- WA Education Awards 2011 winners announced
- WA Premier's award winners each receive $25,000
Western Australia's best public school teachers, schools and support staff have been honoured at the WA Education Awards 2011.
Congratulating the winners at a breakfast presentation this morning, Premier Colin Barnett and Education Minister Liz Constable praised the depth of talent within the State's public schools.
"The enthusiasm and dedication of WA public schools and educators is unparalleled and offers inspiration to countless students," Dr Constable said.
"These educators give children the best chance of succeeding in life and lay the foundations for the future growth and development of the State. WA's public school students receive a high quality education delivered by teachers and principals who are among the country's best.
"Last year, our top teachers went on to claim prestigious national prizes. This year's WA winners have every chance of doing the same."
The Premier praised the high quality of entrants in the awards, including WA Premier's Primary Teacher of the Year, Tonya Wood of Sawyers Valley Primary School, and WA Premier's Secondary Teacher of the Year Esther Hill of Perth Modern School.
"The WA Education Awards provide deserved recognition for those individuals and schools committed to increasing the knowledge and skills of students," Mr Barnett said.
The awards' judges said kindergarten teacher Ms Wood had a deep understanding of early childhood development.
"It's an honour and quite a humbling experience to be a finalist and it's really lovely to think that people took the time to nominate me," Ms Wood said.
"The best part about my job is the children - every day is different; every child is unique, with a different approach to life and learning."
The judges described English literature teacher Ms Hill as passionate and supportive.
"One of the things I love about teaching is the opportunity to develop students' abilities to think in adventurous, creative and analytical ways," Ms Hill said.
"I also love what students teach me - not just their knowledge and thinking but their understanding of the world and how it works."
Dr Constable said the State Government had empowered the State's educators through its Independent Public Schools initiative.
"Granting greater authority to schools and their staff allows creative and enthusiastic teaching practices to flourish," she said.
Fact File
- This is the fourth year of the WA Education Awards
- 252 nominations were received for eight awards
- Cash prizes totalling $205,500 awarded to winners and finalists
- Winners background information attached
Premier's office - 9222 9475
Education Minister's office - 9222 9699
