Casey schools and teachers have been recognised for their outstanding work, with three finalists in the running for the Victorian Education Excellence Awards.
The awards celebrate the hard work principals, teachers, business managers, and education support staff contribute to making government schools positive spaces for the learning and growth of students.
Dimple Bhardwaj from Hillsmeade Primary School is a finalist for the Outstanding Primary Teacher Award. Described by her colleagues as having a “natural enthusiasm for teaching,” Ms Bhardwaj has been recognised not only as a caring and invested teacher for her Grade 5 students, but a dedicated learning specialist for the school’s Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) programs.
Jess Szalek, also of Hillsmeade Primary School is a finalist in the Australia-wide Choose Maths Awards.
Hampton Park Secondary College and their Multicultural Education Aide team are finalists in the Outstanding Education Support Team Award. The team has harnessed their diverse language skills to create connections between the school, parents and caregivers, and the estimated 270 English as an Additional Language students across 82 classrooms.
Kilberry Valley Primary School in Hampton Park is in the running for the Outstanding Inclusive Education Award. The staff provide a wrap-around approach to assist a high number of students with additional needs including children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder who participate in the Strategies for Teaching based on the Autism Research program.
The winners of each category will be awarded up to $25,000 in professional development grants to support them in their endeavours for education excellence.
Thirty-five finalists from government schools across Victoria have been shortlisted for the 2019 awards which will be presented at a prestigious award ceremony on Friday 25 October at the Plaza Ballroom, Melbourne.
Narre Warren South Gary Maas MP said: “It’s so great to see local government schools and teachers being recognised for their hard work in ensuring that every student can learn in an inclusive and engaging environment.”
