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The Association of Independent Schools of South Australia was delighted to host close to 100 educators, volunteers and partners at our Appreciation and Awards event on Thursday 21 November 2024.
Held every year, the event is an opportunity for the Association to thank the exceptional individuals whose commitment, passion and dedication support the AISSA’s activities, and underpin the success of our sector through their contributions to their schools, the Independent School network, and their peers.
At the event, AISSA’s Deputy Chair, Peta St Clair and Chief Executive, Anne Dunstan recognised five exceptional individuals from the sector, presenting them with the prestigious Noel Volk Award.
The Noel Volk Award recipients were:
Stephen Rosier (centre) with AISSA Chief Executive Anne Dunstan (left) and AISSA Deputy Chair Peta St Clair (right)
Stephen Rosier, former Business Manager, Trinity College (now retired)
Stephen has been a member of the SA Independent Schools Block Grant Authority Committee, since 2008, and is representative on the BGA Management Group. Stephen has participated in many school visits and meetings to assist the BGA with evaluation of projects for Capital Funding which he has managed alongside his significant commitments at Trinity College. Stephen’s contribution to the review and approval processes is sincerely appreciated by the Committee both past and present.
Now retired from his full-time role, we are grateful that Stephen will continue his commitment to the Block Grant Authority.
Morag Greenwood (centre) with AISSA Chief Executive Anne Dunstan (left) and AISSA Deputy Chair Peta St Clair (right)
Morag Greenwood, Director of People and Culture, Scotch College
Morag has dedicated the last eleven years of her career to providing the Scotch College with invaluable leadership and strategic direction in human resources. Through her role, Morag has implemented HR practices that foster a positive, supportive workplace culture, benefiting both faculty and staff and contributing to the holistic success of the College.
Beyond Morag’s contributions to Scotch College, she is highly regarded in the broader HR community amongst our member schools. Her generous sharing of knowledge has made her a valued resource and sounding board for all things relating to people management.
Sharon Lynch (centre) with AISSA Chief Executive Anne Dunstan (left) and AISSA Deputy Chair Peta St Clair (right)
Sharon Lynch, Visual Art Coordinator, Immanuel Primary School
On top of working as Immanuel’s Visual Art Coordinator, Sharon also leads her School’s Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group, engaging the community in meaningful RAP actions tailored to their school context. A standout feature of Immanuel Primary School’s RAP is the prioritisation of student involvement, building student agency and ownership of their cultural work.
Additionally, Sharon has generously supported other member schools through sharing innovative strategies to enhance their RAP implementation and documentation.
Anita Zocchi (centre) with AISSA Chief Executive Anne Dunstan (left) and AISSA Deputy Chair Peta St Clair (right)
Anita Zocchi, Principal, University Senior College
Anita generously hosted the AISSA Executive Team at University Senior College for its strategy planning session, providing a tour and insights into the unique offering of the school. Anita has generously given of her time and shared her knowledge and experience of her own professional learning in a “Talking Heads” session for fellow school leaders earlier this year.
Most notably, Anita has served as Chair of the Inter-Sectoral Secondary Principals Education Consultative Committee (INTERSPECC) from 2021 to 2023. During her tenure, Anita made an outstanding contribution, playing a pivotal role in advocating for secondary school students across South Australia, working collaboratively with educational leaders to promote student success and wellbeing. Anita’s leadership helped establish INTERSPECC as a powerful voice in addressing key issues in the secondary education sector.
Angela Branford (centre) with AISSA Chief Executive Anne Dunstan (left) and AISSA Deputy Chair Peta St Clair (right)
Angela Branford, Principal Calvary Lutheran Primary School
Angela has made a significant contribution to the AISSA over many years. She has played a key role in the AISSA Women in Leadership professional learning program, inspiring aspirant women leaders to consider furthering their careers, even when they may have questioned their readiness. Angela’s role as professional companion, where she provided individualised support and guidance to aspiring leaders, has been highly regarded.
The Calvary research team, led and supported by Angela, also made an extremely significant contribution to the AISSA ALab Project over three years. An outcome of this work was the development and success of Calvary’s REACH program which brought student agency to life in very practical and inspiring ways. Angela and her staff have generously shared this work, hosting school visits and sharing practice in workshops and professional learning sessions. Most recently, Angela has generously shared her school’s experience with other Principals, contributing to a culture of collaboration and shared learning.
AISSA Chief Executive Anne Dunstan
Speaking at the event, AISSA Chief Executive Mrs Anne Dunstan said, “the contributions of each of our Awardees are appreciated not just by the AISSA, but by the broader Independent school sector. Each of those honoured today have made a significant contribution to the Association, the broader Independent school network, and their peers.”
