2023 CECG Faith in Learning Staff Excellence Awards

Recognising exceptional contributions to the mission of Catholic Education in the Archdiocese of Canberra Goulburn

Nominations are now open for the 2023 CECG Faith in Learning Staff Excellence Awards.

Anyone who is aware of a person or team, working or volunteering, in the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn, and making an exceptional contribution to our schools, may submit a nomination.

This is an online nomination process. Nominators must provide examples of how the nominee or nominees’ efforts would be objectively judged as exceptional beyond that expected of their role.

Supporting information should focus on what’s been so special and outstanding about this person or persons’ contribution. To complete this form, you will need:

  • Clear examples of the nominee’s performance against the judging criteria.
  • Names, addresses and contact details of two individuals who can comment on the nominee’s service to the school.
  • A signed letter of endorsement from the school Principal.

A selection panel of well qualified people with experience in our schools will assess the nominations based on the judging criteria for each category.

Nominations close at 5pm on Friday 21 July, 2023.

Nominate here

 

Award Categories


Archbishop’s Award

The Archbishop will select an individual or individuals for achieving excellence in commitment to their faith, academic life, community, or social justice, in a way the furthers the theme of synodality – walking together – and strengthens the theological stance of the educational community of CECG. This could come from the list of awardees or from other sources.

Judging Criteria

  • Exemplary academic and religious leadership and influence in a school with Faith in Learning evidenced through the current students and graduates of the school.


Director’s Award

To recognise a special service to CECG by a staff member or team. Open to any CECG staff member.

Judging Criteria

  • Shows outstanding integrity in leading a school community or program.
  • Implements change that improves teaching and learning and supports greater equity in education.
  • Builds Catholic education identity and ethos in ways that support exceptionally life-giving relationships and builds hope in school communities or Catholic education agencies.
  • Demonstrates excellence in teamwork that supports and builds Catholic education.
  • Demonstrates outstanding service to others in the school education community and beyond. 


Teaching and Learning Awards

  • Early Career Teachers (either in their 1st or 2nd year of teaching) – could be Primary or Secondary
  • Primary Teachers
  • Secondary Teachers

Judging Criteria

Early career teacher

  • Applying high impact, evidence-based teaching practice.
  • Contributing to a culture of knowledge sharing and collaboration within or beyond your school.
  • Effectively using assessment practices to inform instructional decisions to improve student learning.
  • Commitment to professional development and working with colleagues to address student learning.
  • Engagement with parents and the wider school community in their child’s learning.

 Primary teacher

  • Applying high impact, evidence-based teaching practice.
  • Contributing to a culture of knowledge sharing and collaboration within or beyond your school.
  • Effectively using assessment practices to inform instructional decisions to improve student learning.
  • Commitment to professional development and working with colleagues to address student learning.
  • Engagement with parents and the wider school community in their child’s learning. 

Secondary teacher

  • Applying high impact, evidence-based teaching practice.
  • Contributing to a culture of knowledge sharing and collaboration within or beyond your school.
  • Effectively using assessment practices to inform instructional decisions to improve student learning.
  • Commitment to professional development and working with colleagues to address student learning.
  • Engagement with parents and the wider school community in their child’s learning. 


Leadership Awards

  • Emerging Leader
  • Middle Leader
  • School Leader

Emerging Leader

This award recognises an individual with 1-5 years’ experience who has demonstrated high quality leadership in influencing others to create exemplary places of learning, where students consistently experience learning success and have opportunities to grow in their relationship with God. 

Judging Criteria

  • Identified and led a school improvement project that has improved student learning outcomes.
  • Gives witness and influences others in the faith life of the school.
  • Used data and educational research to inform and enhance practice.
  • Engaged others and fostered relationships that inspired action and growth in students, colleagues, parents and the community. 

Middle Leader

This award recognises an individual who is not in a formal leadership position who has demonstrated high quality leadership in influencing others to create exemplary places of faith in learning where students consistently experience learning growth and have opportunities to grow in their relationship with God. 

Judging Criteria

  • Provides high quality leadership, expertise and coordination in their specific area of delegated responsibility.
  • Is proactive in their pastoral care of staff.
  • Gives witness and influences others in the faith life of the school.
  • Demonstrates the centrality of teaching and learning in the life and work of the school. 

School Leader

This award recognises an individual in a formal leadership position who has demonstrated high quality leadership in setting the conditions and influencing others to create exemplary places of faith in learning where students consistently experience learning growth and have opportunities to grow in their relationship with God.

Judging Criteria

  • Provides active witness to God’s presence in the education, parish or Archdiocesan community and that enhances the education community’s Catholic identity.
  • Demonstrated exemplary performance in inspiring, leading and implementing change which has made a significant impact on or contribution to student outcomes or teacher professional learning.
  • Has led significant and sustained initiatives to improve teaching, curriculum, resources, policies and procedures that promote effective teaching and learning and have impacted on student outcomes.
  • Made a significant contribution to the practice and/or theory of educational leadership within their workplace or at a local, regional, system, state or national level. 


School Education Support Award

Awarded to classroom support staff or school office staff who work with teaching staff to create exemplary places of learning where every student experiences academic and social success, where students consistently experience learning growth and have opportunities to grow in their relationship with God.

Judging Criteria

  • Supports the implementation of engaging and effective learning that prioritises the needs of students and allows them to flourish.
  • Works collaboratively to use innovative approaches that are responsive to the needs of individual students.
  • Approaches student need and behaviour with confidentiality, compassion and kindness.
  • Demonstrates a commitment to learning, engagement and wellbeing for all students in the community.
  • Displays professionalism in all interactions with members of the school or college community. 


Parent, Carer and Volunteer Award

Awarded to a parent, carer or volunteer whose engagement with the school demonstrates a commitment to genuine home and school partnerships.

Judging criteria

  • Works with the principal, staff and families to build collaborative partnerships between families and the school.
  • Actively works for the benefit of the school, it’s students and their families.
  • Promotes and affirms the work of the school in the education of the children.
  • Creates opportunities in the school to build a strong sense of community. 


Mission Award

Awarded to an individual or team for achieving excellence in:

  • Innovation in faith formation, or
  • High quality, academically rigorous religious education, or
  • Enhancing and expressing Catholic identity, or
  • A comprehensive response to outreach and service to the community. 

 Judging criteria  

  • Expresses a response to the Catholic Church’s expectations around excellence in religious education as interpreted by CECG.
  • Communicates a distinctive Catholic identity through its religious values, culture, rituals, and practices.
  • Delivers an outstanding contribution to faith formation approaches with the school and or parish community.
  • Supports and articulates innovative approaches to outreach and service that identify the importance of the dignity of the human person, practices Christian hospitality and openly proclaims its value through word and action.
  • Displays professionalism in all interactions with members of the school or college community.