We come to the end of our four-part series on St Philip’s Christian College, Port Stephens and at this stage we see the College propel into a new season of growth and success.

Last year the College was in a fortunate position with a HSC Student, Brandon Smith, making the “HSC All Rounder” list.

The Board of Studies rewards students with the honour of being on the “All Rounder” list if they obtain a Band 6 across 10 units.

This year the College has the pleasure of announcing back-to-back success with the news of Grace Kim being on the All Rounder list for 2016, joining the top students of NSW in this honour.

“It is a great encouragement to the staff at St Philip’s to see students perform at that level,” Principal Dr Tim Petterson told Bay News Of The Area.

“Even more satisfying is seeing students achieve a higher level of success than they previously thought they would,” Dr Petterson said.

“Helping students to realise their potential is a key driver of what we do here at the College,” he added.

When it comes to success, the college is seeing many new plans unfold including the opening of “Narnia” a Christian Preschool and Early Learning Centre, scheduled for opening on January 16, 2017.

With the motivation of the College being whole-of-life educators, Narnia will educate the children from 0-5 years.

This means St Philip’s Christian College now has the opportunity to educate the children from 0-18 years old.

In 2017, the College has plans to begin the construction of a state-of-the-art building designed specifically to meet the needs of Senior Students.

At a cost of 7.5 million dollars, the three-storey building will be situated behind the current basketball court.

The top level will consist entirely of a study common room for the Year 11 & 12 students with panoramic views over the surrounding bushland.

The second level will consist of eight senior classrooms.

The ground level will contain a Café and a two-storey lecture theatre equal in comparison to any modern university as well as an undercover seating area.

“There is a master plan written for the next season of the College and that is to accommodate 1200 students over the next 10 years,” Dr Petterson said.

“It is something we are very excited about not just for ourselves but for the families of Port Stephens,” Dr Petterson added.

One thing for sure is that the best is yet to come in the life of the College, and it will be wonderful as a local community, to be eyewitnesses to its journey.

By Jewell DRURY