2023 Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week Competition WINNERS

Every year the standard of competition just gets better! This year, the entries were so much fun to read and view, that we couldn't choose just one winner.

So this year there are two!!

Katherine School of the Air, NT

Congratulations Katherine School of the Air on winning an Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week Morning Tea, valued at $150!

As part of this year's Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week celebrations (28 August - 1 September), the team of tutors at Katherine School of the Air decided to share the love that they have for their roles and the school community, with us all! The video below is a creative collaboration between the tutors and the leadership team, showcasing the tutor roles.

Good Shepherd College, VIC

Congratulations to Good Shepherd College on winning an Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week Morning Tea, valued at $150!

Good Shepherd College (winner 2 years running!) celebrated their amazing teacher aide team in a number of creative and fun ways. Sue Shimmin, teacher, said both campuses hosted a morning tea in celebration of their TA teams. The Junior Campus played the video they made with students in assembly, and plants with the words "thanks for helping me grow" and cards with student fingerprints were presented to all teacher aides. The Senior Campus hosted a special assembly to celebrate the teacher aides during Appreciation Week. Gifts were presented and a prayer was said by students. In addition, a song was written and courageously performed by two talented, fun loving teaching staff, aka The Bright Socks Bros. What's more, the teachers did all the duties normally covered by teacher aides for the week ... in addition to their usual duties!! Well done, Good Shepherd College. You are absolute stars, and we are sure the TAs appreciate all your efforts to recognise theirs!

Song Credits: Original -"Come Back My Love" Song by American doo-wop group The Wrens; Released in 1955 by Rama Records. The remake is based on the version by the British doo-wop revival band Darts in 1978. Backtrack used for GSC performance: By Sunfly Karaoke

Participating Entry

Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay, NSW

We love the thank you notes! :)

Participating Entry

Edith Creek Primary School, TAS

Tiff Brooks and the team from Edith Creek Primary School truly appreciate and love their teacher aides; they go above and beyond for the students at the school. Tiff said 'they always get involved in all learning and extracurricular activities, they attend staff meetings (even when they don’t have too), they are always developing their own professional learning, they have positive, respectful and memorable relationships with students, they work closely with teachers so they can enhance their support for students, they help lighten the load that  teachers have, they take on extra shifts, are kind, caring and inclusive inside and outside of school, and are simply awesome people!'

Participating Entry

Emerald State School, QLD

Emerald State School hosted a lovely shared morning tea for their teacher aides. They were treated to a balloon piñata filled with lots of goodies. What a fun idea!

Participating Entry

Goomeri State School P-10, QLD

Nothing is ever too much trouble for the teacher aides at Goomeri State School.  Kim Knight, Business Manager, said 'they are caring and beautiful people who give endless support to students, families and staff. They are simply the best!' Can you spot the 2023 Queensland Finalist, Australian Teacher Aide of the Year below? Hello, Jeddah!

Participating Entry

Grey St Primary School, VIC

Tracy Bennett sent in this photo showing a collection of goodies which brightened the day of their TA team during Appreciation Week. 

Participating Entry

Harrisdale Senior High School, WA

It was a feast at Harrisdale Senior High School as the admin team hosted an appreciation breakfast AND a morning tea for their education assistants. Check out the superheros below!

Participating Entry

Hillbrook Anglican School, QLD

The Technologies Faculty at Hillbrook Anglican School hosted an 'epic cheese platter' morning tea for their TAs. Glenn Stevenson, Technologies & Engineering Coordinator, wrote 'we are very lucky to have such amazing teacher aides who not only perform their administrative duties but are present in class for a number of lessons. They are amazing with the students and understanding the curriculum. Often, the students will preference asking the TAs for help over the classroom teacher! Our much loved TAs go above and beyond for our students and are such a valued part of our faculty, so we recognised them with a special morning tea and the presentation of certificates (from the resource section of ATA)'. Well done, Hillbrook Anglican School, and thanks Glenn for using our resources as part of your celebrations!

Participating Entry

Kolbe Catholic College, VIC

The school gave all their LSOs a beautiful flower in appreciation of everything they do. Julie Buick, Learning Support Administrator, said 'Our teacher aides go over and above to support and assist our wonderful students. It is lovely to be acknowledged for all that we do in what has been a very busy and hectic year!'

Participating Entry

Launceston Christian School, TAS

Each year the teaching team at Launceston Christian School give their aides a “punny” gift to let them know they are appreciated. This year’s gift was a grape flavoured drink with “We are so grapeful for you” written on the tag. Great work, Launceston Christian School. Can't wait to see what you come up with next year! :)

Participating Entry

Mackillop Catholic Regional College Werribee, VIC

Nice to meet you, LSOs, at Mackillop Catholic Regional College, Werribee :)

Participating Entry

Prenzlau State School, QLD

What lovely testimonials from Prenzlau State School students!

Participating Entry

Springwood Central State School, QLD

Chantel Baxter, Prep Teacher Aide, wrote, 'these ladies are the reason I turn up to work every day! They are so incredibly supportive and as a team, we work hard to ensure all our children achieve success. Our school has over 20 percent of students with a disability and this amazing team goes above and beyond to ensure every student is supported, included and respected. We participate in fundraisers, walks for a purpose and we love dressing up every chance we get!' What a fun looking team of totally awesome TAs!

Participating Entry

St Therese Catholic Primary School, NSW

Wendy Temple has been a TA at St Therese Catholic Primary School for 30 years, and Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week just happened to coincide with this monumental achievement in service to students, teachers and the school community. No wonder that cake is fancy! 

Participating Entry

Throsby School, ACT

Check out the display of messages of appreciation, below! In addition to collecting these messages, the teachers and leadership team at Throsby School covered the TA's playground duties on Monday, provided free coffee on Tuesday and hosted a morning tea for their TA team on the Wednesday! Great work, Throsby School!

Participating Entry

Ulverstone Secondary College, TAS

Steph Knowles, AST/ Support Teacher, wrote a poem to celebrate the fabulous Teacher Assistants at Ulverstone Secondary College. It looks like there was cake too :)