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New Professionalism Program

The 2008 Awards program is now closed.

The New Professionalism program recognises that employees continue their individual development of skills and knowledge that are essential to providing a quality public education system which delivers opportunities for all students.

It doesn 't matter what the role in the many services provided throughout the department - quality professional development is pivotal to providing a quality service.

The department offers a range of awards not only to ensure the future capability of our people but also to acknowledge and encourage the talents of its valuable employees.

These awards align with key government and departmental priorities including the Strategic Plan, QSE 2010 and the Professional Development Agenda. Added to these are the Professional Standards/Frameworks now provided for teachers, school leaders and public sector employees.

Applications open early June and close mid-July for teacher aides and mid-August for teachers. Awards are announced on Teacher Aide day and World Teachers' Day annually.

Awards for teachers:

A revitalisation of the New Professionalism program by the Minister for Education and Training and Minister for the Arts resulted in a new range of awards from 2007 for teachers and school leaders.

These awards provide greater emphasis on:

the reinvestment of knowledge and skills gained by award recipients to the knowledge base of Education Queensland, professional associations and networks;
maximise the 'futures ' positioning of the Department though the program; and
strengthen alignment of professional development completed through the program with professional frameworks and published departmental priorities and directions.

Four award categories provide for a total of 35 awards across the state, ranging in value from $6,000 to $25,000.

State awards - announced by the Minister at the Teacher Excellence Awards (31 October 2008):

Minister 's Awards for Education Futures (10 awards of $15,000 each) - available to high performing teachers, associate administrators and school leaders to complete a four-unit independent research study focusing on breaking new ground and proposing innovative ideas and solutions for education into the future, specifically focusing on building high performing classrooms and schools.
Minister 's Awards for Excellence in School Leadership (5 awards of $20,000 each) - available to principals and deputy principals to access professional development that builds on the innovation that has led to the school and its leader being acknowledged as high performing.
Minister 's Awards for Teacher Excellence (5 awards of $25,000 each plus up to 40 days TRS) - available to high performing teachers, including HODs, HOCs and HOSEs, who have demonstrated excellence in teaching. These awards will enable successful recipients to continue their development to build on the excellence that has led to their being acknowledged as high performing.

Regional awards - announced on World Teachers' Day (31 October 2008):

Regional Innovators Awards - provides 15 awards across the state valued at $5,000 each plus a basic subscription for two years to a professional learning community (each year valued at $500). This award is available to all teachers (except school principals) and will provide seed funding for individuals or interest groups to establish self-sustaining networks.

Awards for Teacher Aides - now closed - to be announced on Teacher Aides' Day (5 September 2008):

Professional Development Grants for Teacher Aides (30 awards of $1,200 each) - open to all permanent and long-term temporary state school teacher aides.

Rewards and Recognition

The Queensland Department of Education, Training and the Arts values the commitment and achievements of all teaching and non-teaching employees.

The Department 's Rewards and Recognition program recognises long and valued service within the Department - as administered by the Director-General of Education, Training and the Arts - and comprises awards across four categories.

For Teachers Only - now open - closing 31 July 2008:

Teacher Excellence Career Milestones - now open - close 31 July 2008 - recognise teaching service by full-time and part-time teachers at key milestones in their career. Awards are presented once annually - during the week of World Teachers' Day (last Friday of October annually in Queensland) to teachers who celebrate the anniversary of commencing their 5th, 10th or 20th year of teaching service in the current calendar year.
The Professional Year (new window) 204k is a self-funded sabbatical year to allow permanent teachers in Education Queensland to undertake professional learning. The program allows teachers to 'bank ' funds across three terms to allow them to engage in professional learning while maintaining an income stream during the sabbatical period in the fourth-term. (Application form (new window) 196k )

For All Departmental Employees - open all year:

The Department 's Rewards and Recognition program recognises long and valued service and comprises awards across four categories. In addition to the Teacher Excellence Career Milestones for teachers available for World Teachers' Day annually, the following three categories are available to all employees and explained in detail in these guidelines (new window) 322k :

A 25 Year Service Medallion (new window) 322k recognises teaching and non-teaching employees ' valuable contributions to education over a period of 25 years or more.
a) Regional application (new window) 213k form
b) Central Office application (new window) 193k form
(Special recognition beyond 25 years is not made until retirement.)
Retirement Certificates (new window) 217k acknowledging departmental employees retiring at age 55 - or earlier for health reasons - are available on application. (Application form (new window) 217k )
A retirement letter (new window) 322k of appreciation and small corporate gift from the Director-General is also available to those employees who retire having contributed 30 years or more service within the Department.

Scholarship programs for students or non-teachers

Although not part of the New Professionalism program, the Department of Education, Training and the Arts recognises the need to develop a workforce that provides opportunities to increase the number of teachers in key areas such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander or rural and remote teachers in Queenslands education system. Other scholarship programs available to year 12 graduates, departmental non-teaching staff, post-graduate and post-school students are outlined under Scholarships and Awards on this website.

For further information, or to request that guidelines and application forms be emailed to you once available, visit the guidelines site for each of the categories above or contact the A/Senior Project Officer, Strategy and Performance.

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