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Every Gold Coast educator nominated for excellence awards

More than 60 school staff and teachers have been nominated for awards in excellence, but this Merrimac educator says it's the everyday “little wins” that are the most rewarding. FULL LIST

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Lori Hayes started her career as a teacher at Merrimac State High School almost twenty years ago.

Now as the school’s Head of Department (HOD) for Junior Secondary, she’s been nominated for a prestigious award to recognise her tireless efforts working with struggling students.

For a second year in a row Ms Hayes has been nominated by her colleagues for Excellence in Secondary Education Leadership at the Gold Coast State Secondary Education Excellence Awards, but she said watching her students take the “little wins” every day was her ultimate success.

As HOD Ms Hayes is part of an internal school program that provides targeted help for students who present with academic or behavioural issues.

Ms Lori Hayes is the head of department for Junior Secondary at Merrimac SHS. Picture, John Gass
Ms Lori Hayes is the head of department for Junior Secondary at Merrimac SHS. Picture, John Gass

“The most rewarding part (of my job) is when a student who was maybe failing a subject runs up to me and says, ‘guess what Miss, I’m doing really well in maths class now’, or a student who was struggling with attendance for personal reasons and now they’re back to attending school regularly,” Ms Hayes said.

“It’s those little everyday wins for me that are the best. It’s so rewarding to see these students be able to move forward.”

Ms Hayes said over her 20 year career in education at Merrimac SHS she found that positive reinforcement and consistency were the keys to guiding young minds.

This year, Merrimac SHS will trial their first ever Year 9 ‘semi-formal’ event spearheaded by Ms Hayes.

“The best part is that the students know that they will only get this semi-formal because of their good behaviour and good attendance,” she said.

“And I can see students working hard for it too, they’ll tell each other ‘come on, we have to be well behaved’. I can see they’re excited for it.”

Merrimac State High School
Merrimac State High School

Ms Hayes said ceremonies like the Education Excellence Awards were an important recognition of all the hard work that goes into successful education.

“Everyone works tirelessly to support our students,” she said.

“The awards are affirming and validating for us as educators and supports us so we can support our students.

On Saturday, state secondary schools from across the city will gather to celebrate educators who go above and beyond for their students with more than $15,000 in tertiary scholarships up for grabs.

More than 60 staff and teachers have been nominated across four categories including Excellence in Educational Support, Excellence in Secondary Education Leadership, Excellence in Secondary Teaching and Excellence in Innovation at the Gold Coast State Secondary Education Excellence Awards.

This year, the event hosted at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre is expected to attract more than 550 attendees.

NOMINEES

Excellence in Educational Support Award

Melody Callahan, Communications & Events officer from Benowa State High School

Excellence in Educational Support nominee Melody Callahan, Communications & Events officer from Benowa State High School
Excellence in Educational Support nominee Melody Callahan, Communications & Events officer from Benowa State High School

Penny Jameson, library technician from Coombabah State High School

Excellence in Educational Support nominee Penny Jameson, library technician from Coombabah State High School
Excellence in Educational Support nominee Penny Jameson, library technician from Coombabah State High School

Kerry Robertson, executive assistant from Elanora State High School

Excellence in Educational Support nominee Kerry Robertson, executive assistant from Elanora State High School
Excellence in Educational Support nominee Kerry Robertson, executive assistant from Elanora State High School

Lynn Davies, Industry Liaison Officer from Foxwell State Secondary College

Excellence in Educational Support nominee Lynn Davies, Industry Liaison Officer from Foxwell State Secondary College
Excellence in Educational Support nominee Lynn Davies, Industry Liaison Officer from Foxwell State Secondary College

Raelene MacGibbon, Teacher Aide from Helensvale State High School

Excellence in Educational Support nominee Raelene MacGibbon, Teacher Aide from Helensvale State High School
Excellence in Educational Support nominee Raelene MacGibbon, Teacher Aide from Helensvale State High School

