Student Wellbeing

Celebrating our Shelfordians 

REACH Siem Reap – The work of Shelfordian Emily Williamson (2010) 

This year we have been very fortunate to connect with Shelfordian Emily Williamson and learn about the important work she is doing in Siem Reap Cambodia as the founder of REACH. Emily graduated from Shelford in 2010 before continuing her education at Swinburne University. Having spent a life split between Asia and Australia, Emily was always eager to immerse herself in different cultures and communities. 

She visited Cambodia for the first time as an 18-year-old, and this was a turning point in her life. With the country and the Cambodian people leaving such a huge impact on her, she returned to volunteer several times before deciding at age 23 to pack up her life and move to Siem Reap. Unbeknownst to her, this decision would shape her entire career. Once in Cambodia, she worked for several years in marketing and fundraising before forming a vision of what could be and the incredible impact a well-run non-government organisation (NGO) could achieve for local communities. And so, REACH Siem Reap was born.  

In a recent Student Voice assembly Emily shared with us valuable insights into the ethos of the REACH Foundation and the powerful impact an individual can have on their community and beyond. The stories and examples she shared highlighted the importance of local empowerment and collaboration, reminding us all of the profound difference that can be made when we come together for a common cause. Emily’s journey from Shelford to Siem Reap serves as a powerful example to us of what can be achieved with passion, dedication, and a strong sense of purpose. 

As a school we have committed to supporting REACH Siem Reap for the remainder of 2024 through numerous campaigns: 

1.  Awareness: We have asked our students to commit to one of the below actions as this will help REACH raise much needed awareness for their grassroots cause: 

• Talk about them!  
• Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter & Linked In 
• Share the content & invite friends/family to follow too.  
• Read the blogs and comment. 

2. Hand-held technology device drive: Asking students and families to donate any working hand-held devices that they no longer use. These can be dropped off to reception. 

3. Fundraising: In Term 4 we will be running an event that will involve all students, and the proceeds will be donated to REACH. 

Para-Olympian – Stella Barton (2017) 

Congratulations to Shelfordian Stella Barton for making the para-equestrian Olympic team. In our recent assembly we were able to celebrate this great achievement and learn more about her journey. Stella was recently profiled in the Equestrian Life publication in which Roger Fitzhardinge wrote she “started riding at the age of seven when her mother Sarah thought it may be a good idea to try horse riding at the police stables in South Melbourne, where the Riding for the Disabled Association centre was in those days. Stella, who was born with cerebral palsy had many therapies growing up to help improve her strength and coordination. Horse riding was one of them and also an interest for young Stella; there was no thought of competition.”  

Eighteen years later, and with many ups and downs, Stella has been selected for the Paris Paralympics. She has been on the radar for a position on an Australian Para Dressage team for many years and has now been picked for Paris and will fulfil a dream to grace the grounds of the Palace of Versailles.  

Stella, we will be cheering for you all the way! 

Upcoming Senior School Dates 

Please note the upcoming school dates/events that lead to alterations in the school day. 

Mid Term Break - Fri 23 Aug 

No classes on this day and the school will be closed. 

Parent/Student/Teacher Meetings 

• Thurs 29 Aug (Onsite): 1.40-7.00pm 
• Weds 4 Sept (Online via MS Teams): 2.30-6.00pm 

On both dates lessons conclude at the end of Period 4 to allow our staff to have a lunch break prior to the commencement of Parent/Student/Teacher meetings. 

Other upcoming events: