The recent 2007 TAFE NSW Quality Awards recognised high-impact, successful projects and inspirational and dedicated staff.
The Awards aim to enhance organisational learning and development by showcasing team projects that demonstrate significant improvement to, and support for, the quality of teaching and learning in TAFE NSW.
Kooryn Sheaves, Community Services Teacher, TAFE NSW – Western Sydney Institute, was one of the main drivers of the Together We Do It Better project, winner of the overall Quality Project of the Year award. The program is delivered by staff and students and provides hands-on industry training within the community, something previously unavailable.
Ms Sheaves said the aim was to enhance the learning environment for students and provide positive outcomes for the general community. ‘The project has provided a very collaborative and generous-spirited environment to meet some serious social needs in the surrounding community,’ she explained. ‘This is all about providing services to some of the poorer urban areas located in Western Sydney.’
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Initiatives include the Choir of Old Knocks for older citizens, Chase Your Dreams to help the retention of school pupils in Bidwill, and The Breakfast Club, providing breakfast to over 80 children attending Wilmot Primary School.
The project was successful because of the dedication of the students and staff who volunteered time and resources outside of normal duties and responsibilities Ms Sheaves said.
Western Sydney Institute also received a gong in the Workforce Development category for A Fresh Approach to Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). The project has streamlined the recognition process and improved the Institute’s capability in delivering RPL services.
TAFE NSW – Hunter Institute received the Planning, Processes and Systems award for its Hunter Online Planning Environment (HOPE). Phil Cox, Director, Hunter Institute said TAFE NSW’s public institution status made it doubly important to have transparent public accountability.
‘HOPE allows us to improve planning and reporting against a pretty complex matrix of Commonwealth, State and regional service delivery priorities,’ Mr Cox said.
TAFE NSW – South Western Sydney Institute’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Online Network project took out the Teaching and Learning award. Jennifer Harding, A/Manager, e-learning at the Institute, said the project’s aim was to ensure a supportive network was available for anyone interested in RPL. The project brings together professionals committed to improving RPL practice in the vocational education and training sector.
‘The win reflected on the ingredients of any successful project: great people, hard work, creative thinking and collaboration,’ Ms Harding said.
Rod Lalor, a fitting and machining teacher at South Western Sydney Institute, gained the Peter Wright Award for Excellence in Teaching.
‘I like dealing with young people and particularly trades students and helping them to negotiate the difficulties and demands of today’s society,’ Mr Lalor said. ‘TAFE NSW gives so many people a second chance and the importance of that should not be underestimated. It opens their horizons and provides stepping stones.’
