NATIONAL AWARDS FOR FIVE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN EDUCATORS

Five South Australian school leaders have been officially recognised for their dedication and commitment to education in this state.

Joy Bedford, Leonie Falland, Christine Hatzi, PanayoulaParha, and Kevin Richardson all received John Laing Professional Development Awards from Principals Australia Institute (PAI) at a special ceremony in Adelaide today.

  • Joy Bedford, retiring Principal of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College, Enfield, has been an educator for 50 years and has made an outstanding contribution to the education of young women, particularly refugees in her school
  • Leonie Falland has been an educator for 38 years, and in several leadership roles in schools in rural and remote areas of the state, and is currently Principal of Carlton R to 9 School at Port Augusta
  • Christine Hatzi, an educator for 40 years, is currently Educator Director in the southern metropolitan area and has provided significant professional development opportunities for staff in preschools, primary and secondary schools
  • PanayoulaParha, has served in schools and executive roles in education for 40 years. She is currently Principal of Norwood Morialta High School and has contributed to strengthening the Council of International Schools in this state
  • Kevin Richardson, an educator for 36 years, is Principal at Immanuel College and is an innovator with particular expertise in future-focussed learning spaces and technologies, and on national education committees

Each of the five educators is an outstanding school leader and has made substantial contributions to education in South Australia through strategic senior leadership roles over a considerable time. These leaders have been responsible for working with other senior educators to develop capacity in government, Catholic and Independent schools.

The national awards are presented each year to school leaders who have made significant contributions to the professional learning and development of their colleagues. This year, Alexandrea Cannon, the Interim Chief Executive of Principals Australia will present the Awards.

“Our five South Australian winners very much capture the spirit of the awards, and their nominators were glowing in their praise for their achievements,” says Principals Australia Institute Board Chair, the Hon. Susan Lenehan.

MsLenehan said it was important to recognise and celebrate the role principals played in providing leadership and a community focus. “Good schools don’t just educate and inspire the next generation of students, they act as a focus and catalyst for learning, development and community spirit,” she said.

“Good schools need good teachers, and that means they need visionary leaders who can see beyond the day-to-day necessities and inspire students and teachers alike to achieve great things. We are very proud of what this year’s recipients have done and what they stand for.”

The awards, established in 2004, honour John Laing, a former Tasmanian school principal. John Laing was the driving force behind establishing cross-sectoral professional learning projects for all school leaders across Australia through Principals Australia Institute.

More information about each recipient is attached. All are available for interview.

Media contact:

Alexandrea Cannon, Interim Chief Executive Officer

8394 2161

Joy Bedford – 0407 606 455
Leonie Falland – 0455 288 740
Christine Hatzi – 0401 997 773 / PanayoulaParha – 0413 483 296
Sue Peddlesden – 0403 499 185
Kevin Richardson – 0439 793 600

John Laing Professional Development Awards 2015

Brief biographies of five South Australianhonorees

Joy Bedford - nominated by Association of Principals of Catholic Secondary Schools

Joy has been an educator for 50 years. As Principal at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College, Enfield, for 21 years, Joy has been a strong advocate for the education of girls, and particularly refugees, from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

In the past ten years, Joy has received a number of significant awards which recognise her achievements as a school leader. In the 2005 Australian College of Educators National Awards for Quality Schooling, she received a Highly Commended honour in the ‘Excellence by a Principal’ category. In the 2006 National Awards for Quality Schooling, Joy received a ‘Highly Commended National Achievement by a Principal’ award. In part, the citation highlighted Joy’s contribution as Principal of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College in increasing learning opportunities for students and restoring community respect. It emphasised ‘Her leadership [which] concentrates on staff development, teamwork, strategic planning, professional development and change management.’ In 2008 Joy was nominated for the South Australian Womens Honour Roll as an ‘inspirational education leader’.

The John Laing Award for Professional Development recognises Joy’s outstanding contribution to education, and in particular, to the education of young women. It also acknowledges Joy’s application of the L5 leadership statements in her role as a leader inspiring others and building leadership capacity in colleagues from a ‘strengths-based’ perspective.

It is fitting that this Award is presented at the time of Joy’s retirement.

Leonie Falland - nominated by South Australian Area School Leaders Association

Leonie has been an educator in South Australian state schools for 38 years, and a leader in Area Schools since 1995. She is committed to providing young people in rural settings with the best possible education. Leonie values the way that Area Schools enable a broad perspective of the development of students and education in the context of family and community. Her experience in leadership positions includes roles at Mintabie; Coober Pedy Area School; Lock; and Mannum Community College. Currently she is Principal of Carlton R to 9 Aboriginal/Anangu school at Port Augusta. Leonie has been a school counsellor and was Student Management Adviser for schools in the Murraylands for nearly 15 years.

