By Madeleine Heffernan and Nicole Precel
Melbourne private school giant Caulfield Grammar is discussing a closer relationship with small high-fee school Shelford Girls’ Grammar, whose principal is leaving for a role at Scotch College. There are concerns a potential merger is part of the talks.
Shelford, which had 447 students from prep to year 12 last year — a decline from 504 in 2017 — told parents on Tuesday that principal Katrina Brennan would leave at the end of the year to join high-fee boys’ school Scotch College as its deputy principal and head of senior school.
Shelford principal Katrina Brennan will take up a role at high-fee boys’ school Scotch College.
Shelford board chair Pam Russell told the school community on Wednesday it was “in the early stages of exploring whether a closer relationship [with Caulfield Grammar] in some form has any merit”.
“Earlier this year, the board of Shelford was approached by Caulfield Grammar School to discuss a closer relationship between the two schools,” Russell wrote.
“As you would expect, these discussions form part of the many future planning ideas and initiatives that the board and executive are currently exploring ... When our work is complete, we will, of course, communicate with the school community and our broader stakeholders as a matter of priority.”
Russell’s letter was in response to “community speculation” and several rumours about the school’s relationship with Caulfield Grammar. While neither party will elaborate on whether they are discussing a merger, the schools are nearby and enrolments at Shelford Girls have fallen below the 500 mark.
Shelford, which charges more than $35,000 to domestic year 12 students, has experienced a drop in enrolment in recent years despite strong VCE results. Last year, 40 per cent of students achieved an ATAR above 95.
Brennan, who joined the school as principal in 2020, was contacted for comment.
Caulfield Grammar School principal Ashleigh Martin said that earlier this year, the school council had approached the Shelford board to discuss a closer relationship between the two schools.
“Caulfield Grammar School and SGGS share a long history, and it is not unusual for our schools to be engaging in future-focused discussions,” Martin said.
Caulfield Grammar School’s council has approached the Shelford board to discuss a closer relationship.Credit: Simon Schluter
Shelford went through a major restructure in 2020, in which 30 staff were made redundant, including 17 at the early learning centre. Ten resigned for personal reasons.
The school shut its early learning centre and kindergarten, cutting off a channel of future students.
One Shelford parent, who asked not to be identified because of privacy concerns for her daughter, said it was hard to see how the school would remain viable when it had only a handful of girls enrolled in prep this year.
“It’s really sad, and I’m hoping they do merge with Caulfield just to give the girls some certainty. I never thought I’d say that, but it really needs to happen,” the parent said.
Education consultant Paul O’Shannassy said he hoped Shelford would not become part of a wider trend of smaller girls’ schools closing or merging.
“We have 50 private schools in Melbourne with fees of more than $20,000 and only seven of them are boys’ schools, so there’s enormous pressure on the all-girls [schools] as they compete for female enrolments with co-educational schools,” O’Shannassy said.
“Large high-fee schools like Caulfield have several advantages in terms of resources, facilities and the ability for male siblings to attend the school. I do fear for a number of the smaller, boutique girls’ schools.”
Some small private schools have relationships with others to provide a wider choice of subjects, or co-educational environments.
Shelford Girls’ Grammar has experienced a drop in enrolment in recent years.Credit: Simon Schluter
The small Ruyton Girls’ School and larger Trinity Grammar School have a partnership that extends the subject offerings from year 9 onwards.
Trinity students can pick up subjects offered at Ruyton and vice versa, and they take classes together in a co-educational environment.
Trinity’s school website said the program had “proven enduringly popular among students, parents and staff, and is now firmly cemented within the culture of both schools”.
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