APPLICATION GUIDE 10 YEARS - OF RECOGNISING EXCELLENCE
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APPLICATION GUIDE 10 YEARS OF RECOGNISING EXCELLENCE Platinum sponsor Education sponsor Silver sponsor Bronze sponsor
Acknowledgement of Country
The Department for Education acknowledges and respects Aboriginal peoples
as the state’s first peoples and nations, and recognises Aboriginal peoples as
traditional owners and occupants of land and waters in South Australia. Further,
that their spiritual, social, cultural and economic practices come from their
traditional lands and waters, that they maintain their cultural and heritage beliefs,
languages and laws which are of ongoing importance, and that they have made
and continue to make a unique and irreplaceable contribution to the state.
We acknowledge that Aboriginal peoples have endured past injustice
and dispossession of their traditional lands and waters.
2 | Public Education Awards 2021
10 years of recognising excellence
Every day, our people make a positive difference to the lives of children and young
people in schools, preschools and children’s centres across South Australia.
Now in its 10th year, the Public Education Awards celebrate the dedication
and outstanding contributions made by Department for Education employees.
Our people work directly with children and young people or in support of those
who do. The awards give us an opportunity to proudly share their achievements
with the community.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Public Education Awards were
postponed. In 2021 we therefore also have an opportunity to celebrate how our
people responded to these extraordinary circumstances. Together, this response
supported students and their families and minimised the disruption to learning.
This year, the awards will continue to recognise the exemplary practice and
contributions of leaders, teachers, support staff, corporate and allied health
professionals working towards achieving our world-class ambition.
Join us in the 10 year celebrations. Don’t miss your chance to encourage the
colleagues you are proud to work alongside to apply, and don’t be afraid to put
your own name forward too!
Hon John Gardner MP Rick Persse
Minister for Education Chief Executive,
Department for Education
3
About
The Public Education Awards were established in 2011 to showcase excellence
in the public education system. 2021 will mark the 10th anniversary of the
awards and provide an opportunity to reflect on our achievements, be
proud of the work we’ve done and where we are headed together.
The awards are open to all employees in the Department for Education.
The awards recognise the achievements of teachers, leaders,
allied health, support and corporate staff across the state.
Finalists and winners will be awarded prize money to undertake
professional learning or activities. Winners of each category receive
$10,000 and 2 finalists for each category receive $2,000.
This guide will provide you with information on how to apply for an award in 2021.
Key dates
Applications open 1 to 30 June
Finalists announced 27 August
Awards ceremony 5 November
4 | Public Education Awards 2021
Contents
How do I apply? ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 6
What’s next? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Leadership Awards������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 9
Early Years Leader of the Year Award ������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 10
Primary Leader of the Year Award �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������11
Secondary Leader of the Year Award ������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 12
Teaching Awards ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 13
Early Years Teacher of the Year Award ���������������������������������������������������������������������������� 15
Credit Union SA Primary Teacher of the Year Award ���������������������������������������������������� 16
Secondary Teacher of the Year Award ���������������������������������������������������������������������������� 18
Inclusive Teacher of the Year (Disability) Award ������������������������������������������������������������20
University of South Australia Team Teaching Award ���������������������������������������������������� 21
Other Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Aunty Josie Agius Award ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������25
Site-based Support Award ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������26
System Support Award. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Community Engagement Award ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������30
Terms of entry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
5
How
do I apply?
Applications are open from 1 to 30 June 2021.
Make sure you check the terms of entry on page 33
before submitting your application.
6 | Public Education Awards 2021
The awards are open to all employees in the Professional development
Department for Education. Employees can
You will need to tell us how you’ll spend the
submit an application online from 1 June simply
$10,000 prize should you win an award.
by visiting education.sa.gov.au/awards.
Your answer will be included in your
Choose a category application to show your considered
approach to performance development.
Once you decide to apply in the awards it is
important to talk to your site leader or manager In your answer, detail the learning or activity
and choose the most appropriate category for you’d like to undertake should you win. Include
your achievement. Your principal or director will approximate timings and budget, showing how
be required to endorse your application after you you would allocate the $10,000 prize. You
submit. Some categories are open to all staff, or should also describe the expected outcomes and
may be restricted to site-based or corporate staff. benefits of this learning or activity to your role.
Choose the category in which you can
most comprehensively address all the award Endorsement
criteria. The criteria are included in the award
All applications require endorsement
category section from page 9 of this guide.
to be eligible for an award.
Each category also specifies if it is open to
applications from individuals, teams or both. Approval must be provided by your principal
or director, including anyone acting in those
positions at the time. Applications will then
Write your application
proceed to the relevant Education Director
The application form will be available online during or Executive Director for endorsement.
