Prince Alfred College, Adelaide

Prince Alfred College, Adelaide

• Prince Alfred College Archives

• Educational

Founded by the Methodist Church in the nineteenth century, and now affiliated with the Uniting Church in Australia, Prince Alfred College caters for boys from early learning through to senior years.

In the mid 1860s a group of individuals with the vision of a Methodist church school for boys met to progress their dream. Fundraising breakfasts were held in the Methodist Meeting Hall and men and women who shared the vision of the founders pledged their support, enabling the purchase of land at Kent Town.

The foundation stone of the main building was laid by HRH Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, second son of Queen Victoria, during his 1867 visit to South Australia. The Prince agreed to the request to name the College in his honour, a departure from the proposed name of Wesley College, and for a short time it was known as Prince Alfred Wesleyan College.

The first students commenced at Prince Alfred College in 1869.

A feature of Prince Alfred College is the historic main building, which was built in three sections. The central section was ready for use in 1869 and housed offices, teaching areas, a residence for the Headmaster, and accommodation for boarders, who have been an important aspect of the College’s entire history.

The Waterhouse Wing (south) was added and increased the boarding accommodation as well as providing an assembly room, and a science laboratory.

Later, the Colton Wing (north) further expanded boarding space and teaching areas. The Main Building was completed in 1889.

Since its foundation in 1869, Prince Alfred College continues to realise the dream of its Founders. Countless thousands of boys have been educated under the guidance of eleven headmasters and gone on to achieve in their chosen fields. For further information about the history of the school, see https://pac.edu.au/about/history/

Prince Alfred College's education is provided across three campuses:

• The Kent Town Campus, located near the centre of Adelaide on the fringe of the eastern parklands. This is the primary college Campus, for all children from the Early Learning Centre through to Year 12.
• The Scotts Creek Outdoor Education Centre, located near Morgan and the River Murray in the Riverland’s wine and citrus growing region, this campus caters for all students from Years 4-11.
• The Wambana Campus, located at Point Turton on the Southern Yorke Peninsula was purpose-built for the Year 9 Extended Stay Program.

The College is governed by the Prince Alfred College Council which was established under the Prince Alfred College Incorporation Act 1878 (amended 2010).

Officer-in-charge: School Archivist

Official records of the school; personal school records of old scholars; private papers of notable old scholars; official records of Prince Alfred College Old Collegians' Association; official records of Parents and Friends Associations.

Prince Alfred College Main Building
St Jacques Headmaster's Residence Memorial Building and Museum
ANZAC Hall
Eric Freak Memorial Chapel

• Minutes of school council and committees, 1865- present
• Annual reports to South Australian Conference of Methodist Church of Australasia
• Financial records, 1869- present
• Admission records, 1869- present
• Curriculum records, 1869- present
• Scholastic assessments and results, 1870- present
• Architectural drawings, 1878- present
• Site photographs, 1867- present
• Photographs of staff and students, 1882- present
• School magazine, 1884- present
• Personal records of old scholars, 1869- present
• Minutes of Prince Alfred College Old Collegians' Association, 1878- present
• Minutes of Parents and Friends Associations, 1938- present
• School publications

The Archivist can provide information about finding aids including series lists and guides for the Archival collection.
Histories include:
Ward, J F, Prince Alfred College: the Story of the First Eighty Years (Adelaide, 1951).
Gibbs, R M A, A History of Prince Alfred College (Adelaide, 1984, second edition 2008).
Linn, R. Prince Alfred College 150 Years (Adelaide, 2019)

The College has three main publications relevant to the College community and available in the Archives:

• the Chronicle (published annually, 1884 to the present) summarises the year’s happenings relating to the curriculum, special events, achievements, sports, and co-curricular activities, with key updates of Old Scholar and Prince Alfred College Foundation activity. It is relevant, in particular, for Old Scholars, as it is a record of their years at Princes.
• the Princes Record (published biannually) covers the College news and includes updates of Old Scholar and Prince Alfred College Foundation news.
• the Princes eNews (published fortnightly), the College newsletter.

Open Tuesday to Friday by appointment, 9am-4pm.
Closed on public holidays.

A closed period of 25 years applies to most records. Access to records not normally available for research can be gained by application in writing to the Headmaster.

General reference assistance is available. Referral to paid researchers is also available.

Some copying services available.

Revised: 2 January 2021

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