RIPLEY Valley State Secondary College is celebrating a remarkable year of teaching achievements, with staff members receiving prestigious state-level recognition.
Two of the college’s standout educators have been named Queensland College of Teachers (QCT) TeachX Award winners.
Callum Simmons was recognised for Excellence in Beginning to Teach, while Srikanth Sogathur received accolades for Outstanding Contribution to Teaching and QSITE Digital Technologies Teacher of the Year.
Mr Simmons, who became a full-time teacher in 2023, has been credited with transforming the school’s esports program from a co-curricular activity into a fully integrated subject. By connecting esports with health and physical education, business, and digital technologies, he has enhanced digital literacy, collaboration, and student engagement.
Beyond the classroom, Mr Simmons has collaborated with other schools and external organisations to co-develop esports curriculum frameworks and led professional development sessions on integrating AI and student voice data into teaching practices.
Mr Sogathur has been recognised for his work in advancing digital education. He has developed esports and DigiTech programs aligned with the Australian curriculum, engaging more than 1000 students in coding clubs and STEM activities.
Many students under his guidance have achieved state and national recognition, including multiple Queensland Premier Coding Challenge Champions.
His contributions also extend to Queensland DigiTech and esports teacher networks, supporting schools across the state in adopting innovative digital practices.
The awards highlight teachers who have made a significant impact in classrooms across Queensland.
For Ripley Valley State Secondary College, this represents the highest number of TeachX awards in Ipswich across both public and private schools. The awards ceremony will be held tomorrow.
In addition, five Ripley Valley teachers – Leesa Drew, Aly Brown, Ben Clark, Lauren Marks, and Kieralee O’Neill – have achieved the Highly Accomplished Teacher (HAT) designation, the highest number of HATs in Ipswich.
This recognition reflects exceptional expertise and leadership, with only 265 HAT teachers across Queensland.
Principal Brendan Krueger said the awards were a testament to the college’s dedication to high-quality education.
“Our teachers go above and beyond every day for our students. These achievements reflect the outstanding quality of education we deliver here at Ripley Valley,” he said.
With recognition spanning early-career and highly accomplished teachers, Ripley Valley State Secondary College continues to establish itself as a hub of educational excellence.