June. You will need to create a login and then
follow the steps to complete your application.
Submit your entry
The response to each question in the application
Please check carefully that you have addressed
process has a word limit – remember, less words
all criteria and you have read the terms of entry
is fine if you have clearly answered the question.
on page 33 before submitting your application.
Make sure your answers are clear, concise and
Once your application is complete press
written in plain English. Provide specific examples to
‘submit’. You will receive an email confirming
demonstrate how you have met the award criteria.
that your application has been submitted.
Judges may be unfamiliar with your area of
Applications undergo endorsement and due diligence
work, so avoid acronyms or relying on assumed
checks as part of the awards process to ensure that
knowledge. Ask a colleague or manager to read
finalists are in good standing with the department.
through your application before submitting.
The awards manager will keep in touch and advise
The online form can be accessed on your
if you are a finalist once judging is completed.
computer or device. You can revisit it to work
on your application as many times as you like Late entries will not be accepted.
until you submit your entry before 30 June.
The application form auto-saves as you go,
but please make sure you save whilst you work.
7
What’s next?
Assessment Awards ceremony
The awards have a 2 stage assessment process. The 2021 Public Education Awards will be
held on the evening of Friday 5 November
All endorsed applications are reviewed by a at the Adelaide Convention Centre.
judging panel, consisting of a mix of department
employees – principals, directors, Executive Directors, Finalists are invited to attend the awards ceremony.
Education Directors and past winners – from a 4 tickets to the ceremony will be allocated
variety of locations across the organisation. to each finalist (individual or team).
The state panel then reviews the shortlisted Short films showcasing all the finalists will be shown
applicants to select 1 winner and 2 finalists for and the winners of each category announced.
each category. The state panel is chaired by
the Chief Executive, Department for Education The Minister for Education and Chief Executive,
and includes award partners from around the Department for Education will present the awards.
state with an interest in education services.
Finalists receive a signed certificate and $2000 towards
Applicants will be notified by Friday 27 August professional learning. Winners are presented with a
if they have been selected as a finalist. Finalists will trophy and $10,000 towards professional learning.
be sent an information pack, so please ensure your
All winners and finalists will be highlighted
postal address is correct and kept up-to-date.
on the department’s website.
Short films
Short films will be created for each finalist
to introduce them and showcase their
contributions and achievements. Finalists must
be available for filming during September.
Films will be shown for the first time at
the awards ceremony and will later be
available on the department’s website.
8 | Public Education Awards 2021
Award
Categories
Leadership Awards
Early Years Leader of the Year Award
Primary Leader of the Year Award
Secondary Leader of the Year Award
9
Early Years Leader
of the Year Award
Open to all Department for Education directors
in preschools or children’s centres.
Summary
This category acknowledges early years leaders who continuously improve the quality of their education and care
programs to facilitate children’s learning and development.
The National Quality Framework emphasises the role of leaders in continuous improvement, educational
leadership and the development of staff capacity and capability. Effective leaders develop clear direction and
plans for improvement that are tied to the needs of children, and lead change and innovation that is based on
data and evidence.
Outstanding early years leaders model life-long and collaborative learning, they proactively build relationships
with staff, parents, carers and the community to create a positive and inclusive culture.
Criteria
1. Positive impact
Provide evidence of the impact of your leadership on children’s outcomes (aligned to the Early Years
Learning Framework), and the capability, wellbeing and engagement of staff, sustained over time.
2. Outstanding practice
Describe how you use evidence-based strategies, policies and plans to drive continuous improvement
in the quality of children’s learning and development. Outline how you foster staff collaboration and
professional development to address the needs of children and families.
3. Inspiring engagement
Share how you model and build a positive and inclusive culture, inspiring engagement from parents,
carers and the broader community to support children’s learning and development. Describe how you
have worked with and influenced others, to strengthen leadership practice within and beyond your site.
Professional development
You will need to include how you’ll spend your prize money should you win an award and show your considered
approach to performance development.
In your answer detail the learning or activity you’d like to undertake should you win. Include approximate
timings and budget, showing how you would allocate the $10,000 prize. You should also describe the expected
outcomes and benefits of this learning or activity to your role.
10 | Public Education Awards 2021Primary Leader
of the Year Award
Open to all Department for Education primary school
principals and deputy or assistant principals.
Summary
This category acknowledges primary school leaders who build a positive and inclusive culture. These leaders
build high expectations, balancing challenge and support, so students and staff can thrive.
Excellence in educational leadership is key for improving staff and student achievement, engagement and
wellbeing. Leaders create the conditions for high-quality teaching and learning and drive school improvement.