Rachel Skrabanich, Industry Liaison Officer from Merrimac State High School

Excellence in Educational Support nominee Rachel Skrabanich, Industry Liaison Officer from Merrimac State High School
Excellence in Educational Support nominee Rachel Skrabanich, Industry Liaison Officer from Merrimac State High School

Scott Archibald, Facilities Manager from Miami State High School

Excellence in Educational Support nominee Scott Archibald, Facilities Manager from Miami State High School
Excellence in Educational Support nominee Scott Archibald, Facilities Manager from Miami State High School

Helen Gaitau, Teacher Aide from Nerang State High School

Excellence in Educational Support nominee Helen Gaitau, Teacher Aide from Nerang State High School
Excellence in Educational Support nominee Helen Gaitau, Teacher Aide from Nerang State High School

Deb Lederhose, Marketing officer from Ormeau Woods State High School

Excellence in Educational Support nominee Deb Lederhose, Marketing officer from Ormeau Woods State High School
Excellence in Educational Support nominee Deb Lederhose, Marketing officer from Ormeau Woods State High School

Tim Clark, Teacher Aide from Pacific Pines State High School

Excellence in Educational Support nominee Tim Clark, Teacher Aide from Pacific Pines State High School
Excellence in Educational Support nominee Tim Clark, Teacher Aide from Pacific Pines State High School

Michelle Alchin, Textbook Room Manager and Workers Compensation & Rehab officer from Palm Beach Currumbin State High School

Excellence in Educational Support nominee Michelle Alchin, Textbook Room Manager and Workers Compensation & Rehab officer from Palm Beach Currumbin State High School
Excellence in Educational Support nominee Michelle Alchin, Textbook Room Manager and Workers Compensation & Rehab officer from Palm Beach Currumbin State High School

Lucinda Grey, Youth Support Coordinator from Pimpama State Secondary College

Excellence in Educational Support nominee Lucinda Grey, Youth Support Coordinator from Pimpama State Secondary College
Excellence in Educational Support nominee Lucinda Grey, Youth Support Coordinator from Pimpama State Secondary College

Sam Worboys, Data Analyst from Queensland Academies Health Sciences Campus

Excellence in Educational Support nominee Sam Worboys, Data Analyst from Queensland Academies Health Sciences Campus
Excellence in Educational Support nominee Sam Worboys, Data Analyst from Queensland Academies Health Sciences Campus

Di Mitchell, International Program Student Coordinator from Robina State High School

Excellence in Educational Support nominee Di Mitchell, International Program Student Coordinator from Robina State High School
Excellence in Educational Support nominee Di Mitchell, International Program Student Coordinator from Robina State High School

Alyshia Scott, HR Manager from Southport State High School

Excellence in Educational Support nominee Alyshia Scott, HR Manager from Southport State High School
Excellence in Educational Support nominee Alyshia Scott, HR Manager from Southport State High School

Ryan Hill, Information Technology Manager from Varsity College

Excellence in Educational Support nominee Ryan Hill, Information Technology Manager from Varsity College
Excellence in Educational Support nominee Ryan Hill, Information Technology Manager from Varsity College

Excellence in Secondary Education Leadership Award

Amanda Kellow, HOD Wellbeing & Engagement, from Benowa State High School

Excellence in Secondary Education Leadership nominee Amanda Kellow, HOD Wellbeing & Engagement, from Benowa State High School
Excellence in Secondary Education Leadership nominee Amanda Kellow, HOD Wellbeing & Engagement, from Benowa State High School

Mika Heinemann, HOD ITD, from Coombabah State High School

Excellence in Secondary Education Leadership nominee Mika Heinemann, HOD ITD, from Coombabah State High School
Excellence in Secondary Education Leadership nominee Mika Heinemann, HOD ITD, from Coombabah State High School

Sally Wakely, HOD Arts, from Elanora State High School

Excellence in Secondary Education Leadership nominee Sally Wakely, HOD Arts, from Elanora State High School
Excellence in Secondary Education Leadership nominee Sally Wakely, HOD Arts, from Elanora State High School

