St Philip’s Christian College first opened its doors on the 4th of February in 1982, in a church hall with two staff and 25 students. By 1984 growth was so rapid that the acquisition of property became an imminent requirement. It was in this year that the school purchased the Wesley Haven nursing home in High Street, Waratah. By 1988, St Philip’s was taking students through to the HSC, only 6 years after it commenced with a high school of three Year 7 students. The College was quickly gaining a reputation for excellence in all areas. This first College in Waratah now has over 1400 students.
It soon became apparent that there were a vast number of families seeking holistic education for their children and that God was calling him to establish more schools. St Philip’s Christian College Port Stephens was established in 1995 and has now grown to over 700 students. In their journey with the education system, the SPCC leadership observed many students who could not be adequately catered for in a mainstream education environment. A small alternative environment was needed for students whose learning and behaviour needs required specialised attention. Another area of need identified was young mothers who struggled because their education was prematurely stopped with the birth of a baby they wanted to raise themselves. And so, in 1997 DALE (Dynamic Alternative Learning Environment) School began with the Young Mothers Program being established in 2000.
These programs weren’t just ground-breaking in Newcastle but in the entire nation. There are now five DALE (now Dynamic Learning) campuses associated with the St Philip's group of schools and the two Young Mothers Programs have transitioned to stand-alone schools now known as the Young Parents College, catering for both mothers and fathers and their infants. In 2004 St Philip’s also took on the development of Cessnock Christian School and to date it has grown to over 1100 students. St Philip’s Christian College Cessnock resides on a large property in Nulkaba in the heart of the Hunter Valley.
In 2007 the organisation was again approached to take on a school on the Central Coast that was in rapid decline. Not one to shy away from a challenge, St Philip’s Christian College Gosford became the fifth St Philip’s school and has continued to experience solid growth and a renewed sense of excitement and momentum.
Early learning has been another venture that has met with great success as the group now has six Early Learning Centres across the region.
Our founding Principal, Mr Graeme Irwin, has led the St Philip’s Christian College group to where it is today - schools of excellence and passion. Passion for quality education but, above all, a passion for God and seeing students receive a holistic education and excel in every area of their life.