Last week I had the great privilege of being part of the official opening ceremony of our new Junior School building at St Philip’s Christian College Port Stephens.
This building is not just a structure; it is a testament to the power of collaboration and community.
Situated prominently on Salamander Way, this building not only provides a stunning street presence but also serves as a beacon of excellence in education. Designed to cater to children from Kindergarten to Year 4, with a special facility for Prep, it seamlessly integrates with the Narnia Early Learning Centre next door, fostering a continuum of education from the earliest years.
But perhaps most significantly, this building is home to a new school within a school – St Philip's Christian College, Gilibaa. Founded this year, Gilibaa is an innovative bilingual Aboriginal school, teaching both 'Gutung', the language of our First Nation Worimi people, and English. We are immensely proud of this new addition to our Junior School, which embodies our commitment to inclusivity and cultural diversity.
Designed with biophilic principles, this building seeks to connect its occupants more closely with nature, fostering a nurturing and inspiring learning environment. On behalf of the Board and the St Philip's organisation, I extend our heartfelt thanks to all involved in bringing this vision to life.
At SPCC, across all of our endeavours, we continue to strive for excellence and create a brighter future for generations to come, acknowledging God as the provider of all.
Graeme Irwin AM
CEO
St Philip’s Christian Education Foundation
