Community

St Philip's College is an integral part of the Alice Springs, Central Australia and NT community. The College actively supports many individuals and organisations and this page is dedicated to sharing information that will assist our families and local residents.

Community Bursaries

The information below is for all residents of Central Australia regarding scholarships, grants and bursaries available for people wanting assistance to study at a tertiary institution, or complete a VET or TAFE course.

Central Australian Education Foundation - The Central Australian Education Foundation was established to provide much needed financial assistance and support to local youth to help them achieve their post high school education, training and vocation aspirations. We recognise that the cost of rural students pursuing their post high school goals is often much greater than those of their metropolitan counterparts and that sometimes these costs can be prohibitive. For more information visit their Facebook page.

John Hawkins Memorial Scholarship - The Rotary Club of Alice Springs encourages local students intending to commence tertiary study in 2020 to apply for next year’s scholarship. Money raised from the annual Rotary Club of Alice Springs Melbourne Cup sweep, helps fund the scholarship. The scholarship is valued at $18,000 paid in 6 equal instalments. Applications close 18 November 2019. For more information contact email.

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Scholarship Program - Each year scholarships are awarded to full-time, first year undergraduates studying at an Australian University or College campus for the first time.  NT Government - Higher Education for School Leavers provides 40 scholarships of up to $3,500.

VET Scholarships - The Department of Business, Employment and Training Division administers VET scholarships.  The scholarships are open to school leavers and those who are working part-time or unemployed and enrolled in a Certificate III to Diploma level course to assist them to gain full time employment.

CDU Scholarships - CDU scholarships are sponsored by individuals, businesses, government, community groups and the University, to assist students with the financial burden of studying. A number of scholarships offer students the opportunity to participate in paid work experience during semester breaks and graduate positions on completion of study. Alice Springs Freemasons Education Fund - Scholarships available for post-secondary students going to university or doing a trade.  Applications open in November and are advertised in the Centralian Advocate and through school newsletters.  They close 20 January 2020.  Contact:  Stuart Gear for full details on 0418 898 361 or 8952 4645.

Fred McKay Museum

The museum is the Keeping Place for the Spirit of the Outback, named after St Philip’s College founder and successor to Rev John Flynn, the Rev Dr Fred McKay.

A ‘keeping place’ of the spirit of the Outback – celebrating the life and work of Rev Fred McKay, an Australian ‘hero’ told in a way that will inspire and encourage current and future generations of Australians. Housed in the Fred McKay Education Centre at St Philip's College, a symbolic building reflecting Outback themes and materials – an attraction in itself! 

It’s a place for storytelling and sharing knowledge about Outback Australia – a source of written, aural and pictorial history which will enrich the experience of those visiting the Outback and wanting to learn more about it and the people who live here past and present. It’s also a teaching facility for young people interested in tourism, hospitality and museum studies. The museum is open during school days from 9:00am to 11:00am.

Parent Resources

There are many resources available for parents and children about the use of technology, suitable games, apps, online behaviour etc. Here are a list of organisations who can help guide you through the ever-changing online world.

Commonsense Media - https://www.commonsensemedia.org/

You know your kids. We know media and tech. Together we can build a digital world where our kids can thrive. Families and teachers everywhere trust Common Sense for expert reviews, objective advice, helpful tools, and so much more.

Here's how they do it: Common Sense Media rates movies, TV shows, books, and more so parents can feel good about the entertainment choices they make for their kids. Common Sense Education supports K–12 schools with everything educators need to empower the next generation of digital citizens.

Esafety Commissioner - https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents

Tips and advice on helping your child have safe and enjoyable experiences online. 

The big issues - help your child deal with the big issues in online safety, such as cyberbullying, explicit online behaviour, time online, gaming and unwanted contact.

School TV

Welcome to School TV - connecting, informing and empowering parents to deal with the challenges of modern-day parenting.

"Today’s parents, as well as schools, face unprecedented challenges in raising healthy and resilient kids. SchoolTV is a unique online platform providing ongoing guidance and realistic strategies from leading experts." Dr Michael Carr-Gregg.

Topics covered by SchoolTV (which can be accessed here) are the result of development research with schools, wellbeing officers, counsellors and parent focus groups and incorporates invaluable research taken from the Young and Well CRC around specific current day issues faced by today’s youth. This month's topic SURVIVING YEAR 12 can be accessed directly here.

Past editions of SchoolTV can be easily accesssed through a school’s personalised archive page. This page becomes a growing repository of topics with each publication. Each year content will be updated and aggregated to be inline with research sourced from multiple areas such as Orygen, BeyondBlue, Black Dog Institute, ReachOut, Universities and Government Agencies.

SchoolTV topics are divided into series. Below is a list of topics for current and future series:

Mental Health Series: 

• Anxiety 

• Depression 

• Suicide and Self-harm 

• Drug and Alcohol Use

Cybersafety Series:

• Cyberbullying 

• Sexting 

• Social Media & Digital Reputation 

• Pornography 

• Cybersafety & Grooming 

Healthy Body Series: 

• Healthy Body Image (Boys & Girls) 

• Healthy Diet 

• Eating Disorders & OSFED 

• Sleep 

• Mindfulness 

• Exercise

Sunsmart School

Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. Research suggests that at least two-thirds of all melanomas occurring in Australia can be prevented if children are protected from the sun during their first 15 years.

Skin damage, including skin cancer, is the result of cumulative exposure to the sun. Research shows that severe sunburn is a contributor to skin cancer and other forms of skin damage such as sunspots, blemishes and premature ageing. Most skin damage and skin cancer is therefore preventable.

St Philip’s College realises the need to educate students about SunSmart behaviour, thus reducing the risk of students sustaining skin damage from exposure to the sun.

The College believes that students should also wear hats to and from school. As this requirement is difficult to enforce, the School has drafted this policy on the basis that parents take primary responsibility for their children(s) sun safety and that students comply with the School’s sun safety measures.

Sun safety measures should be applied year round in Alice Springs, given our unique climate. On the rare days that the UV index is less than three, there is no need to apply any sun protection measures.

Students are expected to:

• be aware of the College’s SunSmart policy; 

• use shaded or covered areas, where possible, for outdoor activities; 

• take responsibility for their own health and safety by being SunSmart; 

• comply with SunSmart rules and guidelines by wearing hats and sunscreen while at School and outdoors; and 

• act as positive role models for other students in all aspects of SunSmart behaviour. 

Hats Summer and Winter Uniform  

Girls: official College broad brimmed ‘Anna’ style hat, or College bucket hat available at the Uniform Shop.

Boys: official College boys’ broad brimmed hat or College bucket hat available at the Uniform Shop.

Physical Education, Sport Classes and Sports Carnivals Boys and girls must wear either the College cap or bucket hat for Physical Education and Sport classes and when attending Sports Carnivals. Their teacher will provide guidance about which sports do not allow hats to be worn for safety or other reasons.

Sunscreen 

Sunscreen should be applied before students come to school and students should have access to their own sunscreen for re-application as required. A sunscreen dispenser is available for student use at Student Access and in the Sports Stadium. On sports days, additional sunscreen is available for students to use after their initial application before leaving home.