Ms Nicolette Burraston, a science teacher from New South Wales, has been awarded the Medal of Distinction at the 2008 National Awards for Quality Schooling.
The Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, presented the science teacher from Cowra High School and 58 other teachers, principals, support staff and schools across Australia with awards today at a ceremony at Parliament House in Canberra.
Ms Burraston has made a significant contribution to future generations early in her career by motivating and engaging students in the study of science.
Enthusiastic and inspirational teachers like Nicolette are the key to students having rich and rewarding experiences in science classes.
The Rudd Government is committed to delivering an Education Revolution, and has invested over $1.1 million in prize money for the awards.
A world class education system is crucial to ensuring our national prosperity into the future.
Research has shown that the most important factor in determining a child’s likely performance at school is the quality of their classroom interactions.
These awards are important for building a better understanding and greater appreciation of the work done in our schools.
As part of the Education Revolution, the Rudd Government has directed $400,000 to research in an effort to identify the best ways to reward quality teaching.
Australians need to encourage, support and recognise the important work of educators in our society.
A list of the winners is attached. More information is available
Photos are available from 4pm at: http://www.photocall.com.au/destawards.htm
Attachment
2008 Australian Government National Awards for Quality Schooling
The seven major Award winners and their prize money amounts are:
Excellence by a Beginning Teacher, Recipient of Medal of Distinction
Nicolette Burraston, Cowra High School, NSW
Excellence by a Teacher
Carolyn Hayden, Lambton High School, NSW
Excellence in Teacher Leadership
Richard Nash, Ithaca State School, QLD
Excellence by a Principal
Peter Holcz, Mindarie Senior College, WA
Excellence by a Support Staff Member
David Simpson, Bonya School, NT
Excellence in School Improvement,
Owairtilla School - Canteen Creek, NT
Excellence in Family-School Partnerships
Kuranda District State College, QLD
The highly commended winners are:
Excellence by a Teacher -
Highly Commended
Kevin Bennett SC, Kent Street Senior High School, WA
Rebecca Chapman, St Benedict's Catholic Primary School, WA
Ramona Elliott, Willetton Senior High School, WA
Kerri Furlong, Mitchelton State High School, QLD
Noel Gibson, Bracken Ridge State High School, QLD
Graham Herlihy, Robina State High School, QLD
Mark Howie, Penrith High School, NSW
Julie Lambert, Seaford 6 -12 School, SA
Sarah Long, All Saints Anglican School, QLD
Rebecca Lowe, Kingaroy State High School , QLD
Ken McBeath, Campbelltown Performing Arts High, NSW
Emma Medhurst, Salisbury High School, SA
Robert Pratt, Campus Kindergarten, QLD
Kerry Short, Wanganui Park Secondary College, VIC
Andrew Thomson, Balgowlah North Public School, NSW
Excellence by a Beginning Teacher -
Highly Commended
Jennifer Bergstrum, St Aidan's Anglican Girls' School, QLD
Excellence in Teacher Leadership -
Highly Commended
Deborah Gilbert, Bulahdelah Central School, NSW
Elena Hawkins, Australian Technical College North Queensland, QLD
Suzan Hirsch, St Patrick's Catholic Primary School, Asquith, NSW
Leanne Randolph, Forest Lake State High School, QLD
Debra Turley, Salisbury High School, SA
Excellence by a Principal -
Highly Commended
Amanda Bell, Brisbane Girls Grammar School, QLD
Cherie Lutton, Fraser Primary School, ACT
David Morris, Northern Beaches State High School, QLD
Gavin Power, Springfield Primary School, WA
Steven Salamon, Maylands Peninsula Primary School, WA
Gail Dyer, Belmore South Public School, NSW
Paul Erickson, Kingswood High School, NSW
Excellence by a Support Staff Member -
Highly Commended
Maureen Bailey, Australind Senior High School, WA
Vicki Belletty, Kawana Waters State College, QLD
Helena Hewish, Seaford 6-12 School, SA
Desley Insall, Collingwood College, VIC
Trevor Muller, Murgon State High School, QLD
Margaret Papertalk, Aranmore Catholic College, WA
Karen Thomson, Blackwood Centre for Adolescent Development, VIC
Excellence in School Improvement -
Highly Commended
Bellaire Primary School, VIC
Birrong Girls High School, NSW
Boondall State School, QLD
Boulder Primary School, WA
Canberra College , ACT
Carroll College, NSW
Copperfield College, VIC
Eastwood Heights Public School, NSW
Keithcot Farm School, SA
Solomontown Primary School, SA
St Paul the Apostle Catholic Primary School, NSW
St Thomas the Apostle Primary School, ACT
Torquay Primary School, VIC
Wallan Primary School, VIC
Excellence in Family-School Partnerships -
Highly Commended
Greenwich Public School, NSW
Longreach School of Distance Education, QLD
St Michael's Parish Primary School, VIC