Diocese of Toowoomba Catholic Schools

Connecting to community: Riley’s passion for teaching

Riley Salter started his career at Assumption College, Warwick in 2021 with a passion for teaching and a desire to make a difference in students’ lives. His enthusiasm for education and his commitment to fostering a positive learning environment have made a significant impact on the school community.

Riley loves the supportive and collaborative atmosphere at Assumption College. The welcoming environment allows him to build strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues. His dedication to his role is evident in the way he goes above and beyond, participating in extra-curricular activities and supporting his colleagues.

At Assumption College, Riley found a community that values and supports his professional growth. He works with more experienced staff, sharing his knowledge and learning from others. This role has allowed him to network with other institutions, enriching the educational experience for everyone involved.

One of Riley’s standout achievements is his work on the ANZAC Day liturgy, which he organised in collaboration with a local historian. Supported by the school community, his dedication to honouring the community’s history led to the creation of an Honour Board, paying tribute to local service people. These projects have encouraged students to reflect on their place in the world and their responsibilities as global citizens.

Riley’s positive impact on the College community, his exceptional care for students, and his commitment to community building set him apart early in his career. His recognition through the Excellence Awards highlights the importance of supporting and celebrating teachers who make a difference in their schools and communities.

Living in Warwick

Moving to Warwick means you will be joining a vibrant community, enriched with a rich heritage, surrounded by nature’s best with Queen Mary Falls, sunflower fields and hiking tracks less than 30 minutes away. Sitting on the banks of the Condamine River, historic Warwick features some of the state’s finest original sandstone buildings. As a growing city, it offers a variety of retail shopping, restaurants, education, health facilities and recreational activities. And of course, there’s the everyday treat of living in a flourishing, ideally located region, with great access to city services – all while enjoying a country lifestyle. Find out more about living in this region on the Southern Downs & Granite Belt website. 

Starting Your Career with Us

If you’re passionate about education and looking to make a difference, consider joining Toowoomba Catholic Schools. The supportive environment and strong community ties make it an ideal place to start your teaching career. Express your interest in being part of Toowoomba Catholic Schools through the Graduate Gateway.

Excellence in teaching and learning

Category 1 - Excellence in teaching and learning: early career teacher/educator (0-3 years of teaching experience)

Nominations are to address the following criteria and must include examples of how the nominee has demonstrated excellence in this area by providing specific examples and evidence.

  • successfully implements evidence-based high impact teaching strategies which affirm the dignity and potential of each student 
  • ensures classroom practice is informed by planning for personalised learning and based on formative and diagnostic assessment of student skills, knowledge and understanding 
  • ensures the choice of content and pedagogy is responsive to the cultural backgrounds and life experiences of students and challenges students to think deeply about the world and their place in it 

Category 2 - Excellence in teaching and learning: kindergarten/primary expert teacher

Nominations are to address the following criteria and must include examples of how the nominee has demonstrated excellence in this area by providing specific examples and evidence.

  • is an acknowledged expert classroom practitioner in evidence-based, high impact strategies which affirm the dignity and potential of all students and readily shares this expertise across classrooms 
  • ensures classroom practice is supported by planning for personalised learning and based on formative and diagnostic assessment of student skills, knowledge and understanding 
  • ensures the choice of content and pedagogy is responsive to the cultural backgrounds and life experiences of students and challenges students to think deeply about the world and their place in it 

Category 3 - Excellence in teaching and learning: secondary expert teacher

Nominations are to address the following criteria and must include examples of how the nominee has demonstrated excellence in this area by providing specific examples and evidence.

