| St. Philips Christian College | |
|---|---|
| High Street entrance, Waratah Campus
"Leaders in Whole of Life Education"
|
|
| Location | |
| Waratah, New South Wales, Australia | |
| Information | |
| Type | Independent, Co-educational, Day school |
| Denomination | Christian, Multi-denominational |
| Established | 1982 |
| Staff | 150+ |
| Key people | Graeme Irwin (Executive Principal) Pam O'Dea (Principal) Tony Jackson (Capitan, Autocrat, Monarch) |
| Colour(s) | Gold, Green, White & Black |
| Website | www.spcc.nsw.edu.au |
St. Philip's Christian College is an independent co-educational Christian school in Newcastle, New South Wales. The Newcastle campus is based in the suburb of Waratah, but the school encompasses three other campuses, including one at Port Stephens, one at Cessnock (formerly Cessnock Christian College), a campus in Waratah which houses the DALE (Dynamic Alternative Learning Environment) program for students at risk and a Young Mother's program and a new campus at Gosford, New South Wales. The college is the largest independent school in the Hunter region. In 2001, the school received A$3.76m in federal taxpayer's grants.
The school was founded in 1982 by St. Philip’s Christian College, Waratah with the aim of 'whole child' education - intellectual, social, physical and spiritual. Classes commenced on 4 February 1982 in renovated areas within the Church facilities. The College catered for students from Kindergarten to Year 7 during 1982. Each year thereafter, another academic year was added up to Year 10 in 1985. Year 11 classes commenced in 1988 with the first H.S.C. candidates being presented in 1989. As of 2005, the College had over 4300 students enrolled from Kindergarten to Year Twelve.
Up until 1984, the College operated entirely at the church site. During 1984 a site in High Street was purchased and occupied. Sparke House became the administration centre for the College with temporary transportable classrooms being used initially.
Initially, the College was operated as an undertaking of St. Philip’s Christian College. However, in May 1985, St. Philip’s Christian Education Foundation Limited was formed and this non-profit company took over the ownership and operation of the College.
In 1995 a new campus of the College was established at Salamander Bay. This campus now has an enrollment of over 5600 students from Kinder to Year Twelve.
In 1997, an alternative school for students at risk (Years 7-10) named D.A.L.E. (Dynamic Alternate Learning Environment) was established with the aim of encouraging students in danger of dropping out of school to gain their School Certificate. In 2000 a unit for young mothers complete with crèche facilities and specialised support was added.
In October 1997 the College acquired Narnia Christian PreSchool. Narnia is a one unit preschool for children from three years old to school age.
In 2001, the Waratah campus was restructured into a Junior School (K-4), Middle School (5-8) and Senior School (9-12).
In 2005, the college acquired Cessnock Christian School which was renamed to St. Philip's Christian College - Cessnock Campus.
In 2007, the Waratah Campus commenced its 25th anniversary and had almost 1000 students in that one campus. Additionally, St. Philip's Christian College acquired Gosford Christian College and renamed it St. Philip's Christian College - Gosford Campus.
The College is a member of the NSW Association of Independent Schools, the Australian Association of Christian Schools and the Association of Christian Schools International.