Ten years ago, a unique cross-sector initiative between Catholic, public and independent schools in South Australia was established to certify teachers as Highly Accomplished and Lead Teachers (HALT).
Fast forward to November 2024 and Catholic Education SA (CESA) is delighted to announce its 100th certified HALT teacher; Penny Bateman, from Xavier College, Gawler Belt campus. Penny, who holds the position of English Curriculum Leader, began her teaching career in 2021 and started her HALT certification this year. Receiving HALT certification means that Penny will now be able to mentor colleagues in the process and provide expert guidance on evidence-based teaching practices while fostering professional growth within her department.
In late September the SATCC celebrated the 10th anniversary of HALT with a ceremony at the Adelaide Oval hosted by Danny Pinchas, General Manager Teacher Quality at the Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) and attended by Erin Thompson MP and Dr Neil McGoran, Executive Director of CESA.
33 Catholic school educators were amongst those receiving their HALT certification for the first time or renewing their status at the ceremony.
In recognition of these achievements Belinda Radcliffe, CESA representative on the SATCC said, "To have reached the milestone of 100 highly accomplished and lead teachers within Catholic schools is a huge achievement and brings us closer to our target of having a certified HALT teacher in every school.
“This is not just a celebration of teacher quality in South Australia, but a testament to a decade of fostering excellence in our classrooms.
"We salute the commitment of all certified teachers to their practice, their students, and the betterment of the teaching profession over these past ten years.”
Speaking on becoming the 100th HALT recipient, Penny Bateman, English Curriculum Leader, Xavier College said, “In my journey to becoming the 100th Lead Teacher I became a learner once more. The process prompted me to acknowledge my own strengths and weaknesses and take charge of my own professional development.
"I can honestly say that I am a better faculty leader and a better teacher after going through this process. I love being an educator and my personal philosophy is that staff and students alike should approach the learning process with good humour and a sense of rigor.”
Images:
Penny Bateman, 100th HALT recipient and Tamika Canala, 98th HALT recipient, both teachers at Xavier College, Adelaide.
33 teachers received their HALT status at an event held earlier this year at the Adelaide Oval.
Four Catholic schools across South Australia have been awarded $6.34 million in grants for capital works to improve learning spaces, increase opportunities for disadvantaged students and cater for more diverse learning needs.
The State Government grants — $6.34 million for Catholic schools and $6.38 million for independent schools — are for building projects to commence over the next year.
Introduced in 2018 to ensure all students have access to a first-class education, the latest funding under the scheme has been approved for four projects at Catholic schools and 103 smaller projects at independent schools.
