NEiTA Awards


	Recipients

National Award Recipients 2004
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HONOURS FOR NATION’S OUTSTANDING TEACHERS

Melbourne, Friday, 18 February, 2005 32 of Australia’s outstanding preschool, primary and secondary teachers were honoured at a presentation of the ASG National Excellence in Teaching Awards (NEiTAs) held at the Hotel Windsor. Also announced was the teacher who will represent Australian school teachers at the NASA International Space Camp to be held in the USA later this year.

Jenny Macklin, MP, federal shadow Minister for Education, Training, Science and Research presented the awards on behalf of the NEiTA Foundation at a function attended by some 200 people, including representatives of national Principals, teachers and parent associations, unions , community organisations, teachers and their guests.

Each of the 32 Early Childhood, Primary and secondary teachers honoured received the coveted lead crystal apple trophy of the Foundation and endowments for their schools.

The teachers were selected from over 2900 nominations received nationally from School Councils, parent committees, parents and secondary students and are open to full-time teachers in early childhood centres, primary and secondary schools in the government, catholic and independent school systems throughout Australia.

PERTH TEACHER NAMED AS AUSTRALIAN REPRESENTATIVE TO NASA SPACE CAMP

Carl Sanderson who teaches a Years 6/7 class at Kensington Primary School in Perth’s inner south will represent Australia’s teachers at the International Space camp held in Huntsville, Alabama.

The NASA representative to Australia and South East Asia, Mr Neal Newman announced Carl’s award and presented him with a trophy and travel grant from the Australian Scholarships Group.

The camp brings together top US teachers and representatives from over 30 other countries. Participants take part in test flight simulations, workshops, lectures on space technology, engineering and research.

Carl has a reputation at his school for being ‘highly student centred’ in his teaching style and has brought an inspiring, imaginative and innovative technology and enterprise curriculum to the school. His lessons have included teaching students to build rockets, a glider project, a program for students to learn and perform circus skills and to participate in a recycled fashions show.

The Prime Minister and the Premier of Western Australia were among many who sent congratulations to Carl. In his message, the Prime Minister, Mr John Howard, stated, “It gives me great pleasure to congratulate Mr. Carl Sanderson on his selection to attend the …(NASA) International Space Camp… This is an outstanding achievement and will provide a unique opportunity to explore concepts of science, technology and mathematics in a cutting edge environment.” WA Premier, Dr Geoff Gallop, wrote “…to be chosen as Australia’s representative to the NASA Space Camp is a magnificent achievement and a justifiable reward for the leadership you have displayed in technology and enterprise education.”

Carl hopes to share this Space Camp experience with his class, and also with all Australian students through a web log which he will update during the camp experience..

Neal Newman, NASA Representative to Australia and S E Asia (on right),
with Carl Sanderson, Australian representative to the NASA Camp

Early Childhood National Award recipients for 2004 with
Jenny Macklin MP, Shadow Minister for Education,
Science, Training and Research, ( third from left )
at The Windsor of Melbourne, 18th February 2005

Primary National Award recipients for 2004 with
Jenny Macklin MP, Shadow Minister for Education,
Science, Training and Research,
at The Windsor of Melbourne, 18th February 2005

Secondary National Award recipients for 2004 with
Jenny Macklin MP, Shadow Minister for Education,
Science, Training and Research,
at The Windsor of Melbourne, 18th February 2005

	MICK ADAMS B.A, Grad.Dip.Ed SECONDARY Airds High School, Airds New South Wales
	Mick teaches English and History at Airds High where he has taught since graduating as a teacher nine years ago. He is the architect of the award winning Boys Own Project designed to meet the needs of more disengaged students with a heavy emphasis on trust, self-motivation, teamwork and outdoor education. Mick has also been involved in many programs, from anti-violence to leadership initiatives, each aimed at assisting students to achieve their personal best. He is proud of the success at Year 12 of the group for which he was Year Adviser, with a large number of graduations and success for some students previously facing expulsion at Year 10. Parents supporting his nomination describe him as ‘a brilliant teacher who engages his students’. He also offers free tutorials out of hours to assist students wanting extra help. His award is ‘for excellence in encouraging student success’.