Thank you to the Noel Volk Awardees, and all the individuals and organisations who have supported the AISSA’s work throughout 2024. We particularly acknowledge our partner, NGS Super, for their ongoing support.
We appreciate the time invested, the insights and expertise shared with us and through our various committees and advisory groups, attendance at networking and mentoring events and thoughtful and considered contributions and perspectives.
We look forward to working with all our stakeholders in 2025, the Association’s 50th year, to continue to advocate and support the amazing work of our diverse member schools.
The AISSA is thrilled to extend our heartfelt congratulations to a remarkable group of educators from the Independent school sector who achieved Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher status.
At a ceremony held at Adelaide Oval on Friday 20 September, Danielle Keynes from Immanuel College, Su-Sim Lynch and Jacinta Wild from Westminster School were recognised as newly certified Highly Accomplished Teachers, while Sasha Loveday from Trinity College graduated with Lead Teacher certification. Alison Barr and Anna Partridge from Westminster School also renewed their Highly Accomplished Teacher status for another 5 years. These teachers were amongst others from across South Australia’s schools.
“As the peak body for Independent schools in South Australia, we are deeply invested in the professional growth and success of our educators,” said Mrs Anne Dunstan, Chief Executive of the AISSA.
“National Teacher Certification recognises and affirms exemplary teachers and enables our best teachers to lead from the classroom. This has real impact on the outcomes for students, whilst also building an impactful learning and teaching culture within a school.”
Certification as a Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher is recognised nationally. It is one of the only nationally accredited processes that speaks to a teacher’s impact and success in the classroom. The governing framework, which ensures the nationally consistent approach, is led by the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL).
“This is a deeply involved and rigorous process,” said Mrs Dunstan. “I extend my very best wishes and congratulations to those graduating from the Independent sector, and all teachers from across other sectors.”
In achieving their status, each of the graduates underwent a meticulous process to demonstrate the quality of their teaching, and their positive impact on student learning and supporting their peers. The process, which can take up to 18 months, requires teachers to provide evidence of their success in accordance with the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers. Their evidence is critically reviewed, and independently observed and verified before being finally endorsed by the SA Teachers Certification Committee, which is governed by South Australia’s three education sectors.
Friday’s graduation event was attended by Ms Erin Thompson MP, Member for Devonport, representing Minister for Education Blair Boyer. Mr Danny Pinchas, General Manager, Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership, and Heads and representatives from across each of South Australia’s educational sectors. The event was a wonderful celebration and opportunity to bring South Australia’s best teachers together to acknowledge and celebrate their achievement.
Through our support of the Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher program, the AISSA aims to help achieve the national goals for schooling expressed in the Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration on educational goals for all Australians.
Congratulations, once again, to all graduates.
The Association of Independent Schools of South Australia is thrilled to congratulate our CE, Anne Dunstan, for winning this year’s Australian Council for Educational Leaders (ACEL) South Australia Alby Jones Gold Medal Award.
The Award is the highest honour granted by the ACEL South Australian branch and is conferred to a “South Australian educator whose influence and contribution to the study and practice of educational leadership is most outstanding at the state level and whose significant contribution to education is recognisable at the national level.”
As Chief Executive of the AISSA, Anne represents South Australia’s Independent school sector. She leads the advocacy and support work the AISSA provides its member schools. Prior to this role Anne was a passionate teacher, senior leader and Principal in Independent Schools across Adelaide, Perth, and Launceston.
Anne’s pragmatic approach to leading self, leading others and leading systems has created impact across the education sector. Anne is much admired for her work supporting and mentoring the next generation of school leaders.
Anne has found great joy throughout her career in teaching. She strongly believes that it is through education that one can effect the greatest good for the greatest number.
The AISSA would also like to extend our congratulations to other Award recipients, pictured with Anne at last night’s ceremony; ACEL SA Fellowship Award winner Warren Symonds, ACEL SA Educational Leadership Medal winners Cezanne Green, Paul Belton and Yvette Swaalf, ACEL SA Media Award, Dr Deborah Netolicky and The Pip Field Emerging Leaders Award winner, Matthew Rotolo.
The Alby Jones Gold Medal Award is presented in honour of South Australian educator, Dr Albert Walter Jones AO (1912-2033). ‘Alby’ Jones was a man of great intellect and compassion. He believed in access, equity, and justice for all, especially those for whom circumstance made these difficult to attain.
An abiding influence nationally and internationally, Alby received many honours throughout his life including a Fulbright Scholarship, gold medals from the Australian College of Education and the Australian Council of Educational Leaders, the Mackie Medal and Fellowships from several professional bodies. He was awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1979.