As the academic year is drawing to a close, I am sharing news of our recent ACEL WA Awards Ceremony and some reflections about the important role that Educational Leaders play in our communities.
ACEL WA Awards 2023
On the 8th of November we got the opportunity to celebrate the 2023 ACEL WA Awards for Excellence in Educational Leadership. It was a wonderful opportunity to honour the tremendous service and dedication of a number of outstanding educational leaders in our State, who serve in leadership roles, as system leaders, school leaders, teacher leaders and in their engagement with research or tertiary studies in educational leadership. The Hon Dr Tony Buti MLA, Minister for Education and Training; Aboriginal Affairs; Citizenship and Multicultural Interests presented the Awards. We are grateful for Minister Buti’s support of ACEL and the important work that educators do in our state every day when stepping up to lead children, teachers and learning.
Congratulations to all of our ACEL WA Award winners for 2023, who were all nominated by their peers, an important feature of all ACEL WA Awards.
The ACEL WA Excellence and Leadership in Tertiary Studies Award
- Joanna Thiel, Deputy Principal, Parklands School, Albany (The University of Notre Dame Nominee)
- Jeike-Maree Benschop, Teacher at Hollywood Primary School (The University of Western Australia Nominee)
- Emma Cross, Associate Lecturer, Curtin University (Curtin University Nominee)
- Tara George, Teacher at Mary Immaculate Catholic Primary School (Edith Cowan University Nominee)
The ACEL WA Excellence in Research in Educational Leadership and Management Award
- Dr Amie Fabry, Director of Early Childhood, The Learning Future
The ACEL WA Teacher Leader Award for Excellence
- Shannon Armitage, Dean of Discovery, Penrhos College
- Kayla Sin, Teacher, Brabham Primary School
- Cassie Chadd, Teacher, Ballajura Community College
- Michelle Fitzpatrick, Head Technology and Enterprise, St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School
- Philip Wass, Deputy Principal, Joseph Banks Secondary College
The ACEL WA Certificate of Excellence in Educational Leadership Award
- Adam Inder, Senior Researcher, Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO)
- Esther Hill, Head of Campus, The Studio School, All Saints College
- Paul Watson, Principal, Emmanuel Catholic College
- Helen Aguiar, Director of School and Student Programs and Services, Association of Independent Schools of Western Australia (AISWA)
The ACEL WA Fellowship Award
- Mandy Connor, Director Teaching Learning, Catholic Education Western Australia (CEWA)
- Niel Smith, President, Western Australian Primary Principals’ Association (WAPPA)
- Sinan Kerimofski, Collegiate Principal, Department of Education
- Merrilee Wright, Principal, Malibu School
The ACEL WA Pre-eminent Educational Leader Award
- Jacqueline McGowan-Jones, Commissioner for Children and Young People, WA
Congratulations to all these deserving Award winners.
Reflections on Educational Leadership
At the Awards Ceremony I reflected that educational leadership is not just about managing classrooms and teachers. It is about inspiring, guiding, and empowering students and colleagues to reach their full potential. It is about nurturing a love for learning, fostering innovation, and instilling values that will serve as lifelong compasses. Simon Sinek said: “Leadership is not about being in charge; it is about taking care of those in your charge.” Great educational leaders are mentors, visionaries, and champions for change. They are compassionate and empathetic, understanding that every person in their care is unique and has their own set of challenges and dreams. Across our state educators consistently demonstrate these qualities, tirelessly striving to make a profound impact in the lives of their students and staff.
A hallmark of excellent educational leadership is the ability to adapt and evolve, especially in today’s ever-changing educational landscape. Great educators are not just keepers of knowledge; they are lifelong learners themselves. They embrace new methodologies, technologies, and pedagogical approaches, ensuring that they remain at the forefront of best practices in education. It is not just what they do inside the classroom; it is also what they do beyond its walls. They foster a sense of community, promote inclusion, and encourage diversity. They build bridges between generations, cultures, and abilities.
It is, however, important to recognise that the educational leadership journey is not without challenges. The path that educators tread is often fraught with obstacles. It is the dedication and resilience of great leaders that make them shine so brightly. They inspire the next generation of educators and the leaders of tomorrow, advocating for our wonderful profession. Our profession needs strong, wise, kind leaders with unwavering dedication and an unquenchable passion for education. I see such leaders at all levels, across all sectors and systems, across all phases of education, and throughout our ACEL WA membership. Thank you for your continued dedication to education. May you continue to lead with energy, authenticity, and enthusiasm.
Educational Leadership Book Club
For those of you looking for a good read over the holidays, our next book club book is “Virtuous Educational Leadership: Doing the Right Work the Right Way” by Viviane Robinson. We will discuss this book at our January book club meeting on Thursday the 18th of January 2024, from 10am – 12pm, in person in Perth, or join us online via Zoom. So get yourself a copy of the book, start reading and let us know you are coming by registering via the ACEL website events page. As always, anyone is welcome – even if you have not had time to read the book and just want to come for the conversations.
Stay up to Date
Remember to follow ACEL WA on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), or keep up to date via the ACEL website and Member’s Lounge, to make sure that you stay up to date with all our WA branch activities and events. Our ACEL WA Branch Exec team members are social media wizards and making sure that our activities are shared on all platforms.
Christmas Greetings
I hope you have a wonderful and blessed Christmas with friends and family, and a well-deserved rest.
Mathilda Joubert
ACEL WA Branch President