HISTORY
Planning for Westminster School began in the late 1950s. People of vision were convinced that Church schools were desirable and there was an urgent need for a second day and boarding Methodist boys’ school in Adelaide.
In 1957, land at Marion was purchased and funds raised over the next few years. On 19 June 1960 the Foundation Stone was laid.
The School opened on 7 February 1961, comprising 143 boys – 86 in Years 1 to 7 and 57 in Year 8. One building was used for classrooms, offices and a common room for staff. Twenty-eight boarders lived off campus for the first year at Shaftesbury House in Adelaide. An oval was also prepared and many trees and shrubs planted.
The School now has grown to a 23 hectare (57 acres) campus with separate areas for the Junior Primary (ELC to Year 2), Senior Primary (Years 3 to 7) and Senior School (Years 8 to 12). There are four ovals, numerous tennis courts, a sports and swimming centre and centre for the performing arts.
Coeducation was introduced in 1978 and now nearly as many girls as boys are enrolled. Girls’ boarding commenced in 1993 in self-contained home units. Total boys and girls boarding number about 120.
Today, more than 500 students are in the Early Learning Centre and Preparatory School and around 700 in the Senior School.
The School has a 68 hectare property on the banks of Lake Alexandrina at Point Sturt. It is used for our extensive Outdoor Education program as well as being a working farm for the Agricultural Studies course.
