CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE IN OUR SCHOOLS

A local school principal is one of the finalists being acknowledged by the Andrews Labor Government in this year’s Victorian Education Excellence Awards.

Acting Minister for Education, Gayle Tierney, congratulated the 35 finalists across 12 award categories. The awards recognise inspirational teachers, principals, business managers and education support staff.

Locally, Westmeadows Primary School principal Jane Donaldson is a finalist for the Outstanding Primary Principal Award.

In only a few years, Ms Donaldson has successfully achieved significant improvements in the areas of teaching practice, collaborative planning and culture.

Ms Donaldson has also sought to give students a greater level of agency and empowerment, involving them in school projects and creating opportunities for them to make their voices heard.

The outcomes of this approach are demonstrated through improvements in student achievement and attitudinal data over the past two years.

All winners are awarded professional development grants of up to $25,000 to support their work in schools.

Winners will be announced at a ceremony to coincide with Australia’s celebration of World Teachers’ Day on 25 October. The Lindsay Thompson Award for Excellence in Education will also be awarded on the night.

More information about the awards and finalists is available at www.education.vic.gov.au/veea

Quotes attributable to Acting Minister for Education Gayle Tierney

The Victorian Education Excellence Awards are the state’s most prestigious celebration of the outstanding education professionals who go that extra mile to help young Victorians thrive at school.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Yuroke Ros Spence

“Our community is certainly grateful for the commitment and dedication to educational excellence that Jane has demonstrated, and I am thrilled that this has been recognised.