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The inspiring and expert staff in our schools, kindergartens, Outside School Hours Care and office are formally recognised through the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Excellence Awards.
Each year, nominations are called for from colleagues, parents and community members to highlight teachers/educators, school/kindergarten leaders, support and services staff in schools, kindergartens and OSHC, those that work in an office or volunteer their time as examples of the excellence across our network.
From these nominations, finalists are selected and at a special award's dinner during Catholic Education Week, the recipients are announced.
The awards are in 9 categories across three areas and capture the varying career phases, roles and responsibilities that enable Toowoomba Catholic Schools to provide high quality education and care in a distinctively Catholic environment.
To read more about our 2023 finalists and the recipients click here.
Awards categories and selection criteria
The categories for these awards and the selection criteria that nominations are written to are below.
Nominations will close on Sunday, 5 May 2024 at 5.00pm.
Excellence in teaching and learning
Category 1 - Excellence in teaching and learning: early career teacher/educator (0-3 years of teaching experience)
Nominations are to address the following criteria and must include examples of how the nominee has demonstrated excellence in this area by providing specific examples and evidence.
successfully implements evidence-based high impact teaching strategies which affirm the dignity and potential of each student
ensures classroom practice is informed by planning for personalised learning and based on formative and diagnostic assessment of student skills, knowledge and understanding
ensures the choice of content and pedagogy is responsive to the cultural backgrounds and life experiences of students and challenges students to think deeply about the world and their place in it
Category 2 - Excellence in teaching and learning: kindergarten/primary expert teacher
Nominations are to address the following criteria and must include examples of how the nominee has demonstrated excellence in this area by providing specific examples and evidence.
is an acknowledged expert classroom practitioner in evidence-based, high impact strategies which affirm the dignity and potential of all students and readily shares this expertise across classrooms
ensures classroom practice is supported by planning forpersonalisedlearning and based on formative and diagnostic assessment of student skills, knowledge and understanding
ensures the choice of content and pedagogy is responsive to the cultural backgrounds and life experiences of students and challenges students to think deeply about the world and their place in it
Category 3 - Excellence in teaching and learning: secondary expert teacher
Nominations are to address the following criteria and must include examples of how the nominee has demonstrated excellence in this area by providing specific examples and evidence.
is an acknowledged expert classroom practitioner in evidence-based, high impact strategies which affirm the dignity and potential of all students and readily shares this expertise across classrooms
ensures classroom practice is supported by planning for personalised learning and based on formative and diagnostic assessment of student skills, knowledge and understanding
ensures the choice of content and pedagogy is responsive to the cultural backgrounds and life experiences of students and challenges students to think deeply about the world and their place in it
Excellence in leadership
Category 1 – School/Kindergarten leadership (inclusive of educative and religious leadership)
This award recognises a school or Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office individual or team who/that has demonstrated high quality leadership focussed on creating exemplary places of learning where every student experiences academic success and comes to know and experience the loving presence of Jesus.
Nominations are to address the following criteria and must include examples of how the nominee has demonstrated excellence in this area by providing specific examples and evidence.
leads the development, implementation and review of evidence-based teaching and learning strategies that have improved student learning outcomes in and across schools/colleges
provides leadership for Catholic identity and the ethos and charism of the school community, integrating hope-filled beliefs and values into all facets of school life and learning
creates a positive culture of challenge and support
Category 2 - Middle leadership
This award recognises an individual or team who/that has demonstrated high quality middle leadership focussed on creating exemplary places of learning where every student experiences academic success and comes to know and experience the loving presence of Jesus.
Nominations are to address the following criteria and must include examples of how the nominee has demonstrated excellence in this area by providing specific examples and evidence.
provides high quality leadership, expertise and coordination in their specific area of delegated responsibility
is proactive in their pastoral care of staff
emphasises the centrality of teaching and learning in the life and work of the school
Category 3 - Emerging leadership
This award recognises an individual who is not in a formal leadership position and has demonstrated a willingness to contribute beyond their role to lead a school improvement initiative focussed on creating exemplary places of learning where every student experiences academic success and comes to know and experience the loving presence of Jesus.
Nominations are to address the following criteria and must include examples of how the nominee has demonstrated excellence in this area by providing specific examples and evidence.
identified and lead a school improvement project that has improved student learning outcomes
used data and educational research to inform and enhance practice
engaged others and fostered relationships that inspired action and growth in students, colleagues, parents and the community
Excellence in education support
Category 1 - Teaching and learning support
This award recognises an individual or team who/that work with teaching staff to create exemplary places of learning where every student experiences academic success and comes to know and experience the loving presence of Jesus. The types of role that this award recognises include teacher aides, school counsellors, kindergarten educators, Occupational Therapists, Education Officers, Boarding supervisors.
Nominations are to address the following criteria and must include examples of how the nominee has demonstrated excellence in this area by providing specific examples and evidence.
supports the implementation of engaging and effective learning that puts students first and unleashes their potential
looks for and uses innovative ideas to respond to the needs of students
demonstrates a commitment to learning, collaboration and professionalism in all interactions with members of the school/college community
Category 2 - Administration, finance and facilities support
This award recognises an individual or team who/that works in support roles to create exemplary places of learning where every student experiences academic success and comes to know and experience the loving presence of Jesus. The types of role that this award recognises include cleaners, laundry staff, grounds people, administration officers, HR officers, accountants, business managers, IT technicians.
Nominations are to address the following criteria and must include examples of how the nominee has demonstrated excellence in this area by providing specific examples and evidence.
provides high quality leadership, service or support to a school/college or schools/colleges in their area of responsibility
looks for and uses innovative solutions relevant to their role and responsibilities
engages with others and fosters relationships that inspire action and growth
Category 3 - Volunteer support in a school setting
This award recognises an individual or team who/that have given their time to support a school or college and this volunteering has contributed to creating exemplary places of learning where every student experiences academic success and comes to know and experience the loving presence of Jesus. The types of roles that this award recognises include those who volunteer to work in classrooms, to maintain school facilities, to engage other parents.
Nominations are to address the following criteria and must include examples of how the nominee has demonstrated excellence in this area by providing specific examples and evidence.
looks for and implements innovative and new solutions to support the school or college to achieve its goals
works with others and fosters relationships that inspire action and growth
