Pulteney Grammar School families ‘on tenterhooks’ about review findings

Pulteney Grammar School families are preparing “plan B” enrolment options as they anxiously await the findings of a review into the school’s leadership.

Pulteney Grammar School parents are preparing “plan B” enrolment options for their children as they anxiously await the findings of a review into the school’s leadership.

The Pulteney Board of Governors had promised to release a summary of the “themes” of the independent review, and how it “intends to respond”, in mid-October.

However, it has not committed to a date.

The review was launched in late August following the emergence of a damaging petition online, which attracted more than 100 signatures.

It was created anonymously by “members of the Pulteney community” who warned they would “explore alternative education institutions” if the school did not examine its leadership and operations.

Pulteney students will return to campus from school holidays on October 16 and parents have told The Advertiser they are “waiting on tenterhooks” to learn how the school will respond to the review findings.

Pulteney Grammar School on South Tce, Adelaide. Picture Dean Martin

“Everyone’s just waiting on this review. It depends what it says. Everyone is just in limbo,” said one parent, who wanted to remain anonymous.

“I’ve got a plan B (school), everyone’s got a plan B. We just don’t know whether to pull the trigger.”

Pulteney requires families to give a full term’s notice before withdrawing a student otherwise they must pay 12.5 per cent of their annual tuition fee.

Two parents told The Advertiser that they understood a group of students had already left the school at the end of Term 3 and enrolled at another top tier independent school.

They both said they knew of multiple other families who were considering moving their children elsewhere.

One of the concerns that sparked the online petition was a decision to merge Pulteney’s middle and senior schools.

A letter to parents on July 28, from principal Cameron Bacholer, announced the planned merger and appointment of a new Head of Secondary School.

Pulteney Grammar School Principal Cameron Bachelor. Picture supplied / website

The petitioners argued against the change and said there had been no consultation.

On August 29 Pulteney’s Board wrote to the school community signalling that decision had been reversed and the existing “sub-school structure would remain in place”.

The school has since advertised for two new heads of school and applications closed on Friday.

Current Head of Senior School Rebecca Baker has been appointed to a new role as Head of Learning Innovation next year.

Mr Bacholer’s letter to parents praised current Head of Middle School Craig McFarlane for his contribution and said he would be farewelled by the school community at the end of the year.

Parents have told The Advertiser there is confusion about the changes and “everyone just wants to know which teachers are staying and which teachers are going”.

In response to inquiries from The Advertiser on Friday the Pulteney Board said in a statement that it “intends to progress the review quickly and we will keep the school community informed”.