	JENNY BONNETT Dip.T (Sec/PhysEd), B.Ed, Grad.Dip (Recreation) SECONDARY Kensington Centre, Kensington South Australia
	Jenny is a Physical and Outdoor Education teacher. She has been teaching for 34 years, four at the Kensington Centre, a small Government secondary school for students with a range of disabilities. Previous to this, Jenny was one of the original staff members of the Health Development Foundation. Jenny initiated the Young Women’s Educational Access Program at Port Adelaide Girls’ High and introduced a school-wide Sports Unit program for students with special needs at the Kensington Centre. Activities range from bike-riding, swimming, water sports, triathlons, snow skiing and tobogganing, to programs on nutrition and keeping physically fit for life. Parent nominators describe the effect on students as ‘incredibly positive’ flowing on to all study areas. Jenny’s award is ‘for excellence in developing sporting programs to give young people with disabilities success and achievement in their lives’.

	JANE BOVILL B.Ed, M.Ed PRIMARY Waverley Primary School, Launceston Tasmania
	Jane is principal at Waverley Primary School with teaching responsibilities. She has taught for three of the 26 years she has been in teaching. Waverley Primary services one of the most socio-economically disadvantaged suburbs of the northern region of Tasmania with high levels of unemployment, poverty and alienation. Parents write that since Jane has been principal, Waverley Primary School now rates learning higher than behaviour management. There have been strong improvements in literacy and numeracy results, staff morale is high, and enrolments are up by 20%. Working with community agencies such as Anglicare and the Domestic Violence Crisis Centre, she has initiated programs such as Turning Things Around and events such as Blowing Bullies Away. With a Littlies and Learning program, parents of pre school-age children have been encouraged to participate in programs such as Early Start, Reading Together and to celebrate with a Community Baby Board. Rated as an outstanding educator, Jane constantly searches for ways to adapt programs to suit individuals rather than individuals having to suit the program. Even on the worst day, she says, school may be the only hope for some children. Jane's award is ‘for excellence in leadership of community education’.

	STEVE BUCKLEY Dip.T SECONDARY Maryborough State High School, Maryborough Queensland
	Steve is Industrial Technology and Design, Furniture, and Maths teacher at Maryborough High. He has been teaching for 23 years, three at this school. Students who nominated Steve say that he ‘is respected by everyone in the school because everyone he has taught classifies him as their favourite teacher’. His secret is his own reaction to high school and a conviction that ‘there is one common need for all students - encouragement and praise’. Last year, his students formed Kids Force to make a queen bed, bedside tables, a coffee table and a hall stand for Canberra families devastated by the 2003 bushfires. He also supports students through Thursday afternoon activities where students make various items of furniture. The proceeds go to the Kids Helpline. His award is ‘for excellence in motivating students'.

	KATHY BUTTERY Dip.T (Primary) PRIMARY Annesley College, Wayville South Australia
	Kathy has been teaching 23 years, and is currently Year 2 teacher at Annesley College where she has taught for the last 21 years. Described by her Principal and Head of the Junior School as an ‘Annesley Treasure’, Kathy’s teaching has received a wealth of praise from her whole school community - parents and colleagues. She is described as ‘always there to listen and reassure, provide advice, support, encouragement and feedback’. Kathy’s support extends beyond the classroom to curriculum development and innovation – adoption of a more unified inquiry methodology built around learning areas of inquiry and discovery, and values and life skills, implementation of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years program, and development of Program Achieve using a literacy approach. She also adds to the school’s Gifted and Talented program, offering sessions on puppetry, technology, maths problem solving, philosophy, narrative and book writing. She supports Tournament of Minds participation, school extravaganzas and productions, and sports such as netball and soccer. Kathy’s award is ‘for excellence in holistic teaching and career commitment to student learning and development'.

	STUART COOPER Dip.T (Primary), B.Ed PRIMARY Richmond Primary School, Richmond Victoria
	Stuart is Physical Education and Performing Arts teacher at Richmond Primary where he has taught for 27 of his 29 year teaching career. Described as ‘a man of many talents’, Stuart takes all year levels for music and drama, showcasing his young singers, musicians and dancers at a variety of festivals and competitions. Sixteen years ago, Stuart began a tradition of Year 6 school plays which he has written and produced over the past eight years using the ideas and personalities of his students as the starting point. Nominating Stuart for an award, the school principal wrote that his capacity for innovation and creativity is boundless. As well as organising a Carols by Candlelight choir, Stuart organises participation in dance festivals, arranges school camps and is also Richmond Primary's Physical Education teacher, Level 2 First Aider, and the school's Occupational Health and Safety Officer. Stuart's award is ‘for excellence in music and drama education’.

