Outstanding educators recognised

Exceptional teachers, principals, schools and support staff across Western Australia have been named finalists in the State's top education awards.

  • 47 State finalists named in the WA Education Awards 2012

  • Finalists in line for $264,000 of prizes

Exceptional teachers, principals, schools and support staff across Western Australia have been named finalists in the State's top education awards.

Education Minister Peter Collier today announced the finalists in the WA Education Awards 2012 and congratulated all the contenders for providing their students with an outstanding education experience.

Mr Collier said there were 47 State finalists in nine categories, ranging from enthusiastic young teachers to experienced principals.

"We have talented finalists stretching throughout WA, including Dorothy Laffin, a teacher at Mount Lockyer Primary School in Albany, a nominee for WA Premier's Primary Teacher of the Year; and Broome Senior High School which is a finalist for WA Secondary School of the Year," he said.

The Minister said there were some outstanding State finalists for the WA Beginning Teacher of the Year, including North Balga Primary School's Lucia di Crescenzo, who is bringing her unique talents to the classroom.

"Ms di Crescenzo has dyslexia and this experience allows her to tailor programs for students, some of whom also have dyslexia," he said.

Principal Lisa Ledger, finalist for WA Primary Principal of the Year, was acknowledged for her efforts helping indigenous children boost their learning and creating a great school environment for all students.

"Ms Ledger, principal of Tom Price Primary School for three and a half years, helped establish the Wakathuni Early Learning Centre in the Wakathuni community 30km away from town," Mr Collier said.

"The centre offers programs for Aboriginal parents with children from newborns to four-year-olds and creates vital home-school links."

      Fact File

Minister's office - 6552 6300

WA Education Awards State Finalists 2012

WA Premier's Early Childhood Teacher of the Year
Alison Watt, Waggrakine Primary School
Brooke Wardana, Dianella Heights Primary School
Elizabeth Waldron, Cable Beach Primary School
Jane Butler, Bruce Rock District High School

WA Premier's Primary Teacher of the Year
Anne Kelly, Geographe Primary School
Dorothy Laffin, Mount Lockyer Primary School
Gemma Grigg, North Balga Primary School
Sarah Couzens, Secret Harbour Primary School

WA Premier's Secondary Teacher of the Year
Greg Piggott, Mindarie Senior College
Jennifer Burton, Comet Bay College
Katherine Edwards, Mindarie Senior College
Kerry Hastie, Margaret River Senior High School

WA Primary Principal of the Year
Julie Roberts, Wattle Grove Primary School
Leonie Clelland, Kalgoorlie Primary School
Les Day, Wembley Primary School
Lisa Ledger, Tom Price Primary School

WA Secondary Principal of the Year
James Hayres, Comet Bay College
Michael Morgan, Shenton College
Nick Jakowyna, Belridge Senior High School
Paul Mathews, Manea Senior College

WA Beginning Teacher of the Year
Andrew Mayhills, Applecross Senior High School
Elise Gaglio, Mindarie Senior College
Ingrid Fuchsbichler, Yerecoin Primary
James Embley, Ellenbrook Secondary College
Jacqui Webster, Geographe Education Support Centre
Kayla Cross, Wickham Primary School
Kerryn Woodhouse, Atwell Primary School
Kirsten Hunter, Tom Price Senior High School
Lucia di Crescenzo, North Balga Primary School
Matthew Titmanis, Ashdale Secondary College
Melanie Cross, Waggrakine Primary School
Rachael Lehr, West Beechboro Primary School
Renee Roach, Yerecoin Primary School
Sarah Rose, Tom Price Senior High School
Theresa Edmunds, Jurien Bay District High School

WA School Support Staff Member of the Year
Jeanette Hayman, Westminster Junior Primary School
Kristina Glover, Dianella Heights Primary School
Michele Owen, Secret Harbour Primary School
Rhiannon Crane, Westminster Junior Primary School

WA Secondary School of the Year
Broome Senior High School
Lakeland Senior High School
Shenton College
Yule Brook College

WA Primary School of the Year
Bruce Rock District High School
Harvey Primary School
Ranford Primary School
West Balcatta Primary School