Quality, Range, and Community Connections highlights of Better Because Awards
- Kidsfirst
- Jun 17, 2021
- 2 min read
It was a big night on the 26th of May, when Kidsfirst hosted its Annual General Meeting, followed by the Better Because Values Awards ceremony.
The awards again this year produced a very high calibre of winners.
The judging panel comprised Kidsfirst Board Member Ashleigh Schuyl, Chief Executive Sherryll Wilson, Manager of Business Development Jenny Pitama, Professional Leader, Keryn Barlow and Douglas Maclean from Glass Tower.
Ashleigh says she looks forward to the process each year.
“I get excited about what I might read and look forward to seeing the innovative ideas that teaching teams have implemented.”
“It’s inspiring as a board member, from my teaching background, and also as a kindy parent. I know some teams are humble and don’t see that what they do is extraordinary, or don’t like to put themselves forward. But so many ARE extraordinary, and I love reading about engaging learning experiences”:
Keryn Barlow agrees.
“It was great to see a diverse range of entries across the values, community and individual champion categories again this year, illustrating some fantastic mahi that is happening across the network,”
Jenny Pitama says she is always impressed with the quality and range of the projects submitted for the awards.
“Every year, we see an increase in the depth and breadth of the awards. It’s also great to see the individual Kidsfirst Champion category creating so much interest.”
Glass Tower’s Douglas Maclean one of the features of this year’s entries was their focus on community engagement.
“The winners were looking beyond their own kindergarten gate into the communities for which they’re a hub,” he says.
“I don’t think the panel has ever given such a number of high scores."
A new category was added to this year’s awards, recognising Kidsfirst’s enduring relationship with long-standing partner organisations. Many have been with the Association for 20 years or more, and these awards formally acknowledged the hard work that goes on behind the scenes.
As always, we are grateful to the sponsors who make these awards possible every year:
Powershop
Aspen Joinery Ltd.
Area Landscapes
Grocare
BDO
Play ‘n’ Learn
Tredsafe
Mortlock McCormack Law