	TIM COPE B.A. Hons, Dip.Ed PRIMARY Pinjarra Primary School, Pinjarra Western Australia
	Tim is Music teacher at Pinjarra Primary where he has taught for all but two of his 13 years as a teacher. A journalist and writer before entering the teaching profession - and father of six children - Tim is sustained, he says, by music itself and the wonderful effect it has on children. His twin focus on boys’ engagement and music performance has significantly changed the culture of his school. His most recent performance brought 64 students from Years 4 to 7 together for a spectacular ‘midsummer night’s dream’ arrangement featuring dancers, a choir, one dozen whooping, barefooted boy drummers and a 13 piece mixed rock band. An inspirational teacher who leads by example, Tim has gained and held the respect of his colleagues and the whole school community for his tireless and enduring work with his students. Tim's award is ‘for excellence in encouraging an appreciation of music’.

	KAREN DOYLE Dip.T, B.Ed (Infants/Primary), Cert.Gifted Ed. PRIMARY Tamworth Public School, Tamworth New South Wales
	Karen is Assistant Principal and Year 1/2 teacher at Tamworth Public where she has taught for the last 12 of her 28 years in teaching. She sees teaching as ‘a profession that appeals to her interest – a career with opportunities and diversity’. In her present school, she has organised workshops on Gifted and Talented Education, assisted at the Regional Tournament of Minds, co-ordinated the North-West Dance Festival, co-ordinated dance for the District Capers performance, trained debutantes, adjudicated school debating competitions, catered for community groups, and been involved with sports coaching and organisation. Her nominators describe her as ‘an exciting teacher with energy to burn’. They say her lessons are ‘out of the ordinary: pizzas and poppas in the park for ‘P’ Week, toasting marshmallows for ‘M’ Week’. Her award is ‘for excellence and creativity in primary teaching’.

	NEVILLE DWYER Dip.T (Primary), B.Teaching (Early Childhood) EARLY CHILDHOOD Dorothy Waide Centre for Early Learning, Griffith New South Wales
	Neville has been teaching 23 years, 18 at the Dorothy Waide Centre where he is Director. Neville’s nominators describe him as ‘highly respected by staff, committee, friends and the community for his high standard of commitment, and highly respected by the children in his care who have ‘fun’ with him’. Neville has taught in early childhood since 1981 – in mobile children’s services, TAFE, and long day care. In his community, he has also worked in developing out of school hours, respite and family day care, and early intervention services. He is President of the Country Children’s Services Association and has been influential in participating in the development of the Practice of Relationships, NSW Curriculum Framework for Children’s Services and more recently investigating the Families First strategy. The Dorothy Waide Centre is a community-based and multi-functional extended hours children's centre with innovative design in outdoor environment and play space for children. Neville’s award is ‘for excellence, innovation, leadership and career contribution to early childhood education’.

	PAM FINNEY Cert.T (Secondary), B.A, Grad.Dip.Ed (Early Childhood) EARLY CHILDHOOD Lawnton Kindergarten and Preschool, Lawnton Queensland
	Pam has been teaching 27 years, 16 at Lawnton. Pam’s nominators write of her ability to ‘encourage but never stifle children’s creativity’. Originally trained as a secondary teacher, Pam worked with parents in Pomona to develop the kindergarten from a room under the Town Hall into a separate accredited facility with fenced playground and proper equipment. At Lawnton Kindergarten, she uses dramatic play to encourage reading with the recently introduced ‘Corduroy Bear’ journal. It records, in words and photos, the adventures of Corduroy Bear on his weekend visits to each child in turn, bringing reading with a purpose into the lives of the children and their families. Her award is ‘for excellence in developing play-based learning’.

