These are the faces and stories of some of Australia’s best teachers and the heartwarming messages of thanks from their students, principals and parents.
Teachers make immeasurable contributions to our nation each day through their commitment to guiding young people on their life paths.
To show them how valued they are, News Corp put the call out for people to nominate Australia’s Best Teachers, and the responses have been inspiring, heartwarming and have shone a light on hundreds of great teachers.
Below are stories of our country’s most inspirational, innovative and talented educators working to transform education in Australia.
The Australia’s Best Teachers campaign is running across News Corp Australia’s weekend mastheads and digital platforms, in partnership with ANZ, Teachers Mutual Bank, Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools, Care For Kids, Griffith University and PwC.
Marian Bell, St Aidan’s Primary Rooty Hill, NSW
Marian Bell, St Aidan’s Primary Rooty Hill, NSW
Mrs Bell, the principal, sets a very good example when it comes to engaging kids in fun activities, she is the first one to show the way and she is the first person you will meet every day at the gate. She greets and welcomes students and parents, I bet you won’t find any principal doing that. My kids love going to school.
Nominated by Swaran Singh.
Samantha Brimfield, Santa Sophia Catholic College, NSW
Samantha Brimfield, Santa Sophia Catholic College, Box Hill, NSW
“Sam creates a welcoming learning environment for both students and staff. Students feel safe to express their feelings and she has great listening skills and takes time out of her busy day to make sure her students are heard and feel appreciated and that they know that they belong. She sets rules and expectations that students understand and follow. She is amazing!”
Nominated by Dianne Sabat
Daily Telegraph
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01 Feb 2024
Catholic School Open Days
We are enrolling now! Attend your local Catholic school's Open Day to find out more.
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04 Dec 2024
Push-up Challenge to 'strive for better'
Year 11 St Columba's Catholic College student Lachlan Steadman is one of many Student Ambassadors for 'The Push-Up Challenge', Australia's largest mental health and fitness event.
04 Dec 2024
From CSPD Instagram
🎉👗STITCHING SMILES TOGETHER - 10,000 dresses in 10 years ✂️😊👗 Marian Catholic College Kenthurst's 'Sew a Smile' initiative has hit an incredible milestone - having donated over 10,000 handmade garments to children in need across the Asia-Pacific, Africa, and the Caribbean! 🌏💛🎉 From Sierra Leone to the Philippines, Timor Leste to Haiti, these dresses and shorts bring joy and comfort to children, embodying the college’s Catholic values of compassion and kindness. 'Sew a Smile' teaches the power of simple acts of love. As one Year 7 student said, “It’s such a simple idea to make a change.” 🧵❤️ 📣 Discover more about the amazing Marian learning community at their Open Evening on 26 February. @mariancatholiccollege #cspd2024 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #SewASmile #FaithInAction #10KGarments #CommunityKindness #socialjustice
03 Dec 2024
CSPD and Western Sydney Wanderers Partnership Launch video
Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) and Western Sydney Wanderers Football Club (WSW FC) recently launched an exciting partnership to make available exciting opportunities for our schools in 2025. This initiative seeks to capture the imagination of our youngest students through engaging activities that will build essential skills, promote sportsmanship, teamwork, and a love for the game in Western Sydney. Over 100 students from four of our primary schools attended the launch and engaged in training sessions similar to what will be offered at schools. They also enjoyed a great game against four Wanderers stars, including former St Pauls Catholic College Greystanes student Lawrence Thomas who serves as Wanderers captain and is a Socceroos goalkeeper.
