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Joanna Cornwell

St Peter's School, Rockhampton

A Rockhampton school leader who is helping reshape her school’s culture is a finalist in state teaching awards.

Joanna Cornwell’s transformational leadership as an Assistant to the Principal in Curriculum (APC) at St Peter’s Catholic Primary School, and her commitment to staff, are just some of the reasons she has been named a finalist in the Queensland College of Teachers (QCT) Excellent Leadership in Teaching and Learning Award. 

Joanna was flown to the QCT Excellence in Teaching Awards ceremony in Brisbane on 27 October, the day Queensland celebrated World Teachers’ Day.

Over the past three years Joanna has developed Professional Learning Communities at St Peter’s, allowing teachers to collaborate on providing the best education for students.
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​This year, a whole school focus on writing is seeing teachers explore how to engage students in writing and give precise, effective feedback using the NAPLAN writing scale. ​

The former Years 1, 3, 4 and 6 teacher is passionate about helping others reach their full potential. Her efforts as the APC have led to streamlined and consistent teaching practices across the school.

“Whilst I never had any aspiration to move into an Assistant Principal role, as I was very satisfied with classroom teaching, I saw a need and thought I could really make a difference by supporting and encouraging those around me,” Joanna said. 
“It’s great having a whole school approach and everyone working on the same topics,” she said. “We can really support each other as a community of learners. We engage in meaningful and productive discussions about how to support teachers and improve student outcomes.”

As the APC, Joanna oversaw a new Oral Language Program, restructured the way spelling is taught, led a schoolwide focus of writing, wrote new Learning Area Overviews (LAOs) and amended LAOs in other subjects.

She was also instrumental in creating a web portal where curriculum, policies and procedures are easily accessible.

“For me, it’s very rewarding when I see staff embracing changes, with a real focus on improving their skills as practitioners and supporting students to build confidence in their ability as independent learners,” Joanna said. “This role is amazingly rewarding.”

Joanna also regularly communicates with fellow APCs in other Rockhampton schools to exchange curriculum strategies, as she knows the importance of professional sharing to benefit a community of learners. 

Congratulations Joanna on being a finalist.

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  • Home
  • TEACHX AWARDS
    • 2019 TEACHX Winners
    • 2019 TEACHX Finalists
    • 2019 TEACHX Nominees >
      • Beginning to Teach Award Nominees 2019
      • OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO SCHOOL COMMUNITY AWARD NOMINEES 2019
      • Excellence in Teaching Award Nominees 2019
      • Innovation in Teaching Award Nominees 2019
      • Excellent Leadership in Teaching and Learning Award Nominees 2019
      • Outstanding Contribution to Teaching Award Nominees 2019
  • Teacher Stories
    • Teaching graduates meet tough standards
    • Rachel Downie
    • The importance of teachers
    • Marsden State High School has the answer to keeping beginning teachers in the classroom
    • Exceptional support for early career teachers in Far North Queensland
    • QBECT
    • 2018 Awards >
      • 2018 Winners
      • 2018 Finalists
      • 2018 Nominees >
        • Excellence in Beginning to Teach Award
        • Excellent Leadership in Teaching and Learning Award
        • Excellence in Teaching Award
        • Outstanding Contribution to Teaching Award
        • Outstanding Contribution to School Community Award
    • 2017 Awards >
      • 2017 Winners
      • 2017finalists
      • 2017 nominees >
        • Excellence in Beginning to Teach
        • Excellent Leadership in Teaching and Learning
        • Excellence in Teaching
        • Outstanding Contribution to Teaching
    • 2016 Awards >
      • Excellence in Beginning to Teach
      • Excellent Leadership in Teaching and Learning
      • Excellence in Teaching
      • Outstanding Contribution to Teaching
    • HAT and LT >
      • Meet the Assessors
      • Ruth Graham
      • Tracey Peden
      • Helen and Dwayne
      • Carly Sopronick
      • Jessica Roberts
      • Jessica Roth
    • OAM >
      • Kathryn George, OAM
      • Keith Graham, OAM
      • Dr Judith Grimes, OAM
      • Michael Goodwin, OAM
      • Steve Parle, OAM
      • Dr Lyn Bishop, OAM
      • Dr Catherine Day, OAM
    • Taryn Gollshewsky
    • Vanuatu
    • NAIDOC >
      • NAIDOC Week 2017
      • NAIDOC Week 2016
    • QLD Day >
      • Bundaberg East State School
      • St Catherine's Catholic College
      • Mornington Island State School
      • Queensland Week 2016
    • ANZAC
  • Anxiety and trauma―an expert’s advice