Principal's News 

It is my pleasure to welcome everyone to the 2024 Academic Year! An undoubtedly historic year in the life of our beautiful school. 

It is fair to say that many of us finished last year emotionally exhausted and ready for a break! In the lead up to the start of this year, many of us were probably wondering how Shelford would look, sound, and feel, perhaps afraid that the core elements of our beautiful community would disappear. 

In the first few weeks of the year, it has been heart-warming to speak with many members of the community and to hear how grateful they are to be a part of Shelford’s final year. This has certainly set a positive, celebratory tone around the School, as was clearly visible at the Colour Run which kicked off our year. Sincere thanks to our wonderful SPA Committee for their sponsorship of this event. 

Throughout this year in addition to our Quaerite Wellbeing Program which runs each Thursday, we will have a whole-school Wellbeing Afternoon each term. These afternoons will be a valuable opportunity for the entire School to come together, have fun and celebrate our final year together. Further details of our Wellbeing Afternoons will be provided. I encourage all students to enjoy and take advantage of the opportunities available at Shelford throughout the year.  

Parent Focus Groups 

The Integration Committee made up of Shelford and Caulfield Grammar (CGS) staff established late last year, is continuing to meet regularly to plan the transition to CGS. As mentioned last year a Parent Focus group will be established, to provide information and feedback on the transition process for our students. If you are interested in being involved, please email Karen Whelan – Deputy Principal – Head of Senior School kwhelan@shelford.vic.edu.au 

Congratulations 

It is with great pleasure that I acknowledge our wonderful Mr Peter Smith – Head of Library. It is 30 years ago today (14 February 2024) that Peter began his career at Shelford! 

Peter grew up in Ballarat and went on to study a Bachelor of Arts (Librarianship) at Ballarat University College which was part of Melbourne University. On graduating from Ballarat University College, Peter moved to Melbourne. He began his career at Preston Public Library as a Cataloguer/Reference Librarian, then on to Council of Adult Education Melbourne as a Librarian (Subject specialist – Arts and Language support) before finding his way to Shelford Girls’ Grammar to automate the library collection, the rest as they say is history! 

I am sure I speak for everyone when I say how grateful we are to have Peter as a member of our staff. His calm, kind, and compassionate manner (not to mention his extraordinary work in the IRC,) brings great joy to all who encounter him. Congratulations Peter and thank you for all that you are and do! 

Farewell & Welcome 

Farewell to Lai (Future) Jiang, who resigned very early this year to teach at another school. We wish him all the best in this next phase of his career. I am grateful to Audrey Li who has taken on our Senior Chinese classes. I am sure that Audrey’s knowledge, commitment, and passion for teaching will be an absolute asset to our senior Chinese Language students. 

I am delighted to extend a warm welcome back to Sarah Francis, who previously taught at Shelford some years ago. Sarah will replace Future Jiang in some of our Year 7-9 Japanese classes. Sarah is a highly motivated and dedicated educator, bringing with her a wealth of experience across all secondary levels. Her journey in education has taken her through various Schools, including an English School in Japan, where she cultivated her love for Japanese language and culture, Xavier College, Parkdale Secondary, St Aloysius College, Sacré Coeur, and Presentation College. We look forward to the positive impact Sarah will undoubtedly make in the classroom and throughout our community. 

I would also like to farewell Melvin Tang, our Head of Marketing who finished at Shelford last Friday. Melvin has been an invaluable member of our community who has contributed to many events and publications in his time with us. We wish Melvin all the best as he moves on to begin his own business.