Pulteney Grammar School to start search for new principal in 2024

A delay in the hunt for a new principal at one of Adelaide’s elite private schools has been labelled “unsettling” by students and parents.

Pulteney Grammar School will not begin recruiting for a replacement principal until next year, prompting concern from some parents and students about ongoing uncertainty.

The school’s Board revealed late on Tuesday that principal Cameron Bacholer has resigned following the completion of an independent review into the school’s leadership and operations.

In a letter to parents, the Board said it “intends to commence a recruitment process for the next principal of Pulteney Grammar School in the New Year”.

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

Parents and students have told The Advertiser they are concerned they will begin the 2024 school year without a permanent principal in place.

Cameron Bacholer has resigned as principal of Pulteney Grammar School. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

Mark Perkins, whose two children attend Pulteney, said the delay in recruitment was “absolutely flabbergasting”.

“This (resignation) has blindsided the entire Pulteney community,” Mr Perkins, who created a petition online in support of the school’s leadership, said.

“I am devastated that he’s resigned. The impact of this is going to ripple across the Pulteney community.”

Another parent, who wished to remain anonymous, said “taking their time to find the right fit for the community is the best thing for the school”.

Parent Mark Perkins, whose two children attend Pulteney Grammar School, started a change.org petition in support of the school. Picture taken from change.org

A Year 12 student, who wanted to remain anonymous, said the resignation was “unsettling” for students at the most important time of year.

“It’s a bit frustrating and stressful. It’s also very distracting,” they said.

“It’s not something I needed to have in my Year 12.”

Students are on school holidays and return on Monday October 16.

“In every class there will be conversations about it,” the student said.

Mr Bacholer was appointed in 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, and was previously Deputy Principal at The Knox School in Melbourne.

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

In its letter to parents, the Board said Mr Bacholer “sought to capture the best of past traditions and link it with a forward-looking plan” and enrolments had grown 10 per cent under his leadership.

Deputy Principal – Advancement Deb Dalwood, a former principal at St Andrew’s School, will act as interim leader.

The school is also recruiting a new Head of Middle School and Head of Senior school.

The independent review, conducted by advisory firm VUCA, was launched in late August, following the emergence of an anonymous online petition calling for a change in leadership at the school.

In a statement, Board members said at the time that petition was received they were “already in the process of responding to formal communications from the Pulteney Foundation and people associated with the Parents and Friends Association and beginning reviews into individual matters raised by parents and staff”.