the last 126 years.  

The wider school community has also come together to recognise Shelford’s impact on sport. The newly introduced Shelford Cup is now awarded to the winner of the Rowing Women’s Doubles Competition at both the National level and Head of School Girls, to celebrate the achievements of the longstanding Shelford rowing team. Similarly, the Shelford Shield will now be presented to the winner of GSV Senior Championship Cross Country. Although we are not known for our abundant sporting success, our sportsmanship and collaboration will continue to be remembered within the sporting community. We travelled to watch the Head of School Girls Regatta this year, further absorbing us in the school community as we cheered on the final squad alongside the rest of the wider rowing community. 

We have felt warm encouragement from other schools at both organised events and in messages of support. These events included the AAGGS Principals and School Captains Event, Anglican Schools Cathedral Service, and the International Women’s Day Lunch hosted by Westpac Bank. Meeting with the school captains of other schools, who were all positive and lively in their own ways, we felt pride knowing that the world’s future female leaders are so passionate and clever. Knowing that the wider educational community is looking out for each of us gives us hope that our students will continue to enjoy their studies in the coming years.  

Never in history has female education and opportunity been at the standard it is today. However, across the world, women could not dream of having the same education that we have been given at Shelford. No matter what you choose to do in the future, take pride in your knowledge and your character, your Shelford experience will stay with you forever.   

Being your School Captains in the last year is an honour that we hold dearly. Coming to school each day knowing that as a collective we will feel warmth and love from everyone within the school gates is something we have not taken for granted, but instead cherished. Knowing that our high school experience is one support and compassion is something for which we are forever grateful.  

Try to keep a bit of the Shelford confidence and glow with you wherever you choose to go!  

Much love,   

Abi and Audrey   

Term 4 – Upcoming Key Dates