Walford Anglican School for Girls

[EduCativ]

Welcome to Walford Anglican School for Girls, where, for more than 120 years, educating and caring for girls has been our priority. Our school is a vibrant community where students happily engage in learning. With the support of highly qualified teachers, students are encouraged to think critically, communicate courageously, and develop a deep respect for themselves and others.
At Walford, learning and teaching is our focus. Teachers provide regular feedback on student learning and use data obtained through an assessment to inform and refine their practice. Our curriculum, which is internationally recognized, aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to participate in an ever-changing world.
While the academic results of our students are consistently excellent, our school offers so much more. It is a place where girls realize that they can achieve whatever they set their minds to. From an early age, students are encouraged to take on leadership opportunities. They enjoy a broad range of cultural and sporting activities and are actively involved in community outreach projects.
Our campus has been carefully planned to promote the sense of belonging, which began in the family home of Walford's first Headmistress, Miss Adamson, back in 1893. Friendships are easily facilitated across year levels, and each girl is known by name and valued for her unique talents and strengths. Beyond Walford, our students continue the friendships forged at school. They join a network of accomplished Alumnae who remain connected with their school, wherever they are in the world.
Excellent girls' schools continue to be in the press because they are educating students who gain outstanding academic achievements and because their girls become strong, confident women. Our strategy Towards 2020 serves as the framework upon which future priority setting and decision making is based. It guides the school's operational initiatives, which are reported to our community at the end of each year. We were delighted by all who chose to provide their input, which saw more than three thousand pieces of information collected. In recent months, the Walford Governors, with the Executive Leadership Team's support, have worked to distill this feedback and articulate our plans for the future.
Walford was founded in 1893 by Miss Lydia Adamson in her family home in Fisher Street, Malvern. Under her astute leadership and then that of Miss Ellen Benham, who encouraged the sciences, the school flourished.
The family ethos of early years remains a distinctive characteristic of Walford today. Hundreds of schools opened in those early first decades of Adelaide's settlement. Walford is one of the few who survived the Depression and continued its growth to become a leading girls' school in Australia today.
In 1917 Miss Mabel Jewell Baker bought the growing school and moved it to its present site. Miss Baker fostered a sound scholarship reputation from a religious base and encouraged students in the arts, sport, and co-curricular activities. She also introduced the Old Scholars' Association (1918), the Prefect system, the Parent-Teacher Association, and the school motto, Virtute et Veritate. At the end of 1955, when Miss Baker retired, Walford had 450 students and a well-established boarding house.
Walford was incorporated as a Church of England Girls' Grammar School in 1956 with Miss Nina Morrison as Headmistress. She was followed by Dr. Helen Reid AM (1972-1991) and then Mrs. Marilyn Haysom (1992-2004). As the school grew, adjacent properties were purchased, and an extensive building program was undertaken.
In May 2004, Mrs. Helen Trebilcock became the first Head of Walford to use the title of Principal. Mrs. Trebilcock had a strong commitment to girls' education and was respected by her peers for her energetic, inspirational, and dedicated approach to her work. Until her retirement, she reinforced Walford's reputation for encouraging the pursuit of excellence in every student.
In October 2012, Ms. Rebecca Clarke accepted the Council of Governors' invitation to become the eighth leader of Walford. Today Walford aims to provide an adequate education for girls through rigorous and challenging teaching, an extensive and varied co-curricular program, and a supportive and encouraging Christian environment.

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