History

The original trustees met in May 1847 to establish a school for the children of Adelaide and after 12 months, on Monday, May 29, 1848, Pulteney Street School opened its doors. The School was a foundation of the Church of England but was open to those of all faiths and denominations. Town Acre No 228 at the corner of Pulteney and Flinders Streets was bought and a school building was erected immediately north of the present St Paul’s Restaurant. At the end of the first week there were 50 names on the roll and by December, 270.

Since those humble beginnings, the School has expanded in good times and contracted in times of depression or administrative uncertainty. Of the 17 headmasters, some have guided the School’s destiny for many years (W S Moore, 24 years, W P Nicholls, 41, and W R Ray, 26) while others have been in charge for as little as three months. Through it all, on three different sites, Pulteney has prospered and earned its place among the schools of South Australia.

The School was located in Pulteney Street until the Repatriation Commission compulsorily acquired the property in 1919. While a new building was being erected in South Terrace, the School carried on its work at a building in Hindmarsh Square and at another in Wakefield Street. The new building was opened by the Governor-General (Lord Forster) on July 3, 1921.

The new School (now called Pulteney Grammar School) cost more than expected - inflation in the 1920’s was followed by depression and two rooms had to be added in 1924. The outcome was financial worry, delayed maintenance and no improvement of facilities. Then came the war and its staffing difficulties so that by 1946 there was a possibility that the School would close. The Reverend W R Ray was given three years to put Pulteney on its feet. The new Headmaster, with unbounded enthusiasm, encouraged the school community and promoted several significant developments. Year 11 (Leaving) was added in 1951 and Year 12 (Leaving Honours) in 1953; at last a boy could complete his secondary education at Pulteney. With older boys in the School, it was possible to compete in sports on equal terms with other schools, after ovals had been watered and developed in the south parklands formerly used for the grazing of cattle. As the number of boys increased so did the need for classrooms and more land, east and west along South Terrace and north to Gilles Street was acquired. Added to these was an enthusiastic Parents’ Association (founded in 1942) and a supportive strong community working for the School and ensuring its success.

For nearly 100 years the Trustees adopted the interesting method of "farming out" the School to the Headmaster who was supposed to pay a small rental. In troubled times this did not happen, the resources of the Trustees were stretched to breaking point and useful reserves for maintenance and developments could not be set aside. Since 1943, the Council of Governors has been responsible for all financial matters and has had considerable assistance from the Parents’ Association and its carnivals, from appeals for building funds and from Government grants.

During 1998 discussions commenced with Woodlands, an Anglican school for girls located in Glenelg, with a view to merging the two schools following several years of declining enrolments. These negotiations collapsed and no merger occurred. Woodlands closed its doors at the end of 1998 and Pulteney became fully coeducational from the beginning of 1999 (having already enrolled girls at Reception to Year 2 from 1998). The school was significantly restructured, a strategic plan was developed and a master plan for the redevelopment of the school site was commenced. Underpinning these developments was Pulteney’s philosophy, to which the school is fully committed. This philosophy emphasises the quality of teaching and learning and the importance of positive relationships.

In 2002 Pulteney opened the Mackinnon Building on South Terrace to house the innovative Kurrajong programme for Early Learning Centre to year 2 students. This building is a symbol of the school’s sense of renewal, its city location and its commitment to modern, contemporary Australia.

Pulteney is firmly established, soundly administered and growing. It has a very bright future as a coeducational, Anglican school in the heart of Adelaide. Academic fulfilment, physical and cultural development, and community involvement are hallmarks of the school character. With the Parklands beside the School, Pulteney’s central location is ideal and it will continue to play a leading role among independent schools and in the community of South Australia.