Berry Springs Primary School has been recognised on the international stage as a leader of digital education after taking out a major accolade this year.
The Top End Government School was named the winner for the Most Digital Growth and Impact in Australia and New Zealand for 2023, awarded by tech company Hewlet Packard (HP).
209 students are enrolled at the outer Darwin School which holds a significant commitment to digital innovation and excellence in education following their involvement in the Reinvent the Classroom (RTC) initiative.
RTC is an outcomes-based digital framework that leverages AI and supports school leadership teams in making strategic decisions that can positively impact teaching and learning in a measurable way.
A significant aspect of RTC is the collection and analysis of data from students, teachers and the school’s leadership team. Berry Springs demonstrated remarkable growth in areas such as Digital Curriculum and Assessment (24 per cent growth), Smart and Safe Spaces (21 per cent growth), and Strategic Digital Planning (17 per cent growth).
Berry Springs also became the first and only school in Australia to have all staff members obtain Adobe Level 2 Certification in Teaching Creativity.
This award builds on an exceptional year for Territory education with a record budget of $1.37 billion, a record number of aboriginal year 12 graduates, the most successful year of Families as First Teachers, and another student awarded a perfect ATAR of 99.90.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education, Mark Monaghan:
“Berry Springs Primary School has shown and delivered on their unwavering commitment to advancing their educational practices which in turn will prepare our children as they become leaders in this new digital age.
“One staff member encompasses the definition of leading by example, being the only teacher in the NT accredited as a Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert, it is these qualifications and experiences which will shape a student’s future.
“Bridging the digital divide in our schools is vitally important to delivering quality education in modern society, which is why our Government invests $4 million per year to upgrading connectivity for remote Territory Schools.”
Quotes attributable to HP Managing Director, Brad Pulford:
“In today’s world, technology and digital skills are more important than they have ever been. Through initiatives like RTC, we are taking concrete steps to increase digital literacy, promote access to education, and deliver holistic support to educators and students to ensure the leaders of tomorrow can thrive in the digital economy.”
“I am so proud to be delivering this award to Berry Springs Primary School. The improvement in the delivery of education and how students are grasping technological concepts to equip themselves for the future is clear. I’m excited to continue this partnership.”
Quotes attributable to Berry Springs Primary School Principal, Carlie Mamo:
“Our RTC transformation has created active learning spaces and equipped students with the digital tools to enable experiential learning beyond the current curriculum.”
“More than that, all our teachers, regardless of their previous experience, now have an improved understanding of how they can use technology to their advantage. This has facilitated learning and classroom engagement and prepares students for a better tomorrow.”
“Technology is moving at pace, and we need to keep up. I’m excited to see how this transformation will continue to impact our students moving forward.”
Northern Territory Government
