Awards – Indigenous Education & Boarding Australia

2022 AWARDS WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Exceptional Cultural Connection by a Boarding School or Residence

This award acknowledges a boarding school or residence that recognises the value of Indigenous cultural connection and has activities or programs that connect their boarders with relevant Indigenous cultures. This may be connections to local Indigenous groups or the home communities of boarders.

Nominees are

Christian Aboriginal Parent-directed School – Coolgardie, WA
Haileybury Rendall School, NT
St. Margaret’s Anglican Girls School, QLD
St. Theresa’s College, Abergowrie, QLD

2022 Winner: St Teresa’s College, Abergowrie, QLD

The judges commented that St Teresa’s College exceeds what might be expected as a minimum cultural connection, including having a Reconciliation Action Plan, celebrating festivals, displaying the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags, and presenting cultural dances. The College extends connection to another level through publishing the stories of their First Nations students to share with students, families, and the wider community, and their boarders sharing their culture with younger students.

Sponsor: National Centre for Cultural Competence, University of Sydney

Exceptional Contribution to the Community by an Indigenous Boarding Student

Community service enhances the lives of others in the community. The giving of time and energy to community service by a young person is a major contributor to their life skills, their sense of worth and wellbeing. In this award we are looking for nominations of Indigenous boarding students who have made an exceptional contribution to their community, be it their home community or the community in which they are boarding.

Nominees are

Aloyiscios, Yirara College, NT
Christine, Concordia Lutheran College, QLD
Dylan, Knox Grammar, NSW
Makayla, Haileybury Rendall School, NT
Mia, Seymour College, SA

2022 Joint Winner: Dylan Farr, Knox Grammar, NSW

Dylan impressed the judges through his exceptional contribution to the school, to boarding, and to the wider community. He is a pro-active cultural leader and supports other students and families to share language and culture. He has been a driver for Reconciliation and improving cultural awareness.

Sponsor: Student Concierge Services

And,

2022 Joint Winner: Makayla Noble-Webster, Haileybury Rendall School, NT

Makayla impressed the judges with her exceptional leadership in improving boarding for all students through supporting younger boarders to settle in, participate in school life, improve attendance and inclusion in boarding activities. She takes a pro-active approach to leadership and sporting opportunities and is a positive role model for other students.

Sponsor: Student Concierge Services

Excellence in the Provision of Indigenous Student Health & Wellbeing

This award recognises organisations or individuals who provide Indigenous boarding students with health and wellbeing services and programs that not only supports their participation in education but allows them to thrive as individuals. This may be a partnership between a health provider and a boarding school/residence or a program that is provided to support Indigenous student health and wellbeing.

Nominees are

Haileybury Rendall School, NT
Kirinari Sylvania, Aboriginal Hostels Ltd, NSW
St. Theresa’s College, Abergowrie, QLD

2022 Winner: Haileybury Rendall School, NT

Haileybury has created a Health and Wellbeing Framework, protocols in relation to COVID and has endeavoured to set a best practice example of this with the school being recognised by the Centre for Disease Control. The six pillar Framework demonstrated to the judges the school’s focus on student health and wellbeing.

Sponsor: Cater Care

Excellence in Indigenous Education & Boarding Leadership (individual or organisation)

Leadership comes in different forms and not just from those in leadership positions. Leadership may be a long-term contribution on a successful path or new innovative ways of doing things. The Excellence in Indigenous Boarding Leadership award recognises either individuals or organisations that have challenged common practice and are pursuing excellence in order to make a difference to the lives of their Indigenous boarders.

Nominees are

Anthony Ayres, Haileybury Rendall School, NT
Corey Mclean, Kinross Wolaroi School, NSW
Geraldton Residential College, WA
Haileybury Rendall School, NT
Kevin Richardson, Immanuel College, SA

2022 Joint Winner: Corey Mclean, Kinross Wolaroi School, NSW

Corey has shown great leadership within his school community and the wider community. He impressed the judges by his investment in sharing his Wiradjuri language and culture, particularly as a young leader.

Sponsor: Boarding Training Australia

And,

2022 Joint Winner: Kevin Richardson, Immanuel College, SA

Kevin has shown decades of true leadership at Immanuel and nationally – often in the face of challenges and resistance. The judges commented that Kevin’s personal philosophy shows his commitment to caring for his First Nations students and Indigenous education through strengths-based leadership.

Sponsor: Boarding Training Australia

Exceptional Contribution to Indigenous Student Boarding. 2022 winner: Anthony Bennett, Wiltja Boarding

Indigenous student boarding has been Anthony’s passion for close to 20 years. He is an advocate for boarding and the education of every child who makes the journey from remote Australia to the city. Anthony is not only committed to the Wiltja boarding residence, Wiltja staff and the children who board while they study away from home. He is also committed to the Indigenous boarding sector as a whole.

Anthony’s contribution has been acknowledged by past students who have said years after leaving the education system that, “you grew me up.”