	KARYN GORDON B.Ed (Early Childhood) PRIMARY Ngunnawal Primary School, Ngunnawal Australian Capital Territory (nominated while teaching at Charles Conder Primary School, ACT)
	Karyn is a Year 1 teacher at Ngunnawal Primary School. Nominated while teaching at Charles Conder Primary, Karyn’s nominators praised her ‘ability to inspire and help students’. They wrote, ‘She does not stop being a teacher at 3pm,’ and go on to describe her persistence in finding a strategy to help a child overcome an anxiety problem. In only her second year of teaching, Karyn was asked to develop a pilot Auslan bilingual/bi-cultural program. She visited programs in Hobart and Sydney, involved members of the deaf community, and started a signing club and a chess club at lunchtimes as well as developing the program. She has used visual and rhythmic methods to gain attention and designed whole class human movement programs to support disabled students. Her award is ‘for excellence in developing inclusive learning programs for disabled students’.

	RUTH GRAVESTEIN Dip.T (Primary), B.Ed PRIMARY Christian Outreach College, Mansfield Queensland
	Ruth is the Preparatory/Year 1 Coordinator and Year 1 teacher at Christian Outreach College, Brisbane, where she has been teaching for 13 years. Ruth is admired as a teacher who ‘continually communicates love, acceptance and encouragement to children’. Ruth has an ability to nurture children in her care celebrating the unique qualities each one possesses. First nominated in 2002, she was advanced by the Foundation to the current round with support from her school community. Ruth is passionate about making learning an enriching, memorable experience and has created over 150 original games and activities in English, Maths, Science and Studies of Society and the Environment based on her philopophy of how children learn best. She shares these with colleagues at the same year level and is keen to publish them. Ruth’s award is ‘for excellence in being an effective teacher of young children’.

	CATHY HOLMAN-MACKEY B.A. Hons (Applied Languages/International Law), Grad.Dip (Early Childhood) EARLY CHILDHOOD Bicton Primary School, Bicton Western Australia
	Cathy has been Kindy teacher at Bicton for the last two years, after seven years teaching in Japan. She speaks four languages and has qualifications from London, Köln, Leipzig, Aix-en-Provence, and Tokyo with her most recent, a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education from Edith Cowan University. Learning to use chopsticks might not be on the curriculum at many kindergartens in Australia, but it is one of the wide-ranging innovative challenges Cathy has used to introduce her pre-schoolers to their place in the wider world. Describing her as ‘a breath of fresh air in kindergarten teaching’, Cathy's eleven nominators are unanimous in their praise for her commitment to providing a rich, diverse and stimulating learning experience for the children in her class. Cathy's award is ‘for excellence, innovation, and commitment’.

	JOAN JONES B.Ed (Music/Arts), Grad.Dip (Visual & Performing Arts) SECONDARY Melton Secondary College, Melton Victoria
	Joan has taught instrumental Music at Melton for eight of her 22 year teaching career. Under Joan's direction and tutelage, the world has opened up for music students at Melton Secondary College. Starting at the school where the band had ceased to exist, Joan started on the road to re-building, gradually increasing the number of budding musicians and successfully entering local and interstate competitions. Today the Bands boast two CDs, and successful appearances and performances in Canberra for the National Eisteddfod, the Gold Coast where they performed at Movie World, in Sydney where they appeared on stage at Darling Harbour, and at ‘Generations in Jazz’ in Mt Gambier. Their latest achievement was a 10 day tour of New Zealand. Locally they have performed at Melton Council functions, aged care centres, and regularly on stage at the Education Department’s ‘Westside Arts’at the Melbourne Concert Hall. Joan has implemented the ‘Comprehensive Music Learning Sequence’ that ensures each student can develop musical independence to reach their potential. All the above and more, say Joan's nominators, are ‘due to her enthusiasm and talent both as a musician and a music teacher’. Joan's award is ‘for excellence in music teaching’.

	TAMMIE JONES B.Ed PRIMARY Bohlevale State School, Bohle Queensland
	Tammie is Year 6/7 teacher at Bohlevale State School where she commenced her teaching career eight years ago. Trained at James Cook University, Townsville, Tammie shows leadership in organising extra-curricula activities at her school, and displays an imaginative flair in her teaching. Her classroom becomes a jumbo jet or a spacecraft to transport aliens who have received an explanation from the class about the nature of rainforests. She has coordinated the school’s entry into the Mime Show bringing participation from 50 students from Years 2-7 in a performance before 3000 people at the Entertainment Centre. She also encourages netball, Ozspell, and produces the school magazine. Her award is ‘for excellence in encouraging student development’.

