He and his wife established Griffiths House, on a site in the town centre, and for many years it became home for students from all over the Outback, including many young Aboriginal people.
In the late 1950's the Rev Dr Fred McKay, successor to the Rev John Flynn as Superintendent of the Australian Inland Mission, lobbied the United Church in the Northern Territory to build and expand on this important start.
Together the Presbyterian, Methodist and Congregational churches embarked on a missionary venture to develop St Philip's College - a new, larger residential hostel which would one day become a full boarding school.
An ideal site - 22 acres of bush at the junction of the Charles and Todd Rivers and backing on to the Telegraph Station National Park - was secured and after six years of planning, construction began in 1964.
Fred McKay led the legendary work parties comprised of volunteers from all over Australia who travelled to Alice Springs, paying their own way and volunteering their expertise, time and labour, to turn a dream into a reality. This fantastic tradition continues today, with work parties arriving each mid-year holiday.
On 13 February 1965 the first boarders moved in to St Philip's College.
For the first 24 years, therefore, St Philip's College operated as a residential hostel only.
The College’s ninth Headmaster, Mr Christopher Tudor, arrived in 1986. He and the Council Chairman, Mrs Jan Heaslip, judged that the time was right to complete the original plan to turn St Philip’s College into a fully fledged independent boarding/day school, serving not only “bush” families, but also the growing population of Alice Springs.
The then College Council embraced the idea and three years of frantic, determined preparation and planning commenced, culminating in an extensive $2 million building program in 1988.
In 2016, after 30 years of unprecedented and dedicated service Headmaster, Chris Tudor retired. During his tenure the College saw growth in student numbers and in the construction of campus facilities. Current Principal, Leslie Tilbrook continues the vision set by her predecesors in ensuring that all children in Outback Australia have access to excellence in education.
To this day there continues to be further development with construction starting on the Discovery Centre in 2023.
College History Book - The Right Amount of Crazy
To read more about the history of St Philip's College, order your own copy of - The Right Amount of Crazy - St Philip's College & Griffiths House 75 years.
To order your own copy, please contact our College Reception on (08) 8950 4511