Tuesday, 17 September 2019

Teachers, principals and school staff in Eastern Victoria are among the finalists being acknowledged by the Andrews Labor Government in this year’s Victorian Education Excellence Awards.

Acting Minister for Education Gayle Tierney today congratulated the 35 finalists across 12 award categories. The awards recognise inspirational teachers, principals, business managers and education support staff.

Finalists include:

Outstanding Business Manager Award Finalist

Juan Hompart, Berwick College

Juan Hompart is an integral member of the leadership team at Berwick College, supporting strategic planning and compliance measures to improve learning outcomes for 1,700 students and supporting 170 staff.

Since joining the school in 2017, Juan has transformed financial systems, processes and procedures, improving the college’s entire financial position.

Juan is committed to equity and excellence in student outcomes. He ensures every student at the college is able to access all opportunities and remain engaged in learning. He supports students at risk of homelessness to access the Kids Undercover Scholarship and relief funding.

Juan’s creative flexible approach and willingness to take on new challenges has seen him support improvements to processes across a diverse range of work areas. He draws on his strong relationships with colleagues in other schools to support Berwick College’s staff to access a range of professional learning and networking opportunities.

Juan embodies the college values of Respect, Integrity, Perseverance and Personal Achievement.

Outstanding Secondary Teacher Award Finalist

Broady Kata, Officer Secondary College

Broady Kata, English and Humanities teacher at Officer Secondary College, believes that students can achieve more than they imagine if they are given the tools, support and encouragement to meet high expectations. He encourages a culture of student leadership and agency in the school, giving students the opportunity to conceive, implement and run a variety of activities and projects.

As facilitator of both the English and Humanities Professional Learning Communities, Broady supports his colleagues to develop their teaching skills and creates an environment where they can share their own experiences.

Broady strongly supports inclusive and culturally safe learning environments and has run a number of lesson sequences for all year levels to build student understanding in this area.

Broady has a strong focus on his students. His deep commitment to their academic success and wellbeing is evidenced in the high performance levels demonstrated by his classes and his successful leadership of the Positive Behaviour Supports program.

2019 Specialist Award Finalist

Dr Lawrie Shears Excellence in Global Teaching and Learning Award

Birmingham Primary School

As a school accredited by the Council of International Schools, Birmingham Primary School is committed to developing its students as global citizens and prioritising excellence in global learning across all year levels in a stimulating learning environment.

The school has partnered with Monash University to introduce a global education specialist subject program premised on the Victorian Curriculum. The program aims to help students understand their place in the world through the development of critical and creative thinking, equipping them with the knowledge, skills and abilities to become global citizens.

The Future Problem Solving Program is focused on developing the intercultural understanding of students through studying issues that will become prevalent in the near future, such as disappearing languages across the globe and the ethical treatment of animals.

The school is proud to be one of four Australian schools to participate in the International School-to-School Experience, an international exchange student program that has seen it welcome students and staff from many countries including Mexico, Malaysia, Peru, China and India.

All winners are awarded professional development grants of up to $25,000 to support their work in schools.

The Labor Government is building the Education State where every student can access a great local school and get a great education, which involves having great teachers at the forefront of our classrooms to help kids thrive.

That’s why the Victorian Education Excellence Award winners receive grants towards professional development and learning, to ensure our teachers are well supported to lead great careers in the Education State.

Winners will be announced at a ceremony to coincide with Australia’s celebration of World Teachers’ Day on 25 October. The Lindsay Thompson Award for Excellence in Education will also be awarded on the night.

More information about the awards and finalists is available at www.education.vic.gov.au/veea

Quotes attributable to Acting Minister for Education Gayle Tierney

“The Victorian Education Excellence Awards are the state’s most prestigious celebration of the outstanding education professionals who go that extra mile to help young Victorians thrive at school.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing

“Our local teachers, principals and education professionals are exceptionally dedicated, skilled and passionate about bringing out the best in their students, and these awards are a wonderful way to recognise their contributions and hard work.”