	JUINETA KIRBY Dip.T (Early Childhood), B.Ed (Early Childhood), PostGrad. Dip (Ed. Studies) EARLY CHILDHOOD Murchison Outreach Preschool, Goulburn Region Preschool Association Inc. Murchison Victoria
	Neta is an Early Childhood teacher at Murchison Outreach Preschool where she has taught for 10 of her 21 years as a teacher. Neta concentrates on creating a learning community to stimulate children’s creative and natural curiosity. There is play equipment, music, relaxation, life tasks – cooking and landscaping, ‘peace’ activities and ‘giving’ games. Although nominated by parents at Murchison Preschool, Neta duplicates her commitment and dedication at two other centres within Goulburn Region Preschool Association where she is a Director of several rural outreach programs, also managing to combine this with ongoing study, and involvement in Rotary and several community activities. She has been involved in setting up preschool services in isolated rural communities and has established strong bonds with the Koorie community in the area through her work at the Batdja Kindergarten where she is loved as a teacher, friend and ‘Aunty’. One of her dreams came true when she organised ‘Off The Fridge’ a children’s art exhibition (now in its third year), which later went to the Shepparton Art Gallery. Neta’s award is ‘for excellence in preschool services in isolated communities’.

	MANDY KOCH B.Teaching (Junior Primary), B.Ed (Junior Primary) PRIMARY Smithfield Plains Junior Primary School, Smithfield Plains South Australia (now Assistant Primcipal at Craigmore South School)
	Mandy has been teaching for 10 years and is Assistant Principal at Smithfield Plains Junior Primary where she has taught for the last seven years. Her contribution to the school extends beyond direct classroom teaching. Last year, she took Drama lessons across the school, worked with students needing special education support, and developed social skills curriculum. Working in a school identified as serving an area of high socio-economic disadvantage, Mandy has exercised a positive influence in encouraging respect between students and the school environment. She has encouraged them to create a ‘Peace Garden’ and to participate in clean-a-thons and World Environment Day. She runs anger management and positive thinking sessions, including relaxation strategies, and encourages students to ‘care and share’. Her award is ‘for excellence, leadership and positive example’.

	JOHN LLOYD B.A (Chemistry), Dip.Ed. SECONDARY St Pauls Catholic College, Greystanes New South Wales
	John has been a Science teacher for 26 years, six at St Pauls. John says he was inspired by his Science teacher and continues his enthusiasm because ‘he likes the practical nature of this subject which allows students to develop and test ideas and to develop and challenge their understanding of the world’. He encourages his students to engage in authentic, hands-on learning experiences. Over four years, they have been placed from third to first in the NSW Model Solar Car Challenge and represented NSW at national level. In the last two years, he has coordinated the environment program at the school which has involved 60 students developing native gardens as part of the Upper Parramatta River Greener Schools program. He has also started a recycling program at the school. Parents who nominated him write that John ‘constantly challenges students to be inquisitive and to search out their learning both cooperatively and independently’. His award is ‘for excellence in teaching Science’.

	LEIGH LUCHT Dip.T (Primary), B.Ed PRIMARY Sacred Heart Primary School, Toowoomba Queensland
	Leigh teaches Year 7 at Sacred Heart where she has taught for the last four of her 23 years in teaching. Leigh sees her classroom as ‘a two-way learning environment where all should feel free to “have a go”, voice our opinions, clearly understand the boundaries and collaboratively negotiate the expectations’. She has achieved success with verse-speaking choirs, individual speech students, athletics, netball, softball, football and in the Wakakirri Awards – a story dance eisteddfod for primary school children. Admired by her nominators and the school community, Leigh encouraged her graduating students last year to contribute a Bush Liturgy space to the school. Her award is ‘for excellence in primary education’.

