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2007 National Awards
for Excellence in
School Music Education

2007 Awards

Special Commendation, School Leader Award

Dr Geoffrey Shaw
Principal
All Saints’ College, Bull Creek, WA

Dr Geoffrey Shaw believes that music has intrinsic value in the life and education of every child. As Principal of All Saints’ College, he is proactive in demonstrating this belief.

Music is located as an important component of strategic planning, resource allocation and organisational practice within the school. He has actively recruited and supported a strong music teaching team. All music teachers feel valued and appreciated for their contribution to the life of the school.

His active interest and presence at musical events and his keen advocacy of music with parents, promotes the status of music with students, parents and the wider community.

His skills as an educator and communicator and his infectious enthusiasm, have been critical in the development of an exemplary music program at All Saints’ College.

School Leader Award

Ms Amanda Bell
Principal
Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Spring Hill, Brisbane, QLD

Amanda has made an outstanding contribution to the musical life of her school. Under her leadership, the school continues to develop and implement a range of formal education experiences which motivate and challenge every student to achieve musical success. It is through her inspirational leadership that Ms Bell has encouraged excitement and joy about musical learning.

She strives to ensure that all students are provided with equitable access to a curricular and co-curricular music program, and that staffing, timetabling and resources are in place to support the program. The school has developed strategic partnerships with the broader community, music professionals and tertiary institutions. These partnerships support the learning and teaching of music in the school.

Special Commendation, Teacher Award

Ms Julie Mayhew
Music Teacher
Ainslie School, Braddon, ACT

Julie Mayhew has taught music from Preschool to Year 6 at Ainslie School as well as bringing support to other ACT schools through a resourcing model from the School of Music at ANU. She has brought a wealth of knowledge of music, music-making and music teaching to her role. She recognises the needs of students who excel in music as well as those who are not initially engaged with music or who have special needs.

Julie has consistently used her own substantial musical skills to help teachers with little musical background and little confidence to become strong and committed music specialists in their own right. We know through School Development Data that music is very highly valued by staff and the parent community and that Julie Mayhew is a very important part of the success at Ainslie.

She has worked with the ANU School of Music in the Primary and Secondary program and has been a key figure in the development of this program in the ACT. It is this philosophy that underpins music education at Ainslie school.

As well as the weekly class and year level music lessons, there are weekly outreach music sessions at Aged Care facilities and with other schools with a music focus.

“Julie Mayhew’s music teaching makes a difference to the lives of all our students, all our teachers, and all our families.”

Teacher Award

Mrs Karen Carey
Director of Music
MLC School, Burwood, NSW

Karen Carey has had a stellar music teaching career that has spanned both government and non-government schools. She has been Director of Music at MLC School in Burwood, Sydney since 1989, a school for girls from K-12. At this school, Karen has developed an outstanding music program that is integrated and sequenced from K-12, where the links between classroom, choral and instrumental teaching are constantly being drawn together. Parents are involved in the students’ music program and are invited into the creative classroom as participants in order to better understand the importance, enjoyment and value of music education.

The school music program extends to the wider community, including other school students and teachers in programs such as the Australian Music Days and composition workshops which deliver innovative and comprehensive resources to other school students.

Karen has a quality which empowers her teachers to perform their tasks at the highest possible level. Her teaching is an exhilarating journey of discovery which results in wonderful music-making by students, inventiveness from her colleagues and the support of the community.

Teacher Award

Mrs Liese Gordon
Head Teacher
Northern Territory Music School – Alice Springs Centre
Alice Springs, NT

Liese has been a highly respected and successful music teacher in Alice Springs for twenty years where she has worked in all of the government schools across the K-12 range. She has presented in-service training and workshops to classroom teachers as well as conducting school bands, teaching instrumental music, conducting and accompanying choirs within the community.

She is working as an instrumental conductor and co-ordinator of students from six different schools, a tutor in instrumental and choral music with the Alice Springs School of the Air, and an organiser of an annual concert bringing together all the students in the various programs.

Her community focus is shown in her directorship of the Alice Springs Town Band and her success in bringing musical experiences to students through the Interactive Distance Learning system. Liese is respected by her colleagues for her ability to meld, instruct and conduct diverse groups as well as for her obvious commitment as a music teacher in the wide community in which she works.

Teacher Award

Mrs Susan Gouchee
Director of Performance Music
Canterbury College, Beenleigh, QLD

Susan is an inspirational music teacher who has worked to ensure a high quality program that offers a diverse range of opportunities for students, families and community groups. The music program is inclusive of students of all backgrounds, interests and abilities.

