Today we honour an incredible educator for a remarkable 40-year teaching career. Having accepted a new position with the Association of Independent Schools of NSW’s, today is Helen Lee’s final day as Assistant Principal.  

Helen has made a positive difference in countless lives, and her dedication to education has inspired generations of students. With a passion for educational excellence, and for encouraging young people to be all that God has called them to be, Helen’s impact goes far beyond the classroom. This was evident yesterday as students and staff created a guard of honour as she left the classroom for the last time, to cheer her all the way through the College.  

We wish Helen the very best as she takes on the position of Leadership Consultant with the Association of Independent Schools of NSW.  

We trust you will enjoy Helen’s reflections on her time at SPCC and her final student devotion, where she reflects on God’s provision, strength, and peace.  Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-LqZI3rBss

If you wish to share any encouragements with Helen, please email them to Newcastle.alumni@spcc.nsw.edu.au or post them below and we will be sure to pass them on!  

Name…Helen Lee

I’ve been at SPCC Newcastle for... 22 and a half years

During that time, I have...Been a Middle School Home Room Teacher, English and History Teacher, Acting Faculty Head of TAS, Middle School Curriculum Coordinator, Director of GATE, Executive Director of Learning and Teaching, Faculty Head of Music, Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching.

Today I’m motivated/inspired by…building into emerging leaders. I love mentoring and coaching middle level leaders and helping them to see what they can become using their God given strengths and gifts. Great school leaders have been shown to have important positive impacts on student learning and wellbeing. Is there anything more important than growing the next generation of Australians?

At school, I am famous for...introducing new staff in Chapel in a way which is both awkward, and hilarious (even if I do say so myself).

Constantly harping on about our 2 jobs: leading children and young people to know that there is a God who loves them and deeply desires a relationship with them, and improving student outcomes through excellence in teaching, learning and culture, so that our young people can fulfil their beautiful, unique potential. I will never stop believing that this is the work of Christian Schooling.

A great memory I have from SPCC is...I have so many great memories of the hundreds of students I have taught and known at SPCC over the almost 23 years I’ve been here. Brittany Flinn bringing her horse to our first Medieval Day. Seamus Barrett re-writing Three Blind Mice in the style of Matthew Reilly. Alex Meyer producing English assignments in Year 7 that could have been done by a university student. Quiet achievers like Alex Fogg who continue to impress today. Theo Rule throwing a sandwich into a fan in Year 8 English. Why, Theo? Why? Finding a love note between two Year 7 students who were counting down the days til their marriage. The joy of being Home Room Teacher to Year 12 Leadership Groups. Seeing young people explore faith and life. And one of my absolute favourites when a lock down drill came over the speakers and my whole Year 7 class locked themselves in a large storage cupboard, resulting in a broken arm for one student and a whole lot of broken Music Man mugs. For the record – I did NOT instruct them to do this and to this day, have no idea how it happened. Anyone reading this who can fill in the blank – please do!! Honestly, this list of incredible memories of students could go on forever. I have loved being a part of all these lives, and each life has shaped mine.

The best piece of advice I ever received...Was from Brian McCowen in my early years in Middle School who gently and wisely reminded me there was already a saviour of the universe, and I was not Him.

One last thing...For more than 2 decades, I have loved the community of St Philip’s Waratah and my colleagues across all our campuses. I am so thankful for the hundreds of colleagues (both educators and incredible support staff) students, and parents who have contributed to who I am as a person, leader, and educator today.

Everything in life that matters is about people, loving them, being kind, listening deeply and being fully present. The only moment you have is the one you are having right now, and the most important person is the one in front of you. May you know God’s love and presence surrounding you always. My heartfelt thanks to all.