School of Education

Australian Association of Special Education WA Chapter Prize for Excellence in Special Education

The Australian Association of Special Education (WA Chapter) advocates on behalf of people with special education needs to ensure provision of, and access to, quality education services, and provides a range of quality services to members and the wider community. The aim of the prize is to support the delivery of special education in Australia by recognising a student who has shown great promise in that area.

Basis of award: Awarded to a graduating Bachelor of Education (Primary) or Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Studies) student with the highest mark in the unit EDU4220 – Programs and Curricula for Students with High Support Needs, in the calendar year of the award.

Australian Council of Educational Leaders WA Prize

The Australian Council for Educational Leaders (ACEL) is a not-for-profit company that actively supports the development of leadership capabilities across Australia through conferences, workshops, leadership programs, in-house publications, online learning and resources, and a bookshop. As the premier provider of resources and experiences for educational leaders, ACEL continues to expand with a growing network of over 35,000 and more than 6500 members actively connecting and participating in regular professional learning.

Basis of the award: Awarded to the most outstanding graduate in Educational Leadership with the highest weighted average mark (WAM) in either the Graduate Certificate of Education or the Master of Education.

Australian Literacy Educators' Association Prize

Originally entitled the Reading Association of Western Australia Prize, records indicate that the prize was first awarded in 1985 to the best student in the Graduate Diploma in Reading Education from the School of Education at Claremont Campus. Claremont Teachers’ College was, at that time, the only provider of a specialisation in the teaching of literacy beyond a pre-service course. The award recognised the special role played by the Graduate Diploma in Reading in providing leadership and a significant contribution to the knowledge and training of teachers in Western Australia. The Australian Reading Association’s name changed to the Australian Literacy Educators’ Association in March 1996 and the criteria amended to “awarded to the graduate who achieved the highest academic result in the Language and Literacy major in the Bachelor of Education.”

Basis of the award: Awarded to the graduate who achieved the highest average mark across three language and literacy units in a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Studies) or Bachelor of Education (Primary).

Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation Prize

The Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation Inc. (ACHPER) is the leading professional association representing teachers and other professionals working in the field of health and physical education. It is a member based, not-for-profit organisation with a significant profile. The purpose of ACHPER is to promote active and healthy living for all Australians through education and professional practice. ACHPER also provides programs and services that support continuing development of knowledge, skills and professional practice, focusing primarily on health education, physical education and recreation.

Basis of the award: Awarded to the most outstanding Bachelor of Education (Secondary) graduate with the highest weighted average mark (WAM) with a major in Health & Physical Education.

Claremont Alumni Excellence in Teaching Prize

The earliest record of this award on file refers to a Graduation Ceremony at the then Western Australian College of Advanced Education, Claremont Campus in 1985 where it was presented to the Bachelor of Education student with the best results. The criteria have been reviewed over the
years and the prize is now awarded to the Master of Teaching (Primary) graduate.

Basis of the award: Awarded to the Master of Teaching (Primary) graduate who achieved the best overall results – the highest weighted average marks (WAM) including teaching practice grade.

Cyril Cook Prize for Professional Competence

Frank Dymond, Head of Science Education, Western Australian College of Advanced Education (WACAE), Nedlands campus was instrumental in establishing a trust fund to perpetuate the memory of Cyril Cook and commemorate the contribution he made to teacher education as the first Principal of “Nedlands”. The trust fund was established with donations from staff and ex-staff from what was then WACAE.

Basis of the award: Awarded to the most outstanding Bachelor of Education (Secondary) graduate with the highest weighted average mark (WAM).

Executive Dean's Prize

The Executive Dean's Prize was established in 1999 to recognise outstanding scholarship in a postgraduate program of the School.

Basis of the award: Awarded to the graduating student in a post graduate coursework programme in the School of Education with the highest weighted average mark (WAM).

Fogarty Foundation Prize Graduate Certificate of Education

The Fogarty Foundation was inaugurated in May 2000 by Annie and Brett Fogarty. The aim was to establish a fund that would directly benefit our Western Australian communities by encouraging endeavours in excellence through education, the community and in life. The prize was established to promote excellence within the teaching profession; to provide support, professional development and status and encouragement for teachers who work, and who wish to work with children at educational risk in literacy and numeracy. As the Foundation moves forward, the core idea has been refined to ‘create and deliver education opportunities that support people
to realize their potential and inspire community leadership’.

