St Peter’s Woodlands Grammar School has been named one of The Educator’s 5-Star Innovative Schools for 2024, recognized for its commitment to progressive education. Under Principal Helen Finlay’s leadership, the school continues to push boundaries with forward-thinking programs.
Finlay, also named The Educator’s Australian Primary Principal of the Year for a Non-Government School, credits her team. “A principal’s job is to cast a vision, but without a capable team, it would remain just that—a vision.”
One of the school’s key innovations is Project RISE, a student-centered learning framework blending inquiry-based learning with explicit instruction in literacy and numeracy. “We wanted a framework that truly reflected our context and priorities,” Finlay explained.
Another initiative, the DARE Diploma (Dream, Achieve, Reach, Experience), provides Year 6 students with hands-on experiences through micro-credentialing and external partnerships. “Students develop practical skills alongside academics—cooking, environmental conservation, CPR training, and more,” said Finlay.
A key component of the diploma is the Passion Project, where students dedicate a year to a personal interest. “Some restore motorcycles, others create recipe books or teach sailing,” Finlay noted. “The most important lesson is learning to pivot and problem-solve.”
To support inclusivity, the school launched The Village, a network for parents and carers of neurodiverse children. “Parenting can be isolating,” Finlay said. “This initiative provides a space to connect and share experiences.”
The school also invests in future educators through its teaching internship program. “Graduates spend four days as floating teachers and one day with a mentor,” Finlay explained. “By their second year, they feel confident and prepared.”
Finlay believes innovation must always be student focused. “We ask: Are we doing this for students’ best interests, or just because it’s the way we’ve always done it?”
With its commitment to forward-thinking education, St Peter’s Woodlands Grammar School is actively shaping the future of learning.
For more insights, watch the full interview with Helen Finlay on The Educator TV.