Pat Cavanagh and Matt Hobbs, directors educational leadership for the Armidale and Northern Tablelands Networks, attended the Australian College of Educators (ACE) and Australian Council of Education Leaders (ACEL) joint awards which were presented in Armidale recently.

Along with St Patrick’s Primary School in Walcha and the Oorala Centre at the University of New England, public schools from Armidale, Glen Innes and Inverell were prominent in the awards.

Armidale director, Pat Cavanagh said sound, thoughtful leadership would be an underlying foundation as the new Armidale Secondary College builds on the strengths and traditions of Armidale High and Duval High schools.

“Importantly, two leaders who will be shaping the future of secondary education in Armidale through the new Armidale Secondary College were honoured for their leadership,” Mr Cavanagh said.

“College project liaison officer Kristene Croft was awarded for outstanding leadership while Duval High deputy principal Scott Breen was named an outstanding emerging educational leader.”

Mr Breen said it was a privilege and an honour to be nominated and receive the award. 

“It was a lovely surprise and the evening was a great celebration and acknowledgement of the achievements and successes of so many great educators and programs across the New England,” he said.  

 Carolyn Gadd, a teacher at Sandon Public School,  received an award for making a significant contribution to education; and both the Karayuna Learning Centre at Drummond Memorial Public School and the Oorala Centre at the University of New England received awards for empowerment through education.