2009 Staff Recognition Awards presented

30/10/2009

L-R: John Secker, chairman DDF; Greg Whitby, executive director of schools; Sue Roberts; Peter Brogan, principal St Agnes; Helen Steynes, general manager DDF

L-R: John Secker, chairman DDF; Phil Smith, principal Terra Sancta; Layla Aziz; Greg Whitby, executive director of schools; Helen Steynes, general manager DDF

To mark World Teachers’ Day, the Parramatta Diocesan Catholic Schools Staff Recognition Awards were presented on Friday 30 October. The awards, which are in their fourth year, are a celebration of the excellent contribution educators and staff in the diocese make to learning and teaching, and to the spiritual life of their school communities.

Executive director of schools, Greg Whitby said that all nominees should be congratulated for their outstanding contributions to Catholic education.

‘These awards recognise the valuable contribution our teachers make to the lives of students and the community,’ said Greg. ‘I congratulate all the teachers and staff who were nominated; it is their dedication that allows us to deliver an authentic Catholic Education.’

The 2009 Staff Recognition Awards recipients are:

For Catholic School Leadership through Service
Sue Roberts, TAS coordinator, St Agnes Catholic High School, Rooty Hill

For Innovation in Learning and Teaching
Layla Aziz, teacher, Terra Sancta College, Schofields

Sue Roberts was awarded the Catholic School Leadership through Service for the passion and joy she brings to teaching. Her influence extends beyond current staff, students and past community members. Sue was nominated by St Agnes’ principal Peter Brogan for her 30 year commitment in teaching at St Agnes.

‘In this time, Sue has modelled Christian values in all her interactions with staff and students. In all her interactions she has the student at the centre of what she does,’ said Peter. ‘Sue is a credit to our system and the Catholic values that we espouse.’

Layla Aziz was nominated by Raquel Sheehy, the learning community facilitator at Terra Sancta College for her outstanding work and effort with her students as well as her efforts to share her skills with the entire Terra Sancta teaching staff. Layla has developed a program called ‘Living in a creative teaching and learning environment’, a series of workshops where new scheme teachers are provided with practical advice and have an opportunity to share their experiences with others.

‘Layla is informative, warm and genuinely concerned for the wellbeing and professional development of our first year staff,’ said Raquel. ‘She challenges and inspires so many of the staff to be the best teacher they can be and inspires her students to be the best students they can be.’

The prize awarded is a $3,000 account towards professional learning thanks to the generous sponsorship of the Diocesan Development Fund, Parramatta.