Cath Amesbury recognised for excellence in educational leadership
Deputy Principal - Student Engagement Cath Amesbury has been recognised with the ACEL ACT Excellence in Educational Leadership Award from the Australian Council for Educational Leaders.
The award recognises Cath’s leadership in student wellbeing and engagement, and the impact of her work both at Burgmann and across the wider education community.
Cath’s nomination highlighted the breadth of her leadership, including her commitment to research-informed practice, professional learning and collaboration with educators and organisations beyond the School.
Among her recent work has been the development of Burgmann’s Educative Behaviour Framework. Cath led this work with her team before sharing its development and application through professional networks and presentations with other educators.
In 2025, Cath also led Burgmann’s involvement in the Common Ground project with Tomorrow Man and Tomorrow Woman. Burgmann was one of five schools nationally involved in the project, contributing to research examining the impact of explicit education that challenges traditional gender stereotypes. Cath has continued working with the project team on the development of data collection tools for schools.
Another initiative recognised through the nomination was Cath’s work with The Wellbeing Distillery to develop a parent education series specifically for the Burgmann community. The partnership brings together expert wellbeing content with local delivery designed around the needs of Burgmann families.
Cath’s contribution also extends to the wider education profession. She regularly shares ideas, resources and practice with colleagues from other schools, contributes to professional learning and supports opportunities for educators to visit Burgmann and learn from its work.
The award is a fitting recognition of Cath’s contribution to student wellbeing and engagement, her commitment to research-informed practice and her generosity in sharing that work with the wider education community.
Congratulations to Cath on this well-deserved recognition of her contribution to educational leadership.
A Co-educational Independent School located in Gungahlin, ACT.
We acknowledge the Ngunnawal peoples as the traditional keepers on the land on which we gather. We recognise and honour their wisdom and education traditions. We commit ourselves to actively working towards reconciliation, stepping forward with grace, commitment and wisdom on this journey.