Top marks for 20 teachers in awards

Media Release
Recipient List follows Media Release
13 May 2008

Top marks for 20 teachers in teaching and leadership awards

Teachers from a hospital early childhood education centre, a small Northland school with a roll of 123, and central city secondary schools feature among the 20 regional recipients recognised for their excellence in teaching and leadership at a ceremony held at Parliament in Wellington today (subs: Tuesday 13 May 2008).

The NEiTA Foundation, since its establishment in 1996, has helped pioneer recognition for the important role educators play in the lives of their students.

Minister of Education, Hon. Chris Carter acknowledged the 12 Excellence in Teaching recipients whose exemplary classroom skills and dedication, and demonstration of innovative approaches to teaching serve as models in primary/intermediate and secondary schools and early childhood centres.

He also presented eight inaugural Leadership Awards which acknowledged principals, directors, syndicate, department and faculty leaders, in both schools and early childhood education centres, whose leadership qualities inspire outstanding learning outcomes for children, and who set ambitious but achievable goals for their school or centre community.

NEiTA Foundation chairman, Terry O’Connell, congratulated the 2008 Regional Award recipients for inspiring and motivating their students.

“Acknowledging teachers and school leaders and the positive impact they have on a child’s future is the focus of the NEiTA Awards,” he said.

“Teachers are second only to parents in terms of the people who have the biggest influence on children’s futures. It is important that teachers receive the recognition they deserve for the invaluable role they play in shaping New Zealand’s future generations.”

All 20 teachers and leaders today received specially designed plaques, together with prizes for their schools. The final phase of the awards process takes place in October when ten of these teachers and leaders will be presented with national awards and professional development grants. These awards will be presented in their local communities, giving their schools the opportunity to honour them on their ‘home patches’.

The NEiTA Foundation’s National Excellence in Teaching and Leadership Awards are jointly supported by ASG Programs New ZealandTM, a trans-Tasman not-for-profit organisation that helps parents to plan for their children’s education and, and Multiserve Education Trust, a local charitable trust which is an independent provider of a range of support services to schools and the wider education sector.

ENDS

The NEiTA Foundation
National Excellence in Teaching and Leadership Awards
2008 Regional Award Recipients

EARLY CHILDHOOD
Teaching
Johanna Colman Pauanui Playschool, COROMANDEL
Natalie Cook Massey Childcare Centre, PALMERSTON NORTH
Tessa Dunleavy Devonport Community Crèche, Devonport, AUCKLAND
Dinah Marr Central Childcare and Education Centre, GISBORNE

Leadership
Susan Johnson Dunedin Hospital Early Childhood Centre, DUNEDIN
Karen Ramsey Roskill South Kindergarten, Mt Roskill, AUCKLAND
Ramila Sadikeen Brooklands Kindergarten, NEW PLYMOUTH

PRIMARY/INTERMEDIATE
Teaching
Bastienne Kruger Oruaiti School, Mangonui, NORTHLAND
Carol Rowe-Mitchell Vauxhall School, Devonport, AUCKLAND
Kristie Thomas Karaka Primary School, Papakura, AUCKLAND
Gay Tye Miller Avenue School, Paeroa, COROMANDEL

Leadership
Jaco Broodryk Whakarongo School, PALMERSTON NORTH
Judy Dixon Frankton Primary School, HAMILTON
Wendy Kofoed Newmarket Primary School, AUCKLAND

SECONDARY
Teaching
Vicky Binedell St Cuthbert’s College, Epsom, AUCKLAND
Fenella Colyer Manurewa High School, AUCKLAND
Scott Haines Ashburton College, ASHBURTON
Moeke Paaka Motueka High School, NELSON

Leadership
Geraldine Travers Hastings Girl’s High School, HASTINGS
Patrick Walsh John Paul College, ROTORUA

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