The extraordinary contributions of staff were celebrated at Brisbane Catholic Education’s (BCE) annual Excellence Awards last night (Wednesday, 23 August).
Special guest His Grace Archbishop Mark Coleridge joined 460 attendees, including winners, nominees, and other special guests for the awards event for staff across BCE’s 146 schools and seven offices.
290 staff were nominated from across 80 of 146 BCE schools and seven offices for awards celebrating the excellent ways the nominees work to support and nurture the growth of students, including teaching, leading, and mentoring.
BCE Executive Director Dr Sally Towns said BCE aims to be a high performing, caring and compassionate organisation that work together to enliven our vision and deliver exceptional education outcomes for students.
She added the Excellence Awards were a fantastic way to highlight the exemplary achievements of our people as well as showcase the impactful and innovative programs, projects and scopes of work happening in our schools.
“Every day at BCE we strive toward our vision of being a faith-filled learning community creating a better future.
“We hope to uplift our staff by building a talented, committed, and high achieving workforce. And we can do this by acknowledging your achievements, celebrating with each other and valuing each of your unique contributions.
“I personally feel that people thrive when they feel valued, and appreciated, for the outstanding work they are doing.”
The awards were held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The 2023 BCE Excellence Awards are supported by valued sponsors ‘Teachers Union Health Fund (TUH), NGS Super, Australian Catholic University (ACU), and RemServ’.
BCE EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2023 WINNERS
The NGS Super Award for Excellence in Learning and Teaching in Primary School - Awarded to Claire Byrne, Education Officer STEM, St Joseph’s Bardon
The NGS Super Award for Excellence in Learning and Teaching in Secondary School – Awarded to Kelly Chase, Curriculum Middle Leader (Social Sciences) and Middle and Senior Years teacher, Assisi Catholic College Upper Coomera.
The ACU Award for Excellence as an Early Career Teacher (Primary) - Awarded to Jody Nelson – Teacher, St Matthew’s Primary School Cornubia.
The ACU Award for Excellence as an Early Career Teacher (Secondary) - Awarded to Breanna Allan, Teacher, Mary MacKillop College, Nundah
The ACU Award for Excellence in Strengthening Catholic Identity – Awarded to Kim Brett, Humanities Teacher, Our Lady’s College Annerley
The Archbishop’s Award for Leadership – Awarded to Stephan le Roux, Principal, Holy Spirit College Fitzgibbon
The RemServ Award for Excellence in Learning and Teaching by a School Team – Awarded to High Impact Pedagogical Practice Team - Assistant Principal (Junior School) Wes Guthrie, Literacy Specialist (Claire Sivell), Numeracy Specialist (Janine White) – Marymount College, Burleigh Waters
The RemServ Award for Excellence in a BCE Office Role – Awarded to Amy Cartlidge, Employee Relations Lead, Employee Relations and Student Protection
The BCE Award for Excellence in Championing Student Voice – Awarded to Renee Devereaux, Senior Advisor – Safeguarding, Safeguarding
The BCE Award for Excellence in a School Based Non-Teaching Role – Awarded to Simon Whyte, Science Laboratory Assistant, Southern Cross Catholic College Scarborough
The TUH Award for Excellence in Safety and Wellbeing – Awarded to Joanne Breakspear, WHSO & PE Teacher and Craig Capewell, Groundsman, Christ the King Deception Bay
BCE EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2023 COMMENDATIONS
The NGS Super Award for Excellence in Learning and Teaching in Primary School
Dianne Hardy - Teacher, St Mary’s Primary School, Beaudesert.
Beth Musial - Teacher, St Joseph’s Primary School, Kangaroo Point.
The NGS Super Award for Excellence in Learning and Teaching in Secondary School
Cathy Hunt - Teacher, McAuley College, Beaudesert.
Suellen Geran - Teacher, St John Fisher College, Bracken Ridge.
The ACU Award for Excellence as Early Career Teacher
Kelli Hewitson - Teacher, St Joseph’s School, Murgon.
The ACU Award for Excellence in Strengthening Catholic Identity
Katie-Ann O’Kane - Assistant Principal Religious Education, St Ann’s School, Redbank Plains.
Catherine Connors - Principal, St Finbarr’s School, Ashgrove.
The TUH Award for Excellence in Safety and Wellbeing
Michelle Sams - Guidance Counsellor, St Peter Claver College, Riverview.
Chris Carlill - Assistant Principal, St Benedict’s College, Mango Hill.
The RemServ Award for Excellence in a BCE Office Role
Luke McCourt - Senior ICT Engagement Officer, Learning Technology Services.
Brett Clarke - Lead Support Accountant, School Finance Support.
The BCE Award for Excellence in a School Based Non-Teaching Role
Caroline Vakaci - Guidance Counsellor, Good Shepherd Catholic School, Springfield Lakes.
Russell Wilkie - Facilities and Events Coordinator, St John Fisher College, Bracken Ridge.
The RemServ Award for Excellence in Learning and Teaching by a School Team
FisherONE Online Education Team - St John Fisher College, Bracken Ridge; Xavier Catholic College, Hervey Bay; Unity College, Caloundra.
Creative & Critical Thinking Project Team - San Sisto College, Carina.
The BCE Award for Excellence in Championing Student Voice
Karen Chandler - Assistant Principal, Our Lady’s College, Annerley.
Rosemarie Dwyer - Teacher, St Augustine’s College, Augustine Heights.
The Archbishop’s Award for Leadership
Alexandra Cashin - Assistant Principal, Saint Mary’s Catholic College, Kingaroy.
The TUH Award for Excellence in Safety and Wellbeing – Awarded to Joanne Breakspear, WHSO & PE Teacher and Craig Capewell, Groundsman, Christ the King Deception Bay.
The BCE Award for Excellence in Championing Student Voice – Awarded to Renee Devereaux, Senior Advisor – Safeguarding, Safeguarding.
The ACU Award for Excellence in Strengthening Catholic Identity – Awarded to Kim Brett, Humanities Teacher, Our Lady’s College Annerley.