Principal's News 

It is really hard to believe that we are already at the end of our final year together.  As you read through our final Shelly Newsletter, you will no doubt be reminded through both staff and student reflections, that our final year together has been one of immense gratitude and joy. 

Our recent Presentation Evening also provided an opportunity to not only celebrate 2024, but also to honour the history and legacy of Shelford Girls' Grammar. I have included my Presentation Evening Principal's Address below.

Presentation Evening 2024 - Principal’s Address

Good evening, Families Students, Staff, Shelfordians and friends, it is a humbling experience to stand before you this evening to give what will be the final Principal’s Address at a Shelford Girls’ Grammar Presentation Evening. The significance of this moment is certainly not lost on me. 

Whilst I certainly wish it had been under markedly different circumstances; it has been an absolute privilege and an honour to be Shelford’s Principal over the last year. For me, leading Shelford through its closure has been a precious opportunity to acknowledge, honour and celebrate not only the current Shelford community but also the countless Shelfordians, past staff and leaders who have left their indelible mark on our School. 

Having said that, this year has been unique to say the least and one would be forgiven for thinking that the year of a School’s closing could only be filled with sadness, distress, and melancholy – thankfully and deliberately this has not been the case. 

When I accepted the role of Principal, many questioned my decision and likely my sanity! You see, even though I have been in girls’ education for 35 years - there was one thing that I was absolutely certain about – I never aspired to Principalship and yet here I am! 

The very reason however that I agreed to take on the leadership of Shelford at what would undeniably be an incredibly challenging time was to nurture and support our community and to celebrate our final year together, as well as our very rich 126-year history. Notwithstanding the sadness that accompanies this point in our story, 2024 has still undoubtedly been a momentous and joyous year in the history of our beautiful School. What I have learnt in that time about myself, and our beautiful community is both priceless and precious.

I have been reminded, that when life throws curve balls as it invariably will from time to time, we have 2 choices. We can choose to walk away, because the task ahead and the associated emotions are simply too much to manage (sometimes this is the best decision,) ……or…. we can choose to face the challenge head on despite the enormity of the task in front of us. We can accept the challenge and the opportunity to reach into the very depths of our collective resources and do what it takes to not only look after each other but to face the challenge ahead with strength, strategy, creativity, dignity, and compassion. We can surround ourselves with like-minded people, who will do whatever it takes to achieve the seemingly impossible because that is the level of their belief in and love for the Shelford community – a community that they are so proudly an intrinsic part. This is precisely the way that I characterise what we have achieved as a community at Shelford Girls’ Grammar in 2024. 

In 2024, I have been surrounded by a strength of spirit and character poignantly revealed in others when they themselves have been in the very the depths of their own despair. That sense of altruism and care is and always will be the spirit of Shelford. I will never forget the way that so many reached out and wrapped their arms around our community – many of you are in this auditorium this evening – thank you.

It has certainly not been easy to manage the extent of grief that we have all been dealing with in the last 18 months, but for those of us in this room who have ever experienced losing someone or something very dear -you will understand the incredible privilege and comfort of being with someone or something until the very end despite the incredible heartbreak that comes with it.  I am so proud of what we have achieved together this year.

As has been written many times, Shelford is not simply a collection of buildings, surrounded by glorious gardens; rather the essence and heart of Shelford is our people – our community. This essence is very hard to articulate at times, but it’s always there; that intangible but good feeling that one has just by walking through our gates and engaging with our people. So even though Shelford will no longer exist as an independent girls’ school beyond 2024, the very essence of Shelford will live on through our community and it will continue to be far-reaching, because as we often say, you are never far away from a Shelford girl, staff member or community member. The heart of the Shelford we all know and dearly love will be with us forever as will all of the extraordinary things we have learnt and the people we have encountered. 

I would like to take this opportunity to pay a heartfelt tribute to the students, families, and staff, who had the trust and willingness to stay with us until the very end. I would also like to formally thank the Leadership Executive who went above and beyond what was visible to ensure that our girls and staff were looked after this year. Karen Whelan, Emma Young, Kate Guirguis, Jacqui Sidaway, and Vicky Gemmell thank you. I would also like to thank Modina Monaf who even though moved to a new role at the end of term 3, performed her financial magic to ensure that we could continue to offer the very best for our girls until the end of the year.

 As I have often said, we have been incredibly lucky to be surrounded by exactly the right mix of people this year. I am indebted to each of you for what you have sacrificed and given to ensure that our final year together was one of strength, dignity, gratitude, celebration, and outstanding educational outcomes. Your commitment has not gone unnoticed, and your impact will not be forgotten. I would like to make special mention of the Shelford Parents’ Association, (SPA) for their tireless commitment to our School and for their incredible generosity to our community, not only in our final year but also in the preceding years. I have never had the privilege of working with such a talented and hardworking parent committee as SPA. Thank you, SPA, for all that you have done.

To the Class of 2024, I am thrilled that you have been with us for our final year. It has been a joy to observe you throughout the year, celebrating your school, each other and making the most of the opportunities you had available. Thank you again for the way that you have conducted yourselves. I am so proud of each of you for the way that you have embraced your final year and made the most of your opportunities, for the relationships you have nurtured and for the countless ways that you have enriched our community. As you begin your lives as young adults, know that you will always be connected and protected by the far-reaching Shelford network.

Of course, this year in addition to farewelling our Class of 2024, we are also saying goodbye to our remaining Year 1 – Year 11 Students.  I cannot begin to articulate how much it has meant to have each of you with us this year. I have been proud of the way that you too have embraced the challenges before us with commitment, energy, positivity, strength, humour, and integrity that captures the very essence of what it means to be a Shelford Girl. 

Shelford students, you are part of a community that cares, knows, and values each of you deeply for who and what you are. I know that you have absolutely everything you need within yourselves to move to the next chapter of your lives with strength and determination because you have been at Shelford. As you go out into the world beyond our gates, know that you are going with the love and support of the entire Shelford community. Take what you have learnt here and use it to make a difference- in everything that you do.  Work hard, look after yourselves and each other and no matter what you are faced with always choose kindness – for others but just as importantly for yourselves.

Through the extraordinary experience of being Shelford’s final Principal, I have too been changed. In a world where it is sometimes easier to be drawn into a negativity bias, in our final year, the Shelford community has reminded me of the beauty and strength of the human spirit and just what is possible when we release fear and believe that we can. 

As my Principalship comes to an end and Shelford closes its gates for the last time, I hope that each of you will remember your time at Shelford with a smile in your heart, I know that I certainly will.

Thank you, Shelford.

Pauline Cutajar

Principal