	JANE MELLOWS Dip.ECE, B.Ed (Special Education), Grad.Cert (Autism Studies) EARLY CHILDHOOD The Briars Special Early Learning Centre, Felixstow South Australia
	Jane is an Early Childhood Special Education teacher. She has been teaching for 24 years, six at The Briars. Parents who nominated Jane describe her as ‘a remarkable teacher’ who ‘has served to maximise the potential of children attending the centre and in so doing improve the quality of so many families’. Experienced in Autism Spectrum Disorders through her previous employment, Jane’s nominators say that her ‘adaptability to teaching children with different and significant disorders is incomparable’. In 2003, she was part of a New Connections funding initiative aimed at developing connections with the wider community. During 2004, Jane has also worked off-site in country and metropolitan areas as a peer mentor in the Inclusive Preschools Project developing quality specialised education programs for children with disabilities and high support needs in local community settings. Jane’s award is ‘for excellence in developing early childhood education for children with special needs’.

	DIANNE POOLE Dip.T PRIMARY Meadow Flat Public School, Meadow Flat New South Wales
	Dianne is teaching principal at Meadow Flat where she has taught for the past three of her 23 years in teaching. Meadow Flat is a small rural school of 27 pupils on the Great Western Highway, about 170 kms from Sydney. Trained in Bathurst, Dianne is inspired by the self-confidence and successes of the children she teaches. There have been many at Meadow Flat – winning the State Froggie Awards for designing and building an environmental area, participating in the I-Shine movie awards with students’ three minute movies shown in Australia and overseas, and two Year 6 students starting their own business card enterprise. At her previous school, Kelso Public, Dianne is remembered for initiating a school radio program and helping the school hockey team to win state championships. With a record 19 nominations from parents, Dianne commands the support of the school and local community who write of her ‘dedication to the success of each student’. Her award is ‘for excellence and exemplary school leadership’.

	JOCELYN PRIDE Dip.T, Grad.Dip (Media Studies), B.Ed, Grad.Dip (Computer Studies), M.Ed PRIMARY Scotch College Junior School, Hawthorn Victoria
	Jocelyn is a Year 6 teacher/coordinator at Scotch College, Melbourne. She has been teaching for 26 years, eight at Scotch College. As Year 6 Co-ordinator, Jocelyn maintains a tight cohesive teaching unit, responsive to parent demands, students’ needs and the ideology of Scotch College while targeting the best characteristics of each student. Among the innovations she has introduced is a Robotics program for Year 5/6 which, in 2004, saw the Scotch team winning the National Primary Dance Robocup Competition. They have been invited to compete in the World Championships in Okaka, Japan, in 2005. Highlights of Jocelyn's teaching career include a Rotary Group Study award for services to education that involved a seven week study tour of the United States. Another was playing a major role in a 24 hour telethon that raised more than $1 million dollars for Life Education. Jocelyn's award is ‘for excellence and creative and innovative teaching’.

	SARAH REEVE B.Ed (Music) SECONDARY Warners Bay High School, Lake Macquarie New South Wales
	Sarah has been Music Teacher at Warners Bay High for six of the 12 years she has been teaching. Her parent nominators write, “Sarah Reeve epitomises all that is good about education. Her dedication to her work and the students, her commitment and drive become a powerful force igniting excellence. Since her arrival, the Music Department has seen the most amazing emergence of talent, fostered, nurtured and developed beyond comparison.” Sarah writes ‘the joy of making music inspires me daily’. She uses the ‘Orff Schulwerk’ approach to music teaching originally developed for adult learners by the German composer, Carl Orff, and used commonly in primary and early education. Her successes include outstanding HSC results (50% of students in Band 6 – the top 10% of the State in 2003), a band tour of the Southern Highlands and South Coast with 50 students performing; and a school CD, ‘Electica’ with 22 tracks. Her award is ‘for excellence in music teaching’.

	CHRISTINE RICHARDSON Dip.T, B.Ed PRIMARY St Michael’s Collegiate School, Sandy Bay Tasmania
	Christine is Year 1 and Gifted Education Teacher at St Michael’s Collegiate where she has been teaching for 12 years of her 20 year teaching career. Christine’s teaching philosophy is based on assessing the social and emotional needs of her students as well as their learning styles, resulting in curriculum differentiation to meet these individual needs. Examples of her innovative teaching style include combining Years 6 and 9 to rehabilitate native plant species around the school playing fields, using computer technology to link Year 6 to a group of Hong Kong students cycling around China, and using the internet to conduct a study on island lifestyles with children in Iceland, Sri Lanka and Hong Kong. As a team player who shares her expertise and enthusiasm, Christine was involved in the Collegiate Infant Campus winning entry into the national ARC Cartonboard Recycling Competition - carrying a prize of $10,000 prize. Most recently, her Information Technology project, based on the Tasmanian Tiger, received a Commonwealth Bank e-Learning Grant of $5,000 and has allowed all classes from Kinder to Year 6 to work together to create an interactive website on extinct and endangered species offering information to teachers and students around the world. Christine's award is ‘for excellence and inspirational leadership’.

