Pulteney Grammar School
Encyclopedia
Pulteney Grammar School is an independent
, Anglican
, co-educational, day school
, located on South Terrace in Adelaide, South Australia
.
Of 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.
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 relocated to Hindmarsh Square, then to Wakefield Street. The new building was opened by the Governor-General (Lord Forster) on 3 July 1921.
The new school (now called Pulteney Grammar School) cost more than expected - inflation in the 1920s 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. Staffing difficulties during the Second World War threatened closure by 1946, with Rev. W.R. Ray being given three years to save the school. Ray subsequently initiated several significant developments. Year 11 (Leaving) was added in 1951 and Year 12 (Leaving Honours) in 1953 and 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. With enrolment increasing, additional land on South Terrace and Gilles Street was acquired.
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.
In 1998 merger discussions commenced with Woodlands, an Anglican girls school in Glenelg following several years of declining enrolments. These negotiations collapsed and no merger occurred. Woodlands closed in 1998 and Pulteney became fully coeducational in 1999 (having already enrolled girls at Reception to Year 2 from 1998).
In 2002 Pulteney opened the Mackinnon Building on South Terrace to house the innovative Kurrajong programme for Early Learning Centre to year 2 students.
In 2010, Annesley College
sought discussions with Pulteney regarding amalgamation.
Pulteney is composed of four sub-schools located on the same campus. The 'Kurrajong' and the ELC (Early Learning Centre) for students up to year 2, Prep School for years 3-6, Middle School
for years 7-9 and "one ninety" (Senior School) for the final years 10-12.
From 2001, Pulteney replaced its school prefects with elected representatives which form the school Forum, led by a President and Vice President.
Independent school
An independent school is a school that is independent in its finances and governance; it is not dependent upon national or local government for financing its operations, nor reliant on taxpayer contributions, and is instead funded by a combination of tuition charges, gifts, and in some cases the...
, Anglican
Anglican Church of Australia
The Anglican Church of Australia is a member church of the Anglican Communion. It was previously officially known as the Church of England in Australia and Tasmania...
, co-educational, day school
Day school
A day school—as opposed to a boarding school—is an institution where children are given educational instruction during the day and after which children/teens return to their homes...
, located on South Terrace in Adelaide, South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
.
History
The original trustees met in May 1847 to establish a school for the children of Adelaide and after 12 months, on Monday, 29 May 1848, Pulteney Street School opened. 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.Of 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.
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 relocated to Hindmarsh Square, then to Wakefield Street. The new building was opened by the Governor-General (Lord Forster) on 3 July 1921.
The new school (now called Pulteney Grammar School) cost more than expected - inflation in the 1920s 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. Staffing difficulties during the Second World War threatened closure by 1946, with Rev. W.R. Ray being given three years to save the school. Ray subsequently initiated several significant developments. Year 11 (Leaving) was added in 1951 and Year 12 (Leaving Honours) in 1953 and 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. With enrolment increasing, additional land on South Terrace and Gilles Street was acquired.
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.
In 1998 merger discussions commenced with Woodlands, an Anglican girls school in Glenelg following several years of declining enrolments. These negotiations collapsed and no merger occurred. Woodlands closed in 1998 and Pulteney became fully coeducational in 1999 (having already enrolled girls at Reception to Year 2 from 1998).
In 2002 Pulteney opened the Mackinnon Building on South Terrace to house the innovative Kurrajong programme for Early Learning Centre to year 2 students.
In 2010, Annesley College
Annesley College
Annesley College is an independent, Uniting Church, day and boarding school for girls, located in Wayville, a suburb of Adelaide, South Australia....
sought discussions with Pulteney regarding amalgamation.
School demographics
As of 2006, the school has more than 800 students enrolled and over 120 teaching and non-teaching staff.Pulteney is composed of four sub-schools located on the same campus. The 'Kurrajong' and the ELC (Early Learning Centre) for students up to year 2, Prep School for years 3-6, Middle School
Middle school
Middle School and Junior High School are levels of schooling between elementary and high schools. Most school systems use one term or the other, not both. The terms are not interchangeable...
for years 7-9 and "one ninety" (Senior School) for the final years 10-12.
From 2001, Pulteney replaced its school prefects with elected representatives which form the school Forum, led by a President and Vice President.
Notable alumni
- Bruce AbernethyBruce AbernethyBruce Abernethy is a former Australian rules footballer in the SANFL, VFL/AFL and current media personality.-Football career:...
, former AFL player and sports news reader. - Charles Ashwin, 1952. Rhodes Scholar for South Australia.
- Simon Best, 1973. Rhodes Scholar for South Australia.
- Arthur Seaforth BlackburnArthur Seaforth BlackburnBrigadier Arthur Seaforth Blackburn VC, CMG, CBE, ED was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces....
VCVictoria CrossThe Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
, soldier and lawyer; Winner of the Victoria CrossVictoria CrossThe Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories.... - Les MurrayLes Murray (broadcaster)Les James Murray AM is an Australian sports journalist, football broadcaster and analyst...
, SBSSpecial Broadcasting ServiceThe Special Broadcasting Service is a hybrid-funded Australian public broadcasting radio and television network. The stated purpose of SBS is "to provide multilingual and multicultural radio and television services that inform, educate and entertain all Australians and, in doing so, reflect...
broadcaster and Member of the Order of AustraliaOrder of AustraliaThe Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"... - Lewis Fitz-GeraldLewis Fitz-GeraldLewis Fitz-Gerald is an Australian actor and television director who has obtained a Masters degree in Creative Writing, majoring in Communications Studies.- As Actor :* Crownies * Home and Away...
, actor. - Josh FrancouJosh FrancouJoshua "Josh" Francou is a former Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League .-Port Adelaide :Debuting with Port Adelaide as a 22-year-old, Francou was part of Port Adelaide's inaugural team...
, player for North Adelaide RoostersNorth Adelaide RoostersNorth Adelaide Football Club is an Australian rules football club, who play in the South Australian National Football League.- History :Formed in 1888 as Medindie, in 1893 the club renamed itself to North Adelaide. It is the fourth oldest club still in operation in the SANFL...
(SANFLSouth Australian National Football LeagueThe South Australian National Football League is an Australian rules football league based in the Australian state of South Australia. It is also the governing body for the sport of Australian rules football in South Australia....
) and Port Adelaide Football ClubPort Adelaide Football ClubThe Port Adelaide Football Club is an Australian rules football club based in Alberton, South Australia, which plays in the Australian Football League and the South Australian National Football League...
(AFLAustralian Football LeagueThe Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
) Australian rules football clubs. - Peter Gibbard, 1991. Rhodes Scholar for South Australia.
- Jordan McMahonJordan McMahonJordan McMahon is an Australian rules football player. McMahon, a native South Australian, was drafted from the Glenelg Football Club in the 2000 AFL Draft as a first round selection by the Western Bulldogs. Playing as a running defender, McMahon had seven seasons at the Western Bulldogs,...
, current player in the AFL for the Richmond Tigers. - Mark Mussared, 1976. Rhodes Scholar for South Australia.
- John Pritchard, 1935. Rhodes Scholar for South Australia.
- Frank PritchardFrank PritchardFrank Pritchard is an Australian born New Zealand professional rugby league footballer currently playing for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs of the National Rugby League . He is of Samoan descent...
current NRL Player, Penrith Panthers - Sean Williams, science fictionScience fictionScience fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
author - Andrew LeipusAndrew LeipusAndrew Leipus is a physiotherapist.Since October 1999, he has worked for the Board of Control for Cricket in India as the physiotherapist of the Indian national cricket team....
, sports physiotherapist