‘Sinking ship’: Merger talks between top private schools
Speculation is rife that Caulfield Grammar and Shelford Girls’ Grammar will merge by the end of the year, as leaders confirm a “closer relationship” between the schools is on the cards.
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Speculation is mounting that Shelford Girls’ Grammar will merge with Caulfield Grammar by the end of the year.
“There are teachers in tears – we don’t know what is happening with our school and no one is telling us,” one Shelford teacher said.
Another school insider said Shelford prep enrolments were “terminal” and talks of a merger had been intensifying in recent months.
One rumour is that the leafy Shelford campus in Hood Crescent Caulfield will become a Year 9 campus of the larger coeducational school.
Caulfield Grammar School principal Ashleigh Martin confirmed the two schools were “engaging in future focused discussions”.
Mr Martin told the Herald Sun: “Earlier this year the School Council approached the Board of Shelford Girls Grammar School (SGGS) 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”.
It comes as staff at Caulfield Grammar welcomed a merger, but Shelford Girls’Grammar staff were less positive.
“It won’t be a merger, it will be a take-over,” one said.
“We are worried we will lose our jobs”.
In marketing and promotion materials, Shelford has made much of its long history as an educator of only girls.
A letter written by Shelford council chair Pam Russell sent out on Wednesday to parents mentions “community speculation about our relationship with Caulfield Grammar School”.
It confirmef earlier this year the Shelford board was approached by Caulfield Grammar to “discuss a closer relationship between the two schools”.
“Based on our shared heritage as Anglican schools, our historic brother/sister relationship, and our current arrangement to share resources on appropriate occasions, we are currently in the early stages of exploring whether a closer relationship in some form has any merit,” Ms Russell wrote.
Caulfield Grammar is one of the state’s most successful private schools, with multiple campuses, more than 3000 students and an annual income of more than $100m.
Shelford has just over 400 students, but has struggled to attract prep and year seven students. It has an annual income of $13m.
The schools discussed a merger some years ago when Caulfield Grammar went co-ed, but it’s understood the matter was not supported by Shelford.
The Herald Sun reported earlier this year about allegations of the school’s “toxic culture” which was denied by many existing staff and students.
One staff member who spoke to the Herald Sun said a merger “would not surprise me”.
They said there had been no direct discussion with staff about the matter.
It comes as current principal Katrina Brennan has just announced she is leaving for Scotch College at the end of the year.
“It feels like there is a sinking ship and those in the know are jumping ship,” another staff member said.
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