They develop clear direction and plans for improvement that are tied to the needs of their students, leading
change and innovation that is based on data and evidence.
Criteria
1. Positive impact
Provide evidence of the impact of your leadership on the achievement, wellbeing and engagement
of students and staff, sustained over time.
2. Outstanding practice
Describe how you have developed evidence-based strategies, policies and plans, to realise school
improvements in the quality of teaching, learning and student outcomes. Outline how you foster staff
collaboration and professional development to address the needs of your primary learners.
3. Inspiring engagement
Share your strategies for engaging parents, carers and the broader community in student learning,
develop shared expectations and create an inclusive school culture. Describe how you model and
influence others to strengthen leadership practice within and beyond your site.
Professional development
You will need to include how you’ll spend your prize money should you win an award and show your considered
approach to performance development.
In your answer detail the learning or activity you’d like to undertake should you win. Include approximate
timings and budget, showing how you would allocate the $10,000 prize. You should also describe the expected
outcomes and benefits of this learning or activity to your role.
11Secondary Leader
of the Year Award
Open to all Department for Education secondary school principals and
deputy or assistant principals, including those in B-12, R-12 or area schools.
Summary
This category acknowledges secondary school leaders who build a positive and inclusive culture. These leaders
build high expectations, balancing challenge and support, so students and staff can thrive.
Excellence in educational leadership is key for improving staff and student achievement, engagement
and wellbeing. Leaders create the conditions for high-quality teaching and learning and drive school
improvement. They develop clear direction and plans for improvement that are tied to the needs of their
students, leading change and innovation that is based on data and evidence.
Criteria
1. Positive impact
Provide evidence of the impact of your leadership on the achievement, wellbeing and engagement
of students and staff, sustained over time.
2. Outstanding practice
Describe how you have developed evidence-based strategies, policies and plans, to realise school
improvements in the quality of teaching, learning and student outcomes. Outline how you foster staff
collaboration and professional development to address the needs of your secondary learners.
3. Inspiring engagement
Share your strategies for engaging parents, carers and the broader community in student learning,
develop shared expectations and create an inclusive school culture. Describe how you model and
influence others to strengthen leadership practice within and beyond your site.
Professional development
You will need to include how you’ll spend your prize money should you win an award and show your considered
approach to performance development.
In your answer detail the learning or activity you’d like to undertake should you win. Include approximate
timings and budget, showing how you would allocate the $10,000 prize. You should also describe the
expected outcomes and benefits of this learning or activity to your role.
*Leaders from B-12, R-12 or area schools are advised to apply in the Secondary Leader of the Year category
unless their application focuses on achievements in the primary or early years, in which case they can choose to
apply in those leader categories.
12 | Public Education Awards 2021Award
Categories
Teaching Awards
Early Years Teacher of the Year Award
Credit Union SA Primary Teacher of the Year Award
Secondary Teacher of the Year Award
Inclusive Teacher of the Year (Disability) Award
University of South Australia Team Teaching Award
1314 | Public Education Awards 2021
Early Years Teacher
of the Year
Open to all early years (B-5) teachers working in a Department
for Education preschool or early childhood setting.
Summary
This category acknowledges teachers who nurture relationships, and draw on a range of professional practices
to provide a high-quality curriculum that inspires young minds and facilitates their social and emotional
development.
Quality early learning experiences extend and enrich children’s learning and development and build a foundation
for future success in learning and life.
Outstanding early years’ teachers work collaboratively with peers, families and communities to design and deliver
activities and experiences for all children that are engaging and formative. They are intentional in their teaching to
equip children with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to become successful learners and transition to school.
Criteria
1. Positive impact
Provide evidence of the impact you have had on learning and development outcomes for every child,
aligned to the Early Years Learning Framework, and their readiness for school.
2. Outstanding practice
Describe how you develop and apply a range of professional practice and knowledge of each child, to
implement evidence-based improvements and foster children’s sense of security and belonging.
3. Inspiring engagement
Share how you partner with families and communities, contribute to the professional development of
your colleagues and participate in site or system improvement.
Professional development
You will need to include how you’ll spend your prize money should you win an award and show your considered
approach to performance development.
In your answer detail the learning or activity you’d like to undertake should you win. Include approximate
timings and budget, showing how you would allocate the $10,000 prize. You should also describe the expected
outcomes and benefits of this learning or activity to your role.
15Credit Union SA Primary Teacher
of the Year Award
Open to all primary teachers working
in a Department for Education school.
Summary
This category acknowledges teachers who actively seek to deepen and expand the skills, knowledge and
dispositions of primary learners, enabling them to thrive throughout their school years and into the future.
Inspiring teachers with high expectations, and the ability to design and deliver high-quality learning programs
that are responsive to individual needs, are key to every student’s success.
