The Emmaus Awards recognise and celebrate the significant contribution made by our staff in the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.
The awards recognise achievement in the following categories:
INNOVATION
Delivering outstanding benefit to learning and teaching outcomes by innovative or creative practices.
LEADERSHIP
Building authentic Catholic learning communities and leading to inspire.
EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING
Fostering the development of students and their intellectual, social, emotional and spiritual growth.
SCHOOL SUPPORT
Promoting a strong sense of dedication and school community.
SCHOOL COMMUNITY
Excellence in partnerships between the school and the parish community.
FIRST FIVE YEARS OF TEACHING
Making a significant contribution to students and their learning.
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION TEACHING
Fostering the development of students and their intellectual, social, emotional and spiritual growth while promoting Vocational Education in the school community.
SISTERS OF ST JOSEPH LOCHINVAR EDUCATION
Demonstrating outstanding, innovative leadership in faith.
More Information
The winners of each category will be presented with $2,000 for the individual awards and $1,000 for the School Community Award to be used for educational resources.
The award winners will be announced at the annual Diocesan Called to Serve Mass.
Awards Criteria
INNOVATION
OPEN TO ALL SCHOOL STAFF
The successful recipient will:
- Have delivered outstanding benefit to learning and teaching outcomes by innovative or creative practices.
- Provide evidence to indicate how the innovation contributed to student, school or community development.
LEADERSHIP
OPEN TO ALL SCHOOL STAFF
The successful recipient will have demonstrated leadership excellence based on the following criteria:
- Builds authentic Catholic learning communities.
- Sets high expectations for teaching and promoting ongoing professional development.
- Promotes a collective responsibility for student achievement.
- Fosters collaboration that creates a positive learning environment.
- Leads by example for other educators and staff inspiring others to overcome challenges.
EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING
(Two Awards – 1 Primary & 1 Secondary)
OPEN TO ALL SCHOOL TEACHING STAFF
The successful recipient will have demonstrated exemplary teaching by:
- Fostering the development of students and their intellectual, social, emotional and spiritual growth.
- Establishing a stimulating learning environment.
- Attending to individual student needs.
- Contributing to a school culture of inclusion, community, and respect.
- Demonstrating an in-depth knowledge of subject matter and curriculum.
- Achieving positive results in student learning.
EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING (VOCATIONAL EDUCATION) (NEW)
OPEN TO ALL SCHOOL VOCATIONAL EDUCATION TEACHING STAFF
The successful recipient will have demonstrated exemplary teaching in VET by:
- Fostering the development of students and their intellectual, social, emotional and spiritual growth.
- Establishing a stimulating learning environment.
- Contributing to a school culture of inclusion, community, and respect.
- Demonstrating an in-depth knowledge of subject matter and curriculum.
- Achieving positive results in student learning.
- Promoting Vocational Education in the school community.
SCHOOL SUPPORT
(Two Awards)
OPEN TO ALL SCHOOL SUPPORT STAFF, INCLUDING PASTORAL CARE WORKERS, CLEANERS AND GROUNDSPERSONS
The successful recipient will have demonstrated:
- A high degree of efficiency in their role.
- Excellent relationships within their school community.
- Dedication to service in their role.
- A strong sense of school community.
SCHOOL COMMUNITY
OPEN TO ALL SCHOOLS
The successful school will have demonstrated excellence in partnerships between the school and the parish community in the following areas:
- In a particular aspect of school life.
- Substantial improvement in a particular area or field.
- The development of a number of initiatives in a school year.
- Catholic life and culture.
FIRST FIVE YEARS OF TEACHING
OPEN TO ALL SCHOOL TEACHING STAFF IN FIRST FIVE YEARS OF TEACHING
The recipient will:
- Have demonstrated excellence in teaching and learning.
- Have dedication to their vocation of teaching.
- Be recognised for their ability to make a significant contribution to students and their learning.
SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH, LOCHINVAR EDUCATION AWARD (NEW)
OPEN TO ALL WOMEN WORKING AT ANY LEVEL WITHIN THE DIOCESE OF MAITLAND-NEWCASTLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.
The successful recipient will have demonstrated outstanding, innovative leadership in faith.
- Outstanding: Exceptional, out-of-the-ordinary.
- Innovative: Inventive; new; never tried before
- Leadership in Faith: Leadership characterised by presence, passion for mission, competence and skills in learning and teaching, that leads to a re-energising of the Catholic school community’s sense of the Jesus of the Gospels and every person’s call to live as Jesus lived. This is a leadership of sacred trust and service.
Eligibility
- The Awards are open to all school staff and schools within the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.
- The nominees for individual awards should have at least five years experience in their nominated category.
Award Process
- Individuals must be nominated by a professional colleague, with each nomination endorsed by two referees currently working in Catholic education.
- Nominations for School Community may come from members of the Executive of the Parents & Friends or from the local parish.