Basis of the award: This prize is awarded to a graduating student with the highest weighted average mark (WAM) in the Graduate Certificate of Education with a specialisation in Learning Difficulties or Special Education: Complex Communication Needs Postgraduate Specialisation.

Fogarty Foundation Prize Master of Education

Basis of the award: This prize is awarded to a graduating student with the highest weighted average mark (WAM) in the Master of Education with a specialisation in Learning Difficulties or Special Education: Complex Communication Needs Postgraduate Specialisation.

Judith Vella Bonavita Memorial Primary Education English Prize

This award is in memory of Ms Judith Vella Bonavita, a passionate primary school educator who continued to read at Yiddara Primary school after she had retired as a teacher librarian. The aim of the prize is to support the delivery of English in Primary Education in Australia by recognising a
student who has shown great promise in that area.

Basis of the award: Awarded to a Bachelor of Education (Primary) student with the highest mark in unit LAN2240 – English in the Early years of Primary School in the calendar year of the award.

Judith Vella Bonavita Memorial Primary Education Literacy Prize

The aim of the prize is to support the delivery of Literacy in Primary Education in Australia by recognising a student who has shown great promise in that area.

Basis of the award: Awarded to a graduating Bachelor of Education (Primary) student with the highest mark in unit LIT4260 – Children’s Literature in the Classroom.

Lawrence McGrath Prize

This award was established 1998 in perpetuity as an initial once-only endowment, to stimulate and encourage younger postgraduate and well experienced teachers as "part time researchers", both at university and later in their school. The object of the prize is to recognise outstanding scholarship in postgraduate research in School Leadership.

Basis of the award: Awarded to a graduating Doctor of Philosophy or a Master of Education student for outstanding scholarship in postgraduate research in School Leadership.

Lyall Hunt Prize for History Education

Named in memory of Associate Professor Lyall Hunt, the funding is from his widow, Professor Lynne Hunt, as well as others. Lyall Hunt, taught history for over thirty years, 1962-93, in Western Australian Teachers’ Colleges and Western Australian College of Advanced Education (WACAE), becoming Associate Professor and Head, Academic Services, Edith Cowan University.

Basis of the award: Awarded to a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) student in the second year of their course having completed 240 credit points and with the highest combined mark for the units, HSS2230- Planning for Senior Secondary Humanities and Social Sciences and
HSS2130-Teaching and Learning in Humanities and Social Sciences.

Marilyn Yates Home Economics Institute of Australia WA Prize

The Marilyn Yates Prize is awarded by the Home Economics Institute of Australia West Australian (HEIAWA) Division. This award is named in honour of HEIAWA Life Member, Marilyn Yates, who has made a significant contribution to Education and the Home Economics Profession over many years. The Home Economics Institute of Australia
(WA Division) is a dynamic organisation drawn from members across the state and the profession. The WA Division is conduit to the National Institute. The aim of Home Economics Institute of Australia is advocacy and support for home economics and home economists, setting and promoting professional standing and encouraging continued education and professional development.

Basis of the award: Awarded to a graduating student achieving the highest weighted average mark (WAM) in the Bachelor of Education (Secondary) with a major in Home Economics.

Marion King Early Childhood Education Prize

In 1991 a Trust Fund was created by family and friends to commemorate the memory of the late Marion King. Marion was a mature age student who enrolled in the first intake of the Early Childhood Education award in 1974. She graduated with a Diploma of Education in 1976 and then went on to complete a Bachelor of Education, graduating with a Distinction in 1983. Early childhood education formed a special part of Marion’s life and Marion’s family is pleased that an award is available for future students. It was felt that an award to a student completing their first year would ensure they were provided with some assistance to continue their studies. The family also hopes that this award is an incentive to those students to seek excellence in their achievements.

Basis of the award: Awarded to the student in the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Studies) with the highest weighted average mark (WAM) at the end of year one.

Mathematical Association of WA Pre-service Teacher Award (Early Childhood Studies)

Mathematical Association of WA (MAWA) is a non-profit organisation which works to support teachers, pre-service teachers, parents and students of mathematics in Western Australia. MAWA’s Mission is to improve the quality of teaching and learning of mathematics by advocating for mathematics, and providing teachers, students and the community with professional and/or educationally relevant opportunities and support. The
MAWA prize is awarded to a pre-service teacher who has demonstrated not only an outstanding grade in mathematics units but also made a significant contribution to the mathematics education community in the fields of Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary Education.

