Frequently asked questions

The NEiTA Foundation, through its ASG National Excellence in Teaching Awards, provides an annual teaching awards program that allows Australian and New Zealand communities a formal way to publicly recognise and applaud their inspirational early childhood educators, teachers, principals and centre directors.

The ASG National Excellence in Teaching Awards are unique; they are the only national teaching awards where nominations are made by parents, students, and school communities—making these the ‘people’s choice’ teaching awards.

The NEiTA Foundation was formed in 1994 as an education initiative of the Australian Scholarships Group (ASG)—a member owned friendly society helping families plan for the future costs of their children’s education.

Who can nominate a teacher?

You are eligible to nominate if you are a parent/grandparent/guardian of a student at the school or early childhood centre, or you are an official representative of the parent association, school board/council, early childhood committee of management, secondary student council, or a community organisation.

Who can be nominated?

All qualified and registered educators and directors in early childhood centres, and teachers and principals in primary, special and secondary schools who:

have a minimum of two years’ teaching experience in Australia; and
are currently employed a minimum average of:

a. five days per fortnight (primary, special and secondary teachers) or

b. 28 hours per fortnight (kindergarten and preschool teachers teaching pre-prep programs)

Why should I nominate a teacher?

Nominating a teacher for an award is a celebration for the whole school/centre community.

Your nominated teacher will know that his/her efforts are appreciated by the community.

Great teachers are an inspiration to generations of current and future teachers.

Nominations keep the focus on high standards of education in our schools.

Grants and prizes promote professional development.

Great teachers change the future and they deserve recognition.

How do I nominate a teacher?

Nominating an early childhood educator, teacher, principal or centre director is easy.

Visit www.asg.com.au/nominate and complete your nomination by 3 July 2017.

It is important that you tell the selection panel why this teacher, principal or director should be considered for an award. Where possible, include evidence and examples of one or more of the following:

How the teacher:

plays an active role in the classroom and school/centre community;
provides and maintains a challenging and future-focused learning environment for all;
builds trust and rapport within the classroom and across the school/centre community;
builds the capacity and capability of students to lead their own learning;
monitors and evaluates student progress effectively and makes changes as a result.

How the principal or director:

monitors and evaluates student progress and school/centre practices, and makes changes as a result;
inspires and leads learning to provide and maintain a challenging and future-focused learning environment for all;
builds trust and rapport across the school/centre community, and with other school/centre communities;
builds the capacity and capability of others to lead;
is judged by students, parents, colleagues and/or the wider community for his/her contribution and commitment as a leader.

Can I nominate more than one teacher?

You may nominate as many teachers/principals/centre directors as you wish as long as they are eligible and you consider them to be outstanding educators.

Can I nominate the principal or centre director?

Yes, it is important that leaders are also acknowledged.

When completing a nomination form for a principal or centre director, please also provide the name and contact details of the chairperson of the parent association or committee of management so that ASG NEiTA can liaise with them to organise the certificate presentation.

Where can I obtain a nomination form?

Nominations can be made online at www.asg.com.au/nominate.

If you would like to receive a promotional kit for your school or centre containing postcards and posters please visit www.asg.com.au/neita or email neita@asg.com.au with your name, address and how many posters and postcards you would like (limits apply).

When do nominations close?

All nominations for the 2017 ASG National Excellence in Teaching Awards must be received by 5pm (AEST) on 3 July 2017.

Can I send in supporting letters about my teacher?

ASG NEiTA welcomes supporting letters from the principal, school board/council, parent association, committee of management, or other relevant authority. Any other material submitted will not be considered by the selection panel.

Supporting documentation should be uploaded along with the nomination or mailed to reach ASG NEiTA by 3 August 2017.

How do I include supporting documentation?

When completing your nomination you will have the opportunity to attach any relevant supporting documentation.

We will also accept emailed copies of supporting documents.

Supporting documents should be submitted no later than 3 August 2017 with the teacher’s name clearly visible.

How will I know that ASG NEiTA has received my nomination?

Once you have clicked ‘Submit’ you will receive an email confirming we have received your nomination. If you do not receive this email please contact us at neita@asg.com.au

For general questions about the awards please contact ASG NEiTA on 1800 624 487 or neita@asg.com.au

What happens next after I have nominated?

Once we have received your nomination, and it has been verified, we will notify the nominee’s principal or centre director. Should the nominated teacher also be the principal/director, notification will instead be forwarded to the chairperson of the parent association or committee of management.

A Certificate of Nomination will be available to nominated and approved teachers. They will be invited to complete an online self portrait form to be eligible for judging and award selection.

Will the teacher know I’ve nominated him/her?

ASG NEiTA will not disclose the nominator's identity to the teacher or the school/centre without your prior approval. Permission may be requested occasionally e.g. if the principal would like to invite the nominator to the certificate presentation.

How are teachers acknowledged?

The awards program includes four levels of acknowledgement:

Certificate of Nomination
Each teacher with a valid and approved nomination will be presented with an ASG NEiTA Certificate of Nomination. All nominees who receive a Certificate of Nomination are invited to complete a Self Portrait to complete the nomination process.
ASG NEiTA State and Territory Award
State and Territory Awards will be presented to 60 teachers selected by the judging panel in October. Each recipient will receive a commemorative framed certificate which will be presented to them at the during October in their school or centre.
ASG NEiTA national award and grant
State and Territory award recipients will be shortlisted for one of 12 national awards relating to the categories of: leadership and development, innovation and community engagement.

National award recipients receive a specially crafted ASG NEiTA crystal apple trophy, framed certificate of excellence and an ASG grant of $5000—to be used for their professional development or in a chosen community relations initiative.

ASG NEiTA Teacher Ambassador of the Year: One teacher will be selected instead to participate in the International Space Camp, held at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, Alabama, USA. The person selected will represent Australia, and join around 80 international ‘Teacher of the Year’ recipients.

How are State and Territory Award recipients selected?

When ASG NEiTA receives a valid nomination, the nominee is asked to complete a self portrait form on their teaching background, experience and accomplishments. A selection panel then examines each submission (nomination, self portrait and any supporting documentation) to determine the 60 nominated teachers who will receive an ASG National Excellence in Teaching Award.

When are State and Territory Awards announced?

The 60 recipients of ASG National Excellence in Teaching State and Territory Award will be announced on 5 October 2017.

How are national award recipients selected?

To be considered for a national award, teachers who have been shortlisted from the 60 State and Territory Award recipients, complete a further assessment—an essay and video interview on their teaching. The national selection panel assesses all submissions to determine national award recipients.

When are national awards announced?

The 12 national recipients of the ASG National Excellence in Teaching Awards will be announced at a gala luncheon attended by teachers, families and VIPs in Melbourne during March 2018. Recipients and partners will enjoy two nights’ accommodation as part of their award.

Is there a help line?

Phone ASG NEiTA on 03 9276 7768 or on free call 1800 624 487 during office hours or email neita@asg.com.au