St Phillip’s College applies to register Central Australian Transition School in Alice Springs

A high-performing Alice Springs college has applied to set up a new school which will bring children who have ‘drifted away from schooling’ back into the fold of education. See the plans.

St Phillip’s College submitted a formal application to the NT Registrar for non-government schools in September 2023, to establish the Central Australian Transition School. Picture: Google

A high-achieving Alice Springs college has applied to set up a new school which will bring children who have drifted away from schooling back into the fold of education.

St Phillip’s College submitted a formal application to the NT Registrar for non-government schools in September 2023, to establish the Central Australian Transition School.

If approved, the new school would offer specialised education for students in Years 7 to 9 who are transitioning to mainstream schooling, or an alternative pathway to vocational training.

The new school would be located on Schwarz Cr, where Alice Springs’ former RSL building once sat.

It will serve as an alternative to the school’s existing bridging program for middle school students.

St Phillip's College current campus in Alice Springs.

School board chair Bruce McKay said the application was part of St Phillip’s College’s plan to “address educational needs” in Central Australia.

“While the bridging program was beneficial for some, this approach is not the most appropriate option for students who struggle with academic achievement or who have become disengaged from education,” Mr McKay said.

“Should the NT Government grant registration in the near future, [St Phillip’s College] as an interim measure, would be able to commence transition school operations, utilising some existing college facilities while the new facility is established.

“This approach is currently being used in other states. For example in Sydney, one education provider has two separate schools in the same multi-story building.”

St Phillip's College staff celebrate World Teachers Day.

Principal Leslie Tilbrook said the school would re-engage students who had “drifted away from schooling”, and help them realise their “potential to achieve more”.

“The Transition School will cater for those secondary age students for whom the college’s mainstream and bridging programs are not a suitable option,” Ms Tilbrook said.

“The Transition School will support bridging program entry, or access to alternate vocational education and training pathways, either at St Philip’s or with another provider in Alice Springs.”

The new school would be registered separately to St Phillip’s College, because its goals go beyond what the college currently offers in its curriculums.