Basis of the award: Basis of the award: Awarded to a graduating Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Studies) student with the highest mark in the mathematics unit ECM3260-Early Childhood Mathematics 2 in the calendar year of the award.

Mathematical Association of WA Pre-service Teacher Award (Primary)

Basis of the award: Awarded to a graduating student achieving the highest weighted average mark (WAM) in the Bachelor of Education (Primary) with a major in Mathematics.

Mathematical Association of WA Pre-service Teacher Award (Secondary)

Basis of the award: Awarded to a graduating student achieving the highest weighted average mark (WAM) in the Bachelor of Education (Secondary) education with a major in Mathematics.

Mensaros Prize for Professional Competence

The late Hon. Andrew Mensaros, MLA (Member for Floreat) and past member of the Churchlands College Council originally established the Mensaros Prize. In 1992 as a mark of respect, and in recognition of the contribution made by Andrew Mensaros, the decision was made to establish the prize in perpetuity.

Basis of the award: The prize is awarded to the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Studies) graduate with the highest weighted average mark (WAM), including teaching practice mark.

School Medal

The School Medal is presented at the Graduation Ceremony, but the School takes the opportunity to acknowledge the award of this medal at the School’s Prize giving event.

Basis of the award: Awarded to a graduating student for outstanding scholarship in an undergraduate program offered by the School of Education - highest weighted average marks (WAM), the highest achieving eligible student graduating from a Bachelor of Education award in the School in the calendar year of the award.

School Research Medal

The School Research Medal is presented at ECU’s Graduation Ceremony, but the School takes the opportunity to acknowledge the award of this medal at the School’s Prize giving event.

Basis of the award: Awarded to a School of Education research higher degree master or doctoral graduate who has completed a research thesis of the highest quality in a School of Education postgraduate course.

South West Development Commission Education Prize

The South West Development Commission (SWDC) is an agency of the Government of Western Australia and is governed by a board of management. The SWDC’s role is to foster the economic development of the South West region of Western Australia and promote the region with the aim of attracting visitors, new residents and investment. The SWDC works in close partnership with other State and Commonwealth (Federal) Government, local government, industry, business and community groups to ensure the region develops in a positive and sustainable way for the future of its people.

Basis of the award: Awarded to a graduating Bachelor of Education student enrolled at ECU’s South West campus with the highest weighted average mark (WAM).

State School Teachers’ Union (Bachelor of Education) Prize

In 1898, what is now the Teachers’ Union, began its life with 50 members. Since that time the Union has played a leadership role in unionism and in education across this state. The Union’s rules state that it must watch over and protect the interests of its members, and that it must promote education. These first two objects of the Union make clear that it combines a commitment to ensuring industrial control over the working conditions and rights of members with a broader commitment to be fully involved in the professional rights and interests of members as well as in matters of social justice and equity in which education plays a central role.

Basis of the award: Awarded to the graduate who achieved the highest result, weighted average mark (WAM) in a Bachelor of Education program in the calendar year of the award.

State School Teachers’ Union (Master of Education) Prize

Basis of the award: Awarded to the graduate who achieved the highest coursework results by weighted average marks (WAM) in the Master of Education program in the calendar year of the award.

The Blake Triffitt Memorial Prize for Excellence in First Year History

Blake enrolled at Edith Cowan, intent on becoming a teacher and pay his love of history forward to the next generation. Blake died in September, 2019, leaving behind a memory of the joy he found in history’s pages. His family decided to create an award in his name, in order to encourage those who also enter this university’s doors due to a love of history.

Basis of the award: Awarded to a first year Bachelor of Education (Secondary) student enrolled with a HASS major who has completed a minimum of 120 credit points and has the highest course WAM (weighted average marks) in the calendar year of the award.

The Primary English Teaching Association Australia (PETAA) Prize

For more than 50 years, The Primary English Teaching Association Australia (PETAA) has supported primary school educators in the teaching and learning of English and literacies across the curriculum. PETAA is a national, not-for-profit professional association connecting teachers and schools to high quality resources, including: award-winning reference texts, expert-led professional learning courses, and evidence-based resources and classroom materials. PETAA runs Australia’s only national conference devoted to primary English teaching, and invests in the sector’s development of leadership and expertise through its competitive research grant program.

