SOUTH AUSTRALIAN PUBLIC TEACHING AWARDS

Mrs VLAHOS (Taylor) (14:33): My question is to the Minister for Education and Child Development. Will the minister inform the house about what opportunities there are for parents, school students and others in the community to acknowledge outstanding teachers in our public schools in South Australia?

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI (Hartley—Minister for Education and Child Development) (14:33): I thank the member for Taylor for this question and I would like to acknowledge the strong support that she consistently shows for the schools in her community. In fact, I was very pleased to visit a number of them with her recently.

Members may be aware that 5 October this year will be World Teachers' Day. This is an international day that recognises the important role of teachers and, of course, education in transforming the lives of young people. On that day we will honour our outstanding educators through our South Australian Public Teaching Awards. I am pleased to advise the house that nominations for these prestigious awards are now open. This is a great opportunity for people who have been inspired by a teacher to put their hand up and nominate one of our many outstanding educators. Award categories include:

Inspirational Preschool Teacher of the Year;

Inspirational Primary School Teacher of the Year;

Secondary School Teacher of the Year;

Inspirational School/Preschool Leader of the Year;

Inspirational Early Career Teacher of the Year;

Excellent School/Preschool Support Staff Member of the Year; and

Innovative School/Preschool Engagement with Business and the Community.

Beyond family and friends, it is often our teachers who are our biggest influence and a very important role model for thousands of South Australians. As The Advertiser newspaper, which is supporting these awards, said just last week (I think it was last week), and I quote:

There can be few occupations more important to the social and economic wellbeing of a society than teaching.

We are investing significant sums to attract and retain teachers, provide for more permanent jobs for contract teachers and provide new opportunities for teachers to progress their career. Teachers like Kirsty Gebert from Nuriootpa High School is one of these teachers who continues to make an outstanding difference to the—

Mr Venning interjecting:

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: Yes, that's right. The member for Schubert acknowledges this outstanding teacher and her school. We were there just recently. Nuriootpa High School was one of our winners in the inaugural Public Teaching Awards last year. This is what she said at the time:

My teaching philosophy is strongly embedded in my belief that all kids are born with an ability to be great at something, and I see it as my job to help them find that something. I strive to develop in kids this same belief that they can achieve their full potential. When I convince them that I believe in them, they can believe in themselves and are inspired to learn.

I urge members to invite their local communities—and I can see the member for Schubert nodding enthusiastically—to nominate an outstanding school leader, teacher or support staff member from their local schools and preschools and be part of this fantastic opportunity to honour our teachers.