Leadership recognised at Catholic Education Tasmania schools

Photo caption: Catholic Education Tasmania recipients of 2024 Tasmanian ACEL Awards are (from left) Michael Dobber, Katherine Crouch, Stuart Kelly, Nikita Walker and Athirah Abdul Rahman. 

Relationship building, clear communication, student empowerment and measured risk-taking, are among the leadership traits displayed by some of Catholic Education Tasmania’s brightest talent. 

The Tasmanian branch of the Australian Council for Education Leaders (ACEL) recognised five CET staff in their 2024 Tasmanian ACEL Awards, held on 12 September. 

Teacher Athirah Abdul Rahman from St Patrick’s College in Prospect has only commenced her career in the past year so was honoured to receive an Early Career Teacher Leadership Award. 

“A good leader has the ability to build meaningful relationships with their peers. I believe this is a great stepping stone especially when empowering and motivating others to do their best,” Athirah said.

“A leader is also not afraid to take risks in their journey and will show resilience by persevering through hardships and successes. This shows that a leader is able to reflect on their own actions and decisions and make improvements for the future.”

For Nikita Walker, who is a Grade 1 teacher at St Therese’s Catholic School in Moonah, being influenced by many wonderful leaders within CET has helped on her own personal journey.

Nikita has been with St Therese’s for the past two years and has commenced an additional role as Instructional Leader: Teacher Practice in the past year. She is thrilled to have received an Early Career Teacher Leadership Award.

“I think a good leader is also continually uplifting those around them, and encouraging them to be open to new opportunities.”

An outstanding effort has been made by Katherine Crouch who has dedicated the past ten years to Sacred Heart Catholic School in Ulverstone. Her current roles are as a Grade 1-2 teacher and Technologies key teacher, and previous roles have included Grade 3-4 teacher and Technology specialist teacher. 

Katherine was honoured to receive a Teacher Leadership Award.

“Through clear communication and approachability, a good leader opens their door and can clearly convey ideas and actively listen,” Katherine said.

“Through adaptability and resilience, a good leader is able to support and guide others whilst being flexible and adjust to evolving challenges.”

Over the past decade Michael Dobber has been an english and humanities teacher, working at Dominic College, St Mary’s College, and now Guilford Young College (GYC). He has held many roles within GYC including Head of HASS and Director of Pedagogy.

Michael's current roles include Project Officer for the new learning management system CET Connect, and a teaching focus on philosophy and political science. 

He credits the “empathetic and thoughtful leadership” at GYC in being a guiding force in his teaching journey, and is thrilled to have his experience recognised with a Teacher Leadership Award.

“You need to establish and then maintain your credibility by walking your own talk,” Michael said.

“You need to be prepared to get out in front of your colleagues, make the case, field the questions, lay out the vision.”

Congratulations also to Stuart Kelly, who is Principal Lead (South) for the Tasmanian Catholic Education Office, who received an Excellence in Educational Leadership Award.