Kevin Bennett SC
Kent Street Senior High School
Western Australia
Aviation studies
In the specialised teaching area of aviation, Kevin Bennett has created an exceptional learning experience for Kent Street Senior High School students.
Kevin delivers an innovative and exemplary specialised education program to an ever increasing cohort of students. His strong technical knowledge is complemented by a passion for his subject, commitment to his students and an inspirational approach drawing on an array of teaching strategies. Kevin’s efforts bring great results, with a number of graduates taking up high level careers in the defence force and commercial aviation.
Kevin keeps the challenging program relevant through close liaison with industry and develops curriculum materials for wide use in aviation education.
Rebecca Chapman
St Benedict’s Catholic Primary School
Western Australia
Achieving learning potential
Rebecca Chapman’s exceptional passion and drive have led to a significant increase in the literacy achievements of students at St Benedict’s Catholic Primary School.
Her extensive knowledge and skills in teaching literacy, her ability to draw on each student’s potential, the involvement of families in their children’s learning and the intensive support provided to learners have led to success in literacy results.
Rebecca’s commitment to fostering learning extends to gifted and talented students. The enrichment program she provides enables students to participate in advanced academic courses in a range of subjects through local community organisations and at university.
Ramona Elliott
Willetton Senior High School
Western Australia
Gifted and talented education in science
Ramona Elliott has introduced Willetton Senior High School students to cutting edge technologies in science, leading her students to receive a number of national awards.
Her innovative teaching practices have increased student motivation and engagement in science. Her revision of the Year 9 Earth Sciences course introduced stimulating activities and generated new interest in Earth and Environmental Science in Years 11 and 12. Local industry has taken an active interest in classroom projects and research.
Ramona is an inspiring teacher whose professional practice, participation in professional learning, collaboration with colleagues and rapport with students and families provides exceptional educational experiences and opportunities for her students.
Kerri Furlong
Mitchelton State High School
Queensland
Japanese language education
Kerri Furlong’s drive and enthusiasm for the teaching of languages is integral to the success of Japanese studies at Mitchelton State High School.
The marked increase in the number of students choosing to continue their study of Japanese is attributed to the opportunities Kerri provides for students to apply and extend their language learning. Kerri’s classroom is a vibrant learning environment where students are engaged in Japanese cultural activities, use new technologies and connect with local community groups and native Japanese speakers.
Kerri’s passion and commitment have strengthened student and community interest in Japanese and built a strong foundation for future language study opportunities.
Noel Gibson
Bracken Ridge State High School
Queensland
Information and Communications Technology
Noel Gibson’s dedication and inspiring work have provided new vocational pathways for students and brought about an increase in student enrolments in Information and Communications Technology courses.
Through the use of interactive teaching strategies and resources, Noel fosters higher order thinking and problem solving skills and connects students to learning anywhere, anytime. The Year 10 transition course he introduced enables students to develop multimedia skills through self-paced online activities, providing them with successful pathways to senior learning courses.
Noel has greatly improved the way teachers work and communicate throughout the school and has influenced primary and secondary teaching of Information and Communications Technology across the state.
Graham Herlihy
Robina State High School
Queensland
Sport and life skills
Graham Herlihy, senior Mathematics teacher at Robina State High School, has had great success in re-engaging students in learning through a comprehensive program involving sport and life skills. His innovative approach has been highly successful in improving academic and behavioural outcomes for students.
Graham is an inspirational teacher with high expectations for all students. He links learning to social contexts. He supports students in their learning through group mentoring, tutorials and recognition of success. Graham’s commitment has greatly assisted students to achieve results beyond their expectations, and experience success in the classroom and on the sporting field.
Mark Howie
Penrith High School
New South Wales
Outstanding English teaching
As Head Teacher of English at Penrith High School, Mark Howie’s creative and engaging teaching strategies combined with his exceptional command of his subject area have motivated students and nurtured their enthusiasm for learning.
Mark sets high standards for all students and supports them to achieve their potential. Students see him as an inspiring, memorable and influential teacher; a teacher who challenges them intellectually and equips them with the knowledge and confidence they need in their post-school endeavours.
Mark shares his knowledge generously across the profession. He proves that dedication, innovation and striving for excellence bring great results and open up a lifetime of opportunity for young people.
Julie Lambert
Seaford 6 – 12 School
South Australia
Middle Years of Schooling
Julie Lambert’s innovative and stimulating approach to teaching middle year students at Seaford 6 – 12 School inspires students to enjoy learning and develop independent learning skills.
