SCPA NSW Annual Awards
The inaugural awards commenced in 2021 as a way for SCPA NSW to recognise the work of school counsellors and school psychologists.
The 2024 Recognition Day theme was 'Little Moments, Lasting Change'
Practitioner of the Year (Sponsored by NSW Education)
In addition to the general criteria, the Practitioner of the Year nomination must address how the nominee:
- Criterion One: Demonstrates admirable professional practice in their role as School Counsellor or School Psychologist.
- Criterion Two: Develops and maintains strong collaborative relationships within school communities, peer networks or multidisciplinary teams to promote positive student wellbeing and mental health outcomes.
This year, the NSW Department of Education, Child Wellbeing and Mental Health Services Unit sponsored the 2024 Practitioner of the Year award.
Early Career Practitioner of the Year
In addition to the general criteria, the Early Career Practitioner of the Year must have less than three years’ experience in school counselling or psychology. The nomination must address how the nominee:
- Criterion One: As an early career applicant, demonstrates strong professional practice in their role as School Counsellor or School Psychologist.
- Criterion Two: Develops collaborative relationships within school communities, peer networks or multidisciplinary teams to promote positive student wellbeing and mental health.
Innovator of the Year
In addition to the general criteria, the Innovator of the Year nomination must address how the nominee:
- Criterion One: Uses evidence-based innovation (practice, technology, resources, programs, processes and/or systems) to enhance student wellbeing and mental health.
- Criterion Two: Develops and/or leads initiatives to share innovative practice with colleagues, networks and/or multidisciplinary teams to promote positive student wellbeing and mental health outcomes.
Annual Awards Process
Nominees must meet the following general criteria:
- Be currently employed in school counselling/psychology with the NSW Department of Education, Catholic Schools NSW, a school associated with the Association of Independent Schools NSW or another private school in NSW, or TAFE NSW.
- Consent to their nomination to be published on the SCPA NSW website and social media platforms.
Nominees do not have to be current members of SCPA NSW.
Award candidates can be nominated by a colleague or self-nominated. Two referees' contact details must be provided, including the candidate's immediate practice or clinical supervisor.
School counsellors and school psychologists can be nominated for an award in one of the three categories described.
In line with our value of transparency, nominations will be collated by the SCPA NSW committee and reviewed by the awards panel. Four nominations from each category, selected by the awards panel, will be published on the SCPA NSW website and social media platforms for membership voting. The final vote will consist of 50% weighting for membership voting and 50% weighting for our awards panel. Our 2024 awards panel consists of past winners and general member volunteers.
Recipients will receive their award at the 2024 Summit.
Award winners will receive:
- $200 prize money
- 12 months free membership with SCPA NSW
- One free 12 month membership for a colleague not yet associated with SCPA NSW
- A trophy presented at the 2024 Summit
- Permission to display this achievement on correspondence for a period of 12 months