There are 4,000[1] students across all campuses that are located in Cessnock, Gosford, Newcastle, Port Stephens, plus a campus in Waratah which houses the DALE (Dynamic Alternative Learning Environment) program for students with an autism spectrum disorder, or who struggle with their schooling (students are also able to access this program at the Waratah, Cessnock and Gosford campuses). A Young Parents program is delivered from campuses in Waratah[2] and Wyong.
History
The school was founded in 1982 by St Philip's Anglican Church Waratah, with the aim of 'whole child' education – to assist the intellectual, social, physical and spiritual skills of students. The school's motto is "The Way, The Truth, and The Life". St Philip's Christian College Newcastle has over 1400 students[3] enrolled from Year K to Year 12.
St Philip's (Waratah campus) has a 500-seat theatre on site[4] and purchased the old St Philip's Anglican church site. This site has been refurbished to be the Centre of Sports Education.
Bridge Street entrance, Waratah Campus
St Philip's Christian College Port Stephens, established in 1995, has an enrolment of over 750 students from Year K to Year 12.[5] In 1997, an alternative school for students at risk or autism spectrum disorder (Years 7–10) named DALE (Dynamic Alternate Learning Environment) was established.
In October 1997 the college acquired Narnia Preschool. There are now six Narnia Christian Preschool and Early Childhood centres, most catering for children from 0 to 5 years.
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. The Cessnock school now has over 1000 students and is situated on a 100-acre site at Nulkaba near the Earnest Hill Vineyards.[6]
In 2007 Gosford Christian College on the Central Coast suburb of Narara was acquired. Renamed St Philip's Christian College Gosford, it has over 600 students ranging from Kindergarten to Year 12.
St Philip's Christian College has international links with schools in Malawi, Hong Kong and other parts of Asia.
Across all campuses students can access a range of academic, leadership, sporting and community opportunities. St Philip's Christian College students regularly participate in competitions such as The Da Vinci Decathlon, the NSW Combined Independent School Sports events and the APSMO Mathematics Games. Students also participate in community service projects. Students have annual year based camps which generally focus on outdoor education and team building exercises. Graduating Year 12 students can participate in an 'alternative schoolies week' in Vanuatu.
St Philip's Christian College Waratah (Newcastle) is considered one of the best creative arts schools in the region, with their biennial musicals renowned for their high quality. The 2017 Newcastle St Philip's Christian College staging of the musical Mary Poppins, collected five CONDA awards, among them Best Musical Production, Director (Musical), and Best Ensemble Acting. The show, staged in Newcastle's Civic Theatre, was praised by the judges as “boundlessly colourful and exceptionally realised”, with “spirited performances” and “impressive production details”.[7]
The largest community event of the Cessnock school is the Spring Fair held every September.
The St Philip's group of schools is governed by St Philip's Christian Education Foundation in Newcastle, NSW, Australia.[1]
