October 2011     Australia’s best teachers and principals have been recognised in the Australian Awards for Outstanding Teaching and School Leadership.

Minister for School Education Peter Garrett presented awards to the five national winners from 39 state and territory finalists at an event hosted by the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership in Melbourne tonight.

“These awards recognise outstanding teachers and principals who demonstrate innovative teaching practices and make a significant contribution to the education of young Australians,” Mr Garrett said.  “I regularly see the fine work that teachers do in classrooms around Australia, and there is no doubt they are the most important people inside the school gate.

The Minister’s Award recognises innovation and great commitment to closing the educational gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.  Certificates were presented to 39 state finalists, from which the Minister’s Award and four national winners were selected in the following categories:

• Australian Primary Teacher of the Year: Jo Sherrin, Bradshaw Primary School, Alice Springs, Northern Territory
• Australian Secondary Teacher of the Year: David Henderson, Rossmoyne Senior High School, Rossmoyne, Western Australia
• Australian Primary Principal of the Year: Lee Musumeci, Challis Early Childhood Education Centre, Armadale, Western Australia
• Australian Secondary Principal of the Year: David Hamlett, Taroona High School, Taroona, Tasmania
• Minister’s Award for Excellence in Teaching or Leadership in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education: Graham Blackley, Bairnsdale Secondary College, Bairnsdale, Victoria

Mr Garrett said the national winners of each category will receive a professional learning scholarship to work with recognised education experts and practitioners which can be undertaken within Australia or overseas.

“Quality teaching is the single most important in-school contributor to student achievement, and I congratulate the five winners, all of whom have shown incredible leadership in teaching,” Mr Garrett said.

“These awards provide an opportunity to showcase the enormous contribution that these teachers and principals are making to our schools.”

A full list of finalists in the Australian Awards for Outstanding Teaching and School Leadership is available at: www.aitsl.edu.au

From infromation provided by the Minister for School Education, 14 October, 2011.

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