A 'Centre for Excellence'
On the 30th September 2009 the NSW Minister for Education and Training, Verity Firth announced that Merewether Public School had been selected as a Centre for Excellence.
Merewether Public is only 1 out of 2 schools in the Hunter/Central Coast to have received this honour and only 1 out of 13 schools across the State. This is wonderful recognition for our students and staff.
The DET memo received stated:
“Your school has been selected as a Centre for Excellence ‘hub’ school as part of the first tranche of schools under the National Partnership on Improving Teacher Quality.
This is in recognition of the trend of sustained improved student learning outcomes achieved by your school through quality teaching practices.
The Centres for Excellence initiative is a mandatory facilitation reform under the Smarter Schools National Partnership on Improving Teacher Quality that will support schools to demonstrate, develop and share high quality teaching leading to improved student outcomes."
As part of this great recognition, our school will have access to additional resources to assist in implementing this initiative including a Highly Accomplished Teacher, a paraprofessional and an annual allocation of $50,000 for 2010 and 2011 to run the program. Our school will also have additional support through a partnership with the University of Newcastle to facilitate better professional experience (practicum) placements and professional development for our staff.
The DET have truly acknowledged our ongoing commitment to high quality teaching and improved student outcomes.
This is a great opportunity for the school, our teachers and students. We will be at the cutting edge of contemporary quality teaching and learning. It means our teachers will be working closely with the University of Newcastle to assist in the training of teachers.
Parents, staff and students can be immensely proud of this recognition.