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Best National Achievement Award
Richard Nash
Seven Hills State School
Queensland
Re-engaging the school and its community
Richard Nash, as Acting Principal at Seven Hills State School, is an outstanding example of how strong leadership energises and inspires school communities to work together to improve student outcomes.
Richard’s strength has been to focus the whole school on student achievement. Based on the philosophy of multi-age education, Richard and his team have developed a balanced curriculum framework, introduced Information and Communications Technologies to the classroom and provided varied and exciting learning programs. Teachers have been involved in a diverse range of professional learning opportunities and taken leadership initiatives that encourage learners to strive for social and academic success.
Richard’s community minded approach to school leadership has generated a supportive school culture that brings students, parents and teachers together in a vibrant learning community.
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Highly Commended
Deborah Gilbert
Bulahdelah Central School
New South Wales
Engagement in the middle years
Deborah Gilbert’s exceptional leadership as Head of Student Welfare and Middle School Coordinator at Bulahdelah Central School has played a major role in breaking down the barriers to learning for young people.
The focus of Deborah’s endeavours is to create the best educational opportunities for all students. She has taken a lead role in increasing access to education for Indigenous students; set up school and district wide counselling networks and addressed issues of isolation experienced by rural students.
Deborah leads and influences by example to forge new thinking about teaching and learning, and her educational leadership skills are recognised state wide.
Elena Hawkins
Kirwan State High School
Queensland
Vocational education
As head of Department of Vocational Education and Training at Kirwan State High School, Elena Hawkins has had outstanding success in increasing the opportunities for students in vocational education.
Elena has brought passion, commitment and energy to a program of work experience and industry placement for a large cohort of students. School based trainees and apprentices have won numerous awards and have enjoyed recognition for their skills.
Elena works with the vocational education and training sector, with industry groups and employers, with parents and the community and with colleagues to produce outstanding resources for the program. This dedication has seen the popularity of vocational education courses in the school increase significantly.
Suzan Hirsch
St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School, Asquith
New South Wales
Boys’ education
Suzan Hirsch, teacher and Boys’ Education Coordinator at St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School and for the Diocese of Broken Bay, has made a significant contribution to the learning opportunities of students.
Suzan’s passion and commitment to research and teaching practice have inspired teachers to explore new teaching methods that engage a diversity of students’ abilities. Her evidence-based approach to planning enables teachers to monitor the changes and shifts in student learning and adapt programs appropriately.
Suzan’s outstanding leadership in boys’ education is highly regarded by the profession and the community as having a lasting impact on the opportunities and achievements of students.
Debra Turley
Salisbury High School
South Australia
Engaging students in science
Debra Turley, Assistant Principal at Salisbury High School, has revitalised the teaching of Science and substantially increased the number of students involved in science based courses.
The implementation of an improved Science curriculum by Debra dramatically increased the engagement, opportunities and achievement of students. Science education moved from a traditional classroom approach to an exciting program that includes robotics, electronics, horticulture and engineering. These innovations, along with industry partnerships, created new science and engineering pathways for students, leading to future employment opportunities.
Debra’s enthusiasm and leadership has built a strong team of enthusiastic science teachers who provide diverse and exciting options for students.
Leanne Randolph
Forest Lake State High School
Queensland
Vocational opportunities
Leanne Randolph, Head of Senior Schooling at Forest Lake State High School, significantly increased the number of students enrolled in workplace training and apprenticeships.
Leanne’s exceptional leadership ability enabled students to select from a variety of career pathways. She initiated and led a wide range of vocational programs that cater for students’ interests and needs; and established links with local employers, industry, training organisations and universities. She successfully trained colleagues to effectively lead vocational programs in the school.
Leanne’s commitment and passion have made a real difference to opportunities for young people resulting in an increasing number of students gaining worthwhile vocational experience.