Outstanding primary educators demonstrate exceptional practice and collegiality, developing their capability with
others. They create productive and inclusive learning environments by building strong relationships with students
and partnering with families and communities.
Criteria
1. Positive impact
Provide evidence of the impact you have had on learning outcomes and growth for every child,
including achievement, wellbeing, engagement and transition to secondary education.
2. Outstanding practice
Describe how you develop and apply a deep body of professional knowledge to effectively respond
to diverse students’ needs, implement evidence-based improvements and provide an environment
in which students feel safe, included and challenged.
3. Inspiring engagement
Share how you partner with families and communities, contribute to the professional development
of your colleagues and participate in site or system improvement.
Professional development
You will need to include how you’ll spend your prize money should you win an award and show your considered
approach to performance development.
In your answer detail the learning or activity you’d like to undertake should you win. Include approximate
timings and budget, showing how you would allocate the $10,000 prize. You should also describe the expected
outcomes and benefits of this learning or activity to your role.
16 | Public Education Awards 2021Credit Union SA Primary Teacher of the Year
Winner 2019
Karen Schilling
Year 6/7 teacher, Tintinara Area School
Karen uses data to create shared ownership of learning, delivering impressive lift in outcomes at an individual
student and site level. An open presentation of data in the classroom sees students set their own areas for
improvement, increasing engagement and lifting results. The whole school data wall she introduced in 2016
supports a shared commitment to high impact, effective teaching practice.
Credit Union SA Primary Teacher of the Year
Finalists 2019
Catharine Carlin James Martin
Teacher Teacher
Brighton Primary School Two Wells Primary School
With a passion for creating an inclusive learning The designer of a dedicated technology facility
environment for all students, especially students where students explore and create, James is expertly
who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Catharine engaging students with STEM through programs
has seized every opportunity to increase her such as international Lego robotics competitions
own knowledge and share it with fellow teachers and an annual Go Kart Grand Prix. James is
and families. This has reduced feelings of tuned into each student’s needs and strengths
isolation, resulting in improved engagement and and his individualised learning approach helps
outcomes. Her expertise in wellbeing is shared them routinely achieve and exceed their goals.
with colleagues, increasing student resilience.
17Secondary Teacher
of the Year Award
Open to all secondary teachers working
in a Department for Education school.
Summary
This category acknowledges those empowering our secondary learners with the skills, knowledge and
dispositions they need for a successful transition to further study or employment.
Secondary schooling develops a broad range of skills, supporting students to become successful learners,
confident and creative individuals and active and informed citizens.
Outstanding secondary teachers demonstrate exceptional practice, specialised curriculum knowledge and
collegiality, developing their capability with others. They design and deliver teaching that brings relevance to
concepts, helps young people feel supported in their evolving identity and prepares them for life beyond school.
Criteria
1. Positive impact
Provide evidence of the impact you have had on learning outcomes and growth for every student,
including achievement, wellbeing, engagement and preparing students for their transition
beyond school.
2. Outstanding practice
Describe how you develop and apply a deep body of professional practice and curriculum expertise
to effectively respond to the needs of students, to implement evidence-based improvements and
provide engaging, challenging and personalised learning.
3. Inspiring engagement
Share how you partner with families and communities, contribute to the professional development
of your colleagues and participate in site or system improvement.
Professional development
You will need to include how you’ll spend your prize money should you win an award and show your considered
approach to performance development.
In your answer detail the learning or activity you’d like to undertake should you win. Include approximate
timings and budget, showing how you would allocate the $10,000 prize. You should also describe the expected
outcomes and benefits of this learning or activity to your role.
18 | Public Education Awards 2021Secondary Teacher of the Year
Winner 2019
Justine Fogden
Agriculture teacher, Loxton High School
Over the past 20 years Justine has established herself as a leader in agricultural teaching. Combining innovative
teaching practice with an ever-expanding network of industry contacts, her students have entrepreneurial
mindsets, job-ready skills and a myriad of opportunities to take advantage of them. A system-wide thinker,
her work includes mentoring beginning agriculture teachers and membership of the writing panel for the SACE
agriculture course.
Secondary Teacher of the year
Finalists 2019
Brenden Baldock Sam Moyle
Teacher Science and other technologies teacher
Glossop High School Brighton Secondary School
Brenden’s innovative, technology rich approach leaves Sam makes “bigger than big ideas” a reality, with
students in no doubt of the real world application a superbly engaging approach that delivers high
of their studies. From live broadcasting interschool rates of retention in senior sciences and excellent
events, to producing a weekly football show alongside ATAR results. Individualised approaches are the
local media identities, students are researching, hallmark of her work, with a depth and quality of
planning, problem solving and being stretched toward feedback that supports outstanding outcomes.
their potential. His approach maximises learning Sam’s work building teaching capacity at a site,
opportunities and benefits the wider community. system and national level marks her as a leader.