She is a dedicated and caring teacher who creates stimulating learning opportunities for all students. Her ability to build strong relations with students, the inclusion of everyday learning experiences in the curriculum and her knowledge of quality learning principles underpin the success students achieve in Julie’s classes.
Julie supports beginning teachers and provides leadership and mentoring to colleagues in her role as District Quality Learning Consultant.
Sarah Long
All Saints Anglican School
Queensland
English communication
Sarah Long has inspired young people at All Saints Anglican School to develop a new interest and pride in their studies, achieve impressive academic results and take up tertiary studies and employment opportunities.
The English Communication program developed by Sarah has been instrumental in improving the educational and employment opportunities for students who had not previously experienced academic success.
Sarah’s dedication to quality teaching and learning is demonstrated by her knowledge and understanding of educational issues, her creative range of teaching and assessment tasks and encouragement of students to succeed.
Rebecca Lowe
Murgon State High School
Queensland
Hospitality studies
Rebecca Lowe has significantly improved the learning opportunities and wellbeing of students at Murgon State High School.
Through her engaging teaching strategies, community partnership initiatives and the introduction of tertiary certificate courses, enrolments and retention of students in home economics and hospitality subjects have significantly increased.
Rebecca organises and supports camps, works closely with community groups and has developed a range of successful extra curricular activities at the school. Her initiative in linking young people with local industries has opened up access to post-school qualifications and to future employment in the community.
Ken McBeath
Campbelltown Performing Arts High School
New South Wales
Performing Arts
Ken McBeath has created a lively learning environment leading students to experience outstanding results in drama studies.
As Head of Performing Arts for four years, Ken has stimulated and developed a thriving department that hosts over thirty performances a year in a range of media including film, drama and musical theatre, dance ensembles, rock concerts and circus performances. Working with local elders he has transformed oral histories into dramatic productions.
Ken’s commitment and exceptional ability have opened up a wealth of opportunities for learning both within and outside the school and attracted increasing numbers of students to the school.
Emma Medhurst
Salisbury High School
South Australia
Achievements in special education
Emma Medhurst, Assistant Principal at Salisbury High School, has shown passion and vision for improving the outcomes and future opportunities for special needs students.
Emma engages and motivates her students by involving them in the design of the curriculum and includes a wide range of staff and community members in their learning. Emma creates individual programs for a diverse range of needs, setting high standards of achievement. As a result students have stayed on at school to complete their senior studies, achieved beyond expectations and have gained a foundation for their future.
Emma’s role in guiding her students to success is underpinned by her focus on student abilities rather than disabilities.
Robert Pratt
Campus Kindergarten
Queensland
Early childhood education for sustainability
Robert Pratt has led the transformation of the Campus Kindergarten into an exciting ecological learning community where young students enthusiastically contribute to the health of their local environment.
Through an integrated curriculum Robert provides practical ways for students to interact with the natural environment and engage in discussions that challenge their thinking and ideas about the world. The links Robert has established with the wider community, higher education institutions and professional associations have extended learning opportunities for students and colleagues.
Robert’s dedication, expert knowledge and willingness to share has improved environmental awareness in the local community and has laid a strong foundation for quality early childhood education.
Kerry Short
Wanganui Park Secondary College
Victoria
Creative photography
At Wanganui Park Secondary College Kerry Short’s passion for photography teaching has paved the way for future employment opportunities for students and national recognition of their work.
Kerry provides exceptional guidance to enable his students to communicate through the art of photography. He nurtures students, encouraging them to assist each other, develop their own style and follow their own paths of expression. This exciting learning environment is reflected in the high degree of interest in the College’s photography course.
Kerry’s commitment to teaching and his belief in each student’s potential have made a difference to the lives of many young people at Wanganui Park Secondary College.
Andrew Thomson
Balgowlah North Public School
New South Wales
Authentic learning
Andrew Thomson is a dedicated teacher at Balgowlah North Public School who makes an outstanding contribution to the lives of students. He engages students in learning and promotes a love of learning.
By developing an environment high in social support, he has inspired students with the confidence to gain new skills. With a strong understanding of the diverse needs of students in his classroom, he has developed effective ways of promoting high order thinking skills across the curriculum.
Andrew’s professionalism, teaching skills and leadership qualities inspire colleagues, parents and students.