BRISBANE Catholic Education recognised staff who went “above and beyond" to teach, challenge and transform students' lives at the annual Excellence Awards last night.
Staff gathered alongside family, friends and special guests at the Brisbane Convention Centre to congratulate the outstanding winners who were picked from 120 nominations.
Archbishop Mark Coleridge and BCE Executive Director Pam Betts recognised the excellent ways in which the nominees worked to support and nurture the growth of students in Catholic schools, in teaching, leading, mentoring and developing others.
Addressing the finalists, Archbishop Coleridge said their work was crucial especially during the pandemic.
“The teachers and support staff in our schools have been magnificent in keeping the schools going to make sure that we are helping children learn," he said.
“The awards are about rewarding those teachers who have worked tirelessly to create a particular kind of excellence that generates hope for the future."
Miss Betts said the number and quality of the nominations this year were fantastic and a testament to the outstanding effort and achievements of staff in BCE schools and offices.
She congratulated the winners and all the finalists, saying it was important to acknowledge those who shone in their endeavours.
“It is important to recognise those in our schools, and in support of our schools, who go above-and-beyond. We celebrate individuals and teams and wholeheartedly thank them for all the amazing and transformational work that they do," she said.
During the evening, a total of nine awards were on offer. The ACU Award for Excellence as an Early Career Teacher (<5 years) was awarded to Travis Price from St Bernard's Primary, Upper Mt Gravatt.
Timothy Mason, Marymount Primary School, Burleigh Waters, claimed the top spot in the NGS Super Award for Excellence in Learning and Teaching in a Primary School, and Phillip Ellison from St Michael's College, Merrimac, took out the NGS Super Award for Excellence in Learning and Teaching in a Secondary School.
John Thomas, from St Thomas More College, Sunnybank, won the ACU Award for Excellence in Building Strong Catholic Identity with the Brisbane Catholic Education Office ITS Team member Grant Shipton, claiming the Award for Excellence in Nurturing a Professional Workforce by Developing Colleagues.
In the TUH Health Award for Excellence in Supporting Learning and Teaching through a Brisbane Catholic Education Office Role Eric Ellis from Ngutana-Lui Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Cultural Studies Centre, Inala topped the nominations and Tony Green from St Columban's College, Caboolture scored the TUH Health Award for Excellence in Supporting Learning and Teaching through a School-based Role.
St Paul's School, Woodridge, Principal Matt MacKinlay accepted the BCE Award for Excellence in Learning and Teaching by a School or School Team on behalf of the school community. Matt said it was a privilege to have been nominated in the first place.
“But to actually win this award acknowledges the great work that all our staff do, from the cleaner to the groundsman to the school officers and teachers, is just such an honour," Matt said.
“These people work tirelessly every day for our students and it is an incredibly complex and diverse school, but the work that they do is just outstanding. To be acknowledged by your peers in this way is incredibly humbling," he said.
To finish off the evening the inaugural Archbishop's Community Spirit Award was presented to Paula-Mary Camilleri from St Benedict's College, Mango Hill.
Guests were entertained throughout the evening by the exceptional musical talents of students from Clairvaux MacKillop College, Upper Mt Gravatt, and supported by staff members, Trish Carpenter and Sarah Kirk.
The BCE Excellence Awards were again supported by our valued sponsors, ACU (Australian Catholic University), TUH (Teachers Union Health) and NGS Super.