Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Gichuhi for her question and her particular interest in excellence in teaching. Last week it was my pleasure to attend the Commonwealth Bank Teaching Awards, which recognise and reward 12 outstanding teachers and school leaders for the way in which they improve the learning outcomes of Australian students. That came hot on the heels of the recent Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher Summit. The Highly Accomplished and Lead Teachers program recognises certified outstanding teachers whose practice sets a benchmark and provides an example of the real impacts that great teaching practice has on student learning. Professor John Hattie, of the University of Melbourne and chair of AITSL, and a range of international experts from the OECD and elsewhere presented at the HALT summit, which recognised the quality of teaching.

The Commonwealth Bank Teaching Awards were delivered by Australian Schools Plus—and I acknowledge Senator Collins' role in the establishment of Australian Schools Plus. Australian Schools Plus Pioneers in Philanthropy is chaired by David Gonski. I acknowledge his contribution and the contribution of many of the Pioneers of Australian Schools Plus. Australian Schools Plus provided awards to a number of teachers of outstanding practice. I particularly acknowledge and congratulate on the record Matthew Eyles, from Hobart College, for his innovative real-world experiences in health; Yasodai Selvakumaran, from Rooty Hill High School, for her specialist knowledge and focus on history and society; Kerry White, from Holy Family Catholic School in South Australia, for positive education initiatives; and Greg McMahon, from Doveton College in Victoria, for drawing on international research to overhaul the school's approach to teaching and learning. Each of these award winners is an outstanding example to their colleagues and sets a benchmark that is met by many other quality teachers across the country in the way they provide outstanding learning opportunities to their students.