Judith Stutchbury awarded PM’s Prize for Excellence

A Kalkie State School teacher has been recognised as one of Australia’s finest science educators in the Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science 2023.

Judith Stutchbury was recognised for her efforts in teaching students the importance of conserving the Bundaberg marine environment at the at the Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science 2023 event on Tuesday.

A Kalkie State School teacher has been recognised as one of Australia’s finest science educators in the Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science 2023.

Judith Stutchbury, a Bundaberg local and stalwart of the Kalkie State School faculty for more than 10 years, was awarded the Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools at the Parliament House ceremony on Tuesday evening.

Ms Stutchbury’s impactful approaches to teaching marine conservation were recognised, including guiding students through persuasive writing exercises in which they wrote letters to Bundaberg Mayor Jack Dempsey calling for better protections of the Great Barrier Reef and Mon Repos turtle nesting grounds.

Judith Stutchbury was awarded the Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools at the Parliament House ceremony.

As a direct result of her students’ efforts, Bundaberg council introduced local legislation banning the release of helium balloons due to their effect on the local sea turtle population.

More recently, Ms Stutchbury published a book titled Hatch Saves the Reef telling the story of a young sea turtle that faces obstacles including light and plastic pollution.

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The book was illustrated by one of Ms Stuchbury’s Year 5 students at Kalkie State School, Archie Gatley.

Ms Stutchbury said she was “extremely honoured and very humbled” by the award, which recognised her work in teaching students about a subject so important to their future.

“It’s our students future, and it’s so important for them to learn how to look after it and to make a difference,” she said.

“By teaching them about the things that are threats to the reef and of concern, then they feel that they are empowered to do something about it as well.

“It’s very empowering for them to feel that they can make a difference, and it’s lovely to see how you can influence them to feel good about themselves.”

Letters Kalki teacher Judith Stutchbury’s students wrote to Bundaberg Mayor Jack Dempsey helped to bring about changes to local legislation banning the release of helium balloons.

Ms Stuchbury said she would use the $50,000 prize to drive further change in science education and attract more funding for science activities at Kalkie State School and further afield.

In a statement released on social media, a Kalkie State School spokesperson said the award recognised the “hard work and dedication” that Ms Stuchbury put into the development of the science curriculum at the school.

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“Her many initiatives educate students about the importance of marine conservation and how they can make a difference,” the spokesperson said.

LNP Hinkler MP Keith Pitt, who attended the awards, congratulated Ms Stuchbury “for providing unique and engaging, deep-learning science experiences and opportunities to students at a regional and international level”.