2009: the year so far.

A hot Melbourne Cup afternoon provided the beginnings for a mood of

celebration last week as the Hunter Australian College of Educators acknowledged a large number of educators who had been nominated by their students for being people who have really made a difference: going ‘above and beyond’ in their work with students.

The Chancellor of the University of Newcastle, the Institute Director for Hunter TAFE, the chair of the Independent Schools Association, the Director and Catholic Education, the representative of the DET Regional Director and the Lady Mayoress were all part of the large crowd of several hundred who were there to present awards and recognise the achievement, not only of the award winners but also of the varied student performances during the proceedings.

In his welcome address, Hunter President, Roger Pryor spoke of the way that education has evolved to meet changing needs and challenged those present to confront the need for changing paradigms in the way that we see education being delivered to meet the needs of a future which we cannot necessarily describe, and in which we want our young people to have the greatest level of access possible to opportunity.

All award nominations were made online, and a small committee considered all nominations and worked through a validation process. It was wonderful to see the warmth generated by the nomination and award process with whole ‘teams’ of supporters on hand to celebrate the recognition of their nominated award recipient.

In other events during 2009, we were fortunate to have Professor Phil Foreman, from the NSW Institute of Teachers, attend an earlier meeting and provide the opportunity for educators to hear about the changes that are occurring in this important area of teacher accreditation.

Earlier in the year, College members and others took part in the launch of an online mentoring program, with a function at the Park Campus of the Newcastle Grammar School.

The Hunter College will round out its years activities with an informal Christmas function at the Beach Hotel in Merewether on 17^th November.

A feature of the operations this year has been the enthusiastic work of the committee, and the collaboration between members from all sectors of the education provision continuum. We look forward to another interesting year ahead in 2010.

ACE Awards – Press Release

Students from across the Hunter have voted on the teachers who inspire, offer support and clearly give “extra” to encourage a love of learning within their students.

Mr Roger Pryor, Hunter President of the Australian College of Educators said, “Nominations were vigorously supported by students in all education sectors”. The 60+ winners will be formally recognised at a ceremony to be held on Tuesday, November 3rd, at The Newcastle City Town Hall.

Professor Trevor Waring, Chancellor of the University of Newcastle, Mrs Kay Peno, School Education Director, Department of Education and Training and Mr Ray Collins, Director, Catholic Schools Office will present awards on the evening. They will be supported by a showcase of entertainment by students from a variety of school sectors.
“ACE is a professional organisation that is committed to quality education for all and these awards are a wonderful opportunity for the public to acknowledge the excellence in the professional practice of education in its many forms,” stated Mr Pryor.
“School students, parents and community members are invited to attend this event to support their teachers and acknowledge the contribution made by some of the Hunter’s many wonderful educators”, said Mr Pryor.
To attend the ACE Teacher recognition Awards people can visit,
http://pryorcommitment.com/eduleader/ace/awards2009/rsvp.htm register their details and their free tickets will be emailed.

The Hunter ACE branch would like to congratulate the following education institutions whose teachers have been rewarded an ACE Teacher Recognition Award:
Avondale College
Bishop Tyrrell Anglican College
Cardiff South Public School
Charlestown South Public School
Garden Suburb Primary School
Hunter School of Performing Arts
Kotara High School
Mount View High School
Muswellbrook High School
Newcastle High School
Newcastle Grammar School
Nulkaba Primary School
Singleton Public School
St Philips Christian College
St Francis Xavier’s College
St Patrick’s Primary School Lochinvar
TAFE
The University of Newcastle
Tighes Hill Public School
Valentine Public School
Warners Bay High School
Wyee Public School

For additional information, to arrange interviews/photo opportunities with award reciprocatesplease contact Susan.Grimes@newcastle.edu.au, Chair, Selection Committee, ACE or on 0414071585 by leaving a message and contact details.

To contact the President, see the Contact page on this site

ACE your teacher!

Australian College of Educators (Hunter) Teacher Recognition Awards

Students in the Hunter will get a chance to acknowledge their teachers by nominating them for recognition in the ACE Hunter Teacher Recognition Awards. These awards recognise teachers who do their job “above and beyond the call of duty”. Unlike many other awards, the ACE Hunter award is nominated and supported by the teachers’ students, people who work with these teachers and are best placed to comment on their effect.

Students, and/or their parents and community served by the teacher, can nominate the teacher who offers inspiration, support and clearly gives extra to encourage a love of learning, showing respect for their students and support for community engagement in education. The nominations can be made in early childhood, primary, secondary, University, WEA, and TAFE levels of schooling and cover all sectors; state, Catholic, independent and other systems.

To find out more, and make a nomination, click here

Events coming up in the Hunter for 2009

Keep a lookout on this site and in your email inbox for news of events in the Hunter this year.

We’ll be kicking off the year by targetting new teachers and also seeking for the support of those who are a little bit further ‘down the track’ in their career.  Keep an eye out for some great online support ideas which are currently being worked up in conjunction with some of our university colleagues.

We’re also working on ways to recognise all of those wonderful people who do such a great job in education within all of our educational environments.  This should lead to wonderful event later in the year.

ACE on the road

As part of a national program, we have the opportunity to hear from an exciting educator at Homebush in May.  Erica McWilliam will be the guest speaker at the special diner event.

The ACE on the road event is planned for Monday 18 May and is entitled

The 21st Century Teacher: From Sage to Guide to Meddler

Welcome to the Hunter Region site for the Australian College of Educators

This site will be used to provide news and updates for members of the Australian College of Educators, Hunter Region.