In the last ten years she has taken an active role in the South Australian Area Schools Executive Committee. Leonie has represented the Association in consultative groups such as the SACE review, and in curriculum projects. Her contribution to planning conferences for Area School leaders exemplifies her commitment to assist and support peers who teach in rural and remote areas to access quality professional learning. Her ability to mentor aspiring leaders reflects her belief in the potential of leadership to make a difference in the lives of teachers and students.

The John Laing Award for Professional Development recognises Leonie’s capacity for leadership, and her sustained and deep commitment to providing quality education to students in rural and remote areas of South Australia.

Christine Hatzi – nominated by the South Australian Primary Principals Association

Christine’s role as an educator in South Australia spans 40 years. During this time she has had principalships in a number of primary schools. Currently Christine is Education Director in the Southern Adelaide metropolitan area within Partnerships from Marion Coast, Panatalinga and River Hub in the Department for Education and Child Development. In this significant leadership role Christine assists leaders in preschools, primary and secondary schools to support good practice, and provide professional development for leaders and their staff that facilitates networks and partnerships with the community.

Christine has initiated regional professional learning programs for teachers and leaders in schools across the region. She has assisted leaders to bring together educators of children and young people to share knowledge and focus on organisational learning. She has shaped collaborative professional learning opportunities with significant national and international practitioners. She has also provided professional development sessions in the Teaching for Effective Learning Framework learning and implementation strategies for the Australian Curriculum. She is committed to provide ongoing development of teaching and learning practices for teachers that address local needs and build capacity across schools in the region to support students to engage in learning, and achieve success.

The John Laing Award for Professional Development recognises Christine’s commitment to professional learning and her role in providing opportunities for DECD staff to develop capacity for leadership, and foster commitment to support the learning of students in the southern metropolitan area of Adelaide.

PanayoulaParha - nominated by SA Secondary Principals Association

Panayoula has been an educator for 40 years and has undertaken significant leadership roles including 23 years as a Principal, and also a District Superintendent and Curriculum Superintendent. Panayoula has been Principal for 13 years at Norwood Morialta High School. Panayoula creates a dynamic and collaborative learning environment, and provides opportunities for staff professional development which include a focus on intercultural learning and the education of students as global citizens.

Through Panayoula’s leadership, Norwood Morialta High School has become a member of the Council of International Schools, one of 47 accredited schools in Australia. She is a member of the International Board of Trustees representing Australia. She has convened the South Australian Chapter, and as Chair of the Organising Committee of the Council of International Schools Australasian Regional Conferences, she engaged international and national speakers.

She has worked systematically on the Council of International Schools accreditation processes and led visits for schools in Australia and Asia. Her work has provided a strong connection between this accreditation and review processes in South Australian government schools.

The presentation of the John Laing Award for Professional Development recognises Panayoula’s long-standing outstanding leadership, and the quality of the professional learning which she leads in her school. It also acknowledges her commitment to the professional learning of colleagues in the Council of International Schools in South Australia.

Kevin Richardson – nominated by the Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia SA/NT

Kevin has been an educator for 36 years, and Principal at Immanuel College for 13 years. He facilitates a broad professional learning program that includes innovative teaching and learning using technology. He has had an extensive leadership role in education and Information and Communications Technology at state, national and international levels. He established the South Australia Technology School of the Future, and held senior positions in governments in Western Australia, New South Wales and South Australia.

Kevin is regarded highly by colleagues for his role as mentor and coach. His leadership and contribution to education have been recognised by a number of distinguished awards. They include an Australian Centenary medal for services to technology and education (2000), the Australian Council of Educational Leadership’s Alby Jones Award as Eminent Education of the Year, South Australia (2011); finalist for the NAIDOC Premier’s Award for contribution to Indigenous Education (2011); Fellowship for the Australian College of Education (2001), and the Australian College of Educational Leaders (2012).

Currently he provides leadership through roles on a number of national boards and committees including as an Independent Director of the Australia Council for Educational Leaders, member of the Executive Committee of the Australian Council on Children and the Media, and member of the EduTECH and Future Schools Advisory Board.

The John Laing Professional Development Award recognises Kevin’s role as an innovator and leader with expertise in future-focused learning spaces and technologies, a role model for colleagues and other educators.

Principals Australia Institute provides school leaders in government, Catholic and Independent schools throughout Australia with professional learning, leadership development and support including national mental health and wellbeing initiatives.