Gongs for inspiring kids
TWO Tasmanian teachers have been honoured with one of Australia’s most prestigious teaching awards.
Matthew Eyles, a science teacher at Hobart College, and Steve Harrison, an aquaculture teacher at Huonville High School have each been awarded a $45,000 Commonwealth Bank Teaching Award.
The prizemoney will benefit their respective schools with $30,000 to fund a project designed to improve student per- formance and wellbeing; $10,000 for each teacher’s professional development; and $5000 for participation in a 12month fellowship program that includes an overseas study tour.
Mr Harrison has successfully established the Huon Valley Trade Trading Centre vocational training, which has led to more than 30 jobs in aquaculture alone.
He said he was surprised and humbled with the award.
“To be recognised among 12 other teachers for a fellowship is pretty amazing and will be a very rewarding experience,” he said.
Mr Eyles, a science teacher and registered nurse, developed an introduction to nursing course at the college two years ago, setting up a simulated five-bed hospital space in the classroom where students were exposed to real-world experiences.
Mr Eyles said he was proud enrolments have more than doubled in three years and graduates had found health sector jobs or gone on to tertiary health courses.