19Inclusive Teacher
of the Year (Disability) Award
Open to teachers working with children or young people
with disability in the Department for Education.
Summary
This category acknowledges teachers who exemplify inclusive education and demonstrate outstanding practice
to improve outcomes for learners with disability. Inclusive teachers personalise learning, value individual strengths,
and build strong relationships with learners, families and colleagues.
Learners with disability are educated in a broad spectrum of preschools and schools, including mainstream
environments and specialised education options.
Outstanding inclusive teachers are inspiring role models within and beyond their sites, who also work
exceptionally well with their colleagues. They work to make sure the Disability Standards of Education are
enacted to the highest level and demonstrate their dedication to achieving success for every learner.
Criteria
1. Positive impact
Provide evidence of the impact you have had on learning outcomes and growth for children and young
people with disability, including achievement, engagement, wellbeing and inclusion.
2. Outstanding practice
Describe how you develop and apply a range of professional practice and knowledge of each learner’s
needs, to develop and implement evidence-based improvement. Outline how you empower students
and parents or carers to have voice and agency in their education, and provide an environment in which
learners with a disability feel safe, included and challenged.
3. Inspiring engagement
Share how you build positive and collaborative relationships with families, colleagues and the broader
school community to build understanding and support for students with disability. Outline how you
inspire and contribute to developing more inclusive professional practices and shape site or system
improvements which benefit students with disability.
Professional development
You will need to include how you’ll spend your prize money should you win an award and show your considered
approach to performance development.
In your answer detail the learning or activity you’d like to undertake should you win. Include approximate
timings and budget, showing how you would allocate the $10,000 prize. You should also describe the expected
outcomes and benefits of this learning or activity to your role.
20 | Public Education Awards 2021University of South Australia
Team Teaching Award
Open to any team of educators working within
the Department for Education.
Summary
This category recognises exceptional teams that have had a significant impact on teaching and learning
at a site or system level, acknowledging the key role that collaboration plays in education.
Professional collaboration enables diverse input and deeper professional enquiry to test and refine curriculum
design, teaching practices, assessment and reporting. Through collective effort, teams drive change and
innovation that is tied to learner needs and grounded in research and evidence.
Outstanding teaching teams are prepared to challenge each other to lift expectations for learner achievement
and accelerate improvement through high-impact teaching strategies, characteristic of world-class education.
Criteria
1. Positive impact
Provide evidence of the reach and scale of improved learning experiences, outcomes and growth for
students, and the team’s collective impact on school or system improvement.
2. Outstanding practice
Describe how the team’s work was tied to learner’s needs and shaped by data, research and evidence.
Outline the strategies and collaborative processes that developed the rigour and effectiveness of shared
teaching practice.
3. Inspiring engagement
Share how the team involved parents, carers or the broader community in their improvement strategies
and how they inspired the development of teacher practice across the site, partnership or system.
Professional development
You will need to include how you’ll spend your prize money should you win an award and show your considered
approach to performance development.
In your answer detail the learning or activity you’d like to undertake should you win. Include approximate
timings and budget, showing how you would allocate the $10,000 prize. You should also describe the expected
outcomes and benefits of this learning or activity to your role.
2122 | Public Education Awards 2021
Award
Categories
Other Awards
Aunty Josie Agius Award
Site-based Support Award
System Support Award
Community Engagement Award
23About Aunty Josie Agius
Aunty Josie Agius (1934-2015) was a Narungga, Kaurna, Ngarrindjeri and Ngadjuri Elder known for her dedication
to Aboriginal people, especially children and young people.
She worked as one of South Australia’s first Aboriginal health workers in the 1980s and was part of the team that
established cultural context for how hospitals and community health services respond to Aboriginal people.
She also worked for many years at Taperoo Primary School. Her role as an Aboriginal education worker,
combined with her ongoing work at Kurruru Youth Performing Arts, saw Aunty Josie help many young Aboriginal
people develop their self-esteem and cultural pride.
A pillar of strength in her community, Aunty Josie was a strong leader who openly shared her stories and culture
with the broader community.
Aunty Josie was inducted into the SA Women’s Honour Roll in 2009, was patron of the 2014 and 2015 NAIDOC
SA Awards, and won the Premier’s NAIDOC Award in 2014. She passed away in 2015 at the age of 81.
Katrina Tjitayi, with Uncle Fred, Aunty Josie’s son and family.
