2006
Wayne Sawyer, Associate Professor at the University of Western Sydney
for his outstanding contributions to the advancement of the teaching profession and to the subject English in NSW
through his
- Outstanding contribution to professional development through presentations, publication, research and policy development under the auspices of the NSWETA
Wayne Sawyer’s contributions to the teaching of English have been outstanding. Wayne’s firm and balanced view of the significance of English as a subject, is matched by his belief in the importance of developing in our students a strong understanding of how ideas are developed, communicated and shared.
His work has been widely acknowledged and his generosity with his time and knowledge has been greatly appreciated by his students and peers. An author / editor and joint author / editor of over 20 books, Wayne has had a profound influence on the teaching of English in NSW and beyond. He has also been involved in detailed and extensive commissioned / non-commissioned research and a joint author of a number of key reports on the nature of English and effective delivery of English curriculum. Wayne has been an academic partner to a number of schools in Australian Government Quality Teacher Programme.
Wayne is a recipient of the NSW Professional Teachers’ Council Award for Outstanding Service to Professional Associations; of the NSW Institute of Educational Research Award for Outstanding Educational Research; and of the NSW Minister for Education and Training and Australian College of Education Quality Teaching Award for university teaching.
- Outstanding contribution to leadership or management of the NSWETA
Wayne has been a member of ETANSW since 1978; a NSWETA State councillor from 1990-91 and from 1998-2001. From 1999 to 2001, he was the NSW delegate to Australian Association for the Teaching of English (AATE), from 2002-2004, editor of “English in Australia” and in 2002-2004 an executive member of the AATE Council.
Wayne also served as President of the NSWETA between 2002 and 2004, a period of growth in activities for the ETA and is presently Manager of the NSWETA Curriculum and Assessment Committee.
- Outstanding contribution to the profession through membership of national or state committees on behalf of the NSWETA.
Between 2001-2003 Wayne was Chairman, NSW Board of Studies English 7-10 Curriculum Committee. This was a period of substantial innovation with the introduction of the 1999 Stage Six English syllabus. Wayne’s wisdom, tact and respected status enabled him to steer a diverse committee of representatives through these changes to develop a syllabus with a clear view to the future and sound links with the past.
In the 1980s and 1990s Wayne was also a member of NSW Secondary Schools Board for the English 7-10 Syllabus Committee and the NSW Board of Studies English 7-12 Syllabus Committee.
Wayne is a role model for all educators and especially so for teachers of English.
Bill Simon
for his outstanding contributions to the advancement of the teaching profession and to the subject English in NSW
through his
- Outstanding contribution to professional development through presentations and publications the auspices of the NSWETA
Bill Simon has worked as a Head Teacher of English in both government and non-government schools. He has willingly and generously given much of his own time to developing and enhancing the quality of resources to be used by teachers in the classroom.
For 12 years has been the editor of the popular and successful ETA journal, Metaphor. In this time, he redesigned its form, increased its substance and, often through many of his own contributions led teachers to explore new areas of English. He is particularly active in the area of cinema studies. His outstanding work has gained the respect and admiration of many teachers over many years. For many beginning (and experienced) teachers of English, his work in this area has been inspiring.
As a writer of textbooks (most recently Textual Journeys) and as a regular contributor to ETA publications, Bill has shared his perceptive and detailed understanding of syllabus ideas, content and teaching approaches.
Bill has also been a prolific presenter at ETA conferences and student days. His work is always popular and well received. He has been especially generous with his time but also with the material he generates for these presentations.
He is a winner of the inaugural Professional Associations Award;
- Outstanding contribution to leadership or management of the NSWETA
Bill has served as an ETA Vice-President and is a current member of the ETA Executive. He has also been a member of a variety of ETA committees and working parties.
- Outstanding contribution to the profession through membership of national or state committees on behalf of the NSWETA.
Bill has served as a member of the HSC text selection committee.
Bill’s high professional standards and strong work ethic have been an inspiration to the many colleagues who have worked with him over many years.
Roderick Leonarder
