Principal's Message

Dear Parents, Families and Friends,

Dear Parents & Carers,

Weeks 6 and 7 were highlighted with the lead up to, and performances at the Performing Arts Festival, combined with our very first Charidy Giving Day last Friday. 

The students sang, danced and acted their hearts out in a remarkably close competition. Rolland House was victorious, and were only ½ point ahead of Griffiths, and Partridge only 2 points behind them. The audience including our board members thoroughly enjoyed the two hours of entertainment. A big thank you to our Old Saints and judges Frankie Snowdon and Kirryn Wilkinson.

On the same day we raised over $212 000 for our new Discovery Centre. Congratulations to past and current members of Flynn House who raised over $76 000 of these funds. Thanks to the team of Paul Bailey, Lisa-Marie Burgoyne, Joey Klarenbeek and Jill Jansons for all the planning and organisation that went into this successful event. I would be remiss in not acknowledging the many current and former staff members who worked the phones for hours. 

A huge thank you to all our donors for their support and generosity. At this stage we will be breaking ground early next term with the project due for completion at the end of the year. The innovative design of this building will enable us to engage students in a more experiential, problem-based learning environment with an interactive curriculum specially designed to enable cross-curricular classes. We are striving to build spaces to care for and develop our students in this rapidly changing world.

A personal pinnacle for me was being appointed Principal by the board during their meeting last Saturday. I have unexpectedly found myself in the top leadership position and even more surprising is how much I am enjoying the role. 

My personal aspirations changed rapidly when I became Acting Principal at the beginning of the year. Working closely with both the senior leadership team and the board aligned perfectly with my collaborative approach to achieving my goals of improving student and staff wellbeing and continuing St Philip’s standard of academic excellence. 

I am incredibly grateful for the support I have received from Old Saints, former and current staff members, the students and the wider community. It is truly a privilege to lead this amazing community, and I thank you for your faith in me and I promise to make the most of this opportunity.

Kind regards,

~ Leslie Tilbrook

  Principal