24 | Public Education Awards 2021Aunty Josie Agius
Award
Open to all Aboriginal employees or teams working
in any role in the Department for Education.
Summary
This category recognises the cultural and community expertise of Aboriginal staff and the vital role they play in
inspiring and influencing the development of culturally responsive services or teaching practices. It celebrates
our colleagues who are inspiring young minds, delivering the richest learning experiences or building policy and
programs that respect culture and community.
Our Aboriginal employees are vital to achieving excellence in education. They are leaders who share their culture,
building collective responsibility for high achievement and relationships based on trust, respect and cultural pride.
Criteria
1. Positive impact
Provide evidence of the impact you have had, including your First Nations knowledge and perspective,
on improving site or system outcomes, learner achievement, engagement or wellbeing (either directly
or indirectly).
2. Outstanding practice
Describe how you or your team have delivered significant improvements in education services, or made
an authentic and meaningful contribution to the learning experiences of children and young people.
Outline how you have contributed to a culturally responsive workplace or learning environment.
3. Inspiring engagement
Describe how you successfully engage parents and carers as partners in their children’s learning or
how you collaborate with colleagues to share and develop best practices. Outline how you share your
expertise and knowledge to help develop others understanding of Aboriginal culture, language and
perspectives on education, within and beyond your local context.
Note: The Aunty Josie Agius Award has a different selection process. A council of representatives will facilitate
nominations and short-list individuals via an interview process which addresses the criteria.
To nominate or for more information on the Aunty Josie Agius Award please contact the Recognition team
on 8463 4985.
25Site-based Support
Award
Open to any individual or team working in a support
role within a Department for Education site.
Summary
This category recognises the inspirational efforts and excellence in practice of those working to support children,
students, teachers and leaders in the learning environment or in site management.
Those working in education support make a significant contribution to student and site outcomes. They are an
integral part of site communities, helping to build a positive and inclusive environment for learning and optimising
the use of resources.
Outstanding site-based support staff work collaboratively with their colleagues in the learning environment or
across the site, connecting with broader services and the site community to support improvement in teaching
and learning or more efficient systems, processes and operations.
Criteria
1. Positive impact
Provide evidence of the impact you or your team have had on site outcomes and the achievement,
engagement and wellbeing of children, students and staff (either directly or indirectly).
2. Outstanding practice
Describe how you or your team have supported the delivery of significant improvements in education
support services, successfully implementing change in response to student or site needs. Outline how
you have used data and evidence to support continuous improvement.
3. Inspiring engagement
Share how you or your team collaborate with colleagues within and beyond the site to share and
develop best practices. Describe how you communicate and engage parents, carers and the broader
community in an inclusive way to build a positive profile of the site.
Professional development
You will need to include how you’ll spend your prize money should you win an award and show your considered
approach to performance development.
In your answer detail the learning or activity you’d like to undertake should you win. Include approximate
timings and budget, showing how you would allocate the $10,000 prize. You should also describe the expected
outcomes and benefits of this learning or activity to your role.
26 | Public Education Awards 2021Site-based Support Award
Winner 2019
Trent Heneker
Facilities and grounds, Nuriootpa High School
Keeping Nuriootpa HS’s grounds immaculate is the starting point for Trent, who looks for ways to unlock the
learning potential of his work. Whether it’s engaging students with disability in landscaping projects, creating a ‘Young
Environmentalist Group’ or supporting colleagues to manage disruptive behavioural issues, he brings the classroom
outdoors. Trent is leading a vineyard upgrade to support the school’s viticulture program. Also as a professional
musician, Trent shares his industry knowledge and experience to support the music department and students.
Site-based Support Award
Finalists 2019
Amanda Solly Belinda Tilley
School services officer Pastoral care worker wellbeing
Goolwa Primary School Allendale East Area School
Amanda’s well researched, evidence-based Belinda has introduced focussed social emotional
interventions, coupled with her ability to make learning as a key component in her schools behaviour
students feel safe and ready to learn, has markedly management and student wellbeing. Her successful
improved numeracy outcomes in her school. At approach, includes creating an original framework for
upper primary, participants recorded 2-3 year’s growth teaching individual students self-efficacy as well as
in 12 months. At year 3, she helped 6 out of 7 students delivering broader SEL literacy across her school.
identified as needing specialist help to achieve above She is equipping colleagues with the tools, resources
the National Minimum Standard in NAPLAN numeracy. and techniques to facilitate positive behavioural change,
which is now being shared with other schools. Students
are reporting greater self-awareness, more positive
self-perception and a greater sense of their own and
their peers worth. 27System Support
Award
Open to any individual or team working in corporate or
regional offices in the Department for Education.
