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Thomas Patterson

Marsden State High School
​With less than two years of teaching under his belt, Tom Patterson certainly has achieved a lot.
 
When the Marsden State High School manual arts teacher realised that Pasifika families made up approximately 60 per cent of the school community, he became inspired to foster their development through a program he created called Mana@Marsden. 
 
The program helps to break down barriers precluding Pasifika students in the Logan area from gaining future employment, including transport, access to work experience, and cultural-and-self-efficacy.
Picture
Thomas (far right) with his Mana@Marsden students.
The program is based on the philosophy of the Polynesian and Māori word ‘mana’, which means prestige, authority, control, power, influence, status and charisma.
 
Tom enlisted the help of local companies Lindona Design and Construction, Apollo Property Group, All Built Up, Versace Timbers and Bretts Hardware to establish work placements and workshops, an initiative, which has led to over 700 hours of work experiences and multiple students gaining employment for 2019.
 
Tom also tailored a specific student wellbeing class, held once a week, to address the barriers some students felt in their ability to succeed.
 
Tom’s supervisor Michael Smith says the program is improving outcomes for the Pasifika students at the school.
 
“Tom has designed, implemented and worked tirelessly to narrow the achievement gap and provide opportunities for our Pasifika students,” Michael  says.
 
He says the school is now working to scale up Tom’s program to provide opportunities for students interested in other areas.
 
“Research, ongoing review and refinement of the program will continue as will Tom’s passion to spread the Mana@Marsden message and strategies,” Michael says.
 
Principal Andrew Peach says Tom is an “exceptionally talented young teacher”.
 
“In his short time as a teacher, Tom has built partnerships with local businesses to increase opportunities for our students, particularly in the field of construction, especially with his Mana@Marsden program,” Andrew says.

Congratulations Thomas on your nomination. 
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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