Daniel Riley, Dandenong Primary School
Principal Daniel Riley’s commitment to empowering disadvantaged communities through education has revitalised the educational focus of Dandenong Primary School and fostered unprecedented collaboration among local schools and the community.
Implementing a comprehensive school improvement approach that incorporated leadership coaching and targeted professional development, Daniel has strengthened staffs’ sense of purpose, capacity, and community commitment, as evidenced by parent, staff, and student surveys and much improved student outcomes.
Extending a culture of openness and shared learning at the school, Daniel is also fostering inclusivity in the diverse local community. Creating new methods of engagement and inclusion, he has initiated the distribution of multi-language weekly newsletters, established a community space for the Afghan Women’s Organisation Victoria and created award-winning community hub and childcare programs, all involving alumni and local volunteer groups.
As the current Chair of the Dandenong Principal Network, his dedication to leading improvement through inclusivity is inspiring others to lead and to collaborate with community.
Jacquie Burrows, Churchill Primary School
Over the last 5 years, principal Jacquie Burrows has led the building of an exemplary instructional culture at Churchill Primary School, guided by the strong belief that all children can learn.
A passionate and influential spokesperson for the use of evidence-based approaches to both learning and wellbeing, Jacquie’s culture of high expectations is supporting strong wellbeing practices and positive student outcomes.
Jacquie’s comprehensive improvement approach has been to introduce and sustain consistent instructional practices at the school, which supports a low socioeconomic community. The significant improvements in both students’ learning and wellbeing resulting from her leadership have been recognised Australia-wide and are evidenced by strong NAPLAN results.
Jacquie is the Deputy Chair of the Latrobe Valley Principals Network and led the planning and facilitation of the Latrobe Valley Inclusive Practices Conference in 2023, which supported the capacity building of 350 of her principal and teaching colleagues across the Inner Gippsland Area.
Paul Kenna, Belle Vue Park Primary School
The progressive vision and leadership of principal Paul Kenna has transformed Belle Vue Park Primary School into an inclusive, multicultural community achieving positive outcomes for students and families.
Supporting a high equity community the school established their 'Community Hub' in 2014 to address school readiness and needs within the community. The school now offers a unique birth to Year 6 model.
Transformational supports/services for families and students include Maternal Child Health nurses, kindergarten programs, playgroups, adult English classes and free counselling services for students and parents.
Under construction is ‘KidsZone’ Inclusion/Wellbeing centre supporting neuro-diverse students, community outreach and other programs. Paul’s advocacy of evidence-based research, trauma-informed practice, and restorative conversations is ensuring students are supported, feel valued and inspired to succeed.
Building strong, collaborative relationships produces consistently high staff, student and parent opinion surveys in the 90th percentile indicating an excellent culture. Student achievement data shows strong growth.
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