The Southport School recognised for exceptional practice

Date awarded: 16/12/ 2016

Valid until: 15/12/2019

The Southport School has been awarded the Excellent rating by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), the highest rating a service can achieve under the National Quality Framework.

Michael Petrie, ACECQA Acting Chief Executive Officer, congratulated the service, the 17th in Queensland to achieve the recognition.

“The Southport School supports children to become confident and competent learners by providing opportunities for children to problem solve, make judgements and tackle challenges,” Mr Petrie said.

The service, which provides preschool, outside school hours care and vacation care programs, has a ‘tinkering table’ where children practice their woodwork skills with hammers, nails and scrap wood. Children play and connect with nature at the service’s Bush Preschool and through the many natural elements on offer at the service.

Families partner with educators and are involved and included through the Parents and Friends Association, Friends of Preparatory Committee and focus groups, among many other informal environments. Children’s voices are also valued, and evident throughout the planning process, project work and educational programs.

“The Southport School ensures its practice and environments are responsive to the interests, circumstances and strengths of children and families, enabling the service to improve outcomes for children and families at the highest level,” Mr Petrie said.

Educators at The Southport School actively seek opportunities to network and share knowledge in the wider education and care sector. Setting up the Gold Coast Early Childhood Teacher network and the Gold Coast Reggio Emilia network to share practice, knowledge and research is an example of how the service values building partnerships and is a leader in the sector.

“I congratulate The Southport School on its outstanding achievement which is recognition for the exceptional practices and the leadership the service has shown within the sector,” Mr Petrie said.

About the Excellent rating

Services that receive an overall rating of ‘Exceeding National Quality Standard’ can apply for the Excellent rating. It can only be awarded by ACECQA and is not a rating given during the assessment and rating process. 

The Excellent rating is awarded for three years. After this time services have the option to re-apply. 

More information is available on the ACECQA website and The Southport School website.