Courtenay Peters, a teacher at St Lucy’s Special Education Wahroonga, was awarded the 2024 Commonwealth Bank Teachers Award. She was selected from over 500 nominees and was one of 22 inspiring educators recognised at this year’s ceremony.
The Commonwealth Bank Teaching Award honours teachers who display leadership in their field, promoting equity in educational opportunities for children and young people across Australia.
The award is one of Australia’s most prestigious in education, commending teachers for their contributions to students’ lives both inside and outside the classroom, specifically recognising educators who implement innovative learning initiatives within their first five years of teaching.
Courtenay says, “I am so proud to have received this award. It is a privilege to work at St Lucy’s School. I think this award is a celebration not only of the work I do, but the work that we do as a school community.”
In receiving the award, there is a scholarship worth $10,000, which Courtenay aims to utilise to access evidence-based professional development, with a particular focus on technology in classroom practice.
The students that Courtenay works at St Lucy’s are diverse. By working closely with families, Courtenay ensures that the work connects to what the students know and love to make it more meaningful.
“I think it is important to meet students where they are at in their learning,” says Courtenay. “I assume competence and maintain high expectations.”
A colleague introduced a program to Courtenay called the ‘Jane Farrell’s Development Writing Scale’. “The wonderful thing about it is that it was developed for students with disabilities in mind,” says Courtenay. “It captures, affirms, and celebrates expressive writing beginning at marks on a page, through to multiple paragraphs of cohesive text.” With the help of the program, Courtenay was able to significantly improve the writing skill of students at St Lucy’s, with 100% of her 2022 students and 85% of her 2023 advancing at least one level due to her committed teaching.