Showcase Awards celebrate Gladstone's education excellence

Education Minister Grace Grace has today congratulated local schools recognised in Queensland’s 2022 Showcase Awards for Excellence in Schools, with the partnership between Kin Kora State School and Toolooa State High School taking out a Central Queensland regional award.

Now in its 23rd year, Minister Grace said the Showcase Awards are widely regarded as the most prestigious educational awards in Queensland, showcasing excellence in education, innovation, and leadership.

“I am pleased to announce that Kin Kora State School and Toolooa State High School, and their education partnership, have been named a regional winner of the Showcase Bevan Brennan ‘Every Child Needs a Champion’ Award,” Ms Grace said.

“One of the privileges of my job as Education Minister is to meet the outstanding teachers and educators delivering innovative and world class opportunities for our young Queenslanders.

“The Showcase Awards allow us to recognise and celebrate the great work that our schools are doing day-to-day to ensure that Queensland continues to innovate and develop new education practices.

“The quality of submissions for this year’s awards was once again exceptional and extremely competitive, making the task of selecting award winners all the more difficult for the regional judging teams.

“To be named as one of the 27 regional winners, or as one of the 24 to receive a commendation, is a significant accolade for these schools. It’s an important recognition of their contribution to the state’s education system.

“I congratulate each and every one of them, and wish them all the best in the next rounds which will determine our state finalists, and ultimately our state winners.”

Toolooa State High School Principal Justin Harrison and Kin Kora State School Principal Jorgen Neilson said the collaborative continuity between their schools is hugely beneficial for their combined school communities.

“The exceptional, dedicated staff within each of our schools work together to provide our students with real world support, that enables a smooth transition between primary and secondary school,” Mr Harrison said.

“We are particularly proud of the work we do in supporting students who need us the most, and we keep that clear line of sight on them from Year 6 to Year 12, that brings consistency every day for the child, and means we can match our support to their needs,” Mr Neilson said.

Member for Gladstone Glenn Butcher said the recognition is a true testament to educators in the region. 

“I am so impressed by the commitment of our principals and teachers to improve learning outcomes for students here in Gladstone,” Mr Butcher said.

“Our local educators continue to show incredible passion for innovative teaching and learning practices, and to see two schools working together to take out this award is especially exciting.

“I wish them all the best in the next stage!”

This year there were 86 submissions for the Showcase Awards state-wide, representing 120 schools. Regional award winners and commendation recipients will share in $66,000 worth of development grants to further support their initiatives.

The 27 regional award winners will be whittled down to a smaller number of state finalists next month, before the overall winners across the 10 categories are announced at a conference in Brisbane in October 2022. Winners will receive up to $10,000.

Further information about the Showcase Awards for Excellence in Schools, including the full list of regional winners and commendations, is available at: https://showcase.education.qld.gov.au/

The 10 award categories are:

• The Network 10 Showcase Award for Excellence in the Early and Primary Years
• The QSuper Showcase Award for Excellence in the Secondary Years
• The TUH Health Fund Showcase Award for Excellence in Inclusive Education
• The RemServ Showcase Award for Excellence in Parent and Community Engagement
• The Showcase Award for Excellence in Global Engagement
• The Queensland Teachers' Union Showcase Award for Excellence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education
• The Showcase Award for Excellence in Rural and Remote Education
• The QUT Showcase Award for Excellence in Teaching
• The Griffith University Jack Pizzey Award for Excellence in School Leadership
• The Bevan Brennan Every Child Needs a Champion Award

ENDS

Media contact: Kate Talbot, 0439 803 211