Helensvale State High School teacher Michelle Phelan wins top award
A Gold Coast high school teacher has won a top gong at this year’s education awards, while a number of other schools across the city were also honoured. FULL DETAILS >>>
Gold Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Gold Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Full list: Number of out-of-catchment students at Gold Coast schools
- 'You're dreaming': Coast divided over controversial school restrictions
A GOLD Coast teacher has won top honours at this year’s education awards.
Helensvale State High School teacher Michelle Phelan was on Monday announced the South East region’s winner in Queensland’s 2021 Showcase Awards for Excellence in Schools.
Presented annually by the Department of Education, the awards showcase Queensland state schools that significantly improving student outcomes.
The Gold Coast teacher will compete against the other regional winners, with state finalists announced on August 2.
The overall winners will be announced during a streaming broadcast presentation on October 29.
FULL DIGITAL ACCESS: JUST $1 A WEEK FOR FIRST 12 WEEKS
Robina State High School won the CQUniversity Australia Showcase Award for Excellence in Inclusive Education category and the school also received a commendation in the QSuper Showcase Award for Excellence in the Secondary Years category for its sports academy.
Miami State High School was commended in the Bevan Brennan Every Child Needs a Champion Award for its “inclusion through connection for deaf and hard of hearing students”.
Also cleaning up at the awards was Pimpama State School, it won the Network 10 Showcase Award for Excellence in the Early and Primary Years, with Coomera Springs State School and the Albert Learning Alliance receiving commendations in the same category.
SEPTEMBER 20: COAST SCHOOL'S REMARKABLE STATE HONOUR
BENOWA State High School has been named Queensland’s top performing school for excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.
The Gold Coast public school took top honours ahead of dozens of elite private schools and won the State’s Outstanding School In STEM award in the 2020 Peter Doherty Awards during a virtual ceremony on Friday afternoon.
As well as earning bragging rights, the school won $5000, with principal Mark Rickard championing Benowa high’s commitment to “growing 21st century learners”.
OMEROS BROS OPENS FISH AND CHIP TAKEAWAY RESTAURANT AT BENOWA
He said the school, that annually sent classes to NASA Headquarters in the USA to learn from aeronautical engineers, had seen a 15 per cent increase in STEM classes within the past five years.
“Our STEM Excellence Program harnesses student’s passion for change and innovation,” he said.
“Students who are selectively entered into the program become our future entrepreneurs through curriculum and extra-curricula opportunities that develop them as problem solvers, critical and creative thinkers.”
The school offers more than 100 science classes, 99 maths classes and study options such as aviation, robotics, drones, computer programming and 3D printing.
COAST TEACHER STRANDED IN SPAIN AFTER BEING BUMPED FROM FLIGHT
Benowa STEM teacher Dr Julien Grignon said: “It is an absolute privilege and honour for our school to receive this award in recognition of our contribution to STEM Education in Queensland.”
“Over the years, our commitment to STEM education has been unwavering and we are incredibly proud to be able to offer a range of STEM pathways in both junior and senior years that will pave the way to exciting future opportunities for all of our students.
“This award recognises the incredible efforts of our dedicated team of sciences and mathematics teachers, our partners in the Griffith University School of Education, and all our high achieving students.”
Dr Grignon said as part of Benowa’s STEM program, students ran extra-curricular clubs including Lego robotics and coding club.
NEWEST WEEKDAY MARKET ON GOLD COAST TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES
“In recent years the school has collaborated heavily with Griffith University with the assistance of Dr Harry Kanasa and Professor Donna Pendergast,” he said.
“School ambassadors have also participated in STEM Girl Power Camps and many have been recognised in STEM awards in recent years including the CSIRO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander science Awards.”
The Peter Doherty Awards for Excellence in STEM Education recognises students, teachers, support officers, schools and education partners (volunteers, mentors and organisations) who demonstrate an outstanding and innovative contribution to STEM education in Queensland.
This year marks the 17th year of the awards named after Professor Peter Doherty, a Brisbane-born Nobel Prize-winning scientist, who was educated at Indooroopilly State High School and the University of Queensland.
MORE NEWS
COVID-19 Gold Coast: Santa tells Gold Coast ‘cancelling Christmas is not on the cards’
Gold Coast shark expert Daryl McPhee says there’s no data to prove shark numbers are on the rise
‘That’s not ok’: The Gold Coast principal fighting back against violence at home
Man charged with horror hammer attack on motorsport identity
A man has been arrested and charged in connection with an alleged attack on racing car driver Chris Pappas at his Gold Coast home, leaving him in a serious condition.
What every Gold Coast suburb could get in QLD state election
The state election countdown is on and candidates are out and about sharing what they’ll do to win your vote. See the full list of what they’ve promised for your suburb.