As Principal Helen Finlay prepares to say goodbye to St Peter’s Woodlands, we mark the conclusion of a remarkable chapter in our school’s story.

Helen’s final day will be at the end of Week 6, Term 1, 2026, as she and her husband relocate to New South Wales to support their elderly parents. As part of this move, Helen has accepted the position of Principal at Oxford Falls Grammar.

While we are saddened by her departure, we are deeply grateful for the extraordinary leadership and dedication she has brought to our community over the past five years.

Helen joined SPW in the midst of the COVID pandemic, relocating from Sydney — an early sign of her courage, commitment and willingness to step into the unknown for the sake of education. Since that time, she has led with vision, passion and faith, guiding our school through a significant season of growth, innovation and achievement.

During Helen’s tenure, the school has experienced substantial strategic development and renewal, including:

• A strengthened approach to literacy and numeracy through structured blocks of explicit instruction
• The development of Project RISE, an award-winning educational framework recognised nationally
• The launch of the DARE Year 6 Graduate Diploma
• The redevelopment of the Year 1 classrooms and redesign of the Year 5 and 6 learning spaces
• A renewed focus on student wellbeing, including enhancements such as The Zone and the introduction of the comprehensive ESO Support Model
• The visioning and development of the Dr Pamela Wall Multi-Purpose Building
• The implementation of a comprehensive Service Learning Program from Reception to Year 6
• The introduction of much-loved community events such as Christmas on the Green and the Year 6 Graduation Dinner

Helen’s outstanding leadership has also elevated the profile of SPW beyond our community. In 2024, she was named Principal of the Year at The Educator Awards, and our school was recognised as one of South Australia’s Innovative Schools — an honour shared with only two other schools in the state.

As Helen prepares to farewell our community, we are committed to ensuring a smooth and confident transition into this next chapter. A clear leadership and staffing structure is in place to provide continuity and stability.

The SPW School Council has appointed Sarah Noell, our current Deputy Principal and Head of Early Years, as Acting Principal. Sarah is a highly respected and experienced leader who is deeply known and loved within our community. Having worked closely alongside Helen, she understands the strategic direction of the school and shares the same forward-thinking vision for innovative, student-centred education.

Sarah leads with warmth, wisdom and heart, and is passionate about seeing every child thrive. We are confident that SPW is in very good hands and that our community will continue to flourish under her capable and steady leadership.