Excellence In Teaching Awards
The Rotary Club of Castle Hill hosts an annual Awards dinner to recognise and celebrate outstanding educators in our community. Our awards, which have been going since 2002, aim to celebrate teaching professionals who have made a significant personal contribution to the education of children and young adults in the Hills Shire.
Each year, we invite Principals from local schools, including private and government primary schools and high schools, to nominate one teacher based on their own criteria. We understand that the criteria will differ between schools, taking into account the uniqueness of each school community and the distinct challenges schools may have faced over the previous 12 months.
The Rotary Club then invites all nominees and their guests to attend a formal Awards dinner, where each nominee receives an Excellence in Teaching Award.
Our 2025 Awards
In 2025, we celebrated the following teachers:
Rebecca Normoyle – Crestwood High School
Marianne Castor – Oakhill College
Lara Palma – Castle Hill High School
Jessica Kite – Baulkham Hills High School
Rebecca Mahon – Quakers Hills High School
Sherree Wormald – Excelsior Public School
Bethany Corish – William Clarke College
Isobella Davenport – St Gabriel’s School
Suzette Lewis Driver – St Angela’s Primary School
Chalon Robinson - Gilroy Catholic College
Our process organising the awards
Invitations are emailed to local school principals to nominate a teacher for an Excellence in Teaching Award. Nominations are to include details of the nominee and a reason for the nomination (250 words).
An event location and catering is booked and an event is created to manage RSVPs and payments using a third party online booking site. A sponsor is sought to reduce costs to attendees.
Invitations to the awards dinner are sent to the nominees and principals, and both are invited to include guests. The Rotary club covers the cost of the event for nominees so that their attendance is at no charge. Rotarians and special guests are also invited with all invitees except nominees paying for their attendance.
Certificates and citations based on the reasons for nomination are created and printed.
The evening is planned, a raffle organised, booklets printed and decorations and arranged.
The Awards dinner
Dinner is a two-course sit-down meal in a local club. Over the years the popularity of the awards has increased and in 2025 we had 120 attendees celebrating 10 teachers from 10 local schools. Every effort is taken to keep the cost reasonable for attendees.
The dinner is generally scheduled from 7pm to 9pm with guests invited to arrive from 6.30pm. A seating plan is created to ensure nominees can sit with their principals and guests, with Rotarians interspersed on tables.
The order of events is typically a welcome and presentation about Rotary, dinner, and then the awards are presented with an interval during the awards presentation for dessert.
The awards are presented by our Rotary Club President. The citation is read for each awardee and they are presented with a certificate. The awardees is then invited (with advance notice given) to give a short speech. These speeches are often the highlight of the evening.
We engage a professional photographer to take photos during the evening and we share these with the principals.
Photos and a report of the awards are shared on the club website and social media.
Get Involved Today
Castle Hill Rotary brings together business leaders, professionals, and community members who are passionate about giving back. Through our events and initiatives, we support local causes, empower communities, and create positive, lasting change.
Whether you’re looking to sponsor an upcoming event or volunteer your time and skills, we’d love to hear from you.
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