Summary
This category recognises professionals who excel in their field, providing fit-for-purpose services, policy
and programs to support student learning, manage site facilities and operations or develop the capacity
and capability of staff.
World-class education requires the expertise and contribution of professionals from many disciplines, including
allied health services and corporate functions, working and learning together to support schools, preschools and
children’s centres.
Outstanding system support is responsive to the needs and challenges faced by those working in education sites,
optimising the impact of resources and accelerating improvement.
Criteria
1. Positive impact
Provide evidence of the impact you or your team have had on site outcomes and the achievement,
engagement and wellbeing of students and staff (either directly or indirectly). Outline how your
objectives have linked to our vision to build world class education.
2. Outstanding practice
Describe how you use data and evidence to drive improvements in system support and respond
to the needs of education sites and staff. Outline how you tailor services or target resources to optimise
their impact across the system.
3. Inspiring engagement
Share how you or your team model purposeful collaboration, proactively engaging stakeholders within
and beyond the department, to design solutions and contribute to system improvement.
Professional development
You will need to include how you’ll spend your prize money should you win an award and show your considered
approach to performance development.
In your answer detail the learning or activity you’d like to undertake should you win. Include approximate
timings and budget, showing how you would allocate the $10,000 prize. You should also describe the expected
outcomes and benefits of this learning or activity to your role.
28 | Public Education Awards 2021System Support Award
Winner 2019
Social Work Incident Support Service
Flinders Park education office
The highly trained team provides direct consultation, support and advice to sites in response to hundreds
of critical incidents each year, promoting the wellbeing of students in the wake of traumatic events
and are instrumental in restoring calm following serious trauma. The team provide a duty line, on-site
support and training packages that equip sites to manage vulnerable students with skilled and empathetic
interventions. This enhances learner wellbeing which facilitates positive learning outcomes.
System Support Award
Finalists 2019
STEM Aboriginal Student Congress Upscaling teacher collective
design team efficacy and learner impact
Learning Improvement Inner West and Torrens partnership
The only event of its kind in Australia, the STEM This team is at the forefront of translating research
Aboriginal Student Congress has become a into high impact, self-sustaining improvement in
annual occasion. In 2019, over 500 Aboriginal teaching practice that delivers measurable growth
students connected with 90 STEM experts from in learner outcomes. The approach, which began in
across Australia to explore the relationships 2018 with a trial of 40 year 4-5 teachers, has been
between traditional knowledge, culture and scaled up to inform the practice of 450 educators
STEM. With the goal of investigating STEM in the at a partnership level, and led to the development
context of Aboriginal knowledge, perspectives of a model that can be applied to all sites.
and voice, participants reported a positive
shift in their dispositions toward STEM and an
increased likelihood of studying STEM subjects.
29Community Engagement
Award
Open to any individual or team working within
the Department for Education.
Summary
This category recognises those working to foster active partnerships with parents and carers to improve children
and young people’s learning or to engage with the community to improve education services.
The quality of learning environments in the home and broader community are important for children’s
development, student’s academic achievement and pathways to further education and employment.
Outstanding professionals use deliberate and targeted strategies, policies and practical resources to engage
and sustain involvement by parents, carers and community organisations in learning and education.
Criteria
1. Positive impact
Outline your objectives for building engagement with parents, carers or the community and how
this is linked to your improvement strategies and plan. Provide evidence of the change in levels of
engagement and its impact on learning and other outcomes for children and young people.
2. Outstanding practice
Describe how you have planned, differentiated and monitored engagement activities in order to
optimise their impact. Outline your evidence-informed practices to shape the involvement and quality
of interactions in home and community settings.
3. Inspiring engagement
Share how you have proactively developed and sustained relationships with families or organisations
to benefit children and young people. Describe how you have used collaborative learning to develop
best practice in engagement and how you share this with or beyond your team.
Professional development
You will need to include how you’ll spend your prize money should you win an award and show your considered
approach to performance development.
In your answer detail the learning or activity you’d like to undertake should you win. Include approximate
timings and budget, showing how you would allocate the $10,000 prize. You should also describe the expected
outcomes and benefits of this learning or activity to your role.
30 | Public Education Awards 2021Community Engagement Award
Winner 2019
Lucy Standish
Teacher, Kilparrin Teaching and Assessment School and Services
Forging a partnership that sees students with multiple disabilities learning alongside an international composer
and music educator, the Australian Youth Orchestra, and a violinist from London Symphony Orchestra, Lucy uses
the power of music to celebrate inclusivity. Her ‘music for all’ philosophy, combined with an outstanding ability
to connect with other schools, councils and community, instils in students a sense of passion and purpose.
