Tonight I sincerely congratulate the 17 staff and volunteers receiving Department of Education RBF Awards in acknowledgement of their outstanding work within the public education sector.
Now in its fifth year, the Awards are an opportunity to recognise and reward staff and volunteers who demonstrate excellence in their roles supporting education.
The Department of Education Awards would not be possible without the support of the naming right sponsor, the Retirement Benefits Fund, as well as partners Teachers Health Fund, Wrest Point Tasmania, and Telstra.
It is my pleasure to present a number of the school-based awards, including the Principals and Teachers of the Year Award for Primary and Secondary schools won by staff from Lansdowne Crescent Primary School, Woodbridge School, South Arm Primary School and Rosny College respectively.
All the winners of the 2016 RBF Department of Education Awards for Excellence exemplify the high-quality work that is undertaken every day by staff and volunteers across the Department.
Awards such as these recognise the significant work being undertaken in the education sector, sharing information and skills that will ultimately lead to improved processes and learning outcomes for students and their communities.
As today is World Teachers Day I also take this opportunity to acknowledge the commitment and dedication of all of the amazing educators working together for a brighter future for this state.
Working together, learning and growing from each other is pivotal to our success.
Earlier today I was fortunate to open the Department’s annual conference – Together we inspire, Shaping our Future – where staff across the agency joined in collaboration to discuss the future direction and strategic plan for the Department.
2016 RBF Tasmanian Education Award Winners:
OVERALL AWARD
RBF Secretary’s Award for Overall Excellence
• Lisa Cook, Teacher South Arm Primary School
School Awards
Principal of the Year – Early Years and Primary
• Monique Carter, Principal Lansdowne Crescent Primary School
Principal of the Year – Secondary
• Hamish Cunningham, Principal Woodbridge School
Teacher of the Year – Early Years and Primary
• Lisa Cook, Teacher South Arm Primary School
Teacher of the Year – Secondary
• Simone Cunliffe, Teacher Rosny College
Teachers Health Fund Outstanding Young Teacher
• Alison Harvey, Teacher New Norfolk Primary School
Staff Supporting Learning Awards
School Business Manager of the Year
• Rhonda Turner, School Business Manager Collinsvale Primary School
Support Employee of the Year
• Bill Parker, Facility Services Attendant, Triabunna District School
Professional Support Specialist of the Year
• Niki Hussain, Campania District School
Service Awards (Department-Based)
Departmental Employee of the Year
• Tina Busch, Coordinator Blended Learning, Curriculum Services
LINC Employee of the Year
• Sabena Lund, Manager Smithton LINC
Wrest Point Young Departmental Employee of the Year
• Alex Silsby, Network Support Officer, Elizabeth College)
Outstanding Team of the Year
• George Town Community Hub: Anne Blythman (Hub Manager), Barb Larter, Lisa Barrenger, Sophie Flanagan, Peter Parkes, Rob Hardinge, Ali Bell, Trudi Cross, Alex Austin, Barb Parker
Service Tas: Rachael Andjelkovic, Jane Lang; CHAPS: Helen Bowring
Special Category Award
Telstra Outstanding Use of Innovation or Technology
• Chloe Simons, Teacher Southern Support School, eLearning
Community Awards (for the first year, we are recognising all 3 finalists in this category equally)
Volunteers of the Year Award (all 3 finalists recognised for their outstanding contributions)
• Vicki Axton (George Town Child and Family Centre);
• Jennifer Dare (Clarence Plains Child and Family Centre);
• Doug McKenzie (Westerway Primary School)
Jeremy Rockliff, Minister for Education and Training
