Inspiring students drives Ollie Narbey to create innovative and exciting education programs for the students in her class, school and the schools across Brisbane. Whether it be through encouraging students to take action for the environment or developing students' confidence through musicals, she is always making a difference.

Ollie has been named a finalist in the 2018 QCT Excellence in Teaching Award. 

The Ithaca Creek State School Year 5 teacher and year-level leader has created an impressive range of lessons and resources for an environmental program that links kids with their environment: www.fishcreek4061.com.au.
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Students work with experts from industry in the program to test water quality, analyse the results and then develop an action plan to make their local environment a better place. 

​“Keeping learning local and meaningful empowers the students to take ownership of their learning and consequently the future of their planet,” said Mrs Narbey. 

The program which aligns with the Australian Curriculum in Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) started at both Hilder Road State School and Ithaca Creek State School and is soon to be adopted by other schools in the greater Mount Coot-tha cluster. 

Mrs Narbey has also directed the past two school musicals, The Jungle Book and Seussical The Musical 2018. In each, more than 200 students from Year 1 to Year 6 were involved in a three-term long project that brought the students, parents and community together.

“It’s building children’s confidence, resilience and teamwork through such a positive event – there’s so many exciting reasons why doing a production is so great,” said Mrs Narbey.  

Colleague and nominator Sam Donovan said Mrs Narbey consistently makes learning and participating in school activities engaging and valuable for students.

“In every respect… Ollie demonstrates her effectiveness across all stages of the teaching and learning cycle,” Mr Donovan said. 

Congratulations Ollie on being named a finalist.