Media Release NSW - Wyndham Medal - Dr John Bennett honoured

Dr John Bennett, General Manager of the Office of the Board of Studies has been announced as the winner of the Australian College of Educators highest state award, the Wyndham Medal.

New South Wales College president, Dr John DeCourcy said the medal is named after Sir Harold Wyndham. 

'Sir Harold was a great NSW and Australian educator,' said Dr DeCourcy. 'As Director General of Education from 1952 until 1968 he presided over the transition from the Leaving Certificate to the Higher School Certificate.  As the first president of the Australian College of Educators NSW Branch, he saw the need for the recognition of outstanding educators.'

'John Bennett has been recognised for his leadership and intellectual contribution to the implementation of the changes to the Higher School Certificate prompted by the McGaw Review.  The model of standards-referenced assessment that Dr Bennett developed and implemented through the Board of Studies is now recognised throughout Australia and the world as best practice in measuring and reporting student achievement.'

Dr Bennett holds the degrees of Bachelor of Mathematics, Bachelor of Educational Studies, Master of Education and Doctor of Philosophy.  Besides his work within the NSW Board of Studies he has represented NSW on the Australasian Curriculum, Assessment and Certification Authorities (ACACA) and has supported other government assessment authorities in countries such as New Zealand, Scotland, Qatar and Indonesia.

The Australian College of Educators (ACE) is a national professional association which represents educators in all sectors and systems. With over 5,500 members, the college provides a forum for Australian educators to share expertise, provide analysis of educational policy, and maintain professional standards among educators.

The Wyndham Medal will be presented to Dr Bennett at a ceremony in Sydney on 7 August 2009.

Media enquiries

Dr John DeCourcy

NSW President

Australian College of Educators

T 02 9407 7079  M 0412 909 700  E jsdec@zeta.org.au W www.austcolled.com.au