Qld School Library Association announces 2016 Award recipients

The Queensland School Library Association (QSLA) has announced the recipients of the 2016 QSLA Awards in four categories. A big congratulations to all of the Award recipients.

In recent years Oliver v5 users have been regular recipients of the QSLA Awards, and the tradition continues this year with Debra McGhee from St Teresa’s Catholic College and Narelle Keen from Pacific Lutheran College sharing the Teacher Librarian of the Year Award, as well as Our Lady’s College, Annerley, whose Principal, Paula Goodwin was awarded Principal / School Leader of the Year.

I encourage you to read the QSLA newsletter interviews with all the recipients as they are testament to the passion, innovation and commitment of Teacher Librarians. You can read the full newsletter online on the QSLA website.

2016 QSLA Award Recipients

Teacher Librarian of the Year (Dual Recipients)

Debra McGhee, St Teresa’s Catholic College, Noosaville

Debra’s first school library role was at St Mary’s, Laidley 22 years ago. It was her dream job and her passion for reading, talking about books and sharing her love of books has continued over the years as she has worked in school libraries in regional areas including Charleville and Rockhampton.

St Teresa’s College was still being set up when Debra accepted the position as Teacher Librarian 12 years ago and that meant that she was involved in the setup of the library. It was a challenge that she found exciting and she has is proud to have played a part in developing a welcoming and inclusive library culture that celebrates the joy of literature.

Narelle Keen, Pacific Lutheran College, Meridian Plains

Narelle has been Pacific Lutheran Colleges Teacher Librarian for 15 years, where she also teaches Year 12 English.

Narelle is very active within the school running programs focussed on developing research skills, literacy and ICT skills. She is also currently working on a year-long inquiry action project entitled “Stopping the Slide: Improving Reading Rates in Year 6 Students” which aims to identify why there is an alarming drop in circulation rates among middle college students and develop strategies to address the problem.

Principal / School Leader of the Year 2016

Paula Goodwin, Our Lady’s College, Annerley

Highly Commended Teacher-Librarian

Mary Heuschele, Concordia Lutheran College, Toowoomba

Citation Award

UQL Cyberschool Team

The Brian Bahnisch Award

Margaret Spillman, Mackay West State School

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