2018 Education Awards open for nominations

Education Minister Grace Grace is encouraging Queensland state schools, teachers and principals to nominate for the 2018 Showcase Awards for Excellence in Schools.

More than $619,000 in grant funding is available to celebrate state school education success across 11 award categories.

“The Showcase Awards are an annual celebration of all that is great about state schooling,” Ms Grace said.

“This year I welcome the addition of two new award categories to celebrate Indigenous education initiatives as well as highlight our most outstanding rural and remote programs.

“These new categories will highlight some of the great work our rural and remote schools are doing to overcome the issue of distance and celebrate the creative work of some of our most isolated teachers and schools.

“The new stand-alone Indigenous Education category allows us to highlight the positive steps our schools are taking to improve Indigenous education outcomes.

“I’m sure this year’s award entries will put the spotlight on many of the creative ways schools and school communities are using digital and virtual learning techniques.”

The Minister urged all state schools to celebrate their achievements by nominating for an award.

“In 2017 we considered 114 programs which influenced the lives and education of more than 115,000 Queensland students,” she said.

“Showcase was established in 2000 as an annual awards program to recognise and reward state schools that are significantly improving student learning outcomes.

“Since its inception we have witnessed the emergence of many amazing entrants and worthy winners and I expect 2018 to continue to unearth the inspiring work being done in all state school communities that may otherwise go unrecognised.

“The awards celebrate excellent teaching practices from the earliest years through to senior level, recognising improvement plans and progress, and encourage a culture of learning and sharing among our schools.”

Nominations will close on 18 May 2018. Regional award winners and commendations will be announced in June, state finalists in July and the state award winners will be announced at a gala dinner in Brisbane on World Teachers’ Day on 26 October 2018.

More information and submission guidelines are available at www.education.qld.gov.au/showcase

Media contact: Adrian Taylor 0448 994 172