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Shelford Primary School (No. 379)

Learn about the history of Shelford Primary School, one of Victoria's oldest public schools.

Key information

Address:
1717 Shelford-Bannockburn Road, Shelford 3329
Opened:
1 July 1853
School type:
Primary
School number:
379
Other names:
Leigh School, Leigh Common School, Leigh State School, Shelford State School
Email:
shelford.ps@education.vic.gov.au
Phone:
03 5281 3291
Status:
Open

Location of records

Digital records are kept at the school. To request access, contact the school directly.

Hard copy records created before records became digital are stored in the Department of Education’s archive. To request access, contact the records team.

If you’re not sure whether the records you need are digital or hard copy, the records team can check for you.

Contact the Department of Education records team

Email: archives.records@education.vic.gov.au

Phone: 1800 359 140

The history of Shelford Primary School

  • 1853

    The school opened as a denominational school in 1853. It was likely there was an earlier Presbyterian School in operation in the early 1850s. When it opened the school was called Leigh. The first head teacher was Patrick Collins.

  • 1866

    A bluestone school building opened in 1866.

  • 1873

    The school became a state school in 1873 when the church sold the school to the Department of Education.

  • 1908

    The name of the school was changed to Shelford State School in 1908. It was named after the township. Thomas Spowart was head teacher at the time.

  • 1966

    A second classroom was added in 1966.

  • 1969

    Photograph of the Shelford school building. The building is bluestone and has a corregated iron roof. It has a flag pole and a water tank.
    Shelford Primary School building in 1969. Source: John T. Collins and the State Library of Victoria
  • 1970

    The school was renamed Shelford Primary School in 1970.

  • 2022

    Shelford Primary School is still in operation.

Find more information about this school

The Public Records Office (PROV) is the archive of Victoria's State and local government. They look after some of our oldest school records, and we can use these records to help us understand what school life used to be like.

Updated