The
finalists of the school award category comprised schools from across Australia who supported teachers to strive for best outcomes in language and literacy across the primary curriculum, with
The Nature School in Port Macquarie NSW winning the title.
“The Nature School models a progressive, pedagogically rich learning environment that connects deep learning and English curriculum with the natural world,” the judges said.
“The school’s nature-based framework urges students and teachers to take English learning outdoors (and every member of the school community reads outside every Monday morning to demonstrate that reading is not just important for children), and the teaching team is uniquely committed both to promoting English through consistently evaluated programs and units that are created with the goal of cultivating lifelong readers and writers who care deeply about the environment and all living things.”
“The Nature School constantly strives for improved outcomes for students, setting high standards for educators and providing them with strong in-school support to help them succeed.”
The finalists of teacher award category featured an impressive batch of educators whose innovative and original programs aligned with current curricula to support students in becoming successful and engaged users of language and literacy. The winner on the night was Cindy Valdez-Adams (NSW).
“Cindy Valdez-Adams is a leader not just in the field of English - that is, with respect to all its strands of literacy, language and literature - where her work with EAL/D and students with refugee backgrounds is commendable, but also as an exemplar to her peers as an educator who strives to connect with, and uplift, the teachers around her,” said the judges.
“Her action research initiatives have undoubtedly improved the outcomes, and the wellbeing, of some of Australia’s most vulnerable students. Cindy’s positive impact on the profession is felt in classrooms across the country, where students have benefitted from her instruction grounded in rich literature and the arts.
“It is also felt by the many educators in her professional networks, or those who have participated in professional learning and development courses led by Cindy, where she has shared her strategies for improving vocabulary in EAL/D learners.“
On the night, award winners celebrated by taking home a complimentary one-year PETAA membership, a trophy exclusively designed by Lasercraft and a certificate of recognition.
The Dinner, held after Day 1 of the PETAA Leading with Literacy Conference 2022, played host to several leading features in the primary English and literacies landscape. Featured speaker Jane Caro spoke passionately about the importance of primary educators, and PETAA recognised its long history of supporting the sector with a look back through the Australian English and literacies landscape.