Where are they now – Scott Phillips (SPC 1985-90)

The College recently reconnected with Scott Phillips (SPC 1985-90) who enjoyed the opportunity to catch up with some of his classmates at his recent Class of 1990 30-Year Reunion. Scott is now a school principal and appreciates his time at SPC for the development of lifelong friends.

 

Where has life taken you since leaving SPC?

After SPC I completed a Bachelor of Teaching (Majoring in PE/Science) and began teaching in 1995 in Melbourne.  My wife and I returned to Ballarat in 2000 when we started a family and I continued teaching at Ballarat Secondary College.

After leadership positions in secondary schools, I transitioned into a primary school Principal at Gordon Primary School before heading overseas to Jakarta International School where our family lived for two years and experienced a different part of the world. On return to Ballarat, I had Principal roles at Creswick North PS, Canadian Lead PS, leading to where I am now which is Delacombe PS.  I have been at Delacombe PS for six years where I have seen it grow from 265 students to 484 students today.

For most of my time in Ballarat, I have lived in Buninyong with my wife Nicole and two sons Lachlan and Mitchell.

 

Do you have family ties with SPC?

Both my uncles went to St Pat’s and my grandfather also boarded and went to St Patrick’s College.  My two sons also went through St Patrick’s from Year 7 to Year 12.

Lachlan (my eldest son) finished Year 12 at St Pat’s in 2017 and Mitchell finished in 2019.  One of the highlights for us as a family was travelling alongside the First XVIII team when they toured Ireland in 2019.  Mitchell was a vice captain of the team at the time.  Both of our boys enjoyed their time and have lifelong friends from their schooling at St Pat’s.

 

What are your fondest memories of your time at St Patrick’s College?

There was this one time on band camp……. just kidding.

My fondest memory of St Patrick’s is the development of lifelong friends, both day students and boarders.  There were many laughs, stories, pranks and lots of sport, which suited me.

It wouldn’t be right not to mention the 1990 boatrace win. Robert Canlon wouldn’t forgive me if I didn’t give it a mention.

Which teacher from your time at SPC had the greatest impact on you?

Mr Peter Gutteridge always seem to connect with many of us and I liked him as a teacher in Maths.  Mr (Alan) Rossetto, I also really enjoyed in my Year 12 History class.  It was also where I got my highest grade.

How has your education shaped your professional life?

I have gone into teaching, so education has been a pretty important component.  One aspect I have always admired about St Patrick’s is its ability to develop a sense of pride in the school and sense of what it stands for.  The connectedness to school and to each other is one that has supported me through my professional life.

 

 

How has your time at SPC shaped your personal values and your family life?

SPC, my parents and my mates have both shaped my own values.

Those values around personal responsibility, personal best, integrity, enjoyment and consideration of others.  I could go on but it is starting to sound like a front cover of a school information booklet.

I think I have always tried to work hard but enjoy life.

 

 

If you could pass on one message to the students of today, what would it be?

It would be a message of respect for one another and find ways to be able to enjoy your life.