A teacher from Mt Gravatt’s Clairvaux MacKillop College and the college have been recognised as top performers nationally, receiving excellence awards for their outstanding STEM and co-curricular programs.
Dr Maynard Victor Erece, a respected secondary school teacher at Clairvaux MacKillop College, has been named an Excellence Awardee for Secondary School Teacher of the Year (Non-Government) for the prestigious Australian Education Awards 2025.
Now in their eighth year, these national awards acknowledge and celebrate the best schools, principals, department heads, and teachers nationwide. Award recipients will be formally recognised at a black-tie gala at the Star Event Centre in Sydney on Friday, 8 August 2025. The awards cover 29 categories, including Australian School of the Year and Best Student Wellbeing Program.
STEM Program Leads the Way
Clairvaux MacKillop College, a Catholic co-educational secondary school for students in Years 7 to 12 located in Upper Mt Gravatt, Queensland, is notably recognised for its Best STEM Program. The college strongly focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics education, aiming to give students exciting chances to learn in these areas.
A key part of their success comes from their commitment to robotics and space technology, including a special “STEM Space Program.” Dr. Erece is particularly involved in these robotics programs, helping students explore and develop practical skills.
The college’s STEM teams have also achieved remarkable success in competitions. In 2024, their Year 9 STEM team came in as runners-up in Division 2 of the Opti-Minds Creative and Sustainability Challenge, a major science and technology competition.
Even more impressively, their Year 10 STEM team won the State Championships in Division 3 of the same competition. The college includes STEM learning throughout its curriculum, helping students think deeply and offering a wide range of challenging subjects.
Comprehensive Co-Curricular Opportunities
Beyond its strong academic achievements, Clairvaux MacKillop College is also celebrated for its Best Co-Curricular Program. The college believes in developing the “whole person” and offers many activities beyond classroom learning. These programs aim to boost students’ interests and encourage positive values.
Students have diverse opportunities in sports, including participation in SECA sports and pathways that lead to district, regional, and national levels in activities like swimming, cross country, athletics, and various football codes. The performing arts are also a major part of college life, with music, dance, and drama options, including annual musical productions, variety nights, and involvement in competitions.
The college provides in-school instrument tuition, bands, dance groups, drama clubs, and choirs. Furthermore, the co-curricular program encourages community involvement. It fosters a sense of community spirit, promotes positive values that align with the college’s goals, helps students build strong friendships, and encourages personal growth and leadership through the Student Representative Council and various clubs.
Published Date 21-May-2025
