2008 Awards
Special Commendation, School Leader Award
Ms Regina Byrne
Principal
Mt St Joseph Girls' College, Altona, VIC
Ms Regina Byrne has been the Principal at Mount St Joseph Girls' College, a Catholic secondary college in the west of Melbourne, for the past 6 years. Due to her leadership, and the staff of Mt St Josephs, the school has grown to 950 students. Regina has transformed the learning environment for the students with three major building projects and six refurbishments of older facilities. The school is renowned for its state of the art technology and innovative approach to the delivery of curriculum.
Regina's teaching background is in Music. She has continued to teach in the classroom, developed the Instrumental Program, initiated and developed school bands and she continues to play at all major school assemblies and performances when required.
It is obvious to all of our community that Regina has lead from the front in relation to the development of the music department in both curriculum and the physical environment. The current Music teachers look to her for guidance and support, and she still helps prepare the student musicians for major school functions. The students are proud of their 'rockstar' Principal and hold her in high regard.
School Leader Award
Mr Matthew Hughes
Principal
John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School, Mirrabooka, WA
Matthew Hughes has been Principal of John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School for the last 12 years. Within the school community it is generally acknowledged that Matthew's clear and wide-ranging vision for the direction of the school is responsible for JSR's extraordinary rate of growth and strong educational reputation.
Matthew Hughes has played a significant role in establishing Music as a valued, high profile, rewarding activity at JSRACS. Through gaining generous funding for hire instruments and vigorous promotion of the music program there are approximately 450 students learning an instrument, playing in bands and singing in choirs. A recent major achievement is the Year 5 Band Program which gives each student a new instrument and a weekly group instrumental lesson. This is timetabled and free. Next year a similar strings program will operate for all Year 2 students.
Matthew has enriched the teaching program and raised the status of Music in the school by his personal demonstrated commitment to the work of the department. He is present at every concert, has recently joined the Secondary Choir and even commenced clarinet lessons.