BRISBANE Catholic Education has recognised its most outstanding teachers at the inaugural Excellence in Teaching Awards gala on June 18.
More than 30 finalists, from almost 200 nominations for the new awards that recognise excellence in learning and teaching, gathered at Victoria Park Golf Club to witness Brisbane Archbishop Mark Coleridge and BCE executive director Pam Betts congratulate the winners.
Archbishop Coleridge presented Lorella Armijo, from Stella Maris School, Maroochydore, with the Excellence in Teaching Religious Education award and Marlene Warnick, from San Sisto College, Carina, with the Outstanding Mentor for Teachers of Religious Education award.
He called on Adrian Biddulph, from St Mark’s School, Inala, to receive the Excellence in Teaching award while Liam Beatty, from St Augustine’s College, Augustine Heights, claimed the Excellence as a Beginning Teacher honour.
The Outstanding Mentor for Beginning Teachers was Anne Chambers, from Unity College, Caloundra, while Paul Mackay, from St Peter Claver College, Riverview, received the Excellence in Leadership for Learning and Teaching award, and the Curriculum Leaders Team at St Columban’s College, Caboolture, took home the Team Excellence in Learning and Teaching title.
Youngest winner Liam Beatty said he was “absolutely shocked” to receive the award when there were so many deserving candidates.
“I was surprised just to be nominated and to be a winner was extra special,” he said.
“To be recognised for this award in my second year of teaching is just icing on the cake.
“So many people I hadn’t met before went out of their way to congratulate me on the night.
“That meant a lot.”
Mr Beatty said he was lucky to have found a career that he loved and wanted to do for the rest of his life.
Ms Betts congratulated the winners and all the other finalists who attended, saying it was important in life to acknowledge those who shine in their endeavours.
“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,” she said.
“Teachers help build the future by providing opportunities for positive outcomes in the lives of young people today.”
Ms Betts thanked sponsors Teachers Union Health, Queensland Teachers Mutual Bank and Australian Catholic University for their support.
As well as receiving a certificate of their achievement, individual award winners also received $1000 while the prize for the team award was $2000.
Each finalist in all seven categories also received a certificate and $200.
The awards will now become an annual event.
