industry & reform
Young people see how powerful their voice is when they share it in a constructive way .
Head of the class
Hayley Dureau from Mount Waverley Secondary College in Victoria was one of 12 educators recognised in the awards . Photo : Supplied
2021 Commonwealth Bank Teaching Awards winners .
By Wade Zaglas
A former doctor with a commitment to social justice through education and a leading teacher with a commitment to student voice were among twelve of Australia ’ s most inspiring teachers and school leaders recognised for their dedication to students and communities at the 2021 Commonwealth Bank Teaching Awards .
In recognition of their dedication to improving outcomes for all students , each of the teaching fellows received a $ 45,000 fellowship , comprising $ 25,000 to implement a strategic project in their school , $ 10,000 towards professional development and a group study tour to high performing schools .
After being shortlisted from more than 400 educators across Australia , the selection panel chose the following twelve award winners :
• Alex Wharton , Head of Middle School , Carinya Christian School Gunnedah , NSW
• Anna Ritzema , Science & STEM Specialist teacher , Tambrey Primary School , WA
• Daniel Yore , Senior Teacher Secondary , Yirrkala School , NT
• Donna Harvey , Deputy Principal , Beenleigh State High School , QLD
• Hayley Dureau , Leading Teacher , Mount Waverley Secondary College , VIC
• Jennifer Parrett , Principal , James Fallon High School , NSW
• Jessica Chesterfield , Visual Art Teacher , Hymba Yumba Independent School , QLD
• Lloyd Godson , Teacher , Hastings Secondary College Westport Campus , NSW
• Paul Taylor , Principal , Banora Point Public School , NSW
• Rebecca Godfrey , Principal , Blackwater State High School , QLD
• Rebecca West , Deputy Principal / Instructional Leader , Bonnyrigg Public School , NSW
• Wendy Bode , Deputy Principal , Thuringowa State High School , QLD While being named a Commonwealth
Bank Teaching Awards winner is an achievement during any year , the extra stresses and disruptions this year ’ s teaching fellows weathered was acknowledged by Pricilla Brown , group executive at Commonwealth Bank .
“ The unique challenges of the past year have highlighted the invaluable role teachers play in our children ’ s lives , and in our communities . Teachers across the country had to quickly adapt their teaching styles , embrace new technologies , and change the way they connected with students to ensure their education could continue ,” she said .
“ It has been remarkable to see how this year ’ s award recipients still found unique ways to engage their students even in the midst of a global pandemic . These inspiring teachers continued to innovate and transform the way they taught their students while making significant improvements to their learning experiences in everything from robotics , to community based learning and job readiness .
“ I would like to congratulate this year ’ s recipients on their fabulous achievements .”
Daniel Yore trained as a doctor before turning to education to address educational disadvantage in Aboriginal communities . The senior secondary teacher is employed at Yirrkala School , a bilingual school in North East Arnhem Land , NT .
After a highly successful year in which 20 of the school ’ s students are set to graduate Year 12 and four are preparing for university studies , Yore said that the key to the school ’ s achievements is respect .
“ The school and the senior secondary program deeply value Yolngu knowledge systems by clearly incorporating complex traditional educational processes as a central core to the successful completion of Year 12 studies ,” he said .
Leading teacher Hayley Dureau , a mathematics teacher at Mount Waverley Secondary College in Victoria , leads a program that consults “ with its student body about everything from homework to the physical environment ”. Called Mount Matters , the student-led forums began in 2016 and have encouraged students “ to have agency in things they care about ”.
“ Young people develop confidence , empathy , teamwork skills , public speaking skills , critical and creative thinking skills , and they see how powerful their voice is when they share it in a constructive way ,” Dureau said .
The annual Commonwealth Bank Teaching Awards are run in partnership with Schools Plus , a not-for-profit charity group committed to helping disadvantaged children succeed at school .
Rosemary Conn , chief executive officer at Schools Plus , said : “ The impact of a great teacher can be life-changing , and is undoubtedly one of the biggest factors that helps children succeed at school . We are delighted to be welcoming yet another cohort of talented teachers to our expanding network of Teaching Fellows , who epitomise the work that we do here at Schools Plus , and are transforming the future for their students .” ■
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