Public school educators and staff honoured

• 11 winners announced in the WA Education Awards 2015

• Winners share in $335,000 prize money 

Education Minister Peter Collier today announced Western Australia's top public schools, leaders, teachers and support staff at the WA Education Awards 2015.

Melville Senior High School's Guy Stapleton was named WA Premier's Secondary Teacher of the Year, while South Hedland Primary School's Adeline Monaghan was WA Premier's Primary Teacher of the Year.

Mr Stapleton was praised as motivational and inspirational, using technology to teach science and inspire excellent results.

Mrs Monaghan has made a huge impact on the lives of children in the Hedland area in a 22-year career as firstly an Aboriginal and Islander Education Officer, and now as a teacher.

Mr Collier said he was proud to acknowledge the best in WA's public schools.

"The WA Education Awards celebrate passionate teachers, leaders and support staff who continue to find exciting ways to challenge and develop students," he said.

Balga Senior High School's Len Yarran was named WA Aboriginal and Islander Education Officer of the Year and Wattle Grove Primary School's Kirsty Campbell was WA Beginning Teacher of the Year.

The WA Premier's Excellence in Aboriginal Education Award went to Looma Remote Community School, which has outperformed similar schools in literacy and numeracy thanks to its high expectation for student success and strong community involvement.

This year's top school principals are Darrel Le Mercier of Belmont City College and Nicole Hanna of East Kalgoorlie Primary School. The WA Primary School of the Year is Ranford Primary School in Canning Vale, and Manjimup Senior High School took out the WA Secondary School of the Year.

Fact File

• A full list of winners is below

• The State Government's WA Education Awards 2015 are sponsored by BHP Billiton Iron Ore, The West Australian, Teachers Mutual Bank, hit92.9, Edith Cowan University, Teachers Health Fund, Fotoworks School Portraits and Slater and Gordon Lawyers

• For more information, visit http://www.education.wa.edu.au  

Minister's office - 6552 6300

WA EDUCATION AWARDS 2015 - WINNERS

WA Premier's Primary Teacher of the Year

Adeline Monaghan, South Hedland Primary School

As an Aboriginal and Islander Education Officer, Adeline was so passionate about children's education that she became a teacher. She has a wide repertoire of contemporary teaching skills and willingly shares these with other teachers. Her connections with the community have a direct impact on student learning. Highly regarded in both the school and the community, Adeline is emerging as a natural leader.

SPONSORED BY BHP BILLITON IRON ORE

WA Premier's Secondary Teacher of the Year

Guy Stapleton, Melville Senior High School

Motivational and inspirational - with students not only wanting to learn but craving more - are stand-out words in Guy's teaching. He combines a love of technology with an almost intuitive knowledge about how students learn, and shares his powerful teaching strategies with other teachers. The result is that his students achieve excellent results in science and he contributes to system-wide technology developments.

SPONSORED BY BHP BILLITON IRON ORE

WA Premier's Excellence in Aboriginal Education Award

Looma Remote Community School

Unquestionable support for the school is evident across the whole school community. High expectations for student success, a positive sense of cultural identity, a strong relationship with the local community and a focus on accountability drive the school's ethos and practice. Aboriginal leadership is not only acknowledged but embraced. Aboriginal and Islander education officers have strong curriculum knowledge and are held in high esteem.

SPONSORED BY BHP BILLITON IRON ORE

WA Primary School Leader of the Year

Nicole Hanna, principal, East Kalgoorlie Primary School

Nicole brings a blend of relational leadership skills, creative and innovative thinking, and data analysis expertise to this complex school environment. She builds staff capacity through instructional and collegial feedback, sets the agenda for effective and contemporary teaching and learning, and deploys resources strategically. Solution focused and child-centred, Nicole has formed strong partnerships with agencies to ensure both the education and health needs of students are met.

SPONSORED BY HIT92.9

WA Secondary School Leader of the Year

Darrel Le Mercier, principal, Belmont City College

A highly effective strategic leader of change, Darrel has built - and continues to build - a shared vision for the school with data-driven improvement and high expectations of every student. He is recognised as an inspiring leader who mentors and supports staff, and provides leadership opportunities for them. He uses contemporary research to inform initiatives to improve student outcomes and has forged strong relationships in the community.

SPONSORED BY TEACHERS MUTUAL BANK

WA Beginning Teacher of the Year

Kirsty Campbell, Wattle Grove Primary School

With a combination of exceptional teaching practice and a natural ability to inspire colleagues and students, Kirsty has made a truly remarkable start to her career as a teacher. She leads by example and encourages students and teachers to pursue challenging goals in all aspects of their teaching and learning. She has outstanding communication skills and is mentoring pre-service, beginning and experienced teachers.

SPONSORED BY EDITH COWAN UNIVERSITY

WA Aboriginal and Islander Education Officer of the Year

Len Yarran, Balga Senior High School

Len's personal philosophy of building self-determination, governance and social responsibility through a sense of community pride and purpose drives his work at the school. He is a strong male role model for students, and builds positive relationships with students, families and the local Aboriginal community. Len organises events for students to learn, practice, create and perform their culture, history and language.

SPONSORED BY THE WEST AUSTRALIAN

WA Primary School of the Year

Ranford Primary School

The school sets exemplary standards in all that it does - from pride in the school grounds through to student achievement. A clear direction with continuity and consistency is evident; and leadership is visible, shared and respected. Mentoring, sharing, collaborating and research all focus on improving outcomes for each student. There is an excellent balance of new and experienced staff, and a strong focus on data and analysis to inform teaching practice.

SPONSORED BY TEACHERS HEALTH FUND

WA Secondary School of the Year

Manjimup Senior High School

The school's results are outstanding - but everyone wants to achieve more to prepare students for future success. Student progress is every teacher's responsibility, learning programs are targeted, wrap-around services are focused, and resources are directed to meet student needs. Staff are respected and valued for their expertise and professional knowledge, and held accountable for their results. The school board and P&C are active and determined to make a difference.

SPONSORED BY FOTOWORKS SCHOOL PORTRAITS

WA Education Assistant of the Year

Lynda Bailey, Wanneroo Primary School

Lynda brings extensive knowledge, specialist skills, creativity and experience to her role in working with students at educational risk. She nurtures high trust relationships with students and modifies the curriculum to accommodate their learning needs. She works towards 'letting go' to move students to increasing independence. She mentors other education assistants and graduate teachers to promote inclusive practices to support students in achieving success.

SPONSORED BY THE WEST AUSTRALIAN

WA School Services Staff Member of the Year

Maureen Bailey, corporate services manager, Australind Senior High School

Financially savvy with expert business knowledge, resourcefulness and creativity, Maureen is part of the school's executive team. Her problem solving and negotiation skills are highly honed, and she builds teams of multi-skilled staff to deliver exceptional customer service and support students to achieve their personal best. Her wide-ranging contribution to the school includes improving the school culture and standing in the community. A natural leader, she mentors other business managers in the region.

SPONSORED BY SLATER AND GORDON LAWYERS