Posted August 2017
Rosanne Pugh, Director at KU Ourimbah Preschool and Children's Centre, has been recognised as one of the best teachers in NSW after winning the 2017 Premier's Early Childhood Education Scholarship at this year’s NSW Premier’s Teacher Scholarships.
Rosanne becomes the second KU teacher in as many years to win the prestigious scholarship, with KU teacher Laure Hislop winning the award in 2016.
“We are very proud that a KU Director has won this scholarship two years running. This raises the status and standing of early childhood education within the school sector and increases the awareness of the wonderful work happening in prior to school settings,” said KU Children's Services CEO, Christine Legg.
The $10,000 scholarship will enable Rosanne to take part in a month-long study tour across Australia and New Zealand, where she will visit highly regarded early childhood services to examine excellent practice in Sustainability and/or Reconciliation.
“I’m proud and humbled to have been recognised with this year’s Premier's Early Childhood Education Scholarship,” said Rosanne.
“Winning this scholarship will provide a wonderful opportunity to analyse links interconnecting Sustainability and Reconciliation and to see and understand new perspectives on both.”
The value Rosanne places on sustainability is evident in the educational program at KU Ourimbah. The centre operates a ‘Bush Preschool’ where children are immersed in nature, allowing them to connect with the natural world.
“The natural world is a place of awe, of fragility and resilience which the children experience and seek to understand first hand. To be hands on and delight in nature gives children the opportunity to wonder about it, to care for it, and to take responsibility to look after it,” said Rosanne.
The Premier’s Teacher Scholarships are open to all NSW teachers from government and non-government preschools, primary schools, secondary schools and TAFE NSW Institutes, and aims to promote teaching excellence by providing travel scholarships to teachers to undertake a study tour overseas or in Australia.
The Premier's Early Childhood Education Scholarship is sponsored by Early Childhood Australia (NSW Branch) and Modern Teaching Aids.
For more information on the 2017 NSW Premier’s Teacher Scholarships, visit http://goo.gl/8Orah7