BRISBANE Catholic Education has again recognised its most outstanding teachers at an Excellence in Teaching Awards gala evening.
More than 35 finalists were selected from hundreds of nominations for the prestigious awards that recognise excellence in learning and teaching.
Family, friends and guests gathered at Victoria Park Golf Club to witness Brisbane Archbishop Mark Coleridge and BCE executive director Pam Betts congratulate the winners.
Archbishop Coleridge presented Casey Hayes, from Our Lady of Lourdes School, Sunnybank, with the Excellence as a Beginning Teacher Award and Trish Heaps, from St Joseph’s Primary School, Nambour, with the Outstanding Mentor for Beginning Teachers Award.
Jenelle Davis, from St Teresa’s College, Noosaville, received the Excellence in Teaching Religious Education Award while Tegan Burr, from Stella Maris School, Maroochydore, was presented with the Excellence in Teaching (more than four years) Award.
Principal at St Thomas More College, Sunnybank, Peter Elmore took home the Excellence in Leadership for Learning and Teaching Award while the Observation, Feedback and Student Voice Team at Chisholm Catholic College, Cornubia, received the Team Excellence in Leaning and Teaching title.
The Outstanding Contribution to Learning and Teaching Award went to Carol Booker, from St Anthony’s School, Alexandra Hills.
Good Samaritan Sister Mary McDonald received a special award for her contribution to Catholic education as a teacher, leader and mentor and for the promotion of excellence in governance on what was the 50th anniversary of the Catholic Education Council.
Archbishop Coleridge said the awards were an opportunity to acknowledge teachers, all teachers, who, every day in their practice in both formal and informal interactions with students, lay foundations for the future.
“However, these teachers, leaders and mentors, both new and experienced, either individually or in teams, have been recognised by their peers as exemplary,” he said.
“Each nominee should feel justifiably proud of this nomination.
“Every day in your classrooms you skilfully open eyes to the world, engender curiosity and confidence and shape lives.”
Ms Betts congratulated the winners and all the other finalists who attended, saying it was important to acknowledge those who shine in their endeavours.
She said the awards recognised the excellent ways in which the nominees worked to nurture the growth of students in Catholic schools, either in teaching, leading, mentoring, governance or, in the case of Sr Mary McDonald, all of the above.
“Too often in our society we focus on the negative rather than the positive and there is so much positive in our teachers to celebrate,” Ms Betts said.
“Teachers help build the future by providing opportunities for positive outcomes in the lives of young people today.”
