Previous winners

2017 Award Recipients

Emerging Educator

Award Recipient

Stacy Williamson – Nightcliff Outside School Hours Care (OSHC)

Stacey has been on a sharp learning curve in the short time she has been working in after school care. Her ability to ‘think on her feet’ and engage in professional discussions with her supervisors and co-workers has demonstrated that she is developing as a strong educator. She is a reflective practitioner and has developed a philosophy that is respectful and inclusive of children and families. The ‘loud and joyous, music, dance and laughter filled’ after school space is a testament to her dedication, enthusiasm and exuberance.

Finalists

• Miriam Antenor – Holy Spirit Community of Learners
• ​Gabby Hahn –  Nightcliff Community Early Learning Centre (ELC)
• Emma Salter – Darwin Family Day Care

Award sponsored by Commonwealth Government Department of Education and Training

How the award was used

Stacy used the prize money to invest in her education and long term professional development. She purchased IT resources and paid the enrolment fee to complete a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care. This qualification marks only the beginning of her formal education journey towards a Batchelor of Education and building on her professional practice in providing enriching experiences for children.

Outstanding Educator

Award Recipient

Michelle Leonard – Alekarenge Preschool

Michelle is an outstanding early childhood educator who clearly articulates her philosophy and practice in her work. She is a committed, reflective and an adept educator. She is commended for her advanced intercultural education practices that have a strong community development focus. Michelle is an outstanding early childhood educator who clearly articulates her philosophy and practice in her work. She is a committed, reflective and an adept educator. She is commended for her advanced intercultural education practices that have a strong community development focus.

Finalists

• Emily Sharp – Nightcliff Community Early Learning Centre (ELC)
• Zoey Smith – Nightcliff Community Early Learning Centre (ELC)​

Award sponsored by Territory Child Care Group Inc.

How the award was used

Michelle used the prize money to follow her passion for building the capacity of families within her community through a collaborative network between her school, the preschool, FaFT, childcare centres and the community. To build skills in this area, she attended a two-week study tour of programs in Victoria and Perth.

On the tour, she learned how to establish the partnerships, developed an understanding of managing the privacy implications, and discovered new ways to manage cultural sensitivities. She will continue to use these skills to establish safe and comfortable environments for the local collaborative hub in her role as Family Educator at Alekarenge School.

Outstanding Leadership

Award Recipient

Mariann Reu – Schools South Department of Education

As an advisor in the southern region, Mariann assisted in the implementation of the Early Years Learning Framework. She has a remarkable leading style, quietly guiding from behind, supporting learning, then stepping back to watch others grow. Her leadership has resulted in 48 per cent of services in the southern region achieving a quality rating of ‘exceeding’ the National Quality Standard and becoming the best performing region in the Northern Territory. She is very generous in sharing her knowledge and inspires those who attend her workshops. To address the challenge of distance, Mariann has produced professional development packages for others to present, which has spread her influence across the whole of the Northern Territory.

Finalists

• Jessica Noella Goveas – Galiwin’ku Families as First Teachers (FaFT)
• Melanie Sutton – Parap Preschool

Award sponsored by Association of Independent Schools of the Northern Territory

How the award was used

Mariann used her prize money to attend a study tour of the Reggio Emilia educational philosophy to not only gain a further understanding of the pedagogical approach, but also to network among colleagues. The study tour enriched her sense of early childhood education, expanded how she identified as a professional and connected her to educators visiting Alice Springs.

She has since presented her learnings from the study tour to her fellow NT colleagues, including the Early Childhood Educators Association and the corporate Early Childhood Education and Care teams in Darwin and Alice Springs.

Outstanding Achievement in Innovative Practice

Award Recipient

Nightcliff Community Early Learning Centre (ELC)

Through critical reflection, research and professional development, the Nightcliff Community Early Learning Centre has implemented an innovative practice for early childhood education and care by embedding a new approach to respect into its service philosophy. There is great involvement from families with their voices and perspectives included in the planning of the program to ensure the service is more respectful and responsive in a holistic way to meet children’s needs.

Finalists

• Woodroffe Early Achievement Centre

Award sponsored by Early Childhood Australia

How the award was used

The staff at the Nightcliff Community Early Learning Centre (ELC) have continued their innovation through a myriad of professional development and collaborative opportunities. The senior educators attended the Semann and Slatter Conference, Creating Beautiful Learning Spaces that Inspire, to discover different perspectives of what an early childhood education and care environment could look like.

Then, to share the learning with all staff and their community, the ELC subscribed to the Reggio Emilia Australia Information Exchange and will be hosting a cultural competence day with their outside school hours care program at Bagot community to further develop those relationship.

Outstanding Achievement in Community Engagement

Award Recipient

Yirrkala Families as First Teachers (FaFT)

Community engagement and relationships with families are at the heart of the Yirrkala Families as First Teachers Program. With a variety of services offered to families, including adult-capacity building, heath, family support and wellbeing, FaFT staff at Yirrkala are committed to supporting the children and families in their community.

Finalists

• Galwin’ku Families as First Teachers (FaFT)
• Berry Springs Preschool

Award sponsored by Kentish Lifelong Learning and Care Inc.

How the award was used

Yirrkala Families as First Teachers (FaFT) has used its prize money to further engage with its community. The program has established sponsorship of an early childhood trainee in its FaFT program, supported a FaFT Family Camp to the Garrthala homeland, and provided professional development support to the Yirrkala Family Educator to complete a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.

2016 award winners

Emerging Professional Educator: Melanie Smith, Nhulunbuy Community Child Care Centre
Outstanding Educator: Myfanwy Baker, Millner Preschool
Outstanding Achievement in Leadership: Christine Taylor, Territory Child Care Group
Outstanding Achievement in Community Engagement: Murraya Children’s Centre
Outstanding Achievement in Sustainable Practice: Nightcliff Early Learning Centre
Outstanding Education and Care in Long Day Care and Three-Year-Old Kindergarten: Murraya Children’s Centre
Outstanding Education and Care in Preschool: Alekarenge Preschool
Outstanding Education and Care Service in Budget Based Funded Services: Katherine Isolated Children’s Service
Outstanding Education and Care Service in Outside School Hours Care: Holy Spirit Outside School Hours Care

2015 award winners

Emerging Professional Educator: Mescha Manski, Girraween Preschool
Outstanding Achievement in Leadership: Carla Hayes, Berry Springs Preschool
Outstanding Achievement in Community Engagement: Arnhem Early Learning Centre
Outstanding Achievement in Sustainable Practice: Berry Springs Preschool
Outstanding Education and Care in Long Day Care and Three-Year-Old Kindergarten: La Creche on the Avenue
Outstanding Education and Care in Preschool: Larapinta Preschool
Outstanding Education and Care in Family Day Care: Kentish Lifelong Learning and Care
Outstanding Education and Care Service in Budget Based Funded Services: Smile a Mile Fun Bus and Toy Library
Outstanding Education and Care Service in Outside School Hours Care: Holy Spirit Outside School Hours Care