Two Fleurieu early childhood educators have been listed as finalists in the 2021 Public Education Awards.

Jane Moore from Aldinga Beach Children’s Centre is a finalist in the Early Years Leader of the Year Award.

Sarah Mack from the Port Elliot Kindergarten is a finalist for the Community Engagement Award.

As the founding Director of Aldinga Beach Children’s Centre, Jane has utilised her passion, deep knowledge and leadership skills to create a centre renowned for collaboration, connection to community, and a strong focus on outcomes for children’s learning and development.

Over 8 years, Jane has supported staff to improve through professional learning and reflective practice. She has focused on inquiry pedagogy, encouraging children to become critical thinkers and develop theories of how the world works.

The outcomes of children attending the centre have continued to grow as a result, with children’s individual learning goals being achieved 97% of the time.

The Department for Education says together with Ngarrindjeri elders, community members and families, Port Elliot Kindergarten has raised the bar for reconciliation in action in an early years’ education setting.

Through community collaboration, embedding Ngarrindjeri language into the learning program, and planning and hosting a successful community event attended by hundreds of people, they’ve shown commitment to closing the gap and building understanding and respect for First Nations people.

Their ‘know better: do better’ philosophy inspires meaningful relationships and purposeful action toward reconciliation for all.

Minister for Education John Gardner says the finalists in this year’s awards are, “leading the way as South Australia continues to improve public education outcomes across the state.”

“I would like to congratulate this year’s finalists on being selected from such a strong field of applicants and I look forward to celebrating excellence in our Public Education system with them at the awards ceremony in November,” he says.

Finalists and winners will be awarded grants to undertake professional learning or activities.

Winners of each category receive $10,000 and two finalists for each category receive $2,000.

The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in early November.