Korowa Anglican Girls’ School nominated for School of the Year in the Australian Education Awards

Korowa Anglican Girls’ School in Glen Iris has been announced as a finalist for ‘School of the Year’ in the Non-Government Secondary School and the Non-Government Junior School categories of the Australian Education Awards.

In 2018, the non-selective school won ‘School of the Year’ in the Non-Government Secondary School category and has continued to raise the bar on excellence.

“We’re focused on giving our students real-world opportunities and skills,” Principal Helen Carmody said. “We have partnered with other schools, universities, industry and not for profit organisations to deliver programs which will create a generation of thinkers, designers and entrepreneurs.”

The School was the first to participate in an innovative #SheHacks coding and design week with Girl Geek Academy, as part of the work experience program for Year 10. In 2018, two Year 9 and 10 teams attained first and third place at the Shanghai International Youth Science and Technology Expo for their app supporting students with dyslexia. The School was a case-study for the Department of Education Digital Grant program and recognised for its leadership in this area.

The Junior School undertook an extensive refresh of existing programs and structures, resulting in a program which is based on skill progression and links core subjects with the wellbeing program. These innovations led to the nomination for ‘Junior School of the Year’.

“In the Junior School, girls can utilise the state-of-the-art STEAM Lab; enjoy our revised experiential learning program; join STEAM Club, diving, athletics or tennis; participate in our fortnightly swimming program and attend school holiday Code Camp. The experience in the Junior School reflects the current educational research of supporting the whole child and the emotional, social and academic needs of a 21st century learner,” Head of Junior School, Joanne Barker said.

The transformational improvement at the school is due to a strong focus on data and research, as Helen Carmody explains, “The continued use of data to plan, develop and better understand our students and their needs is our guiding principle.”

In collaboration with a range of experts, the School is researching which of its programs best develop mental toughness, the impact of mood on learning achievement and the importance of resilience in the workplace. School-based research has led to the development of a Korowa Critical Thinking approach, designed to create a culture of autonomous thinkers and learners.

The Australian Education Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of the country’s top performing Schools, Principals, Department Heads and Teachers. The winners of the School of the Year Non-Government Secondary School and Non-Government Junior School awards will be announced on Friday 16 August.

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