Spotlight shines on our top teachers and schools

Published Tuesday, 31 July, 2018 at 10:00 AM

Minister for Education and Minister for Industrial Relations
The Honourable Grace Grace

Twenty-three exemplary Queensland state schools and educators have been named as finalists in the 2018 Showcase Awards for Excellence in Schools.

Education Minister Grace Grace has congratulated the finalists who are now in the running for top honours at the Showcase Awards Gala Dinner in Brisbane on Friday 26 October.

“I am so proud of all the outstanding finalists on their achievements in demonstrating excellence in education, innovation and leadership,” Ms Grace said.

“As the Education Minister I know first-hand that all Queensland state schools are achieving excellence every day.

“This year’s 23 finalists have been selected from a very talented pool of nominees.

“Among the amazing shortlisted entries are Meridan State College in the Excellence in the Early and Primary Years category.

“Surat State School’s digital technologies program is vying for the Excellence in Rural and Remote Education prize.

“Atherton State high School has gone the extra mile this year, boasting two finalists – the school’s online STEM program in the running for the Excellence in Industry Partnerships award, while teacher Carly Sopronick up for the Teacher of the Year Award.”

Ms Grace said the Showcase Awards were Queensland’s most prestigious award program for state school education.

“The finalists should feel very proud of their achievements,” she said.

“Each state finalist receives a $7500 development grant in recognition of their outstanding work which will help them further excel and share best practice.

“I wish the state finalists the very best as they now compete for the title of state award winner in their category.”

State winners will be announced at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Friday 26 October 2018, coinciding with Queensland’s celebration of World Teachers’ Day.

“World Teachers’ Day is the perfect opportunity to shine the light on the outstanding achievements of our dedicated teachers, principals and school communities.”

Ms Grace said the state winners would receive a further development grant of $30,000 each for the school award categories, or $15,000 each for the teacher and principal award categories.

“These grants are designed to support schools in delivering current education program, as well as encourage the development of new programs to support opportunities for students,” she said.

The Showcase Awards are supported by major sponsors Education Queensland International, Griffith University, Network Ten, Remserv, QSuper, QUT, Queensland Teachers’ Union, Teachers Health, Teachers Mutual Bank and University of Southern Queensland.

A full list of state finalists is provided below. For more information on the Showcase Awards please visit www.qld.gov.au/ShowcaseAwards.   

Media contact: Emma Clarey – 0439 578 472

 

2018 Showcase Awards – State finalists

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

  • Durack State School, Project to practice
  • Meridan State College, Supporting successful Prep transitions – Our Meridan way

The QSuper Showcase Award for Excellence in the Secondary Years

  • Goondiwindi State High School, How do we make the teaching of writing everyone's responsibility?
  • Kawana Waters State College, Future proofing senior students for success

The QUT Showcase Award for Excellence in Inclusive Education

  • Nambour Special School, Lifting literacy for every learner!
  • Queensland Virtual STEM Academy: Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology, Thuringowa State High School, Tropical North Learning Academy Smithfield State High School, Breaching the disadvantage of distance: Lifting the outcomes and engagement of our top performing regional, rural and remote students in STEM

The RemServ Showcase Award for Excellence in Community Engagement

  • Mabel Park State High School, Health Training Hub
  • Mount Molloy State School, Growing our community

The Showcase Award for Excellence in Industry Partnerships

  • Atherton State High School, Reach for the stars – Online College of Advanced STEM
  • Thuringowa State High School, Advancing education for a global tropics future

The Education Queensland International Showcase Award for Excellence in Global Engagement

  • Sunshine Beach State High School, Creating global citizens
  • Wellers Hill State School, Nurturing students for a global future

The Queensland Teachers' Union Showcase Award for Excellence in Indigenous Education

  • Balaclava State School, Highway to success though A,B,Cs – Indigenous kids striving for positive futures
  • Goondiwindi State School, Culturally responsive teaching through a community driven approach

The University of Southern Queensland Showcase Award for Excellence in Rural and Remote Education

  • Dalby State High School – Bunya Campus, Creating rural futures
  • Surat State School, Digital technologies

The Teachers Health Showcase Award for Teacher of the Year

  • Carly Sopronick, Atherton State High School
  • Louise Kliese, Indooroopilly State School
  • Judith Stutchbury, Kalkie State School

The Griffith University Jack Pizzey Award for Principal of the Year

  • Michael Kiss, Avoca State School
  • Yolanda Tognini, Wishart State School

The Teachers Mutual Bank Showcase Award for State School of the Year

  • Marsden State High School, Make a difference the Marsden way
  • Woree State School, We discover, strive and shine!