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2011 National Awards
for Excellence in
School Music Education

2011 Awards

Special Commendation, Teacher Award

Mr Andrew Butt
Head of Music
Marist College Ashgrove, Ashgrove, QLD

In his role as Head of Music at Marist College Ashgrove in Brisbane, Andrew Butt co-ordinates both the curricular and co-curricular music programs from Year 5 to Year 12, and is active as both a classroom teacher and director of many ensembles, including the college’s Symphony Orchestra and Big Band 1. Andrew developed the music program from humble beginnings over twenty years ago, when there used to be a dominant co-curricular sports culture of rugby and cricket. Now over one-third of the students take music to Year 12, and over 500 students participate in the college’s extensive co-curricular music program. Andrew has organised various touring experiences, including a combined Big Band 1 and 1st Fifteen Rugby tour to rural Fiji and far north and outback Queensland.

The success of the college’s music program is due to Andrew’s development of innovative curriculum with a focus on student centred learning, students’ diverse musical interests and the incorporation of multiple technologies in both classroom and co-curricular environments; for example, students explore the music of Mozart, Stravinsky and Coldplay while also working through instructional resources for score and audio production and the latest DJ turntable performance techniques. Andrew remains active as a performer and is regularly invited to act as a guest lecturer at tertiary institutions.

Special Commendation, Teacher Award

Ms Ann Phelan
Music Teacher
Bellingen High School/Bellingen Primary School, Bellingen, NSW

Ann Phelan is based at Bellingen High School, on the NSW Mid-north coast. In addition to providing extensive music education for students at the high school and at Bellingen Primary School, Ann has been instrumental in the formation of the Bellingen Youth Orchestra which caters for approximately fifty young people from both public and private schools in the local region. Ann organises voluntary tutors to assist student learning in the orchestra and has developed a strong culture of mentoring of younger musicians by older musicians in all orchestral activities. Ann nurtures students in the Bellingen Primary School music program, and provides a large range of ensemble experiences for both primary and high school students. Ann adapts the repertoire of the ensembles as needed according to the level of the students involved at the time, ensuring that students are challenged to increase their knowledge and skill levels.

Ann works collaboratively with community groups in Bellingen, and, in partnership with students and parents, is working towards the construction of a performance venue in Bellingen. In addition, Ann provides free musicianship classes to interested students after school, and assists in the regional 5-day Camp Creative event held each January at Bellingen High School.

Under Ann’s direction, the music program has grown significantly with the positive effects of music on the whole school, in both the high school and the primary school, being readily observable and significant.

Teacher Award

Mrs Katharine Finlayson
Music Specialist Teacher
Ngunnawal Primary School, Ngunnawal, ACT

Katharine Finlayson is a highly committed, knowledgeable and energetic specialist music teacher. She has developed a program that provides a sequential and developmental music program to all students from pre-school to Year 3. She also conducts two large choirs, coordinates the school’s band program, teaches the Year 5 & 6 woodwind and brass bands in conjunction with visiting specialists. Katharine ensures that each child in her care experiences the joy of music-making and pride in learning the language of music. Her teaching encompasses the approaches of Orff, Kodaly and Dalcroze resulting in students being musically literate.

Katharine’s work with the choral program is an example of taking an inclusive approach to music education where she has utilised technology to ensure that students with severe hearing impairments can participate fully in this program. Katharine provides a range of opportunities beyond her regular classroom music program, with a recent example being the school winning the ACT award in the Generation One “Hands Across Australia” Song Competition.

Teacher Award

Mrs Merle Hopman
Music Teacher
Kangaroo Flat Primary School, Kangaroo Flat, VIC

As the music specialist teacher at Kangaroo Flat Primary School, Merle Hopman has developed an excellent program combining Kodaly and Orff approaches to instruction. In a school where few students might otherwise learn music, Merle’s programs encourage and enable the discovery of new interests, creativity and musical skills. Merle offers every student the opportunity to learn an instrument, compose music in the classroom, and perform in ensembles.

She teaches recorder and guitar, but her program’s most visible successes have been through developmental vocal and choral work, characterised by secure music literacy and excellent tonal quality. The Joey and Senior Choirs have received high commendations and places in state Eisteddfods, becoming an intrinsic part of the school culture and a source of pride to the whole community of Kangaroo Flat. Many of her singers graduate into the Bendigo Youth Choir which Merle has conducted for fourteen years.

