Leadership Team

Liz Pelling – Principal

Liz Pelling joined Colonel Light Gardens Primary School in 2022, transitioning from her previous role at Coromandel Valley Primary School. As she embarks on her second principalship, Liz is dedicated to advancing the Site Learning Plan through close collaboration with the school community to enhance student learning opportunities at CLG.

With extensive experience in various curriculum roles, as well as Deputy and Principal leadership positions, Liz is committed to providing leadership and support to staff. She encourages continuous reflection on quality learning initiatives to foster educational excellence. With a passion for student agency and the development of learning dispositions she encourages both creative and evidence based learning approaches.

In her role as Principal, Liz also oversees a range of responsibilities, including communication, finance, curriculum initiatives, the Education subcommittee, and staff development.

Lisa Chakiris - Deputy Principal

We are delighted to have Lisa Chakiris as our Deputy Principal for Student Services and Inclusion at Colonel Light Gardens Primary School. With over 10 years of leadership experience, Lisa is passionate about creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where every student feels valued and supported. Her extensive background includes working in diverse educational settings, such as London, One Tree Hill, and Burnside Primary School.

Lisa is dedicated to ensuring that all students have access to the resources and support their need to succeed. She works closely with families and staff to make necessary accommodations and adjustments, catering to the unique needs of each child and fostering a sense of belonging and community. Her commitment to student success makes her a cherished member of our school family.

Penny Rowe – Assistant Principal

Penny Rowe joined Colonel Light Gardens Primary School in 2018 as Assistant Principal, bringing extensive experience from both interstate and international roles within the education sector. Her primary focus is on leading the Junior Primary, Digital Learning, and Literacy programs, ensuring the continuous enhancement of student learning opportunities at CLG.

Penny takes pride in building strong relationships with families, students, and staff. She brings a wealth of expertise in teaching and learning, strategic planning, policy writing, play pedagogy, and leveraging digital technologies to enhance learning outcomes. Valuing student agency, Penny enjoys working closely with teachers and students to improve learning outcomes. With a background in diverse areas of the school, she is dedicated to providing leadership and support for staff, encouraging reflection and innovation in teaching practices. Her role also encompasses responsibilities in curriculum development, digital integration, and fostering literacy excellence. Penny is committed to working collaboratively with the school community to drive improvement and inspire a love of learning.

Stew Nancarrow – Assistant Principal

Before joining Colonel Light Gardens Primary School in 2023, Stew Nancarrow served as a Middle School Leader at Blackwood High School, focusing on Learner Improvement and Pedagogy. He also led Learner Agency initiatives at the primary level at Eden Hills Primary School.

As Assistant Principal at CLG, Stew is dedicated to fostering high-quality teaching and learning while implementing the new South Australian Curriculum across all year levels. With extensive experience in classroom management, pedagogy, curriculum development, and providing intellectual support and challenge, Stew is committed to supporting the implementation of our Site Improvement Plan, particularly in enhancing Numeracy development and developing Learner Agency across the school.

Stew is deeply committed to becoming an integral part of the CLG community and is eager to build on its already strong foundations.