	CARL SANDERSON Dip.T PRIMARY Kensington Primary School, Kensington Western Australia
	Carl is Year 6/7 teacher at Kensington Primary. He started teaching 16 years ago and has spent the last 7 years at Kensington. Describing his teaching style as ‘highly student centred’, Carl is a curriculum leader in Technology and Enterprise, inspiring innovative, imaginative and award-winning technology and science projects. Carl displays memorable, generous and motivational involvement in all aspects of school life. He has been responsible for the implementation of a circus skills program, with students of varying academic levels coming together to learn circus skills and perform in front of audiences. Other innovative teaching programs he has been involved in include science projects, building rockets, a glider project and a recycled fashion show. In the classroom, Carl encourages an environment of trust, respect and planned risk-taking that instils confidence and builds self-esteem in a natural, comfortable and obvious way. He received a WA record 10 nominations from parents. Carl's award is ‘for excellence and leadership in Technology and Enterprise Education’.

	ROBERT SCHEER B.A (Mass Communications/Drama), Masters of Teaching SECONDARY St John’s College, Darwin Northern Territory
	Bob is Head of Art at St John’s College where he has been teaching Drama and English since he commenced teaching four years ago. His nominators say that Robert’s ‘sensitive and creative ways as a drama teacher’ have ‘transformed students who were shy, quiet and lacking in self-confidence into performers who ‘shine’.’ Working with a mixed population of Indigenous, non-Indigenous and international students, he has overcome students’ embarrassment through less threatening settings such as a fashion parade and games performances. Robert specialises in physical theatre where students use their bodies with minimal props and costumes to create their dramatic worlds. In covering theory work in Drama and English, Robert employs evaluative sculptures, where students communicate their knowledge, understanding and opinions of works through three dimensional means as well as using jigsaws of poetry and text to get students to analyse and reconstruct dramatic sequences. Robert’s award is ‘for excellence and innovation in drama teaching’.

	PRUE SKELLON Dip.T PRIMARY Camden South Public School, Camden South New South Wales
	Prue is Assistant Principal, Technology Coordinator, Student Welfare Leader, and teacher of a Year 2/3/4 class at Camden South where she has been teaching for 15 of her 33 year career. She believes passionately that a love of the school’s history, and concern for its future, must be actively fostered. Prue has been taking and archiving photographs of the school for 15 years with a view to recording its oral and pictorial history. She strives to make the school a welcoming place for students, staff and parents, a place where they can feel that they belong – their place. When this is achieved, caring relationships, the promotion of responsibility and high expectations follow naturally. Prue’s teaching programs are driven by quality pedagogy and innovation. All Key Learning Areas are integrated, with a strong emphasis on technology as a tool for learning. Prue’s students reach out to others in raising money for N.G.Os and the school’s S.R.C is also involved under Prue’s guidance. Camden South’s Virtues Program operates K-6, with plans to expand it in 2005 to include teacher welfare. Her award is ‘for excellence in primary teaching and the use of technology in education’.

	WES SMITH B.Ed (Secondary/Classroom & Instrumental Music) SECONDARY South Gippsland Secondary College, Foster Victoria
	Wes has been a music teacher at South Gippsland Secondary College for all of his 10 years in teaching. He came to the college as an instrumental brass teacher in 1995, and two years later was appointed Head of Music. At that time, there were fewer than sixty students enrolled in the school’s music program. Today there are in excess of 170 students learning a musical instrument out of a school population of just 340 students. Wes has built the program to currently have 12 ensembles ranging from concert bands to string groups. He has worked to develop student ownership of the music program through producing leadership positions at all year levels and in all bands. A music-mentoring program has also strengthened the connection between all students in the program. Annually, Wes also plans and implements music performance tours for all level bands, and in recent years has taken over 60 students to Queensland twice, NT, SA, and in 2005 to NZ. Wes’s philosophy of ‘Music for all’ gives all students an opportunity to learn a musical instrument. His award is ‘for excellence in providing quality music education experiences to country students’.