Teacher Award

Mr Mathew Irving
Head of Music
Radford College Canberra, Bruce, ACT

Mathew Irving is Head of Music at Radford College. The music program has almost trebled since his arrival at the school four years ago. Mathew has led the development of a sequential K-12 learning program covering the areas of academic, instrumental and co-curricular music, which has further extended beyond the school into a Community Music Program. Mathew is passionate about instilling a lifelong love of music in the students of the school. His programs ensure rich and rigorous pedagogical practices with outstanding student outcomes. The programs provide a living platform for learning which is constantly changing and growing to meet the demands of the changing learner.

Mathew has taken the Music Department to new heights of accomplishment by ensuring a highly energetic approach is matched by sound application of educational theory. He has a powerful vision for an inclusive music education where aptitude and varying musical tastes are blended into a cohesive whole. Mathew’s leadership in music education is well recognised with his role in the ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies and his work as a founding member and founding President of the ACT Music Educators Network (ACTMEN).

Teacher Award

Mrs Susan Marshall
Classroom Music Teacher
Unley Primary School, Unley, SA

Susan Marshall's outstanding skills as a music teacher are underpinned by her extensive professional skill and knowledge, a passion for her work and her belief that all students are able to experience joy and success through music experiences. Susan readily engages students, staff, parents and the wider school community through a wide range of approaches, and events around musical experiences throughout the year. Susan conducts an active school band and has conducted one of the orchestras for the Public Schools’ Festival of Music for the last three years. Susan is the President of the Orffschulwerk Association of SA and has presented at many conferences throughout the state. Her expertise with Orff Schulwerk Methodology is embedded in the rich multisensory learning experiences she provides for students. In their weekly lesson with Susan, every student develops an awareness of the joy of music in everyday lives and how it relates to other areas of the curriculum.

Her knowledge and expertise are also highly sought as a mentor to developing teachers, and by colleagues through her input at conferences and other Professional Development opportunities for which she is responsible. Susan’s work has contributed significantly to the reputation of Unley Primary School and has attracted new families to the school.

Teacher Award

Mrs Donna Marwick–O'Brien
Music Teacher
Bambara Primary School, Padbury, WA

Before becoming a teacher over twenty years ago, Donna Marwick-O’Brien was already a talented singer/musician and songwriter, who uncovered and developed a particular gift for communicating with children through music. Donna’s music program at Bambara Primary School provides a strong grounding in classroom music, characterised by innovative, engaging and rewarding lessons, including video and computer games. Her own developmental music program called “Workstations in the Music Room” encourages creative group work and is adaptable for any instrument. Donna’s students reap the benefits of Donna’s boundless enthusiasm and love of music. Donna’s songwriting and recording program have resulted in students presenting compositions in the Australian Children’s Music Foundation National Song Writing competition.

Donna is the author of ten music resources including books and CD’s used by music teachers all over Australia. Donna has written a resource pack for Musica Viva and continues to present workshops for participants. Donna is a foundation committee member of the WA Orff Schulwerk Association and for the last eleven years is one of three committee members organising the Westcoast Songfest which connects music in school to music in the wider community.

Teacher Award

Mrs Nancy Morvillo
Head Teacher, Creative and Performing Arts
Canley Vale High School, Canley Vale, NSW

With over 25 years of experience as a music teacher, Nancy Morvillo has a fundamental belief that an education without music is a hugely disadvantaged and inequitable one. Upon her arrival at Canley Vale High School in 2007, Nancy established a music tuition program where students are given the opportunity to learn an instrument with a professional tutor so that their musical knowledge is supported and further developed. This tuition program has had a positive and significant impact on student learning at the school. Nancy is able to encourage teamwork within her staff and leads by example so that the arts are increasingly more respected and valued by the community, staff and students.

Nancy is involved in professional development and mentoring of other teachers within NSW, presenting at conferences and workshops as well as her regular commitment to HSC marking with the Board of Studies.

Nancy’s philosophy is that students are amazing and capable if interested. Nancy has enriched students’ knowledge of music and developed their skills, and more importantly she has been able to nurture a love of music and of learning.

Teacher Award

Mr Andrew Pennay
Head of Classroom Music
Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Spring Hill, QLD

As Head of Music at Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Andrew Pennay is continually reviewing and enhancing the music program across all levels to ensure students access ideas and practices in their learning that are motivating, inspiring and relevant to their current and future lives. He has initiated programs to develop students’ skills in composition and recording as well as in performance. Andrew has introduced courses in music technology which have ensured that students are confident in using emerging technologies, and he has worked closely with instrumental teachers to ensure that there is co-ordination with the academic music program.

