Genazzano announced as Finalist in Four Categories for the Australian Education Awards 2020

Genazzano FCJ College has once again been recognised for its excellence and commitment to girls’ education, having been announced as a finalist for the Australian Education Awards 2020 in four categories.

The Australian Education Awards bring together hundreds of education leaders, recognising star performers in the K-12 sector. Across 25 categories, the Australian Education Awards recognise schools, principals, department heads and teachers for their achievements.

This year, Genazzano is shortlisted for four awards: Best Co-Curricular Program, Best Use of Technology, Best Professional Learning Program and School Principal of the Year – Non-government.

This is the third consecutive year the College has been shortlisted for the Best Co-Curricular Program and Principal, Ms Karen Jebb, is hoping its ‘third time lucky’ this time around.

“We are thrilled to be finalists in these awards again in 2020”, she said.

“To be shortlisted in four categories is a fantastic achievement”.

“Our teachers and support staff work tirelessly to ensure we’re delivering world class programs to meet the academic and wellbeing needs of our students, and being announced as a finalist is testament to all their hard work”.

The extensive Co-curricular Program of over 130 activities is an integral part of the College’s educational experience; promoting creativity, excellence and innovation; along with opportunities for leadership, service to the community and teamwork.

Supported by energetic staff and parents, students are able to pursue their passions and develop lifelong interests and relationships outside of the classroom and their peer groups.

Activities include Music, The Arts, Sport, Debating and Public Speaking, Language Immersion, Social Justice and Leadership, as well as interest based clubs that change throughout the year. 

This year, there are two elected Co-curricular Captains who act as advocates for the program by suggesting ideas and actively participating.

This holistic approach to education empowers students to be risk takers who willingly step outside their comfort zones, make connections and achieve set goals – all qualities of the Genazzano learning community.

This is also demonstrated through the school’s commitment to technology and equipping students with the skills they will need for life and work. By bringing the digital technologies curriculum to the forefront of student learning, the College has created a strong technology culture and excitement in this area.

Students are introduced to programming and coding within the curriculum and provided many opportunities to experience and create with technology via games and virtual reality excursions. 

For the Best Professional Learning Program Award, Genazzano has been nominated for its Science of Learning: Improving Educational Outcomes professional learning program. Now in its third year, the multi-year program is designed and delivered by internationally renowned neuroscientist, teacher and author, Dr Jared Cooney Horvath.

The program offers cutting-edge research from the fields of neuroscience, education and psychology; and coaching on the translation of key scientific principles and workshop applications applied to any learning situation. 

The professional learning program focuses on student improvement and supporting teachers to build individual and collective expertise through projects, team research, sharing learning, and opportunities to speak publicly about their work to teach others. 

The final nomination for School Principal of the Year – Non-government, is to recognise the extraordinary leadership of Ms Karen Jebb, Genazzano FCJ College Principal, for her gusto and vision. She has transformed school engagement and established a direction and structure that ensures student learning is first and foremost in all activities.

The outstanding VCE results in 2019, with 7% of students in the top 1% of the state and 50% of students receiving an ATAR of 90 or above, is testament to the thriving learning culture and commitment to excellence from educators, student and parents, that Ms Jebb has created.

Following research into each submission by the Australian Education Awards team and review by an independent judging panel, winners will be announced at the awards ceremony at Darling Island in early November and published in The Educator magazine.

The Australian Education Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of the country’s top performing schools, principals, department heads and teachers.

Genazzano FCJ College is a Catholic Day and Boarding School in Kew offering a co-educational Early Learning Centre and all-girls environment from Prep to Year 12. It offers students a rounded education that prepares them to become resilient, adaptable and confident women.