Awards recognise excellence in Darling Downs South West state schools

Two schools from the Darling Downs South West have been recognised at the 19th annual Showcase Awards for Excellence in Schools.

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 Darling Downs South West winners and finalists should be incredibly proud of their contribution to education.

“Goondiwindi State High School won The QSuper Showcase Award for Excellence in the Secondary Years for improving the way writing is taught and learned through a unique, research-driven program that has transformed the confidence and abilities of students and developed a model for ongoing staff development.

“Dalby State High Schoolwon The University of Southern Queensland Showcase Award for Excellence in Rural and Remote Education for its work creating a safe and supportive residential environment at the school’s Bunya Campus, which provides high quality agricultural, trade and traditional academic learning for students from rural and remote locations, picking up the award which was this year offered for the first time.

“The region’s two runners-up included Goondiwindi State School in The Queensland Teachers’ Union Showcase Award for Excellence in Indigenous Education; and Surat State School in The University of Southern Queensland Showcase Award for Excellence in Rural and Remote Education.”

The awards were presented at a gala dinner in Brisbane before more than 700 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 

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Media contact: Scott Chandler – 0439 587 472

Darling Downs SW Finalists & Winners