In addition to his role at the school, Andrew has also lectured in Music Education courses for pre-service teachers, and is a state panellist for Music Extension. Through Andrew’s role as Artistic Advisor of the high achieving ensemble The Australian Voices, his students are encouraged to compose music for public performance through The Australian Voices Young Composer School each year.

Teacher Award

Mrs Elizabeth Pratt
Director of Curriculum Music
Cannon Hill Anglican College, Morningside, QLD

As the Director of curriculum music, Elizabeth Pratt oversees and teaches across Years 4 to 12, with particular focus on the senior years and Music Extension classes. Elizabeth supervises and directs choral activities in the college and is a leader in the use of computer technology in the music classroom. In the area of embedding ICTs into the music curriculum, Elizabeth has created authentic learning experiences and assessment tasks that have engaged students, and indeed, have raised the profile and status of curriculum music. Elizabeth is highly committed to ensuring students are provided with rich, varied and appropriately challenging musical experiences which allow students to extend themselves, to experience success, and to enjoy the great rewards of studying music.

Elizabeth has created learning experiences and assessment tasks that engage students and have raised the profile and status of curriculum music at the college. Elizabeth is keen to share her expertise and knowledge with colleagues at local, state and national levels.

Teacher Award

Mr Dane Ropa
Head Teacher, The Faculty of Arts
Cumberland High School, Carlingford, NSW

Dane Ropa has revolutionised the status of music at Cumberland High School, where music now defines the nature of the school as perceived in the local community. Dane has developed a wide range of ensembles, in which students develop leadership skills, in addition to musical skills. The ensemble program is credited with lifting the self-esteem and confidence of many students and increasing student retention rates into the senior years. Dane’s approach to the music program is based on his belief that music is a language that all can access and a language which crosses generational boundaries. Dane has introduced a concert series involving all Year 7 and 8 students performing a substantial work (for example, Mozart’s Requiem) which forms part of the curriculum thus allowing students to deeply study these works and to access online assessment.

Dane is an inspirational music educator who empowers his students to develop strong and self-directed skills for life.

Teacher Award

Mr Craig Woodland
Director of Music
Canberra Grammar School, Red Hill, ACT

Craig Woodland is a multi-skilled educator who actively engages students by teaching music up to Year 12, conducting choirs, orchestras and bands, accompanying students, preparing daily chapel music, directing the school musical and implementing various performance opportunities. He is able to enthuse boys to pursue artistic endeavours and the school community has witnessed these talents being encouraged, developed and showcased. A powerful display of this is to witness a thousand teenage boys sing enthusiastically at weekly assemblies and chapel. It may not always be melodious or harmonious but it expresses an understanding that music is a natural and instinctive part of being human. The school offers a quality classroom music program which is complemented by a rich co-curricular program, both instrumental and vocal.

Craig has pioneered joint programs in conjunction with the ANU School of Music and Canberra Girls Grammar School in order to extend his music curriculum. Craig is an inspiring role model for both students and staff, and his immense musical talents, his care and concern for his students, his sense of fun and strong commitment to his students are key factors in the development of Canberra Grammar School’s music department.

Teacher Award

Mrs Dennielle Woskanian
Head Teacher, Creative and Performing Arts
Killarney Heights High School, Killarney Heights, NSW

Dennielle Woskanian is a highly respected music educator both within Killarney Heights High School and the NSW Department of Education and Training. During her time at Killarney Heights High she has expanded the music curriculum to include the delivery of the Higher School Certificate Music 1, Music 2 and Music Extension programs. She has been the initiator of a large co-curricular music program which now includes an Advanced Concert Band, Intermediate Concert Band, Stage Band, Chamber Music Ensemble, Guitar Ensemble, Contemporary Choir and also nurtures a number of student Rock Bands.

Dennielle is recognised by the students and parents as an excellent music educator who has a depth and breadth of knowledge, a great passion for music education and the capacity to bring out the best in each child in her care. She established a parent Band committee which supports the co-curricular music program and has fostered strong links with local professional musicians to engage all music students across the school. Dennielle is a leader in incorporating ICT into the music education programs at the school and was chosen by the D.E.T. Curriculum Directorate to develop ICT materials to use in classrooms across the state. Dennielle is an examiner for HSC written and practical music and she has supported regional networks with resource sharing.

Dennielle has demonstrated a strong vision for promotion and expansion of music education and has garnered strong parent, students and community support to put her vision into practice.