St Phillip's Christian College - Port Stephens Campus

## 1. Overview St Philip's Christian College – Port Stephens Campus is an independent Christian school serving families in Salamander Bay and the surrounding Port Stephens area. The campus offers a co-educational, faith-based learning environment across a range of year levels, with a focus on holistic development, values-driven education and community involvement. The school is medium-sized, delivering a close-knit community feel while providing access to a broad range of programs. Class sizes are typically in the small-to-medium range, supporting more personalised attention and strong relationships between students and teachers. The atmosphere emphasises nurture, inclusion and a supportive culture that encourages academic effort, faith-based growth and active participation in school life. ⸻ ## 2. Academics & Learning - Academic strengths: English and Mathematics are core focus areas, with strong emphasis on literacy, numeracy and STEM-related learning. Leadership development and Christian studies are integrated into the curriculum, with opportunities for broader languages where available. - Special programs: Gifted and Talented pathways and opportunities for accelerated learning may be offered, along with programs that encourage leadership, service, and character development. - NAPLAN / trends: NSW NAPLAN trends for the campus typically show steady progress and strengths in key literacy and numeracy areas; the school tracks progress over time and uses data to guide teaching and targeted support. - Student-teacher ratios: Class sizes are designed to be manageable to support interaction and feedback, with teacher-to-student ratios commonly in the low-to-mid teens and up to the mid-20s depending on year level and subject. - Support for diverse learners: The school provides EAL support, SEN/staffing for learning support, and inclusive practices to help diverse learners access the curriculum and participate fully in classroom and school life. ⸻ ## 3. Sports & Extracurricular Strengths - Sports offered: A range of team and individual sports typical to NSW schools, including soccer, basketball, rugby or football, netball, cricket and athletics, with pathways for inter-school competition. - Strong teams or achievements: Active participation in local and regional competitions with opportunities for competitive teams and school sport pride across age groups. - Music, arts, drama programs: Robust performing arts and music programs, including choir, ensembles and drama productions that feature in school events and productions. - Clubs: Robotics, coding, chess, debating and other clubs are commonly available to extend learning beyond the classroom. - Partnerships: The campus engages with local clubs and competitions to provide broader opportunities for sport, STEM, arts and academics, including regional events and leagues. ⸻ ## 4. Wellbeing & Pastoral Care - Anti-bullying approach: A proactive, whole-school stance against bullying with clear policies, student education and reporting mechanisms to ensure a safe environment. - House system: A house structure exists to promote community, leadership, teamwork and healthy competition across year levels. - Counsellors / wellbeing officers: Access to wellbeing staff and counsellors to support mental health, resilience and personal development. - Transition support for new students: Orientation programs, buddy systems and targeted transition support help new students settle into the school community smoothly. ⸻ ## 5. Facilities - Sports grounds: External facilities for physical education and team sports. - Libraries: A library that supports reading, research and study across year levels. - Science labs: Dedicated science spaces to support hands-on experiments and inquiry-based learning. - Music/performing arts centers: Facilities for music ensembles, drama productions and performances. - Tech/innovation labs: Modern spaces for technology, coding, robotics and digital learning activities. - Cafeteria: On-site canteen or cafe offering healthy meal and snack options. - Updated playgrounds: Age-appropriate, well-maintained outdoor play and recreational spaces. ⸻ ## 6. School Values & Community Culture - School values / mission: A Christ-centred education model focused on values such as integrity, compassion, responsibility, service and leadership within a supportive school community. - Leadership style: Relational and student-centred leadership with emphasis on pastoral care, mentorship and opportunities for student voice and responsibility. - Behaviour expectations: Clear conduct expectations aligned with the school’s values, with consistent routines, respect for others and responsibility in and out of the classroom. - Community reputation: A family-friendly and faith-informed community known for supportive staff, involved parents and active student participation. - Diversity & inclusion: An inclusive environment that welcomes students from varied backgrounds and supports diverse needs and talents. ⸻ ## 7. School Logistics & Daily Operations - School hours: Typical school day structure with start and finish times aligned to NSW practice; timetabling supports core subjects and specialist programs. - Before/after school care: Availability of before- and after-school care or extended supervision options in line with community needs. - Uniform requirements: School uniform policy with specified attire for daily wear and dress for formal occasions or house events. - Transport (bus routes): Bus routes and transport options are