Basis of the award: Awarded to a Master of Teaching (Primary) student with the highest course WAM (weighted average mark) graduating in the calendar year of the award with an English Specialisation unit set and an outstanding professional practice performance based on the supervisor’s report.

The Ron Bell Prize for Speech and Drama

Mrs Betty Marshall, widow of the late Ronald Bell, established the prize in memory of her husband shortly after his death in 1971. Mr Ronald Bell was a student at Claremont Teachers’ College from 1947 to 1949. He taught at Northcliffe, Benger and Cannington and then joined the Speech and Drama staff of the Education Department.

Basis of the award: Awarded to the graduating Bachelor of Education (Secondary) student who achieved the highest weighted average mark (WAM), with a major in Drama studies in the calendar year of the award and has contributed to the extra curricula drama offerings.

Thomas Sten Art Prize

Thomas Sten was the fourth principal of Claremont Teachers’ College from 1945 to 1958. He had a great interest in Art and began the Colleges’ art collection which became the foundation of the Edith Cowan University Art Collection. Records show that the Thomas Sten Art Prize was awarded at least as early as 1949 to a student of the Claremont Teachers’ College.

Basis of the award: Awarded to the graduating Bachelor of Education Secondary studies student who achieved the highest weighted average mark (WAM), with a major in Visual Arts, who made the greatest contribution to art in the calendar year of the award.

Traylen Prize

A trust was set up by Mrs Traylen to commemorate the memory of her late husband, Neil Traylen, the fifth principal of Claremont Campus. The Traylen prize was first awarded at Graylands College Graduation ceremonies and the trust fund was set up so that the prize would continue to be awarded.

Basis of the award: Awarded to the graduating Bachelor of Education (Primary) student who achieved the highest weighted average mark (WAM), including teaching practice.

Western Australian Institute for Educational Research Postgraduate Prize in Education

The Western Australian Institute for Educational Research (WAIER) purpose is to promote and disseminate new educational research. The Executive Committee of WAIER includes representation from various universities and educational offices to strengthen the collaboration among higher education institutions, government departments and their research active staff. WAIER has been proud to recognise and support researchers for their work in Western Australian communities across the
years including this Postgraduate Prize in Education.

Basis of the award: Awarded to an eligible student showing outstanding scholarship as determined by course weighted average marks (WAM) in postgraduate coursework or research in postgraduate teacher education, as determined by examiners’  comments on thesis.

Western Australian Primary Principals’ Association Prize

The Western Australian Primary Principals’ Association (WAPPA) is the professional association for leaders of primary school education across Western Australia. WAPPA provides support, services and recognition to over 1100 members across the state to impact educational outcomes and strengthen school leadership. WAPPA strives for the sustainable enhancement of primary education in WA through member support,
leadership development and advocacy to influence educational outcomes.

Basis of the award: Awarded to a graduating student with the highest weighted average mark (WAM) in Master of Education coursework (course code H08 and I71) with a specialisation in Leading Education in the calendar year of the award. The recipient will be currently working or be returning to work in the government primary education sector within Western Australia.

West Australian Association for Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (WATESOL) Prize

This prize was first offered in 2009/10. West Australian Association for Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (WATESOL) is the professional association for all English as a Second language (ESL) teachers in Western Australia. The association covers all sectors of English language teaching. WATESOL is affiliated with the Australian Council of TESOL Associations (ACTA) – a national co-ordinating body and lobby group, representing, at national and international level, all the
TESOL teachers and teacher educators.

Basis of the award: Awarded to the eligible student with the highest average mark in three Teaching English as a Second Language referred to as TESOL units within the Graduate Certificate of Education (I95) with a specialisation in (TESOL).

World Education Fellowship Prize

Records indicate that the World Education Fellowship Prize was awarded at least as early as 1958. In 1988, Dr Robert L Weiland, President, established a trust fund to  ensure the prize would be awarded in perpetuity to provide a stimulus for students to strive for excellence.

Basis of the award: Awarded to the graduating Bachelor of Education (Primary) student who achieved the highest weighted average mark (WAM) in the calendar year of the award.