2022 APATA National Award Winners

In celebration of performing arts education the Australian Performing Arts Teachers Association [APATA] is thrilled to announce the winners for the 2022 APATA National Award Program.

One thing we can say about this amazing performing arts community of ours is that you never give up, you never stop creating, and when you need a hand to get back on your feet there are ten coming in to lift you up!

Thank you to the APATA community for taking the time to reflect on your wins big and small, your revitalised teaching methods and programs, and your desire to effect positive change for your peers, students, schools and broader communities.

The Australian Performing Arts Teachers Association is proud to announce Pulteney Grammar School [Adelaide, South Australia] the 2022 APATA National Performing Arts School of the Year.

• Visit the Pulteney Grammar School Award page: HERE 
• Watch the full Award Presentation: HERE

2022 APATA Performing Arts School of the Year

A crowning addition to their 175th birthday celebrations and long-standing legacy of education excellence.

Head of Performing Arts, Mr Jonathan Rice, initiated great change to Pulteney Grammar School’s Performing Arts curriculum and has been instrumental in the entire restructure and revitalisation of the Integrated Middle School Performing Arts Program.

With a refurbished building now dedicated to performing arts, Pulteney Grammar has installed Dance as a core subject from Year Three to Year Eight, and offering Dance as an elective up to Year Twelve.

Pulteney’s Performing Arts restructure of the Year Seven and Eight Performing Arts curriculum focuses on Dance, Drama, Music, Theatre Technology and Digital Media ensuring foundational and industry aligned learning.

New electives from Year Nine such as Sound Engineering, Musical Theatre, Digital Drama and Digital Music Programming plus the enhanced Dance options have increased band, choir and ensemble participation ten-fold.

DJ School, Musical Theatre Troupe, Song Writing Club and 3 new Drama Clubs have emboldened students and Pulteney Grammar’s dedication to creating performance opportunities has led to increased engagement from the students .

The robust, Integrated Middle School Performing Arts Program affords students to make well-rounded, informed decisions as they progress to senior level with a better understanding and appreciation for all the benefits Performing Arts have to offer.

Well done to Mr Jonathan Rice and the Pulteney Grammar School Leadership and Faculty teams for creating a home where the Performing Arts may thrive!

• Pulteney Grammar School Website: www.pulteney.sa.edu.au
• Facebook: @pulteney

The Australian Performing Arts Teachers Association is proud to announce Ms Amanda Waddell, Head of Faculty for the Arts at John Paul College [Daisy Hill, Queensland] the 2022 APATA National Performing Arts Teacher of the Year.

• Visit Amanda Waddell’s Award page: HERE
• Watch the full Award Presentation: HERE

2022 APATA Performing Arts Teacher of the Year

This Award was created for educators whose passion and dedication provides students with the guidance and encouragement required to confidently explore the performing arts and they have to offer.

Having the ability to do just that in a safe, supportive environment upheld by both faculty and students’ is the ethos behind Amanda Waddell’s commitment as John Paul College’s Head of Faculty for the Arts.

Awarded the JPC Excellence in Teaching Award by her peers, Ms Waddell is an exceptional Lead teacher her takes the responsibility in her stride and understands the influence of such a position.

By mentoring new staff, pre-service, beginning teachers and current applicants of the ‘National Certification for Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher Amanda Waddell continually inspires the next generation of teachers who will hopefully affect change in their students’ lives.

Student wellbeing and inclusion is at the forefront of the ‘Safety Net’, a new initiative by Ms Waddell enhancing both the faculty teaching practice and student outcomes. Knowing that they are in a safe place among their peers and teachers enables students the confidence to take on creative risks and dare to dream big!

Giving students the opportunity to dream big has also led to Ms Waddell initiating the new Creative Industries subject and the introduction of the Certificate III in Screen and Media increasing creative pathways for John Paul College students.

Ms Amanda Waddell embodies the mantra – “Be the change you want to see in the world” by constantly looking at ways to expose students to creative pathways through the performing arts, and better preparing them for what dreams may come beyond their time at school.

Congratulations Ms Amanda Waddell, Winner of the 2022 APATA National Award for Performing Arts Teacher of the Year.

• John Paul College, Queensland, Website: www.jpc.qld.edu.au
• Facebook: @johnpaulcollegeqld
• Instagram: @johnpaulcollegeqld

The Australian Performing Arts Teachers Association is proud to announce Miss Leilani Collins from Bellbird Park State Secondary College [Bellbird Park, Queensland] the 2022 APATA National Performing Arts Student of the Year.

• Visit Leilani Collins’ Award page: HERE
• Watch the full Presentation: HERE

2022 APATA Performing Arts Student of the Year

The APATA National Performing Arts Student of the Year Award isn’t just about winning competitions and what you can do on stage. Whilst we recognise students for their developing skills, technique and dedication to their artistic growth, we also require that students demonstrate just how they make a positive contribution to their performing arts community.

Performing Arts is often the backbone of community connection, and it was the critical key that helped Leilani Collins outperform all other award entrants.

Leilani Collins is an exceptionally dedicated student working across Dance, Music and Musical Theatre. She puts 100% into every endeavour and is not afraid to push herself to learn new styles and techniques as she engages with performing arts at Bellbird Park State Secondary College.

Often performing at school, as well as with her family’s band playing bass guitar, Leilani is a passionate dancer travelling to South Korea for a K-Pop trainee intensive workshop and being named KRave Dance Revolution‘s ‘Rising Star’ Award.

Her belief that “dance and music can be used to enrich lives” is evident in Leilani’s commitment in establishing BPSSC’s hip hop crew. Leilani saw the need and potential interest for structured hip hop dance within the school community and set about making it happen through the school leadership.

Leilani now triumphantly shoulders the responsibility of running the crew of over 60 students.

• Composing, producing, editing and arranging music.
• Choreographing the dances.
• Creating and providing dance tutorials.
• Overseeing the scheduling and running of rehearsals.
• Communicating updates and timetables to both the school and students.

Through Leilani’s initiative of the BPSSC hip hop crew she provides extra dance education and performance opportunities for her fellow students, who may not have had the chance otherwise. She makes the time to get to know each new student and the flow on effect has been a greater sense of camaraderie amongst students from Year 7 to 11.

Connection to culture and the performing arts is also an important part of Leilani’s journey as she shares her heritage with other students by leading traditional Māori kapa haka performances at BPSSC.

Through all of her hard work Leilani impresses those around her with her supportive nature and guiding hand. Congratulations Leilani Collins, a leader-in-the-making wherever your journey may take you.

• Facebook: @BellbirdParkSSC

2023 APATA Award Entries Now Open

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