Excellence in Queensland schools

Twenty-one outstanding state school programs have been announced as state finalists in the Queensland Government’s most coveted educational accolades, the Showcase Awards for Excellence in Schools.

Minister for Education, Training and Employment John-Paul Langbroek congratulated the schools on their excellent achievement.

“The Government has a strong plan to improve student outcomes and create a brighter future for Queensland families,” Mr Langbroek said.

“We promised at the election to revitalise frontline education services and these awards give us an opportunity to recognise and reward state schools that are implementing programs that significantly contribute to boosting student outcomes.

“They are a celebration of the commitment of the finalists to education and the enormous contribution they make to their school communities.”

(** The full list of state finalists is below **)

Mr Langbroek said the Awards continued a long tradition of celebrating excellence in state schools.

“This year we celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Awards – 15 years of incredible initiatives that create a range of opportunities for Queensland students and set an example for schools right across the state,” he said.

“Year after year we receive submissions of outstanding quality, so to be named as a state finalist is an achievement these schools can be very proud of.”

The state finalists were chosen from the 74 regional award winners announced in State Education Week in May.

The Awards categories cover early and primary, junior secondary and senior years, inclusive education, leadership, innovation and community or industry partnerships.

To allow the schools to further develop their programs regional award winners each received development grants of $1,000 and state finalists will receive a further $5,000.

Mr Langbroek said the seven state award winners would be announced at the Showcase Awards Gala Dinner at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Friday 17 October, each receiving an additional grant of $20,000.

The Showcase Awards for Excellence in Schools are sponsored by Network Ten, Teachers Health Fund, QSuper, Village Roadshow Theme Parks, Queensland University of Technology and RemServ. For further information please visit: http://education.qld.gov.au/community/events/showcase 

[ENDS] 1 August 2014

Media contact: Minister’s Office 3237 1000

2014 STATE FINALISTS

The Network Ten Showcase Award for Excellence in the Early and Primary Years

• Carole Park State School – Language for life
• Edge Hill State School – Steps to success
• Norfolk Village State School – Linking little learners

The Teachers Health Fund Showcase Award for Excellence in the Junior Secondary Years

• Glenmore State High School – Dragon spirit
• Ipswich State High School – pACE, ACE and excellence
• Mackay Northern Beaches State High School – Permission to shine

The QSuper Showcase Award for Excellence in the Senior Years

• Beerwah State High School, Caloundra State High School, Kawana Waters State College and Meridan State College – Partnerships – the pathway to success
• Malanda State High School – Empowering futures
• Smithfield State High School – Destination university

The Village Roadshow Theme Parks Showcase Award for Excellence in Inclusive Education

• Corinda State High School – Exceeding expectations: embracing the X factor
• Eagleby Learning Centre - Centre for Continuing Secondary Education – It all starts here
• Royal Children’s Hospital School – Empowering kids to fly

The Queensland University of Technology Showcase Award for Excellence in Leadership

• Glenala State High School – Transforming a school – inspiring a community
• James Nash State High School – Education and training changing the culture of a community
• Maroochydore State High School – Opening doors to classroom reform

The RemServ Showcase Award for Excellence in Innovation

• Ipswich State High School – The Ipswich State High School Hair Salon – ‘A cut above the rest!’
• Payne Road State School – Putting the bazinga into big bang learning
• Warwick State High School – It takes a village to raise a child!

The Showcase Award for Excellence in Community or Industry Partnerships

• Cleveland State School – S.P.E.A.K
• Eagleby State School – The village people
• Moranbah State High School - M-STEP - climbing new heights in senior education and training

Testimonials (with confirmation for media contact)

Everton Park State School - Brisbane

• 2013 state award winner for The Network Ten Showcase Award for Excellence in the Early and Primary Years

“Our school's Showcase Awards experience has enabled us to unify our school community as well as engage our local community. It was a fantastic way for our school to promote and share the hard work and dedication of our teachers, students and parents.”

Linda Craven, Prep teacher/Early Years Transition Officer, Everton Park State School, 3550 2222

Frenchville State School – North Rockhampton

• 2013 state award finalist for The Network Ten Showcase Award for Excellence in the Early and Primary Years
• 2012 state award finalist for The QSuper Showcase Award for Academic Success

“Showcase was certainly an experience we will never forget at Frenchville.  The entire process was a great way of demonstrating our commitment to students. Seeing the vignettes at the Awards evening made us feel proud of our school and our staff members, and has given us an opportunity to showcase our school at several events since.  The grants we received as state finalists have provided an opportunity for further quality professional development for our staff team. Thank you for the opportunity to be involved in a significant event which put the spotlight on the core business of teaching and learning.”

Leisa Neaton, Principal, Frenchville State School, 4931 5333 or 0407 139 831

James Nash State High School - Gympie

• 2013 state award winner for The Showcase Award for Excellence in the Junior Secondary Years

“Having the opportunity for the school community to receive affirmation for the hard work they do for our kids made entering this year's awards very worthwhile. The application required you to tell those stories about your school that don't always get heard and I was very appreciative of that.”

Darrin Edwards, Principal, James Nash State High School, 5480 6333

Kepnock State High School - Bundaberg

• 2012 state award winner for The QSuper Showcase Award for Academic Success

“For Kepnock High, the Showcase Awards have increased community awareness with the number of students applying to be in our ACE Program in Year 8 next year nearly doubling. In terms of staff morale, the Award has certainly lifted the spirits of our hard-working Maths team and inspired staff in other faculties to shoot for excellence as well. Being a part of the Awards process was inspiring for our team – missing out on the State Winner Award in 2011 served to drive us on to do whatever we needed to do to take it to another level. The generous grants we received as winners have gone towards the purchase of the very latest in Maths/graphics calculators for the ACE students as well as funds to purchase software and internet access that will give all students an extra boost in Mathematics. Without the Showcase Award this would not have been possible. Thank you once again for the work you and your team do to make this event happen. I look forward to being part of it again.”