Community Engagement Award
Finalists 2019
Iwantja Children and Family Centre Way to Play
Indulkana Anangu School Port Augusta Children’s Centre
A collaborative approach to programs, with Way to Play is an hour long community radio
meaningful input from families and the wider show combining entertainment with information
community, has quadrupled daily attendance to promote early childhood education services to
in the last 4 years, and seen 100% of Indulkana Aboriginal families. Developed with Port Augusta’s
Community children aged birth to 5 enrolled Aboriginal community and featuring elders and
in a program. Putting culture and family at the community members sharing stories and singing
centre of everything they do has created a service in language, the innovative celebration of culture
which is truly responsive to community needs. has increased enrolments by reaching out to
families who find it difficult to connect to services.
3132 | Public Education Awards 2021
Terms of entry
Eligibility Prizes
The Public Education Awards are open to all Prizes provided to winners and finalists based at
employees of the Department for Education. Some sites must be used by the end of the calendar
categories are only open to certain employees. year following the awards. Winners and
finalists from corporate must use their funds
Public Education Awards finalists and winners within the current financial year. Funds not
are not eligible for an award for a period of used in these timeframes must be returned
2 years (including as part of a team). to the Public Education Awards program.
A question addressing what you would spend the
Shortlisted applicants must be in good standing
winning prize on is included in each category.
with the department. The awards manager reserves
It is expected winning applicants will undertake
the right to remove any applicant at any time.
the specified activity, or something very similar.
Any winner wishing to change their professional
learning activity must seek permission from
Applications the awards manager and may forfeit their
Individuals and teams may only apply in 1 category. prize if no suitable alternative is found.
Entrants are required to answer all of the Finalists’ prizes will be allocated post event for an
questions provided in the online application approved professional activity of choice, as negotiated
form for their chosen category. Information with their line manager and the awards manager.
that is provided in the title and summary fields
may be used for marketing purposes. Winners and finalists may be required to fulfil an
ambassadorial role and must agree to participate in
the promotion of the awards prior to and following
Judging the ceremony as requested by the department.
The state judging panel reserves the right to
not award a winner if they deem there are no
suitable submissions in a particular category.
Decisions made by the judging panel are final. No
correspondence regarding the panel’s decisions
and recommendations will be entered into.
Short films
Short films will be created for each finalist
to introduce them and showcase their
contributions and achievements. Finalists must
be available for filming during September.
Films will be shown for the first time at
the awards ceremony and will later be
available on the department’s website.
33Thank you to our sponsors for their commitment
to public education in South Australia.
Platinum sponsor
At Credit Union SA, education is part of our DNA. We have been supporting
the education community for over 60 years now and continue to do
so by sponsoring a variety of incredible associations, organisations and
professional development events. What’s more, we offer an amazing range
of exclusive banking benefits to employees within the education community,
students carrying out studies in education, and their immediate family.
So, educators can feel great about getting the best out of their banking while also
giving back to their community. It’s win-win! To find out more visit
www.creditunionsa.com.au or call us on (08) 8202 7777 – we’re here to help!
We are proud to sponsor the Public Education Awards in 2021.
Education sponsor
With a 115-year history of educating the teachers of the future, UniSA
is South Australia’s largest tertiary provider of pre service education degrees
in South Australia.
With the Department for Education, we provide real-world experiences for more
than 2,500 pre-service teachers each year, support professional development for
teachers, and uncover insights into learning and teaching practice. We are proud
to sponsor the 2021 Public Education Awards. www.unisa.edu.au
Silver sponsor Bronze sponsor
At Super SA, our mission is to champion the Maxxia is proud to support the 2021 Public
financial wellbeing of all South Australians, and help Education Awards. We have a long-standing
our members live their best life in retirement. relationship with the Government of South
Australia and the Department for Education.
That’s why this year, we’re proudly sponsoring
the Department for Education’s Public Education As a business we choose to support initiatives that
Awards. These awards recognise the outstanding provide recognition of the individuals who possess
contributions of the Department’s valuable the qualities of excellence and provide a positive
staff members during a difficult year. contribution to our South Australian community.
To find out more call 1300 123 123 or
With more than 30,000 employees, the Department visit www.sagov.maxxia.com.au
for Education comprises a large part of our
member-base, and we are thrilled to get behind our
members by supporting these prestigious awards.
We look forward to celebrating our members’
achievements later this year. www.supersa.sa.gov.au
34 | Public Education Awards 2021PUBLIC EDUCATION AWARDS GPO Box 1152 Adelaide SA 5001 08 8463 4985 publiceducationawards@sa.gov.au education.sa.gov.au/awards Printed May 2021. Please note material in this guide was accurate at the time of printing and may be subject to change without notice. EDU0521_189
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