Two NSW public school teachers were recognised as the best in the country as they took out the highest honours at the National Awards for Quality Schooling held recently.

Nicolette Burraston, a science teacher at Cowra High School, was awarded the prestigious Medal of Distinction – presented to only one award winner – by Federal Minister for Education Julia Gillard.

Mrs Burraston also received the Excellence by a Beginning Teacher award for her ability to “engage and motivate” her students.

Carolyn Hayden, head teacher of science at Lambton High School, was presented with the Excellence by a Teacher award for her work as an outstanding science teacher.

Two principals and four teachers from NSW public schools were also highly commended along with three schools.

The department’s director general, Michael Coutts-Trotter, said the awards recognised teachers “who have made an exceptional contribution to their school community and to the lives and learning of their students”.

“That two NSW teachers were singled out for an award is a tremendous achievement and a reflection of the high standard of education delivered by the public education system,” Mr Coutts-Trotter said.

According to the judges, it was Mrs Hayden’s ability to inspire and motivate students to study science and perform highly that attracted their attention.

The award citation noted many of her students had been encouraged to pursue fulfilling scientific careers. Mrs Hayden said it was her “passion for science”, her contacts within the wider scientific community and the many geological and environmental excursions she ran that had led her students to achieve so highly.

“One of my students received the Newcastle University UNISS scholarship, valued at $80,000 over five years, to study environmental engineering,” Mrs Hayden said. “I immerse my students in science within the community.”

Similarly, Mrs Burraston’s knack for instilling students with an excitement for science was highly valued. Mrs Burraston said she had facilitated or promoted more than 20 internal and external science competitions and programs (from crystal growing to quizzes about environmental issues) to ignite her students’ interest in the subject.

“It means students are seeing there are so many avenues in science, that it’s not just biology and physics,” she said. “We’ve had more students choosing senior subjects in science and the number of students involved in extracurricula science has blossomed.”

Other 2008 National Awards for Quality Schooling winners

Excellence by a Teacher – Highly Commended

  • Mark Howie, Penrith High
  • Ken McBeath, Campbelltown Performing Arts High
  • Andrew Thomson, Balgowlah North Public

Excellence in Teacher Leadership – Highly Commended

  • Deborah Gilbert, Bulahdelah Central

Excellence by a Principal – Highly Commended

  • Gail Dyer, Belmore South Public
  • Paul Erickson, Kingswood High

Excellence in School Improvement – Highly Commended

  • Birrong Girls High
  • Eastwood Heights Public

Excellence in Family-School Partnerships – Highly Commended

  • Greenwich Public School