	GEORGINA SPINAZE Dip.T, Dip.Sp.Ed, B.Ed, M.Ed.Studies SECONDARY Inala State Special School, Inala Queensland
	Georgina has been teaching for 31 years, seven as Special Education teacher at Inala Special School. A parent who nominated Georgina says, ‘It’s as clear as the nose on your face, she loves her job’. Georgina herself writes, ‘My enthusiasm now is maintained by the absolute joy I get out of working with students with intellectual disabilities’. The results of her passion translate to her students, others in the school, parents, families and carers. Georgina is very conscious that ‘many experiences take place outside the classroom’ and has taken her students to that world, visiting local nursing homes for music lessons, visiting the Art Gallery, flying a party to Cunnamulla, attracting funding for trips away. She also educates parents and volunteers, remembering her own experience as a Volunteer Abroad in Sri Lanka. Her award is ‘for excellence in Special Education’.

	LEIGH STEVEN B.Fine Arts, Cert IV Assessment & Workplace Training SECONDARY St Michael’s Collegiate School, Sandy Bay Tasmania
	Leigh has been Art Production and Graphic Design teacher at St Michael’s for 14 of his 17 years as a teacher. Leigh's students describe him simply as ‘a legend’, a gifted artist who gives freely of his time. Leigh inspires his students to explore, perceive, interpret and create, using an amazing array of mediums. His success as Head of Art is best exemplified by the record number of student placements in tertiary institutions that specialise in his area. In 2001/2, eight of the 35 places at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology were awarded to St Michael’s students, representing nearly a quarter of the national intake. His nominator, the Chairman of St Michael's Board of Management, said that Leigh had ‘not only provided an inspiring curriculum but was also the spearhead of the planning and implementation of the school's graphic design studio, enhancing the reputation of St Michael's as a leading school in Australia’. Leigh's award is ‘for excellence and inspiration in arts teaching’.

	MARNIE TAGGART B.A (Media Studies), Dip.Ed SECONDARY Kingsway Christian College, Darch Western Australia
	Marnie teaches Environmental Studies (EnviroCare), Media Studies, Creative Thinking and Art. She has been teaching for nine years, six at Kingsway. A keen environmentalist, Marnie's passion for, and commitment to, the environment saw Kingsway Christian College take out an Outstanding Achievement Award in the 2002 Keep Australia Beautiful Earthschools Awards and the 2004 City of Wanneroo ‘Award for Environmental Excellence’ in the secondary education category. As part of her Environmental Education program, Marnie encourages students to help out at the Malaga Fauna Rehabilitation Centre for sick, orphaned and injured native animals where they are actively engaged in local, national and international environmental projects. In the classroom, and of particular note, is the importance she places on multiple intelligence strategies, seeking to engage various learning styles so that the appropriateness of the learning materials benefits a greater range of student abilities. In supporting Marnie's nomination, her Principal says that, in the area of environmental education, ‘she goes way beyond the norm in creating an effective learning environment for students’. Marnie's award is ‘for excellence in environmental studies’.

	DANIELLE WOODHOUSE Dip.Ed SECONDARY Wyndham District High School, Wyndham Western Australia
	Danielle teaches Health and Pastoral Care, Vocational Education and English at Wyndham District High where she had been teaching for the past seven of her 12 years as a teacher. According to her Principal, Danielle has played a major role in enhancing community perception of the school and education in general. The daughter of teachers, Danielle is committed to the health and well-being of the whole student, demonstrating this through her liaison work with families, educational providers, government and private agencies. She has become a mentor for students at educational risk, organising training, placement, counselling and respite for students and their families. Among the community and school-based programs she has established are a Youth Advisory Committee and a Young Mothers’ program. More recently, in response to parent concerns, she initiated and facilitated a Drug and Alcohol Assessment program. Danielle's award is ‘for excellence in progressing youth participation in community issues’.

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