Hello. I am Chris Tudor, Headmaster of St Philip's College. When I arrived in 1986, St Philip's was still exclusively a residential College, providing a home for students from the Outback who attended various schools in Alice Springs.

It was my privilege to oversee the implementation of the original plan to make St Philip's a full boarding/day school. We enrolled our first student in 1989 and since then our day school has grown rapidly.

From early in my secondary education I decided to become a teacher. This decision emerged from my perception of the community, and the important role that schools could play in the constructive development of the community. Obviously, part of this was the development of the integral pieces of the community, the individuals.

Taking inspiration from Sir Brian Hone, my Headmaster at secondary school, I have continued to promote an underlying philosophy that school is a community, and as such, should provide young people with the opportunity to appreciate the value of community and to develop an insight into how a community functions and promote a strong sense of belonging.

I have always stressed the importance of developing within students a belief in themselves, and a preparedness to use initiative. A problem is therefore an opportunity to find a solution. Also, by coercing children into experience, and encouraging them to step outside their comfort zone and explore their own potential, students discover doors opening for them which previously they assumed were closed.

Before opening a door to a classroom, I was deeply involved with youth work. Together with my brother Rick (also a Headmaster) we worked on a number of challenging projects.

Professionally, the most challenging project has been the development of St Philip’s College. When I started as Principal of St Philip’s College, it was a residential hostel for seventy children from all over the Outback who attended various schools in Alice Springs. In 1989 when the day school opened I was appointed Headmaster and the dramatic growth of the College in the past 21 years has hopefully reflected my energy and enthusiasm.

I am proud of the staff, the facilities and the opportunities which, in 2007, make St Philip's the school of choice for 570 students living in Alice Springs and distant parts of the Outback.

Welcome to our school.