Young Parents College

As part of St Philip’s Christian College Tailored Education, our school operation and delivery is distinctive in that it is geared to meet the needs of Young Parents.

The needs of teenage mothers and fathers are complex. Many experience homelessness, domestic violence and have experienced a range of trauma. The importance of education for teen parents in breaking cycles of disadvantage is well documented and is an important health and social issue. Some of these risks include long-term psychological, educational, social and economic consequences for both young mothers and their children. 

Based on Christian beliefs and values, through a non-judgmental, trauma informed approach, we recognise the importance of a warm and inviting place and space, flexible curriculum and learning programs, student wellbeing, an onsite Early Learning Centre, and the ongoing training and specialised development of staff.

Through this we provide teenage/young parents the opportunity of generational change through education in an inclusive, culturally safe space; with a focus on social, emotional, spiritual and academic development. 

Our environment is unique with both the School and Early Learning Centre onsite to conjointly support teen parents to re-engage with their education while their children are cared for and educated in a rich and nurturing environment.

Our partnerships with community organisations are key for the wrap around support that these young people need. Our onsite early learning centres are uniquely designed to support both parents and children through early education to strengthen parenting skills and early attachment. Providing wrap-around parenting support, the early learning centres provide a positive early experience of education which further breaks cycles of educational disengagement.

We offer a dual generational approach to supporting our young parents and their children. As the young parent studies in their classroom, the children are also learning and developing skills in a stimulating and nurturing environment in the Early Learning Centre.

DALE Young Parents has been operating since 2000, initially as a Young Mothers’ Program, designed to meet the need of young mother’s wanting to complete their education while parenting, but found the barriers too challenging to continue.

In 2016, the DALE Young Mothers' Program transitioned to SPCC DALE Young Parents and became a registered and accredited Special Assistance School for young mums and dads. We are now know as Young Parents College.

We have two campuses located in Newcastle and on the Central Coast, providing flexible learning environments. 

Young Parents College was birthed out of a desire to provide quality education and care to both teen parents and their children to ensure a successful schooling and parenting journey for both generations.

Attached to each of our campuses is a fully accredited Early Learning Centre - Narnia. 

Narnia Young Parents exists to provide a supportive partnership for our parents who are studying at the Young Parents College. They understand that as many of our young parents are determined to improve their own circumstances, their motivation is also to provide a loving environment for their little ones and to improve the future prospects for their babies.

Whilst their parents are studying in the classroom, the children are engaged in a stimulating, early learning program. The student classroom is adjacent to Narnia Early Learning, enabling the parents to participate in the daily nurturing of their children. 

We partner with a number of organisations to provide support to our Young Parents. This collaborative model of dual generational, holistic education and parent support, ultimately results in a confident and school-ready child and a confident HSC graduate, with the skills and qualifications to continue on to tertiary education orient a career pathway. 

At Young Parents College it is our aim to ensure that young parents and their children are provided with the best opportunities for success for the Whole of Their Life.

We offer a full HSC program including VET options for students as their children engage in onsite early learning.

Young Parents College is a funded service offering inclusive, high-quality education, in a non-judgemental, safe and supportive environment.

Statement of Aims

1. Supporting pregnant and parenting teens to complete the Higher School Certificate in an engaging learning environment.
2. Supporting the children of teen parents through inclusive quality early learning, partnering with families to build attachment and emotional resilience
3. Supporting culture – closing the gap 
   “Through young eyes, together, we all stand as one to learn and grow”
4. Supporting growth and change through physical, emotional, social, and spiritual wellbeing - for the whole of their life