When asked whether others should consider entering the awards, Ken says it is definitely worthwhile. "If you have a story to tell then it’s worth putting the effort in and doing it well. You’ve got to have a story that has depth and substance to it. What you’re showing the judges has to be really genuine."
For Ken, a highlight of taking part was the people he got to meet along the way, including the judges and other entrants. "We got to meet some absolutely amazing people, people who are doing incredible things.
Central Regional Health School’s role is to ensure that students with high health needs, who are unable to attend school, can still access the school curriculum.
It provides education to some of our most vulnerable students, from primary to secondary school age, working alongside multiple agencies and in numerous locations.
"We began with just 7 teachers, teaching students who were physically sick," says Ken McIntosh.
In 2004 the school began teaching in a Youth Justice residence and in 2014 a Care and Protection residence. Ken says the school has grown in a strategic way to provide education programmes for children with differing health and wellbeing needs.
All students are on individual learning programmes based on the school curriculum and their health or welfare needs.
Entering the Prime Minister’s Education Excellence Awards gave the school an opportunity to step back and review how the school was operating.
"It was timely for us to step back and think about what made us special,” he says. “Our story had a lot of depth because it was a long time story over our 15 year history - it wasn’t just a one off thing."
"It was great for us to get the feedback from the judges. One of them said ‘there’re no egos at this school’, which is right. It’s not about us; it’s about the students that we’re teaching. Comments like that are really affirming".
Winners of the Prime Minister’s Education Excellence Awards receive cash prizes and professional development opportunities.
Ken says the school is using its prize money to invest in its staff through further professional learning.
"When we won the Excellence in Leading Atakura Award there was a huge amount of satisfaction and pride for staff – they’re all quite pleased to be teaching at a school that has won a Prime Minister’s Education Excellence Award," he says.
"We were recognised for being successful. It is recognition for all of the development we have been through during the past 16 years."
The public exposure from winning the award was another big benefit, Ken says. "People don’t necessarily know about us, so this gave us additional exposure through websites and news stories. To have our story shared meant a lot for us."
The journey continues for Central Regional Health School. A new unit will be opening in April and others may be added in the future.
If you want to enter the Prime Minister’s Education Excellence Awards for 2016
Entries close on 18 March 2016 at 5pm.
Visit pmawards.education.govt.nz to get your entry underway today.
Need help with your entry? Talk with one of the team.
Email info@pmawards.education.govt.nz or call 0800 PM AWARDS (0800 762 927)