129 Reasons to Celebrate at Highfields

This year, 129 nominations were submitted for Highfields, one of the strongest responses across the entire Sanctuary group.

What stood out was not only how many nominations were submitted, but how much people had to say.

Several came directly from families, who wrote about the educator their child runs towards at drop-off, the person their child talks about at home and the relationships that have grown over years.

The nominations also repeatedly described a team that shows up for one another, with the same people appearing across multiple categories for their teaching, kindness, creativity, knowledge and care.

One nomination opened with four words: Jasmine is a “ray of sunshine”.

After returning from maternity leave, Jasmine moved from a float role into Junior Kindy and has embraced the opportunity to grow. She has developed her skills in observations, programming and group times and readily applies feedback.

She also shares songs in her home language from the Torres Strait Islands and meaningfully embeds Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives within the room.

Her teammates call Jasmine a quiet achiever, while being equally certain that bigger things lie ahead.

The category might say Lead Educator, but Highfields’ recipient was its Early Childhood Teacher, Alex.

After more than 15 years at the centre, Alex’s colleagues say her standard has never slipped. Her curriculum is intentional, reflective and responsive to children’s interests and emerging skills, while helping children develop the independence, social confidence and resilience that support their transition to school.

Her relationships with families are respectful and trusted, and she shares her knowledge generously with colleagues.

Perhaps most tellingly, the Educational Leader described having been mentored by Alex herself.

As one nomination concluded, she is a leader in every sense of the word.

Brydie received ten nominations, the highest number for any person across the entire Sanctuary group this year.

She was called the glue holding Highfields together and the rock the centre is built on. Her nominations recognised the enormous amount of work she does behind the scenes to keep things running, but also her ability to keep that pressure away from the floor.

Educators describe a leader who listens, guides and supports while knowing when her team needs humour and banter rather than another meeting.

Children feel safe with Brydie, families find her approachable and colleagues know she is someone they can rely upon.

She does not simply work within the Highfields culture. She helps create it.

Di was described as an exceptional example of what genuine family partnership looks and feels like.

Whether it is a quick greeting or a longer conversation about a child’s day, families experience the same openness and genuine interest.

Di knows the children deeply and celebrates them for exactly who they are. Her colleagues also highlighted a particular gift: she can talk to absolutely anyone, bringing humour and sincerity into conversations and creating an immediate sense of ease.

Her impact is not measured simply by updates given to families. It can be seen in how those families feel about Highfields.

Caitey’s was one of the closest decisions of the entire awards process, supported by some of the deepest nominations submitted anywhere within the group.

One colleague with more than 16 years in the sector wrote that they had never met an educator as passionate and dedicated.

Caitey immerses herself in children’s interests and goes far beyond the end of a shift to create meaningful environments and experiences. Her nominations included weekend Marketplace collections, dumpster diving for materials and even turning the car around because she spotted something useful for the centre.

A family who has had their child in Caitey’s care for two years wrote of her endless patience, kindness and dedication.

Nominated across five categories, Caitey’s influence is felt by children, families and colleagues throughout the centre.

Congratulations to Beverley Scott, Coffee Order Memory Award; Maddison Fenton, Glitter Wrangler; Ana Silvera Carvajal, Human Snooze Button; Roquesa “Ques” Rogers, Lunchbox Whisperer; Rachael Stewart, MacGyver; Sharni Pengelly, Most Likely to Be Found on the Floor; Elizabeth “Lizzy” Knight, Nature Explorer; and Michelle Williamson, Walking Wikipedia.

To the families who took the time to nominate this year, thank you too. It is no small thing for a parent to sit down and put into words what an educator has meant to their child.

Congratulations to every member of the Highfields community whose contribution was noticed, valued and celebrated.

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