Walford Anglican School for Girls

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 assessment to inform and refine their practice. Our curriculum, which is internationally recognised, aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to participate in a world that is ever changing.

Whilst the academic results of our students are consistently excellent, our school offers so much more. It is a place where girls come to realise 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 not only because they are educating students who gain outstanding academic achievements, but also 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 operational initiatives of the School, which are reported to our community at the end of each year. We were delighted by the enthusiasm of 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 support of the Executive Leadership Team, have worked to distil 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 and Walford is one of the few that survived the time of 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 reputation for sound scholarship 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 become the first Head of Walford to use the title of Principal. Mrs Trebilcock had a strong commitment to the education of girls 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 invitation of the Council of Governors to become the eighth leader of Walford. Today Walford aims to provide the finest education for girls through rigorous and challenging teaching, an extensive and varied co-curricular program and a supportive and encouraging Christian environment.