QSuper School Support Staff Recognition Week competition 2023 winners recognised for their dedication

The QSuper School Support Staff Recognition Week competition highlights the invaluable work of the incredible support staff working in schools across Queensland.

These crucial school staff members are dedicated to supporting students and school communities to help facilitate teaching and learning. It can be work that is often overlooked, but without these tireless staffers, education would not happen.

This broad spectrum of employees working in the Department of Education includes school administration officers, school business managers, science technicians, agricultural assistants and IT technicians, to name a few.

School Support Staff Recognition Week 2023, organised by the Together Union, took place from 12-16 June and offered a great opportunity to acknowledge the essential contribution of these important employees.

As part of our 2023 competition, we invited teachers, parents and other school support workers to nominate a school support staff member for the important work they do for their schools.

Proud to support dedicated and tireless staff

Erick Cordero, Australian Retirement Trust’s Head of Government and Stakeholder Relationships, paid tribute to the commitment of school support staff, and pointed out that more than 100,000 Queensland Department of Education employees hold QSuper accounts in Australian Retirement Trust.

Our selection panel found it challenging to select only eight winners out of so many strong nominations, one from each Department of Education Queensland school region.

But we are grateful to everyone who took the time to nominate a school support staff member to show appreciation for their contributions. Each winner will receive a $600 prize pack, which includes a $100 Coles Myer gift card for themselves, and $500 Officeworks gift card for their school to support student education.¹

Driving forces behind great initiatives

Among the winners were Ellen Von Allmen, from The Hall State School in Rockhampton, who was nominated for her dedication to the school’s sustainability and as the driving force behind their recycling and waste management programs.

School business managers Damian White (Gympie State High), Katrina Harvey (Deception Bay State High) and Kelly Metcalf (Woree State High, Cairns) were lauded for their work, too.

This year Damian project managed a new student support block while Katrina was successful in obtaining more than $1 million in school funding, some of which was used to help create outdoor classrooms, sustainability programs, outdoor sporting areas, and improved outdoor spaces to provide sun protection for students.

Kelly helped revitalise educational facilities and develop innovative solutions at the school, including creation of flexible learning spaces, enhancing delivery of educational and support programs.

And Mike Hellou, a Marine Program Officer at the Jacobs Well Environmental Education Centre, drew high praise for his support of teachers in all marine and educational programs for his dedication to ensuring students enjoyed a memorable experience at the centre.

And the full list of winners is…

Kelly Metcalf – Woree State High School, Far North Queensland

Sharyn McGhie – Pimlico State High School, North Queensland

Ellen Von Allmen – The Hall State School, Central Queensland

Sharon Grosskopf – Lockyer District State High School, Darling Downs

Damian White – Gympie State High School, North Coast

 

Mike Hellou – Jacobs Well Environmental Education Centre, South East

Katrina Harvey – Deception Bay State High School, Metro North

Sharon Hunter – Victoria Point State High School, Metro South

2023 QSuper School Support Staff Recognition Week competition winner locations

1. Entry was only open to school support workers within Queensland state schools. Full terms and conditions for the competition can be found at qsuper.qld.gov.au/supportweek