Queensland schools look to state success

Twenty-four of Queensland’s most outstanding state school programs have been named as finalists in the State Government’s top educational accolade, the Showcase Awards for Excellence in Schools.

Education and Training Minister Rod Welford said finalists would each receive $5000 for reaching the State Finals.

“These awards showcase the great work that is happening each day in classrooms across Queensland, and it’s a wonderful chance to honour these remarkable achievements,” Mr Welford said.

“Judges were impressed and encouraged by the quality of entries from all over the state. Since we established these awards nine years ago we have seen our state education system continue to grow from strength to strength.

“Some of the outstanding finalists this year include Aspley Special School for their Cans to Coffee initiative for giving life skills to students with a disability through its recycling and coffee shop operations.

“Wonga Beach State School also won an award for its Small Steps to a Brighter Future project. Through this project, students are discovering what impact they have on the environment and how they can bring about change and become part of a model of learning for others to follow.”

All finalists are in the running for one of eight state awards, worth $20,000 each.

They will be announced on 5 September 2008 at the Showcase Gala Dinner at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, with categories covering the different stages of learning, academic excellence, inclusive or innovative practices and partnerships with industry and the community.

Mr Welford said the state finalists had been chosen from 79 regional winners who each received $1000 development grants.

The State Awards are judged by the Showcase Board, which includes educational experts, media and industry representatives, and are supported by Network Ten, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, RACQ, Queensland University of Technology, TechnologyOne and RemServ.

Visit www.education.qld.gov.au/community/events/showcase for more information on the Showcase Awards for Excellence in Schools.

A full list of 2008 Showcase Awards for Excellence in Schools State Finalists follows below.

Media contact: Marnie Stitz or Emma Clarey on 3237 1000

SHOWCASE AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN SCHOOLS 2008 — STATE FINALISTS

The Network Ten Showcase Award for Excellence in the Early Phase of Learning

• All Mount Isa District Schools – Early Intervention is the Key!
• Pacific Pines State School – Making a Difference in the Early Years at Pacific Pines
• Thornlands State School – Catch the Reading Bug

The Commonwealth Bank of Australia Showcase Award for Excellence in the Middle Phase of Learning

• Sandgate District State High School – Dirty Mathematics
• Virginia State School – Virginia Virtuosos – Middle School Music Miracles
• Wonga Beach State School – Small Steps to a Brighter Future (Our Lily Pad Lagoon Project)

The RACQ Showcase Award for Excellence in the Senior Phase of Learning

• Aspley Special School – Cans to Coffee – School-based Skills Training for Students with Disabilities
• Centenary Heights State High School - Toowoomba Flexi School – Flexible Curriculum Delivery Making a Difference
• Mount Gravatt State High School – Out of the Classroom into the Environment

The Showcase Award for Excellence in Inclusive Education

• Goodna Special School – Leaning to Work, Working to Learn
• Harlaxton State School – The Whole Child Turns 4
• Norville State School – Inclusion: A Journey not a Destination

The Queensland University of Technology Showcase Award for Excellence in Leadership

• The ENABLE Coalition: Flagstone State Community College, Beenleigh State High School, Beaudesert State High School, Kingston College, Loganlea State High School, Mabel Park State High School, Marsden State High School, Shailer Park State High School, Windaroo Valley State High School and Woodridge State High School - ENABLE: Enabling Excellence Across the Logan, Albert and Beaudesert District
• Redbank Plains State High School – Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Students
• Wellington Point State High School – Forward Thinking – Future Outcomes

The RemServ Showcase Award for Excellence in Innovation

• Maroochydore State High School - The Biotechnology Revolution
• Pozieres State School - The POZitives Program
• Wondai State School - Future Earth – A Holistic Approach to Sustainability Based on the Earth Charter

The Showcase Award for Academic Excellence

• Home Hill State High School - Academic Achievement in a Small Rural School
• Miles State High School - Travel the Crossroads to Success at Miles State High School
• Thornlands State School - Igniting Writing with Sparks

The TechnologyOne Showcase Award for Excellence in Community or Industry Partnerships

• Central Highlands VET Network: Blackwater State High School, Capella State High School, Capricorn School of Distance Education, Clermont State High School, Dysart State High School, Glenden State High School, Emerald State High School, Marist College, Middlemount Community School, Moranbah State High School and Springsure State School - Central Queensland – Leading the VET Agenda
• Dysart State High School - Creating Tomorrow's Mining Workforce Today
• Kelvin Grove State College - Living City