Shelford Girls' Grammar
Shelford Girls' Grammar is an independent Anglican day school for girls located in Caulfield, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The school was established in 1898, and is a member of Girls Sport Victoria (GSV), the Junior School Heads Association of Australia (JSHAA) and the Alliance of Girls' Schools Australasia. It is a non-selective entry school, with more than 600 students from pre-school to year 12. Shelford's origin. Emily Dixon. The school was established in 1898 (in Glen Eira Road) by Emily Dixon (1879-1904). Dora Blundell. The school was relocated to 77 Allison  Road, Elsternwick, by Dora Mary Petrie Blundell (1865-1943), who served as the school's second principal from 1904 to 1921. Dora was assisted and supported by her sisters, Lucy Annie Blundell (1850-1922), Fanny Blundell (1851-1937), and Margaret Helen Petrie Blundell (1866-1953), in performing her wide range of duties. Hood Crescent. As the Vicar of St Mary's Anglican Church in Caulfield (now known as Oaktree Anglican Church), Henry Langley, who later became the Dean of Melbourne, had been giving the pupils of the highly respected Shelford Girls' School weekly lessons in religious instruction for quite a  number of years. In 1922, the Blundell sisters wished to give the school to the church, and they approached Archdeacon Langley, who was responsible for its temporary move from 77 Allison Road, Elsternwick, to St Mary's Jubilee School Hall. The Argus reported on the re-opening and Archdeacon Langley's appointment of Ada Mary Thomas (1885-1949) as the school's head mistress: The following year, Archdeacon Langley moved the school to "Helenslea" in Hood Crescent, Caulfield North. The school was officially opened in its new location by Archbishop Lees on 22 February 1923 — adjacent to St Mary's  Church — as the Shelford Girls' Grammar School. Ada Thomas. The daughter of Thomas Thomas (1859-1947), and Mary Thomas, née Nichol, Ada Mary Thomas was born in 1885. Thomas served as Shelford's headmistress from 1922 to 1945, and died in Beechworth, Victoria, at the age of 64, in April 1949. About Shelford. The School's motto is "Quaerite Primo Regnum Dei" ("seek ye first the Kingdom of God" [Matthew 6:33]); and "Quaerite" ("seek ye", or "search", "investigate", "discover", and "find out") is what 21st century education is all about. The educational philosophy is aspire, engage and achieve. Shelford's  Mission Statement is Shelford strives to provide a quality education that encompasses the moral, physical, intellectual, social, emotional and aesthetic development of all students within a safe, caring and supportive community that acknowledges its rich heritage and Christian traditions, Shelford has a coeducational Early Learning Centre, which caters for toddlers from 18 months, as well as providing groups for 3- and 4-year-old children. Consistent with the principles of the Reggio Emilia philosophy, which Shelford has adopted, parents are formally and informally encouraged to actively support the Early Learning Centre's Staff in their teaching and learning programs. The  Shelford curriculum is offered through learning programs that focus on the nature and experience of every student; where small class sizes and an open, friendly, and caring culture ensures that each child is well known to each of her teachers, and where a team approach between home and School is highly valued and is considered to be an essential part of the educational process. Academic performance. Shelford offers students the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) program, as well as the Vocational Education and Training (VET) course. House system. As with most Australian schools, Shelford uses a house system through which  students participate in inter-house competitions. The four school houses are: Sport. Shelford is a member of Girls Sport Victoria (GSV). GSV premierships. Shelford has won the following GSV premierships.