1. The National Teaching Awards recognise excellence and high levels of professionalism, and provide the education fraternity with the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of outstanding teachers. Furthermore, it highlights the exceptional work done by teachers in general.
2. The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) is, therefore, proud to organise and host the provincial awards ceremony, preliminary to the 12th annual National Teaching Awards ceremony.
3. The award categories are as follows:

  EXCELLENCE IN PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHING
EXCELLENCE IN SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHING
EXCELLENCE IN PRIMARY SCHOOL LEADERSHIP
EXCELLENCE IN SECONDARY SCHOOL LEADERSHIP
EXCELLENCE IN GRADE R TEACHING
EXCELLENCE IN SPECIAL NEEDS TEACHING
EXCELLENCE IN ADULT BASIC EDUCATION AND TRAINING (Levels 1 - 4 in the GET Band only)
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
4. The electronic version of the Information Guide, containing the nomination forms, is attached.
5. Hard copies of the Information Guide, containing the nomination forms, will reach all WCED institutions, including AET centres and registered Grade R sites, by the beginning of the 3rd term.
6. All teachers are invited to submit nominations (based on the criteria and format contained in the Information Guide) to their principals or centre managers.
7. Principals and centre managers are requested to forward the completed nomination forms to their respective education district offices for the attention of the district co-ordinators. Should you require further information, please contact one of the following district co-ordinators:

  1. Eden & Central Karoo: Mr Eric Magodla, tel. 044 8038358 / 083 508 4933
  2. Cape Winelands: Mr Alton Koenze, tel. 023 348 4673 / 082 462 8916
  3. Overberg: Mr Japie Bailey, tel. 028 212 3634 / 083 707 2197
  4. West Coast: Mr Johannes Mouton, tel. 022 4822737 / 083 289 8437
  5. Metro South: Ms Karen Dudley, tel. 021 370 2000 / 082 691 6768
  6. Metro East: Ms Desiree Watson, tel. 021 900 7195 / 078 531 7632
  7. Metro North: Mr Trevor Adams, tel. 021 938 3016 / 083 653 6815
  8. Metro Central: Dr Jeffrey Martin, tel. 021 514 6730 / 082 642 7714
8. Your attention is drawn to the following extracts from the nomination guide:

"The principal/centre manager of the nomination team must organise a nomination meeting that would include the School Governing Body (SGB)/Centre Governing Body (CGB) to discuss the nomination process."

"The staff and the SGB/CGB members of the school/centre must study the criteria requirements of each category and draw up attributes or qualities that would match their nominees with particular given criteria."

"Once suitable teachers/teams have been nominated, their names must be filled in on the Nomination Forms provided."

"District Officials may also nominate in consultation with the school/centre community."

9. A maximum of five teachers may form a team per category.
10. Principals and centre managers are compelled to hold the nomination meeting by no later than 20 July2011. Minutes of the meeting must be kept and submitted to the IMG manager, for the attention of the relevant district co-ordinator.
11. Principals and centre managers must also complete and submit the attached Annexure A, by no later than 22 July 2011, to the IMG manager, for the attention of the relevant district co-ordinator.
12. The closing date for all nomination forms to be submitted to the district co-ordinators is
5 August 2011. [Closing date updated Friday, 29 July 2011]
13. The nomination form is also available on the Thutong Portal at www.thutong.doe.gov.za/nationalteacherawards and the National Department of Basic Education website at www.education.gov.za
14. The National Teaching Awards are supported by the Head of Education, unions, school governing body associations and the Provincial Minister of Education.
15. All members of the school community are encouraged to participate in nominating deserving teachers for National Teaching Awards.
16. Kindly bring the content of this minute to the attention of all teaching staff.


SIGNED: BK SCHREUDER
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2011:06:20

Annexure A: National Teaching Awards Information Guide  (size: 209 KB)