Angela Phillips, the Director of Teaching at Westminster School, recently won the international NEiTA 2024 Leadership Award, which recognises hard work and dedication to improving education. Angela was one of only 11 educators across Australia and New Zealand to win the award this year, and one of just two in South Australia.
The accolade is the second year running Westminster School has won this award, with Principal Simon Shepherd winning it last year.
The NEiTA awards are the longest-running community-based teaching awards in Australia and New Zealand, celebrating 30 years of recognising outstanding teachers.
An educator for 23 years and working in many leadership roles, Angela is just as passionate about helping teachers grow in their careers as she is about helping students. She’s part of Westminster’s HALT (Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher) and Early Career Teacher programs, co-leading the South Australian HALT Network, a group that supports teacher development across different schools.
The HALT program is all about recognising teachers who show expert skills and leadership. Teachers can get certified as Highly Accomplished or Lead Teachers after proving their expertise. The certification is managed by the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) and is available to teachers in all types of schools.
Westminster School’s HALT program helps teachers develop their leadership skills and advance in their careers. Angela introduced the program at the school after getting certified herself in 2019, and she’s passionate about giving other teachers the same amazing opportunity.
“Becoming a certified Lead Teacher was the best professional learning I’ve ever done,” Angela say.
“It really changed the way I teach, and I’m always looking for ways to improve. The HALT program encourages us to ask for feedback, research new ideas, and think carefully about how we teach.”
Thanks to Angela’s leadership, 14 teachers at Westminster School are now HALT certified, with more on the way. The school’s success with the program shows just how strong the team is at Westminster, and Angela’s award is a great recognition of this.
“I’m so grateful for this honour, and I’m excited to keep working with the wonderful teachers at Westminster to help them grow and become leaders in education,” Angela says.
Pictured at top is Angela Phillips receiving her award with NEiTA Foundation Chair Catherine OSullivan.
For more details:
Follow KIDDO on Instagram and Facebook, and subscribe to our weekly newsletter
