The school was established in 1898 by Emily Dixon.
Dora Blundell
The school was relocated to 77 Allison Road, Elsternwick, by Dora Mary Petrie Blundell, who served as the school's second principal from 1904 to 1921. Dora was assisted and supported by her sisters, Lucy Annie Blundell, Fanny Blundell, and Margaret Helen Petrie Blundell, in performing her wide range of duties.
Hood Crescent
As the Vicar of St Mary's Anglican Church in Caulfield, 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 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, 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 ; and Quaerite 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.
In 2014, there were 7 perfect study scores of 50, and Shelford was ranked 3rd in the state of Victoria based on its VCE results, with 37.5% of study scores over 40.
In 2015, there were 4 perfect study scores of 50, and Shelford was ranked 3rd in girls' school in Victoria based on its VCE results.
In 2016, there were 7 perfect study scores of 50, and Shelford was ranked 1st in independent girls' school in Victoria based on its VCE results.
In 2017, there were 4 perfect study scores of 50, and 12% achieved an ATAR over 99. For the 17th year in a row, 100% of Shelford students have received a first round offer for a tertiary institution.
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:
Blundell - Red
Lloyd - Purple
Langley - Green and yellow
Thomas - Blue
Notable alumnae
Anna Cordingly, set designer
Brigitte Duclos - Television and radio presenter; former co-host of a breakfast radio program with Anthony "Lehmo" Lehmann on GOLD104.3.