Sponsor: Indigenous Education & Boarding Australia

2022 Award Judges

The high-quality judging panel represented five states and the Northern Territory, the Catholic, Independent and government sectors, as well as tertiary, scholarship, and training providers. Six of the panel members are Indigenous.

We thank the judges for bringing their valued years of experience and range of perspectives to choose the Award winners.

2022 Award judges:
Andrew Beck, St Catherines College Dandjoo Darbalung program, WA
Helen Christiansen, Catholic Educatio Melbourne VIC
Renee Coffey, Australian Indigenous Education Foundation, National (QLD)
Sharon Cooke, Catholic Education NSW
Jenny Florisson, Boarding Training Australia, National (WA)
Janelle Knack, Townsville Catholic Education, QLD
RoseMarie Koppe, Independent Schools Association, QLD, QLD Leanne Smith, Indigenous Youth Leadership Program, The Smith Family National (SA)
Justin Sorensen, Transition Support Unit, NT Education NT
Daniel Sudlow, WA Residential Colleges WA

2022 Awards Presentation Ceremony

The Award winners were formally announced in a special ceremony during the 5th National Indigenous Education & Boarding Symposium dinner on Thursday 16 June at the Fort Scratchley Function Centre, Newcastle, NSW.

The Fort Scratchley Function Centre is a unique, contemporary venue, which boasts a light filled space with spectacular views over the ocean. Situated on the headland at the entrance to Newcastle Harbour, Fort Scratchley offers breathtaking panoramic views over Newcastle and Nobbys Headland.

INDIGENOUS BOARDING AWARDS
The 4th national Indigenous Boarding Awards again recognised excellence in practice and programs within boarding schools, outstanding school leadership (individual or organisation) and exceptional contributions of Indigenous boarding students.

The 2022 Award categories are:

Exceptional Cultural Connection by a Boarding School or Residence
Exceptional Contribution to the Community by an Indigenous Boarding Student
Excellence in the Provision of Indigenous Student Health & Wellbeing
Excellence in Indigenous Education & Boarding Leadership (individual or organisation)
Exceptional Contribution to Indigenous Student Boarding (individual)

Judging
A highly credentialed judging panel representing education and boarding sectors across Australia were appointed to rank the applications and compile the final shortlisting of finalists and award winners.

IEBA cross-checked all nominations against the awards criteria to ensure eligibility before forwarding to the judging panel. IEBA took no further role in the judging. Judges are asked to declare any conflict of interest where they may have a personal or professional relationship with the nominee.

The judges were announced after the selection process has been completed.

Award Presentations
The 2022 Awards presentation were a highlight of the National Indigenous Education and Boarding Symposium.

2021 Award Winners

Exceptional Cultural Connection by a Boarding School or Residence – Sponsored by National Centre for Cultural Competence, University of Sydney

This award is to acknowledge a boarding school or residence that recognises the value of Indigenous cultural connection and have activities or programs that connect their boarders with relevant Indigenous cultures. This may be connections to local Indigenous groups or the home communities of boarders.

JOINT WINNERS are
Clontarf Aboriginal College, WA
and
Westminster School, SA

Exceptional Contribution to the Community by an Indigenous Boarding Student – Sponsored by Student Concierge Services

Community service not only enhances the lives of others in the community, it is a major contributor to the life skills and wellbeing of the young person giving their time and energy. In this award we are looking for nominations of Indigenous boarding students who actively engage in their community, be it their home community or the community in which they are resident whilst boarding, and have made an exceptional contribution.

WINNER
Jalen, Guildford Grammar School, WA

Excellence in the Provision of Indigenous Student Health & Wellbeing – Sponsored by Cater Care

WINNER
AFL Cape York House for Girls, QLD

Excellence in Indigenous Education & Boarding Leadership (individual or organisation) – Sponsored by Boarding Training Australia

Leadership comes in different forms and not just from those in leadership positions. Leadership may be a long term contribution on a successful path or new innovative ways of doing things. The Excellence in Indigenous Boarding Leadership award recognises either individuals or organisations that have challenged common practice and are pursuing excellence in order to make a difference to the lives of their Indigenous boarders.

JOINT WINNERS are
AISNSW, NSW (The Waratah Project Pilot Schools – Pymble Ladies’ College; Saint Ignatius’ College, Riverview; St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill)
and
the Traditional Owners of the Uluru Kata Tjuta region of Central Australia

Exceptional Contribution to Indigenous Student Boarding (individual) – Sponsored by Indigenous Education and Boarding Australia

Many people make contributions to the boarding experience for Indigenous boarders whether it is a staff member, teacher, volunteer, community leader or a parent. However, some individuals go above and beyond with a passion to make an exceptional contribution. This award seeks to recognise these outstanding individuals.

WINNER
Lorraine Kabbindi White , Melbourne Indigenous Transition School (MITS), VIC