Andrew Nicholls, HOD Technologies from Foxwell State Secondary College

Excellence in Secondary Education Leadership nominee Andrew Nicholls, HOD Technologies from Foxwell State Secondary College
Excellence in Secondary Education Leadership nominee Andrew Nicholls, HOD Technologies from Foxwell State Secondary College

Kirsty Scott, HOD Pedagogy from Helensvale State High School

Excellence in Secondary Education Leadership nominee Kirsty Scott, HOD Pedagogy from Helensvale State High School
Excellence in Secondary Education Leadership nominee Kirsty Scott, HOD Pedagogy from Helensvale State High School

Lori Hayes, HOD Junior Secondary from Merrimac State High School

Excellence in Secondary Education Leadership nominee Lori Hayes, HOD Junior Secondary from Merrimac State High School
Excellence in Secondary Education Leadership nominee Lori Hayes, HOD Junior Secondary from Merrimac State High School

Todd Campbell, HOD maths from Miami State High School

Excellence in Secondary Education Leadership nominee Todd Campbell, HOD Maths from Miami State High School
Excellence in Secondary Education Leadership nominee Todd Campbell, HOD Maths from Miami State High School

Lara Hayes, HOD Science from Nerang State High School

Excellence in Secondary Education Leadership nominee Lara Hayes, HOD Science from Nerang State High School
Excellence in Secondary Education Leadership nominee Lara Hayes, HOD Science from Nerang State High School

Glen Armstrong, HOD Design & Digital Technology from Ormeau Woods State High School

Excellence in Secondary Education Leadership nominee Glen Armstrong, HOD Design & Digital Technology from Ormeau Woods State High School
Excellence in Secondary Education Leadership nominee Glen Armstrong, HOD Design & Digital Technology from Ormeau Woods State High School

Simon Lydiard, HOD Engagement & PBC Coach, from Pacific Pines State High School

Excellence in Secondary Education Leadership nominee Simon Lydiard, HOD Engagement & PBC Coach, from Pacific Pines State High School
Excellence in Secondary Education Leadership nominee Simon Lydiard, HOD Engagement & PBC Coach, from Pacific Pines State High School

Bianca Crandall, HOD Junior maths & Science from Palm Beach Currumbin State High School

e Excellence in Secondary Education Leadership nominee Bianca Crandall, HOD Junior Maths & Science from Palm Beach Currumbin State High School
e Excellence in Secondary Education Leadership nominee Bianca Crandall, HOD Junior Maths & Science from Palm Beach Currumbin State High School

Anna Alarcon, HOD English from Pimpama State Secondary College

Excellence in Secondary Education Leadership nominee Anna Alarcon, HOD English from Pimpama State Secondary College
Excellence in Secondary Education Leadership nominee Anna Alarcon, HOD English from Pimpama State Secondary College

Alan Craig Ward, HOD International Baccalaureate Pathways from Queensland Academies, Health Sciences Campus

Excellence in Secondary Education Leadership nominee Alan Craig Ward, HOD International Baccalaureate Pathways from Queensland Academies, Health Sciences Campus
Excellence in Secondary Education Leadership nominee Alan Craig Ward, HOD International Baccalaureate Pathways from Queensland Academies, Health Sciences Campus

Sam Wiseman HOD Science from Robina State High School

Excellence in Secondary Education Leadership nominee Sam Wiseman HOD Science from Robina State High School
Excellence in Secondary Education Leadership nominee Sam Wiseman HOD Science from Robina State High School

Rachel Cureton HOD HASS from Southport State High School

Excellence in Secondary Education Leadership nominee Rachel Cureton HOD HASS from Southport State High School
Excellence in Secondary Education Leadership nominee Rachel Cureton HOD HASS from Southport State High School

