Diverse range of winners at PM’s Education Awards
Diverse range of winners at PM’s Education Awards
A diverse mix of schools and early learning providers have been celebrated for their outstanding work at the Prime Minister’s Education Excellence Awards tonight, with Manurewa Intermediate School taking the Supreme Award.
“Manurewa Intermediate School has radically changed the lives of all their students, engaging them in learning across the board,” says Education Minister Nikki Kaye.
The other winners are:
• Excellence in Teaching and Learning – Invercargill Middle School, Waitakere College
• Excellence in Leading
– Te Kōhanga Reo Ki Rotokawa,
William Colenso
College
• Excellence in Engaging – Manurewa Intermediate School
• Judges’ Commendation – Halswell School.
The schools and Kōhanga Reo received their awards from Prime Minister Bill English at a special ceremony in Auckland.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ms Kaye celebrated the wide range of winners.
“The winners come from right across New Zealand, covering education in early learning, primary, intermediate and secondary schools.
“The staff, students and families at each of the schools and kohanga reo should be very proud of their achievement. To win one of these awards means they really are the best of the best in education in New Zealand.
“Even getting through to be a finalist is hugely significant, and this year the calibre of the entries meant the judges had some difficult decisions to make.”
For the first time the judges gave an additional commendation, awarding it to Halswell School for the particular focus the school has had on introducing a modern learning environment, new approaches to teaching and learning, and its use of digital technologies.
The award for Excellence in Governing was not awarded by the judges.
“The bar for winning an award is set high on purpose,” says Ms Kaye.
“In their fourth year, the Prime Minister’s Education Excellence Awards continue to showcase the very best practitioners across the education sector. We expect others to learn from the practices that have been celebrated here tonight.”
The winning
entry in each category received $20,000 and a professional
development opportunity.
As the winner of the Supreme
Award, Manurewa Intermediate School received an additional
$30,000 plus an opportunity to represent New Zealand
education.
Finalists also received a financial award to
acknowledge their contribution to education.
The
winners’ stories will be shared across the sector so that
others can benefit from their experiences.
List
of winners:
Supreme Award - Manurewa
Intermediate
Manurewa Intermediate has proven to be
outstanding in its shared drive to raise achievement for
every student. Working alongside parents, whānau and the
community, this school has changed the lives of students,
giving them a strong voice in their education and choices
for the future.
Excellence in Teaching and
Leaning – Invercargill Middle School, Waitakere
College
Recognising the needs of a diverse and highly
mobile community, Invercargill Middle School has focused on
making the most of every day with their students. With oral
language as their foundation, the school has developed an
innovative language programme to lift communication and
overall achievement for all students, achieving remarkable
results.
To meet the needs of their students, Waitakere College focused on work-based futures and alignment with industry to establish innovative trades’ academies, including in the health sector. Alongside deeper connections with students, their families and whānau, every student now leaves school as a confident achiever, able to realise their dreams.
Excellence in
Leading - Te Kōhanga Reo ki Rotokawa, William
Colenso
Te Kohanga Reo ki Rotokawa has visionary goals
focussing on changing the future of whānau and tamariki
that are rooted in its language and cultural practices.
Through a deliberate approach to grow leaders across each
generation, their leaders now reach well beyond the
kōhanga, empowering a wide community to achieve the
outcomes they seek for tamariki.
William Colenso College inspired the community and school leaders to challenge the status quo – harnessing a raft of resources, and working closely with parents, students and whānau. Staff at this school have focused on pastoral care for students and developed meaningful pathways to learning that have significantly lifted achievement.
Excellence in Engaging – Manurewa
Intermediate
“Stand up, stand tall” is a mantra in
this school. With a focus on building and strengthening
relationships deep within the community, this school is
ensuring that students experience teaching and learning that
is developing the connections and confidence to stand tall
with pride.
Judges’ Commendation –
Halswell School
Through the challenge of the
Christchurch earthquakes, Halswell School has created change
and innovation. They have introduced a modern learning
environment, new approaches to teaching and learning, and
made major advances in digital technologies. Alongside deep
engagement with students, their community and iwi, this
school has achieved richer outcomes for students.