History
From its earliest days, the School demonstrated a progressive spirit by welcoming both boys and girls and offering a practical curriculum that equipped young people for the world ahead. As enrolments grew, so too did the School’s identity, shaped by influential leaders and a community deeply invested in education.
During the late nineteenth century, Pulteney transitioned to independent status, marking the beginning of its longstanding position among South Australia’s respected independent schools. The early decades of the twentieth century presented great challenges, with global conflicts claiming the lives of more than 130 Old Scholars. Under the steady leadership of Headmaster William Nicholls, the School moved from Pulteney Street to South Terrace and adopted the name Pulteney Grammar School. It was during this period that the values of resilience, service and unity became firmly embedded in the School’s character.
The mid to late twentieth century saw significant growth and modernisation. Visionary leaders such as Canon Ray and Jock Mackinnon introduced new facilities, enhanced academic programs and revitalised the School community. These developments were supported by an active Old Scholars’ Association, which has played an important role in school life since its establishment in 1898. Old Scholars have contributed to the School’s governance, supported major initiatives, and maintained a strong spirit of connection across generations.
Pulteney’s traditions are also enriched by its relationship with the Queen’s Old Boys Association. When Queen’s College closed in 1949, many students transferred to Pulteney, and the tradition of fellowship continued through regular luncheons and the Queen’s War Memorial Scholarship. The Queen’s Room in Wheaton House preserves photographs, memorabilia, and records that honour this shared heritage.
A significant milestone in Pulteney’s evolution came in 1999 with the return to coeducation. Seventy girls joined the School that year, restoring the inclusive origins of Pulteney’s founding. At the same time, the School embraced new technologies, signaling a shift toward innovative learning.
Today, Pulteney Grammar School stands as one of Adelaide’s oldest independent schools, proud of its heritage. Its traditions live on in the strong relationships between students and staff, the active engagement of Old Scholars, the preservation of archives and memorabilia, and a continued commitment to service, learning, and community.
While much has changed since that small schoolhouse opened on Pulteney Street, the heart of Pulteney remains the same. That is a belief in providing an education that is personal and purposeful. The School’s rich history continues to inspire every student who walks through its doors today.
The original trustees appointed by the Church of England, met in May 1847 to establish a school for the children of Adelaide. After 12 months of planning, on Monday, May 29, 1848, Pulteney Street School opened its doors. Although it was a foundation of the Church of England families of all faiths and denominations were welcomed. Town Acre No 228 at the corner of Pulteney and Flinders Streets was purchased and a school building was erected immediately north of the present St Paul’s Creative Centre. At the end of the first week there were 50 names on the roll and by December, there were a total of 270 enrolments.
Since those humble beginnings, the School has expanded in good times and contracted in times of depression or administrative uncertainty. Of the 22 Principals, 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 top schools of South Australia.
Explore Pulteney's diverse history
Appreciation of diversity
Importance of the individual
High respect for intellectual endeavour
Commitment to tradition and dignity within school life
Sense of social responsibility
Anglican tradition
The Archives
Pulteney Grammar School welcomed Mr Greg Atterton as its 24th Principal. A respected educational leader with more than 20 years’ experience, Greg returned to Pulteney after previously serving as Deputy Principal from 2015 to 2021. Known for his collaborative leadership, commitment to student wellbeing and academic excellence, and dedication to personalised, inclusive and innovative learning, Greg commenced his principalship with a deep connection to the School and a clear vision for its future.
In October 2023, Mrs Deb Dalwood, who had served as Deputy Principal (Advancement) since 2021, was appointed Interim Principal of Pulteney Grammar School. As the School’s 23rd Principal (Interim), she provided steady and exceptional leadership during a period of transition, guiding the School with wisdom, care and professionalism until the commencement of Principal Mr Greg Atterton in January 2025. Mrs Dalwood then resumed her role as Deputy Principal, continuing to make a significant contribution to the School until her retirement in June 2026, following an outstanding career spanning almost five decades in education.
A new nature play playground was opened in the Junior School, providing students in Years 3 to 6 with an engaging and challenging outdoor play space. Designed to encourage exploration, creativity and physical activity, the playground features sand and water play, slides, rope and net challenges, climbing structures and cubby spaces. Purpose-built to cater for students of different ages and abilities, the playground quickly became a favourite destination, supporting learning, wellbeing and active play in the heart of the Junior School.