In addition to a high level of musical skills, she has exemplary organisational skills and communication skills enabling her to connect with parents and forge partnerships with the community at large.

Her belief that an effective and inspiring music education program can literally change young people’s lives, underpins her passion for music and commitment to music education.

Teacher Award

Mrs Mary-Anne Goyder
Music Specialist
Quinns Beach Primary School, Quinns Rock, WA

Mary-Anne Goyder is not just a highly competent classroom and instrumental music teacher. She also exhibits outstanding leadership qualities and a very high level of administrative and organisational ability. She is also a most effective advocate for music both within the educational system and in the wider community.

Within her own school Mary-Anne runs an exceptional and exemplary music program, which engages the whole school community. She has been actively involved in professional development both as a participant and as a much sort-after presenter. Her dedication to keeping her skills current and exploring new directions and ideas is the mark of a true professional.

Her leading role in the development and evolution of the WA Primary School’s Massed Choir Festival has required extraordinary dedication and effort.

Despite her immense achievements and high stature, Mary-Anne remains pragmatic, practical, down-to-earth and totally focused on achieving the best outcomes in whatever she attempts.

Teacher Award

Miss Sharee Haberle
Music Specialist
Glenorchy Primary School, Glenorchy, TAS

Sharee has worked as a music specialist in primary schools for ten years. She has successfully demonstrated the importance of a music program that consistently and sequentially develops and enriches students’ musical skills and understandings. In her school, Sheree works with students who are gifted and talented, students who have physical/social or learning difficulties and those from other cultural backgrounds. She credits her ability to adapt and plan for effective creative learning to her knowledge of Orff Schulwerk methodology.

Teacher Award

Mrs Gayle Judd
Music Teacher, Reception - Year2
Mitcham Junior Primary School, Kingswood, SA

Gayle Judd is an exceptional teacher of music. Her philosophy on the importance of music in early childhood is reflected in a program that is innovative, inclusive and exciting. Her work has resulted in improvements in self esteem, confidence, co-ordination and learning outcomes for her students.

She plans collaboratively with other teachers in her school to ensure her music program supports and reflects individual class themes and whole school initiatives. Gayle empowers the children, develops sound skills and understanding and a love for music which will transcend their primary school years.

Teacher Award

Mrs Kerry Martin
Music Specialist Teacher/ Instrumental Co-ordinator
St Francis Xavier’s Regional Catholic School, Wynn Vale, SA

“Teaching music is my joy” says Kerry Martin of her role at St Francis Xavier’s Regional School.

Kerry aims to bring positive and exciting music experiences to as many students as possible. Her passion for music encompasses classroom, instrumental and choral activities within both the school and the wider community. She is constantly exploring new areas of music education and is currently making connections between music therapy and the special needs classroom.

Teacher Award

Ms Merrilee Mills
Team Leader: Music Advisory Support Team; Project Manager: LYNX Project
Northern Territory Music School, Nightcliff, NT

Merilee Mills’ excellence in the Northern Territory Music School instrumental, choral and classroom music teaching makes her a wonderful role model for other music teachers. As a result of her vision, teachers in the Northern Territory now have access to teaching resources which will enhance their skills and increase their confidence with music in the classroom. Merrilee’s outstanding musicianship and instinctive understanding of how young people work, is combined with an infectious passion for music education.

Teacher Award

Mr Peter Schuhmacher
Music Teacher
Macintyre High School, Inverell, NSW

Peter is an inspirational music teacher working in the NSW regional centre of Inverell. In addition to fostering a passion for music in his students, he has initiated many musical projects which connect local schools with their community. His role in developing the music capacity in his local community, which enables a community committee to run a self-sufficient music organisation, is only one example of his extraordinary foresight and commitment.

Teacher Award

Mr Michael Travers
Performing Arts / Music Teacher
St Matthew's Catholic Primary School, North Fawkner, VIC

Michael Travers exhibits an extraordinary dedication and energy that excites all who work with him. He is an extremely innovative teacher who sees music as opening doors to many other areas of learning and experience. His cutting-edge multimedia projects have enabled students to be involved in experiences that are way beyond what is normally expected in a primary school program.

Michael astounds some of his co-workers with his creativity and ability to bring all facets of music education together in partnership with young children, parents, music professionals and the wider community. Watching him teach and interact with children has also inspired confidence in others to incorporate music into other areas of the curriculum.