News and Events | AISSA
Celebrating Excellence: Congratulations to Our Newly Recognised Highly Accomplished and Lead Teachers!
The AISSA is thrilled to extend our heartfelt congratulations to a remarkable group of educators from the Independent school sector who achieved Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher status.
At a ceremony held at Adelaide Oval on Friday 20 September, Danielle Keynes from Immanuel College, Su-Sim Lynch and Jacinta Wild from Westminster School were recognised as newly certified Highly Accomplished Teachers, while Sasha Loveday from Trinity College graduated with Lead Teacher certification. Alison Barr and Anna Partridge from Westminster School also renewed their Highly Accomplished Teacher status for another 5 years. These teachers were amongst others from across South Australia’s schools.
“As the peak body for Independent schools in South Australia, we are deeply invested in the professional growth and success of our educators,” said Mrs Anne Dunstan, Chief Executive of the AISSA.
“National Teacher Certification recognises and affirms exemplary teachers and enables our best teachers to lead from the classroom. This has real impact on the outcomes for students, whilst also building an impactful learning and teaching culture within a school.”
Certification as a Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher is recognised nationally. It is one of the only nationally accredited processes that speaks to a teacher’s impact and success in the classroom. The governing framework, which ensures the nationally consistent approach, is led by the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL).
“This is a deeply involved and rigorous process,” said Mrs Dunstan. “I extend my very best wishes and congratulations to those graduating from the Independent sector, and all teachers from across other sectors.”
In achieving their status, each of the graduates underwent a meticulous process to demonstrate the quality of their teaching, and their positive impact on student learning and supporting their peers. The process, which can take up to 18 months, requires teachers to provide evidence of their success in accordance with the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers. Their evidence is critically reviewed, and independently observed and verified before being finally endorsed by the SA Teachers Certification Committee, which is governed by South Australia’s three education sectors.
Friday’s graduation event was attended by Ms Erin Thompson MP, Member for Devonport, representing Minister for Education Blair Boyer. Mr Danny Pinchas, General Manager, Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership, and Heads and representatives from across each of South Australia’s educational sectors. The event was a wonderful celebration and opportunity to bring South Australia’s best teachers together to acknowledge and celebrate their achievement.
Through our support of the Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher program, the AISSA aims to help achieve the national goals for schooling expressed in the Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration on educational goals for all Australians.
Congratulations, once again, to all graduates.
AISSA Bulletin No. 6: 4 September 2024
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Top Award for AISSA Chief Executive
The Association of Independent Schools of South Australia is thrilled to congratulate our CE, Anne Dunstan, for winning this year’s Australian Council for Educational Leaders (ACEL) South Australia Alby Jones Gold Medal Award.
The Award is the highest honour granted by the ACEL South Australian branch and is conferred to a “South Australian educator whose influence and contribution to the study and practice of educational leadership is most outstanding at the state level and whose significant contribution to education is recognisable at the national level.”
As Chief Executive of the AISSA, Anne represents South Australia’s Independent school sector. She leads the advocacy and support work the AISSA provides its member schools. Prior to this role Anne was a passionate teacher, senior leader and Principal in Independent Schools across Adelaide, Perth, and Launceston.
Anne’s pragmatic approach to leading self, leading others and leading systems has created impact across the education sector. Anne is much admired for her work supporting and mentoring the next generation of school leaders.
Anne has found great joy throughout her career in teaching. She strongly believes that it is through education that one can effect the greatest good for the greatest number.
The AISSA would also like to extend our congratulations to other Award recipients, pictured with Anne at last night’s ceremony; ACEL SA Fellowship Award winner Warren Symonds, ACEL SA Educational Leadership Medal winners Cezanne Green, Paul Belton and Yvette Swaalf, ACEL SA Media Award, Dr Deborah Netolicky and The Pip Field Emerging Leaders Award winner, Matthew Rotolo.
The Alby Jones Gold Medal Award is presented in honour of South Australian educator, Dr Albert Walter Jones AO (1912-2033). ‘Alby’ Jones was a man of great intellect and compassion. He believed in access, equity, and justice for all, especially those for whom circumstance made these difficult to attain.
An abiding influence nationally and internationally, Alby received many honours throughout his life including a Fulbright Scholarship, gold medals from the Australian College of Education and the Australian Council of Educational Leaders, the Mackie Medal and Fellowships from several professional bodies. He was awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1979.
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