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Simply the best

03 November 2009

Outstanding ... Albany Hills State School's Bronwyn Campbell and Cheryl Capra with Education and Training Minister Geoff Wilson.

Outstanding ... Albany Hills State School's Bronwyn Campbell and Cheryl Capra with Education and Training Minister Geoff Wilson.

The very best in Queensland state schooling was celebrated on October 29 with the presentation of the Showcase Awards for Excellence in Schools 2009.

More than 680 teachers, education staff, sponsors and supporters attended the Showcase Gala Dinner at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

They were there to applaud the announcement of the eight Showcase state winners, which each received $20,000 to further develop their award-winning programs.

Brisbane's Albany Hills State School won the Showcase Award for Academic Excellence for its program, You Don't Have to be Einstein to Know the Joy of Finding Things Out.

Albany Hills teacher Cheryl Capra said the school was elated with the win and would use the award to enhance the nanotechnology and astronomy aspects of their program.

'It will help a number of children look through a telescope for the first time and say, "I want a career in science",' Ms Capra said.

Tagai State College in the Torres Strait collected the RACQ Showcase Award for Excellence in the Senior Phase of Learning for its program, Navigating YUMI to a Successful Future.

Deputy principal at Tagai's Thursday Island secondary campus, Craig Whittred, said the award was recognition of the efforts of teachers across the college's 17 campuses.

Woodridge State School's Jane Tattam and Garry Molloy with Mr Wilson.

Woodridge State School's Jane Tattam and Garry Molloy with Mr Wilson.

'We're really excited about the win and it goes back to all the teachers who have put in the hard work,' Mr Whittred said.

Woodridge State School, south of Brisbane, received the Showcase Award for Excellence in Inclusive Education for its program, We Are One in Woodridge.

Deputy principal Jane Tattam said the school fits the inclusive category well.

'We are probably the most multicultural school around the area,' Ms Tattam said.

'We'll use the award to look at what other programs we can add and how we can sustain the programs we've already got - it's exciting.'

List of other Showcase state winners:

  • The Network Ten Showcase Award for Excellence in the Early Phase of Learning: Loganholme State School, Transitions of Trust - Cultivating the Confidence of Success.
  • The Commonwealth Bank of Australia Showcase Award for Excellence in the Middle Phase of Learning: Town High TEACH Cluster (Townsville Central, Garbutt, Magnetic Island, Townsville South and Townsville West state schools, and Townsville State High), Successful Transition Through Middle School Science.
  • The Queensland University of Technology Showcase Award for Excellence in Leadership: Cannon Hill State School, Many Voices - One Vision.
  • The RemServ Showcase Award for Excellence in Innovation: Parkhurst State School, Maintaining Innovation in a 21st Century Digital Learning Community.
  • The Showcase Award for Excellence in Community or Industry Partnerships: Robina State High School, League for Life Program.

The eight winners were chosen from 24 state finalists and more than 160 programs entered by state schools across Queensland.

The awards are judged by the Showcase Board which includes educational experts, media and industry representatives.

Now in its tenth year, the Showcase Awards are the State Government's most prestigious recognition program for Queensland state schools.

Visit the website for more information.