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Inaugural Prime Minister’s Education Excellence Awards Announced

July 7, 2014

marae– Tairawhiti Schools Trades Academy at the Eastern Institute of Technology a finalist in the 2014 Educational Focus category-

Tairawhiti School Trades Academy at the Eastern Institute of Technology, in the Hawke’s Bay, is among the finalists who were celebrated at the inaugural Prime Minister’s Education Excellence Awards. The Awards were introduced to recognise outstanding achievement and combined effort that has created a change in the education of children and young people.

The Academy was a finalist in the Educational Focus category, which acknowledges the development of learner led pathways through collaboration amongst secondary schools, tertiary providers and employers. Every finalist received a certificate and cash prize.

“The judging panel was absolutely delighted with the creativity and new thinking going on in so many of our schools, early childhood centres and trades academies,” says Dr Graham Stoop, convenor of the judging panel and Deputy Secretary at the Ministry of Education.

“This has been a chance to recognise educators for their excellent practice. We have seen many fresh ideas and can learn from all the finalists,” he says.

The award was announced alongside four other categories; Engaging, Leading, Governing, and Teaching and Learning, as well as the Prime Minister’s Supreme Award, during an evening ceremony at Te Papa on June 25.

Category finalists were awarded a monetary prize to put toward their initiatives – first place received $20,000, second $6,000, third $3,000 and fourth $1,000. Winners also received an opportunity for professional development.

The Supreme Award recipient was chosen from the category winners for the extent of its improvement and impact on education outcomes. The recipient received an additional $30,000, as well as an opportunity to represent New Zealand education at an international education conference.

Winners and a full list of finalists, as well as criteria and categories, are featured on the Prime Minister’s Education Excellence Awards website at:

http://www.pmawards.education.govt.nz/