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Published: 11 February 2026

King’s College was an all-boy’s school which was founded in a collaborative effort between South Australia’s Baptist and Congregational Churches. Originally hoping for a location in Glenelg or Brighton, the school’s founder’s eventually settled on a location in Kensington Park, purchasing the historic home “Gwent”, situated on the corner of Shipsters Road and the Parade, in December 1923. The home was renovated in preparation for students: toilets and changerooms were added and the balcony was enclosed to provide a sleeping space for student boarders. The school also negotiated a partial lease of the nearby Kensington Oval for use in school sport and recreation.

King’s College was officially opened by the visiting Viscount Leverhulme on the 5^th of February 1924. At the time of opening, there were 56 boys enrolled in the school, including 20 boarders. By the end of 1924, enrollment had already increased to 83. The money to purchase the school was raised through donations from the Baptist Church, private investment and individual donations.

A portion of the funds for the school was also raised through the sale of the now-famous Green and Gold Cookery Book. Over 30 editions of the book have been published, selling tens of thousands of copies. By its 50^th Anniversary in 1973, the Green and Gold Cookery Book was priced at 95 cents, and had raised over $15,000 for the school.

In 1974, King’s College merged with Girton Girls’ School to create the co-educational Pembroke School.

Photographs: King’s College Campus 1968 and Campbell House King’s, courtesy of Pembroke School Archives.