Boarding school for girls in Adelaide, South Australia

Walford Anglican School For Girls, Adelaide:
Throughout its history, Walford Anglican School for Girls has been recognised as a leader in the education of girls. Located five kilometres from the centre of Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, we provide a rigorous academic program including a broad range of SACE (South Australian Certificate of Education) and IB (International Baccalaureate) subjects at Years 11 and 12. Walford is the only girls' school in Australia to offer all three IB programs across the years including the IB Diploma. Walford offers a wide range of boarding options. Although most boarding students enjoy full-time boarding, flexible boarding arrangements are available. Weekday boarding is available to students who wish to stay in the boarding house from Monday to Friday but go home for the weekends. This is the choice of many girls who live in closer proximity to the school or to assist parents who have demanding work schedules.

Excellent girls' schools continue to be in the press not only because they are producing students who gain outstanding academic success, but also because their girls become strong, confident, women.

New scientific methods which allow us a greater understanding of how the brain functions, explain why girls learn best at schools like Walford. Dr Leonard Sax summarises this clearly in his new book, "Why Gender Matters".

In girls and boys the brain develops differently. In girls, the language area of the brain generally develops quicker than the sections used for spatial relations. It is important to realise this when teaching, for example, geometry.

Girls, in a very different way to boys, process emotion in the same location as language and are more easily able to express their feelings from an early age. They often find the study of literature easy.

Teenage girls have a sense of hearing seven times acuter than teenage boys. This means that girls can be easily upset by shouting. However, probably more significant is the fact that boys and girls do respond to stress differently. Stress impairs learning amongst girls whereas boys tend to respond to stress by mastering the problem or learning.

* To develop a comprehensive and balanced co-curricular program within available resources
* To address the intellectual, cultural, physical, social and moral and spiritual needs of students
* To complement the academic program and to offer a balance between academic, physical and artistic pursuits
* To encourage the development of positive personal interests
* To encourage teamwork, initiative and the development of social and leadership skills
* To build confidence and self-esteem
* To build school identity and unity and to promote a sense of belonging

* To provide opportunities for every student to be able to participate in the co-curricular program
* To provide programs and opportunities for girls to explore and develop their interests, skills and talents
* To provide supportive environments for girls to participate in challenging and enjoyable experiences
* To provide opportunities to make new friends, maintain fitness and to develop and learn new skills
* To provide staff and students with opportunities for informal interaction outside of the traditional classroom environment
* To provide opportunities for involvement in activities involving other schools and the wider community

Boarding (from Year 7) and Day Programs for girls; Junior School; Middle School; Senior School; SACE (South Australian Certificate of Education); IB (International Baccalaureate). Walford is the only girls' school in Australia to offer all three IB programs across the years including the IB Diploma. In addition to core subjects our students can enjoy spors, music and drama. International students are weclome.

Walford offers a wide range of boarding options from Year 7 upwards. Although most boarding students enjoy full-time boarding, flexible boarding arrangements are available at Walford to cater for a range of student needs. Weekday boarding is available to students who may wish to stay in the boarding house from Monday to Friday but go back home for the weekends. This is the choice of many girls who live in closer proximity to the school or sometimes to assist parents who have demanding work schedules. The girls in the senior years will have the opportunity to have their own bedrooms, laptops with access to all the school programs at night, and individual bathrooms.

The new Walford Boarding House provides accommodation with all of the features of 21st Century living. The location on the secondary school campus allows the opportunity for the boarders to be able to enjoy the full range of school facilities during the week and on weekends. This new concept of boarding has set a benchmark for boarding throughout Australia.

When you see the modern architecture, you know this isn’t an ordinary boarding house. From the light filled rooms each with their own en-suite, to the kitchenette and recreation zones, communal entertainment centre, picturesque gardens, alfresco café and laptops for all boarding students - this is a living and learning environment like no other.

It’s all about ensuring your daughter has everything at her fingertips to make her educational experience enjoyable and effective.

The boarding house has a positive and productive atmosphere. Younger girls have supervised homework times whilst the older students work more independently. Boarding staff members communicate regularly with teaching staff to ensure that any academic concerns are quickly resolved and keep in close contact with parents. Many of our staff members are ex parents not only of Walford but also of its boarding house and others have been boarders themselves.

Most international students choose to stay in the Walford Boarding House which is situated in landscaped surrounds of the secondary school grounds. Current students come from countries such as Korea, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan and China.

The following co-curricular activities are available for Walford students. Girls enjoy selecting from this diverse range and are frequently involved in several activities.

Walford's co-curricular program offers a wide range of sporting opportunities, as well as art, music and Walford pursuits, problem solving and professional development.

* Duke of EdinburghConfirmation classes
* Debating
* Duke of Edinburgh
* Effective Speaking/ Speech and Drama
* Junior Orator
* Latin
* International Club
* Computer Club