Shelford Girls' Grammar celebrates 125 years of female leadership, empowerment and innovation

In the 125 years since Shelford Girls’ Grammar welcomed its first students, the independent girl’s school has nurtured generations of intelligent, determined and compassionate young women. While the world that students enter after Shelford has changed, key elements of the school have endured.

“Our strong sense of community has never wavered, and each student is still known, valued and supported in their learning and their development as a person,” says Katrina Brennan, Shelford’s 11th principal.

“We have always been a school where families work hard to send their girls here, and we are a school without pretension. Our focus is on our people, the programs and the students wanting to do well and lifting each other.”

Every Shelford principal has been female, which Brennan says has been a natural evolution.

“It is important for our students to see women in leadership positions, and women hold many senior positions at Shelford,” she says.

“We’ve benefited from 125 years of strong female leaders who have been innovative and inspiring and who educated young women beyond the norms of the day so they could have adventurous lives. That spirit of innovation and the empowerment of women still prevails.”

Shelford has always excelled academically. In 2022, the school’s median ATAR score was 90.95, with 15 per cent of students receiving an ATAR score above 98, and 40 per cent above 95.

“We have a strong academic program and high standards,” Brennan says. “Our students want to do well, and our parents are very engaged and motivated to support their daughters in their learning. We have always had an outstanding learning culture.”

In the past few years, the school has developed a growing partnership with Swinburne University of Technology that sees students take part in STEM challenges, learn about entrepreneurship and attend a day that supports the transition to university life.

“The partnership gives students an opportunity to use amazing facilities, get a taste of university life, and explore possibilities for their own future after school,” Brennan says.

This year, Shelford will hold a series of events to celebrate its history. A Founder’s Day assembly on May 25 will be attended by alumni from different eras as well as past board members and teachers, and current members of the Shelford community.

“Alumni will speak about their memories of Shelford, we will cut a birthday cake, and students will each receive a cupcake decorated with the Shelford crest,” Brennan says.

“Later we will have an afternoon tea and a careers event with alumni speaking to current students about their lives and career paths.

“There will also be a historical walk with lots of photographs and items from our archives on display. The day will be an opportunity for our community to connect and to celebrate our history, the work of past principals and our humble beginnings.”

Later in the year, the school will also mark the 125-year anniversary at its annual dinner with current and former students, families and staff.

“I’ve met alumni across the generations who all say that, when they were at Shelford, they felt a true sense of community and belonging,” Brennan says.

“They felt it was safe to give things a go, and they always felt known and believed in. Many of them are still close to people they went to Shelford with. The bonds created at Shelford last a lifetime.”