03 Dec 2024
From CSPD Instagram
📣 On International Day of People with Disability, we are proudly celebrating that our Catholic schools are great places for students with diverse needs to flourish. Our staff are compassionate and expert in supporting students with additional needs. Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese is also an inclusive employer for people with disability. 🥰🫶 We are committed to working towards even greater inclusion and support for people with disabilities, reflecting Catholic social teaching. ✝💪 👀To find out more about how CSPD schools support students with additional needs, including our High Support Learning centres and ASPECT satellite classes, visit our website. Link in our bio above ⬆ #cspd2024 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #highsupportlearning #internationaldayofpeoplewithdisability #additionalneeds #studentsupport #inclusion #equalopportunityemployer @stpatsdundas @xavierllandilo
02 Dec 2024
From CSPD Instagram
This is a big part of what makes our schools so special💞💕💗... seeing our students go above and beyond to support those in need.😇🙏 Max is a Year 6 student at St Monica's Primary School Richmond. Max has been growing his hair for years and recently agreed to have it cut off 💇and donated to the @Kids With Cancer Foundation Australia through their Wigs 4 Kids program.✂️👏 With the support of the entire St Monica's community, Max raised almost $3000. He was inspired to donate after hearing about one of his fellow St Monica's students, a year 1 boy who recently went through his own battle with cancer. ❤️🩹 Congratulations Max, your family, friends, school and our entire community of schools is very proud of you. The Hawkesbury Police Area Command even came along to send their congratulations. #cspd2024 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #kidswithcancerfoundationaustralia #wigs4kids #hawkesbury #richmond @stmonicasrichmond #hawkesburypoliceareacommand @nswpolice @kidswithcancerfoundation
01 Dec 2024
From CSPD Instagram
🧔The dedication of these students is truly hair-raising!👨 These amazing students from Penola Catholic College Emu Plains are putting their best mo forward, growing moustaches or getting active to raise awareness for men’s health. 🎩💪 👏 A huge thanks to everyone who supported this important cause. To learn more about Penola and how their students are living out their faith through the care of others, visit their website. @penolaemuplains #cspd2024 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #movember #menshealth #students #socialjustice #emuplains
30 Nov 2024
From CSPD Instagram
Who doesn't love a trip down memory lane?! 💭 Year 2 at Holy Spirit Primary St Clair recently explored the school's rich history. 🎒🙏 They had a blast trying on old school uniforms and browsing through vintage photos. 😍👀📸 Don't they look dapper! 🤩😂 Find out more about the lovely Holy Spirit Primary St Clair community by visiting their website 💻📱 #cspd2024 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #stclair #schoolhistory @holyspiritprimaryschoolstclair
29 Nov 2024
From CSPD Instagram
🎒✨ What exciting times for Year 6 students! Orientation Days around the diocese have given them a glimpse into the high school adventure that awaits – from trying out new subjects to touring their future classrooms and hallways. 🏫📚 Here’s to embracing change, making memories, and starting strong on their high school journey! 💬💡 👀If you're looking for a supportive high school that will help your child achieve their goals, visit our website find a Catholic school near you! 🥰🏫✝ #cspd2024 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #NextChapter #OrientationDay #FutureBright #highschool #catholicsecondaryschools @catherinemcauleywestmead @emmauscspd @mariancatholiccollege @stagnesrootyhill @penolaemuplains @cerdon.college
28 Nov 2024
From CSPD Instagram
100 students versus 4 Western Sydney Wanderers FC players - who will win?! 🧤🥅 ⚽🤩 Check out the teaser from this epic battle and stay tuned because more is COMING SOON❗️✨ Taking on students from Good Shepherd Plumpton, Sacred Heart Primary School Mount Druitt, St. Aidan's Primary School, Rooty Hill and Holy Family Primary Emerton in his 'official' return from injury was Wanderers captain and Socceroos goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas, who went to St Pauls Catholic College, Greystanes College, Greystanes. @wswanderersfc @stpaulscollegegreystanes @holyfamilyemerton @staidansprimaryrootyhill #blacktown #cspd2024 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney @aleagues @lawrencet92 @benhollidayy @kraev_12345_official #football #grassrootsfootbalfc
27 Nov 2024
From CSPD Instagram
We love seeing our schools living the Catholic value of Care for Our Common Home! 😇🙏🌏😍🌳🌺 Students at St Bernadette's Primary Dundas Valley put their Woolworths Landcare Grant to great use by getting a revised bin system, including compost tumblers, up and running. 🗑️🥕👏 The Year 6 Green Team has done an amazing job educating the school community on the benefits of composting and how the new bin system works. 🙌🤩 #cspd2024 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #dundas #dundasvalley #landcare #woolworthslandcaregrants
26 Nov 2024
From CSPD Instagram