  • is an acknowledged expert classroom practitioner in evidence-based, high impact strategies which affirm the dignity and potential of all students and readily shares this expertise across classrooms 
  • ensures classroom practice is supported by planning for personalised learning and based on formative and diagnostic assessment of student skills, knowledge and understanding 
  • ensures the choice of content and pedagogy is responsive to the cultural backgrounds and life experiences of students and challenges students to think deeply about the world and their place in it 

Excellence in leadership

Category 1 – School/Kindergarten leadership (inclusive of educative and religious leadership)

This award recognises a school or Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office individual or team who/that has demonstrated high quality leadership focussed on creating exemplary places of learning where every student experiences academic success and comes to know and experience the loving presence of Jesus.

Nominations are to address the following criteria and must include examples of how the nominee has demonstrated excellence in this area by providing specific examples and evidence.

  • leads the development, implementation and review of evidence-based teaching and learning strategies that have improved student learning outcomes in and across schools/colleges
  • provides leadership for Catholic identity and the ethos and charism of the school community, integrating hope-filled beliefs and values into all facets of school life and learning
  • creates a positive culture of challenge and support

Category 2 - Middle leadership

This award recognises an individual or team who/that has demonstrated high quality middle leadership focussed on creating exemplary places of learning where every student experiences academic success and comes to know and experience the loving presence of Jesus.

Nominations are to address the following criteria and must include examples of how the nominee has demonstrated excellence in this area by providing specific examples and evidence.

  • provides high quality leadership, expertise and coordination in their specific area of delegated responsibility
  • is proactive in their pastoral care of staff
  • emphasises the centrality of teaching and learning in the life and work of the school

Category 3 - Emerging leadership

This award recognises an individual who is not in a formal leadership position and has demonstrated a willingness to contribute beyond their role to lead a school improvement initiative focussed on creating exemplary places of learning where every student experiences academic success and comes to know and experience the loving presence of Jesus.

Nominations are to address the following criteria and must include examples of how the nominee has demonstrated excellence in this area by providing specific examples and evidence.

  • identified and lead a school improvement project that has improved student learning outcomes
  • used data and educational research to inform and enhance practice
  • engaged others and fostered relationships that inspired action and growth in students, colleagues, parents and the community

Excellence in education support

Category 1 - Teaching and learning support

This award recognises an individual or team who/that work with teaching staff to create exemplary places of learning where every student experiences academic success and comes to know and experience the loving presence of Jesus. The types of role that this award recognises include teacher aides, school counsellors, kindergarten educators, Occupational Therapists, Education Officers, Boarding supervisors.

Nominations are to address the following criteria and must include examples of how the nominee has demonstrated excellence in this area by providing specific examples and evidence.

  • supports the implementation of engaging and effective learning that puts students first and unleashes their potential
  • looks for and uses innovative ideas to respond to the needs of students
  • demonstrates a commitment to learning, collaboration and professionalism in all interactions with members of the school/college community

Category 2 - Administration, finance and facilities support

This award recognises an individual or team who/that works in support roles to create exemplary places of learning where every student experiences academic success and comes to know and experience the loving presence of Jesus. The types of role that this award recognises include cleaners, laundry staff, grounds people, administration officers, HR officers, accountants, business managers, IT technicians.

Nominations are to address the following criteria and must include examples of how the nominee has demonstrated excellence in this area by providing specific examples and evidence.

  • provides high quality leadership, service or support to a school/college or schools/colleges in their area of responsibility
  • looks for and uses innovative solutions relevant to their role and responsibilities
  • engages with others and fosters relationships that inspire action and growth

Category 3 - Volunteer support in a school setting

This award recognises an individual or team who/that have given their time to support a school or college and this volunteering has contributed to creating exemplary places of learning where every student experiences academic success and comes to know and experience the loving presence of Jesus. The types of roles that this award recognises include those who volunteer to work in classrooms, to maintain school facilities, to engage other parents.

Nominations are to address the following criteria and must include examples of how the nominee has demonstrated excellence in this area by providing specific examples and evidence.

  • looks for and implements innovative and new solutions to support the school or college to achieve its goals
  • works with others and fosters relationships that inspire action and growth
  • focusses on the ‘common good’