The school’s curriculum demonstrates a commitment to individual differences. All administrative structures support programs that include enhancement and acceleration, contracts, fast tracking and VET courses. Smaller class sizes and expert teachers encourage a life-long love of learning.
Facilities: Excellent modern facilities exist to support the expert teaching. Specialist technology facilities are available in a series of “hubs” and every classroom is equipped with rich technology resources. Students may borrow laptops and iPads. Shelford is a wireless school.
Curriculum: Students in the Middle School (Years 7 to 9) follow a core program of traditional subjects including Japanese and French, as well as Music and Physical Education and the Quaerite Personal Development Program. In the Senior College (Years 10 to 12), students are able to select from more than 30 VCE subjects, a range of VET subjects and university enhancement subjects. In the Junior School the major focus is on literacy and numeracy and meeting the individual social, emotional, physical, spiritual, moral and academic development needs of the girls. The Early Learning Centre is based on the Reggio Emilia philosophy and facilitates each child’s individual way of learning. Sport: Students participate in a range of traditional sports and also have opportunities to develop skills in a broad range of recreational activities. The school enjoys an extraordinary level of success because of team attitudes and determination to do one’s best in all things. Extra-curricular activities: Involvement in the visual and performing arts is very strong and the emphasis is on maximum student participation. Working with staff, the students write, design, choreograph and produce an exhilarating range of activities. Individual and group lessons are available in all musical instruments and a range of bands, ensembles and singing groups operate Prep to Year 12. Student welfare programs: The Senior School tutor group system provides for the effective tracking of student success. Small groups of students at each year level in the Senior School work closely with a tutor who mentors the progress of each child. The Quaerite program provides the students with opportunities to develop a range of life skills and personal resources. The student counsellor, careers counsellor, year-level co-ordinators and tutor staff support each student and provide the link with the “parents as partners” process. Every girl is known and there is a strong sense of community where every student knows every other student and each is confident that she belongs.