3 March 2023

Five outstanding teachers from Catholic schools across the Archdiocese of Melbourne have been awarded national certification as part of the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) program for certification of Highly Accomplished and Lead teachers (HALTs) in Australia.

Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) Acting Executive Director Dr Edward Simons says the national certification program is an explicit strategy to support teachers to progress their careers while remaining in the classroom, where they can have the greatest impact on student learning.

‘This program is one important way we can recognise and empower our lead classroom teachers, and I congratulate the five very worthy recipients of national certification today’, he said.

‘These teachers will lead from the classroom to improve student outcomes and impact the practice of colleagues. They will be instructional leaders, now with an externally validated credibility, to lead conversations about improving professional practice and impact in their schools.

‘Their role will be pivotal to helping build a culture of professional learning and growth in their schools, where expertise is developed and shared, creating the best conditions for all teachers and students to flourish’, Dr Simons said.

National certification is a voluntary and portable process that recognises and promotes quality classroom teaching.

The program provides opportunities for high-performing teachers to reflect on their practice and, through rigorous judgement, provides a reliable indication of quality teaching that can be used to acknowledge teachers at the Highly Accomplished and Lead career stages of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.

The five teachers from Catholic schools across the Archdiocese to be awarded national certification in a celebration at the Catholic Leadership Centre are:

• Keegan Doherty – Christ the King School, Newcomb
• Danielle Cuthbert – Emmaus Catholic Primary School, Sydenham
• Lisa Grass – Salesian College, Sunbury
• Lucy Neil – Academy of Mary Immaculate, Fitzroy
• Narina Leahy – St Kevin’s College, Toorak.

The five teachers join a growing alumni of nationally certified teachers across Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Melbourne. Principals of Catholic schools are encouraged to contact certification@macs.vic.edu.au for further information regarding the National Teacher Certification program.

Left to right at last night’s presentation: Dr Mary Oski (Director Learning and Regional Services), Narina Leahy (Highly Accomplished Teacher), Keegan Doherty (Highly Accomplished Teacher), Danielle Cuthbert (Lead Teacher) Lucy Neil (Lead Teacher), Lisa Grass (Lead Teacher), Louisa Rennie (General Manager, Leadership Development), Dr Edward Simons (Acting Executive Director), Dr Jill de Araugo (Senior Learning Lead, Leadership Development).