Awards recognise excellence in Metropolitan state schools

Two schools from the Brisbane metropolitan region have been recognised at the 19th annual Showcase Awards for Excellence in Schools tonight.

Education Minister Grace Grace said the Showcase Awards recognise, celebrate and reward excellence and innovation in teaching and leadership practice in Queensland state schools.

“Our schools, principals and teachers are committed to achieving outstanding education outcomes, and are continually searching for new ways to engage and educate young Queenslanders,” Ms Grace said

“The calibre of finalists for this year’s awards was outstanding, and all of our Metropolitan winners and finalists should be incredibly proud of their contribution to education.

“Wishart State School Principal Yolanda Tognini won The Griffith University Jack Pizzey Award for Principal of the Year for her commitment to inclusion, social justice and helping to ensure every student succeeds, plus for her collaboration with teachers, school administrators, all staff and the school community to ensure an effective and successful learning environment for all students.

“Durack State School won The Network Ten Showcase Award for Excellence in the Early and Primary Years for their research project which uses mathematical language and hands-on activities, teachers and teacher aides to help students from diverse backgrounds better understand and engage with the subject.”

The region’s three runners-up included Indooroopilly State School teacher Louise Kliese in The Teachers Health Showcase Award for Teacher of the Year; the Queensland Virtual STEM Academy (including the Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology, Thuringowa State High School, Tropical North Learning Academy — Smithfield State High School) in The QUT Showcase Award for Excellence in Inclusive Education; and Wellers Hill State School in The Education Queensland International Showcase Award for Excellence in Global Engagement.

The awards were presented this evening at a gala dinner at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre before 730 guests on the day Queensland celebrates World Teachers’ Day. Showcase Awards recipients share in more than $540,000 in development grants.

“These grants support schools to deliver current education programs, as well as encourage the development of new programs and initiatives to support further opportunities for students,” Ms Grace said.

“The awards program reiterates the high quality of education available to students in Queensland’s state education system and demonstrates that our state school students are part of a world class education system.”

The Showcase Awards organisers received more than 120 submissions reaching more than 80,000 students across Queensland.

Ms Grace acknowledged the ongoing support of the Showcase Awards sponsors.

“We are grateful for the wonderful partnerships we have with our sponsors,” she said.

The event’s sponsors included: Education Queensland International, Griffith University, Network Ten, RemServ, QSuper, QUT, Queensland Teachers’ Union, Teachers Health, Teachers Mutual Bank, and the University of Southern Queensland.

The full list of state award winners and finalists is available at www.showcase.education.qld.gov.au.

[ENDS]

Media contact: Scott Chandler – 0439 587 472

Metropolitan Finalists & Winners