Top marks to teachers

CRANBOURNE teachers have the chance to make their mark in the education industry with the 2006 Victorian Education Excellence Awards.
Cranbourne MP Jude Perera this week encouraged all government teachers and principals to nominate their colleagues for the prestigious awards.
The fourth annual awards celebrate the outstanding work of Victoria’s government teachers and leaders in improving schools and getting the best from their students.
For the first time, the awards will include a new category for the most outstanding school leadership team.
The $50,000 award recognises excellence in educational leadership in Victorian government schools.
Mr Perera said the awards acknowledged the wisdom, creativity and skill that teachers brought to their schools and classrooms.
“Teachers with excellent leadership skills bring so much vitality to schools and they are such an important part of every school’s effort to lift standards and maximise opportunities for students,” he said.
“I encourage all teachers and principals in government schools, as well as parents, to look closely at the many inspiring success stories emerging from their classrooms and put in nominations for the 2006 awards.”
The awards feature seven categories, including the Lindsay Thompson Fellowship Award ($50,000), the Victoria Teachers Credit Union Outstanding Primary Teacher Award ($10,000), the Mecu Outstanding Secondary Teacher Award ($10,000), the Outstanding School Leadership Award ($50,000), the School Leadership Team Award ($20,000) and the Curriculum Innovation Award ($20,000).
The Westfield Premier’s Education Scholarships are open to teachers in all Victorian schools.
There will be five scholarships of up to $24,000 each.
The closing date for nominations is 5pm on Friday, 10 March.
The award winners will be announced at a Gala Dinner during Education Week from 8 to 14 May.