EDUCARÉ

Celebrating the craft of teaching

Maree Timms Excellence in Teaching Award Recipient 2019

Maree Timms (centre) with her mother Josie (left) & sister Kelly Timms at the celebration dinner

2018 World Skills Sydney

Most people will remember one teacher in their lifetime who had an impact on their life; the person who inspired them to take a certain career path or gave them that ‘light bulb’ moment where everything suddenly made sense. However, for many of us it was that one person who simply believed in our ability, even when we didn’t always share their confidence, that person who went the extra mile to make sure we had every opportunity to excel. The person who said we could achieve greatness and, over time, we believed them.

The influence of a great educator cannot be underestimated and the Educaré Award, established in 2009 has been acknowledging high levels of teaching practice within Catholic schools in the Sandhurst Diocese for the past decade.

Over the years, many worthy educators have been honoured for their outstanding contribution to classroom teaching and curriculum innovation. In 2019, the Educaré Award was presented to Maree Timms from Galen Catholic College in Wangaratta. Maree epitomises the selfless and giving profession of teaching. To say she has a positive impact on the students in her care is an understatement. In fact she’s had a far wider impact, influencing both her colleagues and her community; she is a champion for science and has brought the world of robotics to the Wangaratta region and beyond. Nominated by the parent community of Galen Catholic College, Maree is a highly respected and valued member of the College community. Colleagues, parents and students appreciate the dedication and energy Maree brings to her roles within Galen College, and her engagement in school life is simply exceptional. In 2016 Maree introduced students to robotics after hearing about the national competition. Fast forward three years and Galen Catholic College has not only hosted the regional Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) expo but been crowned National champions, travelling to America to represent Australia on the world stage … twice!

It is no coincidence that the VEX Competition has grown immensely over the last two years - when Maree Timms sets her mind to something, it happens! She has a way of bringing people together; parents, students, community members and businesses who share her vision of ensuring that country students have the same opportunities as their city counterparts.

In 2016, there were only three teams from the Wangaratta area competing in the Nationals, with twenty teams in total taking part in the Galen College hosted event. Twelve months later the total number of teams had doubled and the number of local teams had risen to seven!

With key allies at Charles Sturt University Wangaratta Regional Study Centre, Education Advantage and local Learning and Employment Network, NE Tracks, Maree has friends in high places! If it takes a village to raise a child then it takes a whole community of committed people with the right connections to bring projects of this scope to fruition and to ensure that they continue. ”As many of you here know me well, you know I embrace change. The reason I find it easy to embrace change is that I have found a group of like-minded change makers; I have found my “tribe”. This award may have my name on it, but it really is ours,” said Maree.

A champion for women in science, over the past three years Maree has encouraged girls to apply for the University of Melbourne Girl Power STEM program. The four-year program offers mentoring, hands on activities and work experience, contributing towards gender parity in STEM disciplines of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The VEX Robotics Competition now has a girl-powered event, sponsored by Ford Australia, because Maree Timms, together with student Maddalyn Beaumaris asked whether there was a girls’ event in the national competition. This enquiry led to the creation of a competition section especially for girls. In 2018, Maree was named VEX Robotics ‘Teacher of the Year’, together with colleague Brett Webber. The award recognised their contribution to the robotics discipline and the role they have played expanding interest and engagement in this science discipline. Maree’s passion for learning and teaching is legendary, as she goes about the business of education like she goes about life - hard-working, energetic, encouraging and organised! She is an inspirational and positive role model for all learners and continues to offer her knowledge, skills and abilities to the College community.

Principal of Galen Catholic College, Mr Bernard Neal describes Maree as a true innovator who is able to lead students into new areas of learning. “Maree breaks down stereotypes and leads students into an area that is new and exciting, enabling them to reach their full potential,” he said.

The Educaré Award gives the Catholic Education Sandhurst community the chance to celebrate our core work … teaching. The award challenges us to reflect deeply about the essence of teaching, of empowering individual learners to develop confidence in their own ability and the insight to recognize how they can contribute to their own future and the community in which they live. The drawing out of the talent and ability from within is central to the tradition of Catholic Education. Our beliefs in the giftedness of all provides us with the inspiration to strive for, and to reach the ideals of what Educaré stands for.

