SCHOOLS RECEIVE HIGHEST ACCOLADE AT SHOWCASE AWARDS

Eight leading state school education programs have been named winners of the prestigious Showcase Awards for Excellence 2007 at a ceremony in Brisbane tonight (11 October).

Education and Training Minister Rod Welford congratulated the schools whose innovative programs have taken out the State Government's highest accolade for state schools.

“These awards recognise and reward the very best programs which are improving student performance from Prep to Year 12,” Mr Welford said.

“I want to congratulate each of the eight winners and 18 finalists for the significant differences they are making to the lives of young Queenslanders.

“Queensland state schools are leaders in education and these awards recognise those at the forefront of these outstanding programs.

“Each of the programs was developed with the passion, support and hard work of teachers, principals, school staff, parents and the wider community.”

Each of the state winners received a $20,000 grant to further develop their programs. The Showcase Awards for Excellence in Schools 2007 are proudly supported by Network Ten, The Commonwealth Bank of Australia, RACQ, TechnologyOne, Media Monitors and Queensland University of Technology.

The 2007 Showcase Award winners are as follows:

• Kuranda District State College, which won the Network Ten Showcase Award for the Early Phase of Learning in recognition of its Families as First Teachers program
• Northern Beaches State High School, which won the Commonwealth Bank of Australia Showcase Award for the Middle Phase of Learning in recognition of its Relationships, Achievement, Purposeful learning and Supporting transitions (RAPS) Program
• Sunnybank State High School, which won the RACQ Showcase Award for the Senior Phase of Learning in recognition of its innovative senior academic program
• Gladstone South State School, which won the Media Monitors Showcase Award for Inclusive Education in recognition of its Come and Read with Me program
• Primary Arts Network, Ipswich, a group of six Ipswich schools (Ipswich West Special School, Brassall State School, Fernvale State School, Karalee State School, Kruger State School and Mount Marrow State School), which won the Queensland University of Technology Showcase Award for Leadership in recognition of their Primary Arts Network Ipswich program
• Malanda State High School, which won the Showcase Award in the Academic Excellence category in recognition of its continuous learning and staff development program
• Oakey State High School, which won the Showcase Award in Community or Industry Partnerships in recognition of its Transport and Logistics Gateway Schools program.
• Ferny Grove State High School, which won the TechnologyOne Showcase Award for Innovation in recognition of its inclusive music program.

Media contact: Marnie Stitz or Emma Clarey on 3237 1000