In March 2023, Pulteney Grammar School became the Foundation Adelaide 36ers Academy School, establishing a landmark partnership with South Australia’s premier professional basketball club. The agreement provided students and coaches with access to elite coaching, player visits, leadership programs, clinics, gameday experiences and work experience opportunities. Supporting both boys’ and girls’ basketball programs, the partnership strengthened Pulteney’s commitment to excellence in sport while creating unique opportunities for students to learn from and engage with professional athletes and sporting leaders.
In December 2022, Pulteney Grammar School launched its Strategic Direction 2022–2026, setting a clear vision for the future of teaching and learning. Grounded in the School’s values and heritage, the strategy responded to emerging opportunities and challenges in education while placing student agency, innovation and excellence at its core. Focused on delivering The Pulteney Experience, the document established a framework to guide decision-making, strategic priorities and educational outcomes, ensuring the School remained responsive, forward-thinking and firmly centred on learning.
As part of Pulteney Grammar School’s 175th anniversary celebrations, the newly landscaped Quadrangle was officially opened in 2022. More than 600 current and former students, parents, staff and friends of the School gathered to celebrate the revitalisation of the historic heart of the campus. The project was made possible through the generosity of Old Scholar Ian Wall AM (’47) and Pam Wall OAM, whose support helped create a renewed space for connection, reflection and community for future generations of Pulteney students.
On Monday 1 November, Pulteney’s current oldest Old Scholar Mr Colin Wagener (1933), and third generation Pulteney Grammarian Ali Smit (Year 2) (mother Catherine (2000), grandfather David (1967)) joined Chairman of the Board of Directors Allen Candy, Principal Cameron Bacholer and Deputy Principals Deb Dalwood and Katherine Adnett, to commemorate the ‘turning of the sod’ of what will be the most significant legacy project from Pulteney’s anniversary in 2022, the 175th Anniversary Quadrangle Redevelopment Project.
On this day, initial works commenced on the refurbishment of Ray Wing North as the new staff common room replacing what was previously housed upstairs in the Nicholls Building until 2020; to be followed in due course by the landscaping of the Quadrangle.
On Thursday 15 October, the much anticipated, Nicholls Performing Arts Centre was opened with some fanfare. A small but enthusiastic crowd gathered to witness the rebirth of the Nicholls Building, once again re-imagined as it has been before since it’s inception in 1920. Principal, Cameron Bacholer, spoke about the importance of Performing Arts educational programs and opportunities for our students in the past, today and into the decades ahead.
Cameron Bacholer commenced in 2020 as Pulteney Grammar School’s 22nd Principal.
Cameron joins Pulteney from The Knox School in Melbourne, where he was Vice Principal since 2016. In 2019, Mr Bacholer was named by Educator Australia magazine in its ‘Hot List’ top 50 educators. A feature of his approach to education is his commitment to develop colleagues and students through student agency and personalised learning. This approach enables learning through activities meaningful and relevant to the learner, driven by their interests and often initiated by them with appropriate guidance from their teacher.
Mr Bacholer holds a Master of Business (Strategy and Organisational Culture) from the Melbourne Business School along with a Master of Education, a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Teaching, all from The University of Melbourne.
2019 marked an exciting and significant milestone for Pulteney, as the School celebrated the 20th anniversary since the reintroduction of co-education at the school. The School celebrated with various events across the year, with an official recognition of the milestone celebrated at Founders’ Day, on 29 May 2019.
The anniversary also allowed the School to celebrate the incredible advantages that co-education offers girls and boys as they grow to become young women and men.
Watch ‘Celebrating 20 Years of Coeducation at Pulteney Grammar School’ on Youtube
On 7 March 2019, Putleney’s Kurrajong (ELC – Year 2) launched its newly completed Nature Play space.
This beautiful space, which features a wooden slide, tree house, a ‘potions’ area, fairy houses, a mine, herb garden and much more, promotes natural play. Studies have shown that this contributes to the overall physical, cognitive and emotional development of children. Getting outdoors has many benefits, and nature play helps children score higher on tests for concentration and self-discipline, helps them experience more diverse and imaginative play, strive toward advanced motor fitness and become healthier overall.
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Image credit to Climbing Tree
On 7 September 2018, Pulteney’s new Middle School was officially opened by His Excellency the Honourable Hieu Van Le AC, Governor of South Australia.
The new Middle School creates a vibrant, contemporary hub, with leading edge classrooms and technology for Years 7, 8 and 9 at Pulteney, which replaces an outdated, traditional style classroom with a more integrated, modern space that are adaptable and flexible to suit their changing education needs and contemporary learning frameworks. The completion and launch of the new Middle School realises an exciting milestone and stage of Pulteney’s Master Plan.
Watch ‘Pulteney Grammar School’s new Middle School’ on Youtube