Sarah Aicken HOD Humanities from Varsity College

Excellence in Secondary Education Leadership nominee Sarah Aicken HOD Humanities from Varsity College
Excellence in Secondary Education Leadership nominee Sarah Aicken HOD Humanities from Varsity College

Excellence in Secondary Teaching Award

Melissa St Pierre, Science, maths & STEM teacher from Benowa State High

School

Excellence in Secondary Teaching nominee Melissa St Pierre, Science, Maths & STEM teacher from Benowa State High School
Excellence in Secondary Teaching nominee Melissa St Pierre, Science, Maths & STEM teacher from Benowa State High School

Allana Landolfo, HPE teacher from Coombabah State High School

Excellence in Secondary Teaching nominee Allana Landolfo, HPE teacher from Coombabah State High School
Excellence in Secondary Teaching nominee Allana Landolfo, HPE teacher from Coombabah State High School

Sherie Sunderland, Physics & STEM teacher from Elanora State High School

Excellence in Secondary Teaching nominee Sherie Sunderland, Physics & STEM teacher from Elanora State High School
Excellence in Secondary Teaching nominee Sherie Sunderland, Physics & STEM teacher from Elanora State High School

Marine Madsen, English & Japanese teacher from Foxwell State Secondary

College

Excellence in Secondary Teaching nominee Marine Madsen, English & Japanese teacher from Foxwell State Secondary College
Excellence in Secondary Teaching nominee Marine Madsen, English & Japanese teacher from Foxwell State Secondary College

Stacey Guymer, Response to Intervention teacher from Helensvale State

High School

Excellence in Secondary Teaching nominee Stacey Guymer, Response to Intervention teacher from Helensvale State High School
Excellence in Secondary Teaching nominee Stacey Guymer, Response to Intervention teacher from Helensvale State High School

George Sosangelis, Economics, HASS and Legal Studies teacher from

Merrimac State High School

Excellence in Secondary Teaching nominee George Sosangelis, Economics, HASS and Legal Studies teacher from Merrimac State High School
Excellence in Secondary Teaching nominee George Sosangelis, Economics, HASS and Legal Studies teacher from Merrimac State High School

Lee Freeman, Aerospace Systems teacher from Miami State High School

Excellence in Secondary Teaching nominee Lee Freeman, Aerospace Systems teacher from Miami State High School
Excellence in Secondary Teaching nominee Lee Freeman, Aerospace Systems teacher from Miami State High School

Natalie Barrett, maths teacher from Nerang State High School

Excellence in Secondary Teaching nominee Natalie Barrett, Maths teacher from Nerang State High School
Excellence in Secondary Teaching nominee Natalie Barrett, Maths teacher from Nerang State High School

Cher Allen, Business & English teacher from Pacific Pines State High School

Excellence in Secondary Teaching nominee Cher Allen, Business & English teacher from Pacific Pines State High School
Excellence in Secondary Teaching nominee Cher Allen, Business & English teacher from Pacific Pines State High School

Krista I’Anson, Science & Biology teacher from Palm Beach Currumbin State

High School

Excellence in Secondary Teaching nominee Krista I’Anson, Science & Biology teacher from Palm Beach Currumbin State High School
Excellence in Secondary Teaching nominee Krista I’Anson, Science & Biology teacher from Palm Beach Currumbin State High School

Samantha Ubank, English teacher from Pimpama State Secondary College

Excellence in Secondary Teaching nominee Samantha Ubank, English teacher from Pimpama State Secondary College
Excellence in Secondary Teaching nominee Samantha Ubank, English teacher from Pimpama State Secondary College

Tony Nicholson, Chemistry & Physics teacher from Queensland Academies, Health Sciences Campus

Excellence in Secondary Teaching nominee Tony Nicholson, Chemistry & Physics teacher from Queensland Academies, Health Sciences Campus
Excellence in Secondary Teaching nominee Tony Nicholson, Chemistry & Physics teacher from Queensland Academies, Health Sciences Campus

