NGS Super Scholarship Awards now open

The NGS Super Scholarship Awards are designed to identify and fund the best ideas in education, that address current challenges and create positive impact.

The Awards have given over $330,000 to more than 50 recipients to further their professional development while also contributing to the wider education sector.

Award categories encourage teachers, management and support staff to submit ideas in three categories – Navigating life, Sustainability and a General category.

The 2020 Judges’ Choice winner, Michelle Forsyth, was a great example of the funds put to good use. Michelle is Manager at the Young Parent Centre (YPC) at Port School in Western Australia, a purpose-built facility for teenage mothers, helping students navigate life.

Her award contributed to funding more activities and support staff for the YPC and Early Learning Centre’s (ELC) annual camp in Fairbridge, Pinjarra, where teen mums participate in team-building exercises, fun and games while the on-site ELC looks after their children.

With teenage mothers being at high risk for dropping out of school, the YPC gives them the chance to complete their education while their child is at the on-site ELC. The programs offered by the YPC, alongside the camp, allow the mums to form strong bonds with each other and result in the girls attending school more regularly because they have the ongoing support from staff and other mothers.

“It is so valuable to see the young mums’ interactions with their babies and with each other and to be able to provide support with strategies and programs to support their parenting and educational needs,” said Michelle. “And NGS’s scholarship allowed us to take our offering to the next level.

“The mums and bubs camp is such a rewarding experience …  it really does highlight and remind me of the challenges that these girls face. Just getting to school can be problematic with a baby, lack of sleep and catching several modes of transport — and yet these girls come every day.”

Laura Wright, CEO of NGS Super, is looking forward to supporting the next generation of leaders in their professional development.

“Throughout the awards process over the years, we’ve been delighted at the quality of projects, and the passion, energy and enthusiasm education workers contribute to the sector. We’re pleased to offer a helping hand to the innovators and trailblazers, who are committed to driving change and being their best.”

If you are an NGS Super member, you can apply for a 2021 NGS Super Scholarship Award by visiting https://www.ngssuper.com.au/about-us/ngs-scholarship-awards/entry-form.

Applications are open until Tuesday, 31 August 2021, with all winners to be announced in line with Australian Teacher’s Day on 30 October 2021.