It's inspiring seeing our amazing students🤓😎😄 getting to showcase their Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) projects at the STEM MAD Nationals in Brisbane.🌟🚀➗👩💻🔬 These amazing ambassadors did their schools and the entire CSPD community proud.👏👏👏The projects not only highlight the students impressive STEM skills and knowledge, but shows how young people can create impactful solutions to make a difference in the world!🚀 Congratulations to Marian Catholic College Kenthurst’s Fun Guyz Project team which won the Arakoola Conservation Award with their fungi-based solution to reduce CO2 and boost plant growth!🌱🌍 Everyone was also very impressed with the projects from St Margaret Mary's Primary School Merrylands (ACTZ), St Michael's Baulkham Hills (PRT Project) and Santa Sophia Catholic College Box Hill (Wind Project). #STEMMAD #CSPDproud #FutureLeaders #STEMMAD2024 #Innovation #STEMEducation #cspd #stem @mariancatholiccollege @stmichaelsprimarybaulkhamhills @santasophiacc @stmargaretmarys
25 Nov 2024
From CSPD Instagram
We encourage our students to dream big and it's great when they get to meet some inspirational people who can show them what's possible. 🤩💥🙏 As part of the Olympics Unleashed program, future Olympic water polo player Luci Marsh visited St Monica's Primary School Richmond. 🤽♀️👏 Luci spoke about her career, her aspirations and the importance of goal setting. She told the students that great things can happen and that what you see on top of an iceberg is the result of your hard work but underneath is the support group who helps you get there! 🏆😇🙌😍 Find out more about St Monica's Primary Richmond by visiting their website 💻📱 #cspd2024 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #richmond #hawkesbury @stmonicasrichmond #waterpolo #futureolympians
24 Nov 2024
From CSPD Instagram
✨New directions unveiled at Parent Representative Council meeting! ✨The Term 4 PRC meeting was held this week at St Pauls Catholic College Greystanes and parents from across the Diocese were able to meet new PRC President, George Giovas, as well as hearing from CSPD CEO Jack de Groot who spoke about the organisation's new strategic direction. 👩🏫 👨🏾🏫 A highlight of the evening was an informative panel discussion from experts on student wellbeing and school transitions, sharing tips on how to help children through the different stages in their school journey. 🎒🎓📚 ☕CSPD's new Family Engagement Officer, Steve Batchelor, also unveiled a new approach to parent groups in schools - the CAFE Club - a more informal parent group with a focus on education opportunities for parents and a forum for their voices on issues that concern them most. The next PRC meeting will be held in Term 1 2025, with a keynote speaker or panel to be announced. Follow us for more information as it comes to hand! For information on the PRC and parent groups in CSPD schools visit our website. @stpaulscollegegreystanes @santasophiacc @columbasdoves #cspd2024 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #prcparramatta #parentgroup #parentforum #schooltransitions #parentmeeting #parentsaspartners
23 Nov 2024
From CSPD Instagram
🎉 Huge shoutout to Sarah, the 2024 CathWest Innovation College School Captain, for being named School Based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year by My Gateway. 🎉 Sarah, who recently graduated with a Certificate III in Electrotechnology, has been a standout both in the classroom and on the job. It's been a big year for Sarah, she was also a finalist at the 2024 Apprenticeship Employment Network Awards and NSW Training Awards! 🏆 Starting her journey at CathWest in Year 10, Sarah’s hard work and passion for her apprenticeship in partnership with CathWest, My Gateway, and Stowe Australia have truly paid off. We’re incredibly proud of her achievements and can’t wait to see where her career goes next. 🙌✨ Want to learn more about School Based Apprenticeships? 💻📱 Visit the CathWest website or give them a call! @cathwestinnovation @mygateway1 @stoweaustralia #cspd2024 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #schoolbasedapprenticeship #studentoftheyear #vocationaleducationandtraining #mountdruitt #emuplains
22 Nov 2024
From CSPD Instagram
CSPD is proud to support Bachelor of Education students on their professional placement journey in our schools through a partnership with the University of New England (UNE). 👩🏫👨🏫😍 This partnership offers these future educators valuable mentorship, hands-on experience, and a supportive environment to help them grow. 🤝😇 With UNE's new George Street, Parramatta campus opening in 2025, CSPD students will gain access to a variety of undergraduate certificates and Bachelor degrees, alongside diverse entry pathways to higher education. 👏🤩 Thank you to Sue-Ellen Hogan, Director, UNE Sydney and Associate Professor Anna Du Plessis, Director of the Office for Professional Learning, School of Education, (pictured with CSPD's Early Talent Manager Jane Nethery and Partnerships Specialist Stephanie Campanale) for collaborating with us to build a strong pipeline of future educators. Together, we’re shaping the next generation of teachers. ❤ Year 12 students in CSPD schools who plan to study for a Bachelor of Education also have the opportunity to apply for our CSPD Teacher Scholarship Program to further support their career journey. 👩🏫👨🏫 #cspd2024 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #bachelorofeducation #futureteachers #partnerships @uninewengland