Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Guardians,

It's a long message this week and as we come to the end of another busy term, I would like to thank you for your continued support. Not only was our term filled with our usual activities and opportunities, we also faced the challenges of Covid impacting our students and our staff. I would like to express my sincere thanks to all our staff who took on extra responsibilities to ensure that I our programs could still go ahead.

EXCITING LAUNCH - Discovery Centre Fundraising Campaign – last week the College launched the first major orchestrated fundraising campaign the College has done in many, many years. You will be receiving a hard copy in the mail, of a brochure which has information about the exciting NEW Discovery Centre. 

The College is remaining true to the vision of our College founder, Rev Dr Fred McKay who wanted children in Outback Australia to have the same opportunities as students in larger cities. The Discovery Centre and the Sustainability Learning Centre will ensure our students can experience modern pedagogy in facilities that will not only enhance their learning, but also prepare them for the challenges and opportunities of the future. 

We hope you will be able to support the College as we ensure our facilities cater for the needs of your student as we move further into the 21st century. Please click on the link to read more about the Discovery Centre and support this next chapter in the College’s future: https://www.stphilips.nt.edu.au/about-spc/development/discovery-centre

There is also quite a number of other facility upgrades and new buildings which have already started. Over the next 6 months you will see commencing:  

• Year 12 Outdoor social and eating space
• A new Outdoor Education facility adjoining the new Maintenance Complex both located at the front of the College. 
• In addition, we will be installing new seating in The Minnamurra Hall. Clearly there is a lot going on.

Round Square – I am very aware that knowledge about Round Square and our commitment to Round Square has waned due to the inactivity due to COVID.Below is some information about the Round Square organisation and our longstanding commitment and involvement.

Round Square is a world-wide association of more than 230 schools in 50 countries on 6 continents, sharing similar ethos and values and committed to the advancement of education. Round Square is based on the theories of Kurt Hahn, a key figure in the development of experiential learning and provides a Discovery Framework within which member schools develop activities and engagements in line with Round Square IDEALS of Internationalism, Democracy, Environmentalism, Adventure, Leadership and Service. The aim is to inspire and draw out every child’s capacity for self-discovery, personal development, achievement and excellence, with an approach that is practical, cross-cultural and collaborative.

All Round Square collaborations are included in the College term calendar with specific events also included in the Daily Notes and assemblies for students and the weekly newsletter.

Sabbatical – in Term 3 I will be taking a sabbatical, and in my absence Mrs Leslie Tilbrook will be Acting Principal and Mr Steve Kimber will be Acting Deputy Principal. I wish them well and I hope you will support them during this time.

College Board – last weekend our College Board said farewell and thanks to our outgoing Board Chair, Ms Libby Prell and Board Member, Kevin Davis. Both Libby and Kevin’s contributions have been invaluable, and their knowledge and experience particularly over the past few years as the College went through incorporation will be forever treasured.

With their departures we would like to advise that our new College Chairman is Mr Bruce McKay (son of College founder, Fred McKay) and we also have two new Board members, Lawson Broad (CEO of Somerville Community Services and Old Saint – Class of 1997), Dr Jess Johannsen (nee Ah Chee) also an Old Saint – Class of 2010, and Fulbright Scholar and Indigenous educator Dr Jessa Rogers who is currently a Board observer. 

Both Kevin Davis and Libby Prell have been appointed as Life Governors of St Philip’s College and their commissioning will occur during Term 4. 

It is an exciting time of transition and rejuvenation for our Board, with an injection of new members and the experience and guidance of our ongoing members.

Wishing you and your family a safe and happy holiday and I will see you Term 4.

Thank you and Be Kind Always, 

~ Mr Roger Herbert

   Principal