Carmel Swaine

Bray Park State High School

Carmel Swaine understands that the wellbeing of her fellow teachers is just as important as the wellbeing of her students in maintaining a healthy school environment.
 
She recently introduced the Teachers 4 Teachers initiative at Bray Park State High School with the aim of building staff morale through providing opportunities for teachers across different faculties to work together and learn from each other.
 
Carmel’s work resulted in amazing improvements in staff morale: school opinion survey results showed a dramatic leap in teacher satisfaction from 63.4 per cent in 2014 to an outstanding 91.5 per cent earlier this year. 

“Carmel creates a positive culture of challenge and support, enabling effective teaching that promotes enthusiastic, independent learners committed to lifelong learning,” colleague Karenne Haygarth said. 

Carmel successfully fosters a commitment to education by staff and students alike and facilitates trusting relationships across the whole school community to create a positive learning atmosphere for all.
 
In her role as a year level coordinator, Carmel supports her students to develop sound leadership skills by encouraging them to take on important roles throughout the school. Students have jumped at the opportunities Carmel has provided them to take on new responsibilities, with many volunteering their free time to become guides for international students and assist with various school events.
 
Carmel has also created a comprehensive induction program for beginning teachers, whom she mentors by providing regular feedback and encouragement to achieve a high standard of practice in the classroom.
 
She encourages staff to continue their professional development further into their careers and is passionate about building a professional learning community that is focused on the continuous improvement on teaching techniques in the classroom.
 
Her impressive leadership record saw her win the prestigious ‘Teacher of the Year’ award at Bray Park State High School, and her relentless work with both staff and students saw the school win the Showcase Regional State School of the Year award in 2017.
 
Congratulations Carmel on your nomination.
 
By Claudia Farhart.