Pulteney Grammar announces Prince Alfred College deputy Greg Atterton as new principal

After an embattled end to last year, Pulteney Grammar’s new principal has been named – and he comes from another top private institution.

PAC deputy principal Greg Atterton has been appointed as Pulteney Grammar's new principal.

The deputy headmaster of one of Adelaide’s most prestigious boys’ schools is set to return for the top job at Pulteney Grammar, following the resignation of the school’s former principal last year.

Greg Atterton, who was Pulteney’s deputy principal from 2015 to 2020, has spent the past three years as deputy headmaster and head of secondary school at Prince Alfred College.

Prior to that, he also served as head of middle school at Walford Anglican School for Girls for eight years.

Pulteney Grammar’s board lauded Mr Atterton’s experience, values and commitment to the school and welcomed his return.

Mr Atterton previously worked at Pulteney until 2020.

“Greg has more than two decades of school leadership experience (and) is well known to the Pulteney Grammar school community,” a statement said.
“During his tenure, Greg was a valued member of the School executive and well-respected by students, parents and staff.

“Greg excels at collaboration and will lead Pulteney to achieve our shared vision of personalised, inclusive and innovative learning. His experience, values and commitment to Pulteney provide a strong foundation for the future of our School.”

Mr Atterton will commence as principal in Term 1, 2025.

In a letter sent to school parents on Monday, board chair David Reynolds said Mr Atterton had been chosen after a rigorous recruitment process from an “exceptionally strong” field of local, national and international candidates.

Mr Reynolds said the incoming leader had led PAC to its strongest academic results in its history during his time at the school and was responsible for the introduction of a House-based pastoral care program.

All three of Mr Atterton and his wife Lisa’s children had attended Pulteney, Mr Reynolds said.

Mr Atterton takes over the top job from Cameron Bacholer, who resigned in 2023 after an independent review of the leadership at the top private institution.

Since Mr Bacholer’s departure, deputy principal Deb Dalwood has acted as the school’s interim leader.

The review followed the creation of a petition by self-described “members of the Pulteney community” demanding “the current heads of school be replaced immediately”.

Parents, former staff and old scholars described a “toxic culture” they claimed was driving away teachers and families.

However, the board maintained the independent review was not a consequence of the widely-publicised petition.

The board’s summary of the review stated feedback from a survey, written submissions and interviews revealed respondents expressed a strong desire for more effective consultation, collaboration and engagement.