Award to Bethany Hiatt - Education journalist for the West

[Secondary Teacher]

I note on page 5 of today's West (Sept 23,09) that The West Australian's education writer Bethany Hiatt has won two national awards for education journalism.

Hiatt was placed first in two categories of the Australian Council of Deans of Education excellence in education journalism awards, announced yesterday.

She won the best commentary category for a column which exposed the link between grades on school reports and the contentious "levels" at the heart of outcomes-based education assessment, which many academics believed to be an invalid measure.

Hiatt was joint winner in the print media best news report category for a story about WA's first prosecution of a parent for failing to send his children to school........    The awards will be presented in Canberra next month.

I remember Bethany's interest and support of Plato - she attended Plato meetings.  I am pleased that she has been recognized for her journalistic efforts. A very worthy recipient of these awards.

[govt school teacher]

...."levels" at the heart of outcomes-based education assessment, which many academics believed to be an invalid measure. "


"Many academics" believed dogs piss against posts too, but that doesn't mean it wasn't immediately obvious to everyone else - even the village idiot.

All congratulations to Bethany for her award. She was certainly instrumental in keeping the stupidity, ignorance and arrogant obstinacy of the OBE proponents and their stooges in government, Monster for Hejakayshun, Ravlich and her failed premier, Carpenter.

Not so praiseworthy was the second story for which she received an award. This was just an exercise in media bullying of a man who defended his own freedom of choice and individuality, but was easy meat because he looked and lived differently to the "norm" we are all supposedly proud to call the Australian male.  I'll bet his kids are smarter and have a more comprehensive education than many of the kids who are sent to normal schools by certain suburban rubbish parents - and I bet they love and respect their dad  all the more for it!

[govt school teacher]

sorry - part of my second paragraph disappeared;

All congratulations to Bethany for her award. She was certainly instrumental in keeping the stupidity, ignorance and arrogant obstinacy of the OBE proponents and their stooges in government, Monster for Hejakayshun, Ravlich and her failed premier, Carpenter firmly in public view.

[Ray]

A well deserved award indeed.
Well Done Bethany, you can continue your career knowing you did more for education in WA than any of the idiot politicians (Ravlich , McGowan ,Ripper, Crapenter etc...) and OBE sycophants from DET/AISWA/Cathed.

[Patrick F. Whalen]

In the congratulations email I sent her this morning I made this comment; "I am sure that Plato's battle against OBE would not have been possible without the continued media pressure and support that you provided."
By the way, I noticed that Channel 7's OBE "forum" did not win any awards! :)