Principal's Message

Dear Parents & Carers,

The early cool weather has brought bright, crisp mornings with beautiful blue, sunny skies making it perfect weather for our Year 7 Discovery and Year 8 Adventure camp groups. 

The engagement of students in our Outdoor Education program is an integral part of our “caring with HEART” values along with acceptance, something students learn about each other when working collaboratively both inside and outside the school grounds.

As usual, it’s been a very busy few weeks with one of the highlights being the Alice Food Festival on our campus. It was wonderful to see so many families out and about enjoying a variety of foods. I appreciated the patience that was needed to get the food that you wanted, and recognized the many examples of good humour displayed on the night. It was refreshing to see the community spirit of Alice Springs alive and well. Thank you to all the staff who assisted before, during and after to ensure the evening was a success.

Round Square Week was celebrated by an adventure race, danceathon and a recycled clothing fashion show. The captains, Lilly and Naomi, demonstrated outstanding leadership and organization to bring a high level of participation from the entire student body. It’s wonderful to see the resurgence of Round Square which is embedded in our history and culture.

The Winter Carnival was spread out across several venues with a variety of sports on offer for every skill level. Big congratulations to our PE staff and the many convenors who worked tirelessly on the day to provide multiple opportunities to participate. We are truly blessed with an amazing staff who continuously go above and beyond to make St Philip’s inclusive and welcoming. I must give further congratulations to Topsy Smith House who were victorious on the day.

We celebrated National Sorry Day with a Reconciliation Assembly and students have participated in a variety of activities this week including writing an Acknowledgement of Country, and participating in A Sea of Hands and Kahoot. Our Reconciliation Action Group continues to develop ways to honour and incorporate First Nations’ views and perspectives into our curriculum and regular activities.

The Drama department always has something in the works with the hilarious Year 9 play “The Queen of the Green” in Week 5 and the Year 12 Senior Play “Can’t Pay, Won’t Pay!” this week. Tickets are still available for tonight so come along for some excellent entertainment and support our students.

Exams are on the horizon for Year 11’s next week and Year 10 & 12 exams at the end of term. Senior students should be reviewing their work on a daily basis, in preparation for demonstrating their learning this semester. A measured, consistent approach is always better than the last-minute attempts to cram everything in the day or evening before! The library and help sessions are wonderful resources and are available on a regular basis and it is never too late to improve study habits.

I’m heading off overseas this week for a family wedding and leaving my very capable deputies Ms Tammy Hawkins and Mr Steve Kimber in charge of the college. I have every confidence they will keep us on course for the term.

Kind regards,

~ Leslie Tilbrook

Principal