Headmaster’s Blog

There is nothing more powerful than the spoken word.
Our mouths can be a constructive and influential tool that can help others.
One of the most powerful tools are words of encouragement,
praise and hope. The imprint words make can’t always be
seen, yet their power can remain with us all our lives.

The effect words can have on our future actions, thoughts or confidence are immeasurable.
Every day we have opportunities to say something positive and constructive to the people we meet.
The challenge is to say something with genuine feeling, no ulterior motive or any
expectation of getting something in return. This is a challenge
I hope each of us can master every day, and the joy will be in
witnessing the power our positive words have on our friends,
family, loved ones, neighbours and strangers.

Earlier this week I had a conversation with one of our teachers about the advent of the bow and arrow. Neither the teacher nor I knew who invented it or where it came from. The next day, the same teacher came up to me and said that they’d done some research and had found the answer.

This teacher had been inquisitive and determined enough to discover the facts...to gain new knowledge. I encourage all our students to do the same this term. To garner the skills to achieve answers, to get results, to grow as a person.

It is a new semester and a new beginning. We can each start with a clean slate, with new objectives and new goals so that we can move forward to seek new information and greater understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

For the past few days I've been visiting our students and staff out on the Year 9 Endeavour Camp. Every year I hear stories and witness changes in our students during this camp. To say that it is a transformational experience is not an understatement. The 9 day experience is truly life changing and life enhancing for many participants. Some students are nervous and reluctant as they head off, yet, many times it is those students who shine out in the bush. Well done to everyone involved.

Welcome to our new website. We hope that it provides you with as much information as you need.

It was over 25 years ago when I started at St Philip's and then it was still only a residential college. The growth and changes that have occurred are inspiring and now that 'cyber communication' is well and truly upon us we are truly in the centre of the world-wide community. Students in rural and remote areas of Australia are fortunate to be exposed to many different opportunities not available to those students living in major urban areas. The calibre and depth of experiences of rural and remote students stands them in good stead for wherever their life may lead.