Education Minister Grace Grace has today announced the 27 regional winners of Queensland’s 2022 Showcase Awards for Excellence in Schools, with schools from eastern Brisbane to the Western Cape being recognised.
Now in its 23rd year, Minister Grace said the Showcase Awards are widely regarded as the most prestigious educational awards in Queensland, showcasing excellence in education, innovation, and leadership.
“One of the privileges of my job as Education Minister is to meet the outstanding teachers and educators delivering innovative and world class opportunities for our young Queenslanders,” Ms Grace said.
“The Showcase Awards allow us to recognise and celebrate the great work that our schools are doing day-to-day to ensure that Queensland continues to innovate and develop new education practices.
“The quality of submissions for this year’s awards was once again exceptional and extremely competitive, making the task of selecting award winners all the more difficult for the regional judging teams.
“To be named as one of the 27 regional winners, or as one of the 24 to receive a commendation, is a significant accolade for these schools. It’s an important recognition of their contribution to the state’s education system.
“I congratulate each and every one of them, and wish them all the best in the next rounds which will determine our state finalists, and ultimately our state winners.”
Moreton Bay Environmental Centre Principal Dianne Aylward said the team was delighted to be named Metro regional winner of the Queensland Teachers’ Union Showcase Award for Excellence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education.
“Our program – Building cultural understanding and capabilities on Quandamooka Country – is an ongoing journey and is only possible by seeking advice from a range of Quandamooka First Nations people,” Ms Aylward said.
“Noonuccal man Matt Burns, Elder Aunty Becky Thompson, and Ngugi woman from Quandamooka nation Aunty Merle Cashman, have been instrumental in developing and delivering our programs, and helping us to foster a real appreciation for First Nations cultural heritage in our students.
“By ensuring we have a Quandamooka Cultural Officer as an integral and essential part of our programs, we’re teaching an honest history and understanding of Quandamooka history through age-appropriate curriculum to students in early childhood education right through to Year 6.
“For example, our Year 4 program First Contact Program and Year 2 Small Town, Big History Program along with our Outdoor Classroom Day has reached students from approximately 70 state and non-state schools.”
This year there were 86 submissions for the Showcase Awards state-wide, representing 120 schools. Regional award winners and commendation recipients will share in $66,000 worth of development grants to further support their initiatives.
The 27 regional award winners will be whittled down to a smaller number of state finalists next month, before the overall winners across the 10 categories are announced at a conference in Brisbane in October 2022. Winners will receive up to $10,000.