Maree Timms is a very worthy winner of the 2019 Educaré Award for excellence in education. For leading the way in STEM and Robotics curriculum in the Wangaratta region. For inspiring and empowering young people, particularly females to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. Congratulations Maree!

Investing

in

Holy Rosary Primary Heathcote Photo courtesy of ‘Dogs Connect. Bringing life to learning’

education

Victorian schools will benefit from an unprecedented State Government funding commitment that will see the construction of new schools and valuable upgrades for existing schools across all sectors, including Catholic schools. The 2019-2020 Victorian Budget will invest a record $2.8 billion in Victorian schools, as part of a sweeping $4 billion investment in education – from early childhood education and schools through to higher education and TAFE. This record investment also provides significant funds for school infrastructure in non-government schools.

“With approximately 37 per cent of Victorian students enrolled in non-government schools, it is important that all children across Victoria have access to first class educational facilities”

Education Minister, Mr James Merlino, announced the Capital Funding Program in May this year, pledging $402 million for Catholic and Independent schools over the next four years.

Mr Merlino said the funding is an investment in education. “We pledge to give every young Victorian the best start in life. Whether, it’s new schools for growing communities, better classrooms or basic but vital support so kids can be their best – we’re investing in what matters to students, teachers and parents,” he said.

Director of Catholic Education Sandhurst, Mr Paul Desmond welcomed the announcement, saying that the State Government had delivered on their election promise to support all Victorian schools.

“This unprecedented funding commitment will support our sectors well in to the future, creating opportunities for Sandhurst schools to share in this grant which will secure building projects and upgrades within our Diocese,” he said. “With approximately 37 per cent of Victorian students enrolled in non-government schools, it is important that all children across Victoria have access to first-class educational facilities,” said Paul.

This is the most significant funding announcement since the ’Building the Education Revolution’ (BER) funding in 2010, which saw the construction of Science and Language Centres in secondary schools and provided new and refurbished halls, libraries and classrooms in primary settings, all in the name of 21st century learning. There was also money for outdoor learning areas, shade structures, sporting facilities and environmental programs.

While the BER funding received negative feedback from critics of the government for alleged misappropriation of public funds, the Catholic system was primarily well regarded for delivering valuefor-money outcomes. The various projects delivered during this time have greatly benefited many Catholic school communities.

Victorian Catholic schools are committed to providing the Catholic and wider community with a high quality education system that focuses on the development of the whole person and their contribution to the common good. Catholic schools are characterised by a diverse range of settings in terms of size, type and educational need, serving families from across the socioeconomic spectrum and therefore warrant the support of the State and Federal Governments.

Some critics believe that Catholic and Independent schools are a drain on the public purse and do not deserve financial support. The reality is that ‘private’ school parents pay taxes for a public school system they don’t use, plus school fees. The fact is that the significant number of students around Australia who are enrolled in Catholic and Independent schools saves state, territory and Commonwealth governments billions of dollars every year. More than one in five Victorian students are educated in a Catholic school and when you add the Independent sector to the equation, the statistics increase to more than one in three. Catholic and Independent schools are funded by a combination of government and parental income with approximately 75 per cent of funding received for recurrent purposes from government sources. The Victorian Budget funding commitment recognises the important role that Catholic and Independent schools play in the Victorian education system.

Funding will be allocated over four grant rounds with approximately $100 million per round to be shared between the Catholic and independent sectors.

The Victorian Government has identified the need for schools experiencing increased enrolment demands to expand to meet the population growth of the region. Several schools in the Sandhurst Diocese are located in high population growth corridors.

Funding will also be available for schools that require refurbishment to bring facilities up to a recognised standard, while the project will address asbestos and cladding issues that are part of a planned removal process. Round one of the State Government grant applications are currently being processed and successful schools will be notified before the end of the year. “These are exciting times,” said Paul Desmond. “As the Director of Catholic Education in the Sandhurst Diocese I look forward to seeing our schools benefit from a funding program which recognizes the importance of Catholic education throughout the State of Victoria.”