From the Principal

Welcome to 2019

“Almost every successful person begins with two beliefs: the future can be better than the present, and I have the power to make it so.” David Brooks

It has been a pleasure to welcome our students, families and staff back for the 2019 academic year.  My focus in my welcome to staff in the week prior to term beginning, and again with the students on their first day, was on optimism – how do we each take responsibility for cultivating it, in ourselves and in others?

This year is a very special one for our school.  We are celebrating 20 years of co-education in the modern era.  While we know in 1847 the Pulteney Street School was first opened to include boys and girls – which was forward thinking back then – it became a school for boys in 1885. 

In 1999, Pulteney embarked on what was a very carefully planned and phased transformation back to co-education.  I believe that those who made this decision did so because they were driven by compelling educational reasons, including a desire for our school to be of relevance in a contemporary and diverse society and to provide increased choice in Adelaide’s independent school landscape.  It would be naïve to think survival was not also a consideration.  Whatever the reason, Pulteney is now an optimistic school community where girls and boys can learn, grow and develop their strengths alongside one another. 

Throughout this year there will be key events celebrating everything that we value about having boys and girls, young women and men, learning together.  I encourage you all to be involved.

New Students and Staff

We have 143 new students commencing at Pulteney Grammar School across Kurrajong, Prep, Middle School and one ninety.  While transition to a new school can create some feelings of worry and nerves, these are perfectly natural.  Our wellbeing support structures, warm community and caring and professional staff are here to help, and, while we will be proactive in checking in on our new students, I encourage those new students and parents to reach out if any assistance is required.

We welcome the following new staff:

Todd Andrews             Sports Coordinator

Will Beedham              Director of Rowing

Karen Bruce                Science Laboratory Technician

Michelle Coop             Learning Area Leader Mathematics

Elisabeth Fiddler         Kurrajong Teacher Year 2

Emma Gaudry             Physical Education Teacher (MS, one ninety)

Rev Tracey Gracey     Chaplain

Samantha Haby          Biology and Science Teacher (MS, one ninety)

Matthew King              Prep Teacher Year 5

Fang Liu                      Mandarin Chinese and EALD Teacher

Jamie Pantsaras         English, Humanities, Research Project Teacher (MS, one ninety)

Belinda Richards        Human Resources

Rachael Torbet           Prep Teacher Year 6

Sally Sanders              Art and Design Teacher (MS, one ninety)

Narelle Steffan            Music Teacher (Kurrajong, Prep, MS)

Following the move of Virginia Evans to the Enrolments Assistant role, Natalie Natsias is Acting Head of Kurrajong with Kate White as Acting Assistant Head of Kurrajong.  Terry Ann Newman will be teaching Year 1 for Term 1.  The recruitment process for Head of Kurrajong is in progress.

We also welcome back from leave:

Vanessa Couche        Learning Support Centre

Alice Flynn                  Director of OSHC

Ken Grady                   English and Drama

Georgina Martin          Learning Support

Sharon Pearce            Learning Area Leader Science

Jude Prance                Prep School

Sarah Nicholas           Early Learning Centre

Anna Williamson         Mathematics

Our school campus has undergone some significant improvements throughout the term break, and I extend my sincere thanks to all staff who planned and worked so industriously to ensure Pulteney’s grounds and facilities were ready for students’ return. 

Optimism is a form of positive thinking that includes the belief that each of us is responsible for our own happiness, and that more good things than bad will continue to happen to us.  Helen Keller famously stated: “No pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new heaven to the human spirit.”

I wish all members of our School community, irrespective of age or experience, great learning adventures in the weeks and months ahead, and I look forward to witnessing your individual and collective optimism throughout this year. 

Anne Dunstan

Principal