commonly available within the local area to support commuting families. - Canteen availability: On-site canteen or cafeteria offering healthy meal options for students. - Fees (low/medium/high ranges): Fees are in the mid-to-high range for private independent NSW schools; families should check current fee schedules for exact amounts and any additional costs (e.g., uniforms, excursions). ⸻ ## 8. Enrolment & Admissions 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline? - Expressions of interest or initial inquiry followed by a formal application. - Submission of required documents (birth certificates, immunisation information, academic records, etc.). - Admission assessment, interviews and/or Catholic/Christian ethos alignment discussions as appropriate. - Tours or information sessions, followed by consideration of availability, offers and enrolment confirmation. - Typical timelines can span several months, with rolling intake subject to space and sibling considerations. 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work? - There is often a waiting list when spaces are full. Placement can be influenced by factors such as sibling priority, date of application, and availability in year/stream. Parents may be invited to an interview or information session while awaiting a place. 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews? - Entry commonly involves an interview and a review of academic and pastoral fit. Some years may require assessments or demonstrations of readiness for specific programs. Documentation regarding immunisation and consent is usually requested. 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers? - Mid-year transfers are sometimes accommodated depending on space, timetable alignment and readiness of the student. Transfer will typically require academic transcripts, reports and an admission assessment or meeting. ⸻ ## 9. Frequently Asked Questions - Why Parents Choose This School? - A values-based, faith-informed education with a supportive community, small-to-medium class sizes and strong pastoral care that focuses on holistic development. - What type of student thrives at this school? - Students who are motivated, collaborative, respectful of others and who value a faith-inclusive community; those who benefit from personalised attention and a balance of academics, athletics and arts. - What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)? - Extended programs in English, Maths, STEM and leadership; a range of sports and teams; music, drama and arts pathways; clubs such as robotics, coding, chess and debating; service and leadership opportunities. - How does the school communicate with parents? - Regular updates via newsletters, emails and an online portal; parent-teacher meetings; annual reports and timely reminders about events and changes. - What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning? - A blend of faith-integrated education with evidence-based teaching practices, differentiation to meet diverse learner needs, and emphasis on critical thinking, character development and real-world application. - How does the school support students who need extra academic help? - Targeted learning support, tutoring or small-group interventions, EAL support where needed, and ongoing progress monitoring by teachers and specialists. - What support is available for academic challenges? - Access to learning support staff, academic coaching, adjustments or accommodations where appropriate, and collaboration with families to plan an effective path forward. - What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive? - Class sizes are small-to-medium, designed to allow more interaction with teachers and more timely feedback, with additional support available through teaching staff and specialists as needed. - What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available? - A broad range of sports (team and individual), music and drama programs, and clubs such as robotics, coding, chess and debating; opportunities to compete in regional events and showcases. - What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)? - Modern sports facilities, well-equipped science labs, music and performing arts spaces, libraries, technology/innovation labs, a canteen and updated outdoor play areas. - What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning? - Integrated digital learning with appropriate devices and platforms, teacher-led tech across the curriculum, and a focus on digital literacy, safety and responsible use. - What transport and accessibility options are available? - Local bus routes and transport options, plus accessible facilities to support students with varying needs and easy access to the campus. - What are typical school fees or additional costs? - Fee levels align with private independent NSW schools; there are additional costs for uniforms, excursions, technology, and other activities. Exact figures are available from the admissions team. ⸻ ## 10. Short Pros & Cons list - Pros - Values-based education with a strong pastoral framework - Supportive, smaller-to-medium class sizes - Holistic approach combining academics, faith, sports and arts - Broad extracurricular options and active student life - Accessible facilities and supportive learning environments - Cons - As a private independent school, fees are higher than public options - Availability of places can be limited; mid-year transfers may be subject to space - Religious alignment may not suit all families or students - Transport options depend on local routes and availability ⸻