ST HILDA’S COUNCIL STAFF AWARDS

2021 Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning AWARDED TO NICOLA DUNN

Nicola Dunn has been a member of St Hilda’s staff for 13 years. Her initial appointment in 2009 was as a teacher of Chemistry. Nicola has consistently been recognised as a top-performing teacher. This, coupled with her ability to lead confidently and collaborate with her peers were significant factors in her being awarded Master Teacher status in 2015. Nicola is a trusted mentor and coach to many members of staff. For many years she conducted the school’s induction process. She has guided many colleagues through performance appraisals and performance development programs, including co-ordinating staff using Educator Impact. Between 2016 and 2020, in recognition of her work and expertise in these areas, she was given the role of Teacher Mentor. Nicola has contributed to teaching and learning committees in the school and beyond. She has served as a WACE marker for many years and is a member of the Curriculum Advisory Committee for Years 7 to 10 which, this year, has been responsible for reviewing the Australian Curriculum. Nicola has a deep understanding of the pedagogy and sequencing involved in the teaching and learning of her speciality area of Chemistry as well as in the other scientific disciplines she has taught. She developed the Year 11 ATAR Chemistry course which was then used as a template for delivery of the Year 12 course. She also led the Chemistry team in adjusting the Year 7 to 10 programs. The Year 12 ATAR Chemistry results of Nicola’s students have been consistently outstanding with St Hilda’s being recognised as one of the best performing schools in Chemistry for many years. Within the Science Department, Nicola led the review of the Science Inquiry Skills strand of the Western Australian curriculum across Years 7 to 10 and created a range of resources to support other teachers in its delivery. Nicola is committed to consistently improving her strong studentcentred approach to teaching practice. She has embraced a range of technologies in her classroom and regularly gives of her time and expertise to help colleagues to develop their own practices. During her 13 years at St. Hilda’s, Nicola has had a positive impact not only on the Science Department and the school’s Chemistry curriculum, but on the whole fabric of the school’s teaching and learning culture. Her ongoing multi-faceted contribution to excellence in teaching and learning epitomises the school’s values and strategic pillars.

2021 Award for Excellence in Service to the School Community AWARDED TO JOHN THORPE

John Thorpe has been a member of St Hilda’s staff for 32 years. His initial appointment was as Head of Information Technology with the dual responsibility of teaching IT to students and providing IT professional learning for staff members. Since then, the IT portfolio has burgeoned and is constantly changing. John’s strengths have been his ability to adapt; to apply an unrivalled imagination across the learning area, to oversee a significant development of the digital technologies curriculum, and to continue to demonstrate teaching of the highest order. He epitomises St Hilda’s strategic pillar of Evolution. In the co-curricular area, for 32 years, John has co-ordinated the School’s Astronomical Society, sparking an appreciation of astronomy and science in students across all Years. His ‘star parties’ have been an annual highlight. As an ambassador of the school, John has regularly attended and presented at ECAWA conferences in areas including multi-media teaching, web issues and programming. John has always been most approachable and supportive of both teaching and operational staff in meeting their IT-related needs. He has willingly conducted a range of workshops for staff on Professional Learning days and implemented weekly out-of-hours workshops for staff members interested in gaining their International Computer Driving Licence. John is much-loved by his students and his colleagues. His various costumes and dancing at each Arts Fest and his amazing tie collection are legendary. He has been caring, responsive and genuine with each group of students he has mentored as a committed member of Fitzroy House. For some 20 years, he has attended the annual Year 12 Ball to film the event then make and distribute DVDs to give the students a keepsake of their special night. He embraces the school’s values of Authenticity and Belonging in ways which are contagious across St Hilda’s community. It is difficult to overstate the positive impact that John has had personally and professionally on countless students and staff members during his long tenure at St Hilda’s. With his retirement at the end of 2021, he will leave a legacy of teaching excellence and a contribution to the St Hilda’s community which epitomise the school’s values and strategic pillars.

ATTRIBUTES OF A ST HILDA’S TEACHER