Pulteney Grammar School principal Cameron Bacholer resigns as review summary released

The principal of Pulteney Grammar School has resigned following the release of an independent review into the institution’s leadership.

The principal of Pulteney Grammar School has resigned following the completion of an independent review of the leadership at the top private institution.

In a letter sent to the school community late on Tuesday, the Board of Governors confirmed Cameron Bacholer had resigned after four years as principal.

“We recognise and thank Cameron for his professionalism and leadership to staff in support of our students throughout his tenure,” the letter read.

“We thank Cameron for his service to Pulteney Grammar School and wish him the best in his future endeavours in educational leadership.”

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

Pulteney Grammar School Principal Cameron Bacholer has resigned following the release of an independent review. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

Pulteney Grammar School Principal Cameron Bacholer has resigned following the release of an independent review. Picture supplied / website

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

However, the board maintains 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.

“You are seeking an inclusive, community-driven culture that has been the Pulteney experience valued by so many,” the summary read.

Respondents called for increased consultation in changes that affected the student and family experience, more focus on individualised learning support, better recruitment and support to retain excellent teachers and increased board visibility, transparency and educational knowledge.

A Pulteney parent, who wanted to remain anonymous, said they were “pleased with the outcome” of the review but described the summary sent to the school community as “very diluted”.

They said Mr Bacholer’s resignation was “the only responsible outcome given the circumstances of what has been happening”.

“We feel like the board has finally sat up and paid attention to what has been happening,” they said.

“Now we need to do what Pulteney does best and pull together as a community to make sure our Year 12s are supported heading into exam time.

“Unfortunately though I think this outcome might have come too late for some families who took the silence at the end of term (three) to mean they needed to make other arrangements (at other schools).”

Pulteney Grammar. Picture Dean Martin

Another parent, who also wanted to remain anonymous, said they hoped “this will bring some stability to the families and teachers who were on the verge of leaving” Pulteney.

“Unfortunately there were students who left mid year and at the end of this term (three),” they said.

“As the Board have said in its (communication about the) findings, the review was not undertaken on the basis of petitions going around. It was already in the process of responding to formal communications.

“Hopefully a new leader who can build rapport and respect with both students and parents can bring the (Pulteney) community back together.”

In the wake of Mr Bacholer’s resignation, Deputy Principal – Advancement Deb Dalwood will be Interim Principal until a new principal was appointed.

The letter to the school community said Ms Dalwood was an experienced educator with more than two decades of leadership experience.

“The Board intends to commence a recruitment process for the next Principal of Pulteney Grammar School in the new year,” the letter read.

“This timing will allow the Board to act on a number of outcomes arising from the VUCA independent review, prior to commencing this critical process.”

Comment was sought from Mr Bacholer through the school but he did not respond.