Teachers win awards - New England

Dr Checka McLaurin and Michaela Inglis Chair of the ACE New England Awards and Vice President of the NE Regional Group

Leanne Chape from Walgett & Checka MacLaurin

Kerr Award Winners for excellence in beginning teaching: Heidi LeBrocq, Angela Hayes & Andrew Horsfield

Sutherland Award, sustained excellent contribution to education: Jodie Taylor, Lindy Maunder, Leanne Chape & Janet Paterson

Awards Committee: David Paterson (ACE), Michaela Inglis (ACE), Peter Pickett (ACEL), Checka MacLaurin & David Gee (ACEL)

Harris Award winners - educational program: TAFE (Max Collins, Alan Potter), Henry Parkes PS (Leonie Webb & Christine Maddocks)

The New England branches of the Australian College of Educators (ACE) and the Australian Council for Educational Leadership (ACEL) held their annual joint awards presentation in Armidale on Friday 30 October - World Teacher's Day. A number of teachers and schools received awards for excellence in teaching and contributions to education named in honour of four local leaders in education: the late Alan Kerr, Alan  Sutherland, William Walker, and Harry Harris

The Alan Kerr award is made to teachers with no more than five years of service for excellence in classroom teaching and in contribution to school life and reputation.  Three recipients received the award: Heidi LeBrocq (St. Edward's Catholic Primary School, Tamworth); Angela Hayes (St. Mary of the Angels Catholic Primary School, Guyra); and Andrew Horsfield (The Armidale School).  All recipients demonstrated high levels of knowledge, skill, and a commitment to teaching that underpinned their excellence in teaching.  Additionally, it was unanimous that all of these fine early career teachers contributed positively to the life and reputation of their schools.

The Alan Sutherland award is made to professional educators and/or citizens for a significant contribution to education, and the four recipients were Jodie Taylor (Uralla Central School); Janet Paterson (Armidale Community Preschool); Lindy Maunder (TAFE NSW - New England Institute); and Leanne Chape (St. Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Walgett).  The three recipients presented a variety of skills, including professional support and mentoring in remote communities, national and international contributions to information communication technologies, and early childhood education respectively. Recipients of the Alan Sutherland award receive personal and professional recognition for their noteworthy contribution to education, as does their school and immediate community.

The William Walker award is given by the Australian Council for Educational Leadership, and is awarded to professional educators for outstanding leadership. Recipients of this award in 2008 were Grant Harris (Deputy Principal of The Armidale School), and Rodney Jones (Principal of Gunnedah High School).

The Harry Harris award is made to a school or community organization for a significant program leading to the fulfilment of an educational need. Two institutions received awards: The Sir Henry Parkes Memorial Public School in Tenterfield, for their comprehensive and inclusive Social Skills Rainbow Room Program, and TAFE NSW - New England Institute for their Technology-delivered Vocational Education and Training Courses for Secondary School Students which has provided students across NSW in rural and metropolitan areas with access to quality teaching and learning programs leading to vocational skills.

Participants at the award evening were inspired by a talk given by Dr. Checka MacLaurin, the Manager of Awards and Recognition for the NSW Department of Education and Training.  Dr MacLaurin spoke on the positive influence that acknowledgement of teaching excellence and service can provide the profession.

Nominations are invited for all categories of the ACE/ACEL awards mid-year, for consideration at the end of October each year. Further information about the ACE/ACEL awards in the New England region please contact either Ms. Michaela Inglis (Chair and Vice President, ACE Awards) on ph. 6774 8700, or Mr. Peter Pickett (President, ACEL) on ph. 6776 4130.