Sallyann Burtenshaw from St Bernard’s Bateman’s Bay was nominated for the Prime Minister’s Prize in Science Teaching Primary School and joined an impressive stable of science minds at a black-tie dinner with the PM. 

The Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science are Australia’s most prestigious and highly regarded awards for outstanding achievements in scientific research, research-based innovation and excellence in science teaching.

Sallyann Burtenshaw Pictured centre

The awards for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools and Secondary Schools are presented to individual teachers who, through the impact of their inspirational teaching and the sharing of their methods and results with the science teaching profession, have made an outstanding contribution to science education. 

Sallyann was nominated for the STEAM program she created and manages at St Bernard's. She said the night was the most magnificent night of her professional life. Never before has she been in a room filled with such good will. “It was electrifying with everyone there united in the goal of making the world a better place,” she said.

“The prize winners had remarkable stories to share and every person in the room was gracious with their time including the Prime Minister and Mikala Cash who both chatted with me.”

Sallyann took the opportunity thank Jackie Randals from Inspiring Australia for providing the Government Makerspace B Grant which continues to keep St Bernard’s steaming along a very exciting STEM road.

 “I have come back absolutely buzzing and confident that what I am doing in the classroom to inspire students to take up STEM careers is going to make a difference to our world. The passion that flowed from the Scientists at the awards dinner was contagious so I am happily spreading it back here at St Bernard's.”

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