Cessnock East Public School is nominated in seven categories, while Kurri Kurri High School is in the running for two awards.

Facilitated by The Educator magazine, the awards will commend the country’s best schools and individual educators on their contribution to the industry over the past 12 months across 22 categories.

Cessnock East Public School is in the running for the primary school of the year (government), innovation in learning environment design and best use of technology awards, while four staff have been nominated for individual awards: Kim Sweeny (principal of the year – government), Joanne Bradley and Kristin Culley (teacher of the year) and Brittany Hicks (rising star of the year).

Ms Sweeny said the school is extremely excited and honoured to be named as finalists for these awards.

“The awards are a tremendous acknowledgement of the exceptional results and innovative programs that are happening within the school,” she said.

“Cessnock East is a dynamic learning environment that builds on students’ natural curiosities and we are proud of our innovative practices around REAL (Rigorous Engaging Authentic Learning) education.

“Individual awards indicate the high calibre of staff within the school and the difference that they make to student learning.

“Cessnock East is fortunate to have a passionate team of teachers who have high expectations for their students as well as high expectations for their own learning.”

Kurri Kurri High School’s nominations are for innovation in curriculum design and innovation in learning environment design.

Both nominations focus on the school’s Hub pedagogy and ProjectNEST, which aims to nurture excellence in students and teachers.

Students in Stage 4 (years 7 and 8) attend lessons as a ‘hub’, comprising 50-60 students, led by two teachers.

The hubs are broken up in a variety of ways, based on student interest and teacher expertise – from pods of 20-25 for masterclasses or independent work, down to huddles of three-to-six students for collaborative work.

Students utilise a peer critique cycle to provide kind, helpful and specific warm and cool feedback for improvement.

Kurri Kurri High School deputy principal Alan Hope says hub learning has meant changing the entire way the learning environment looks.

“The increase in class size and subsequent teaching practices takes collaboration from the ground up to be a succes,” Mr Hope said.

“It involved structural changes to create appropriate classroom space and room design. It took student feedback and of course staff professional development to make it a success.”

Stage 4 head teacher Lisa Scobie said adopting ProjectNEST is innovative as it has completely redesigned the curriculum delivery.

“Gone are the traditional classrooms, class structures and silo based curriculum approaches of the past,” she said.

“We deliver an authentic, rigorous, contextually relevant, integrated curriculum to students in Stage 4.” 

The Australian Education Awards will be presented on August 17.