Finalists in the annual Public Education Awards have been announced, with several hailing from the Limestone Coast.
Spanning a dozen categories, the awards celebrate and showcase innovation, equity and excellence across public education.
Individuals and teams are recognised for the work they do with students, families and communities to unlock their potential, enabling them to learn and thrive.
Millicent’s Newbery Park Primary School is a finalist in the Equity and Excellence in Education category, while Year 5/6 teacher Tarin Zurlino is a finalist in the Excellence in the Support of Early Career Teachers award.
Penola High School Agriculture and Science Teacher Cory O’Connor, along with the Kangaroo Inn Area School, are in the final three of the Excellence in Learner Agency section.
Aunty Josie Agius Award finalists include Millicent High School Aboriginal Education Support Worker Jenny Bishop, and Walking the seasons – In the footsteps of the Elders – South-East Coast and Vines Partnership will contest the Outstanding Reconciliation Initiatives award.
Category winners will each receive $10,000 and two finalists from each category will receive $2000 for professional development or resources for their site community.
Finalists and winners will be celebrated at an awards ceremony on November 7.
Department for Education Chief Executive Professor Martin Westwell said it has never been more important that we celebrate all that our educators, and those who are around them, do to bring equity and excellence into public education.
“The Public Education Awards celebrate the dedication and outstanding contributions made by our people, allowing us to recognise and share the innovation, passion and expertise that lies at the heart of our public education system,” he said.
“Public education is for every child and young person in every community across our state, and this acknowledgement of great work being undertaken in these diverse areas shows the depth of skill and care that is supporting this generation of learners.”