Andrew Conwell, Applied Technologies teacher from Robina State High School

Excellence in Secondary Teaching nominee Andrew Conwell, Applied Technologies teacher from Robina State High School
Excellence in Secondary Teaching nominee Andrew Conwell, Applied Technologies teacher from Robina State High School

Toby Romanin, English teacher from Southport State High School

Excellence in Secondary Teaching nominee Toby Romanin, English teacher from Southport State High School
Excellence in Secondary Teaching nominee Toby Romanin, English teacher from Southport State High School

Sonia Livingstone, Hospitality teacher from Varsity College

Excellence in Secondary Teaching nominee Sonia Livingstone, Hospitality teacher from Varsity College
Excellence in Secondary Teaching nominee Sonia Livingstone, Hospitality teacher from Varsity College

Excellence in Innovation Award

The Ngurra program from Benowa State High School

Excellence in Innovation nominee The Ngurra program from Benowa State High School
Excellence in Innovation nominee The Ngurra program from Benowa State High School

The Student Engagement Team and the Reactiv8 Program from Coombabah State High School

Excellence in Innovation nominee The Student Engagement Team and the Reactiv8 Program from Coombabah State High School
Excellence in Innovation nominee The Student Engagement Team and the Reactiv8 Program from Coombabah State High School

The EXCLerate High School Readiness Program from Elanora State High School

Excellence in Innovation nominee The EXCLerate High School Readiness Program from Elanora State High School
Excellence in Innovation nominee The EXCLerate High School Readiness Program from Elanora State High School

The Junior Secondary Team from Merrimac State High School

Excellence in Innovation nominee The Junior Secondary Team from Merrimac State High School
Excellence in Innovation nominee The Junior Secondary Team from Merrimac State High School

The Wellbeing Team and the Growing Good Humans program from Miami State High School

Excellence in Innovation nominee The Wellbeing Team and the Growing Good Humans program from Miami State High School
Excellence in Innovation nominee The Wellbeing Team and the Growing Good Humans program from Miami State High School

The Whole School Intervention Model/Team from Ormeau Woods State High School

Excellence in Innovation nominee The Whole School Intervention Model/Team from Ormeau Woods State High School
Excellence in Innovation nominee The Whole School Intervention Model/Team from Ormeau Woods State High School

The Cultures of Thinking Pedagogy Coaching project from Pacific Pines State High School

Excellence in Innovation nominee The Cultures of Thinking Pedagogy Coaching project from Pacific Pines State High School
Excellence in Innovation nominee The Cultures of Thinking Pedagogy Coaching project from Pacific Pines State High School

The REDS Wellbeing Learning Portal from Palm Beach Currumbin State High School

Excellence in Innovation nominee the REDS Wellbeing Learning Portal from Palm Beach Currumbin State High School
Excellence in Innovation nominee the REDS Wellbeing Learning Portal from Palm Beach Currumbin State High School

The ACE Project, Business and Enterprise Faculty from Pimpama State Secondary College

Excellence in Innovation nominee the ACE Project, Business and Enterprise Faculty from Pimpama State Secondary College
Excellence in Innovation nominee the ACE Project, Business and Enterprise Faculty from Pimpama State Secondary College

The Student Leadership @ Q.A.H.S. from Queensland Academies, Health Sciences Campus

Excellence in Innovation nominee The Student Leadership @ Q.A.H.S. from Queensland Academies, Health Sciences Campus
Excellence in Innovation nominee The Student Leadership @ Q.A.H.S. from Queensland Academies, Health Sciences Campus

The Authentic Connections Orientation Week from Varsity College

Excellence in Innovation nominee The Authentic Connections Orientation Week from Varsity College
Excellence in Innovation nominee The Authentic Connections Orientation Week from Varsity College

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Original URL: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/gold-coast-education/schools-hub/every-gold-coast-educator-nominated-for-excellence-awards/news-story/77e3b307b33e8ebd73d50f8c1d291ea1