At the recent Aspire Awards Gala, Aspire Clyde North was announced as Aspire’s Centre of the Year! This important award went to a centre that has successfully embedded a culture of collaboration and teamwork. Clyde North excels in every category to provide the best possible education and care to all families.
This award recognises the centre’s outstanding achievements and its pivotal role in becoming a part of the community. We had a chat with Centre Manager Shashika Kuruppu to talk about why this award is important to her and her team, and what makes them shine.
Winning the Centre of the Year award is a tremendous honour for us. It reflects our educator’s hard work, management, positive guidance, dedication, and commitment to excellence. For the team, it validates our effort and motivates us to continue pushing our limits. It also reinforces our sense of unity and purpose, as we have all contributed to achieving this milestone. This recognition inspires us to maintain our high standards and strive for even greater accomplishments in the future.
Clyde North stands out due to it is strong community focus, innovative programs such as the Children’s Handbook, and commitment to individualised support. Our collaborative environment fosters teamwork and enhances the learning experience for both staff and children. Additionally, our dedication to continuous improvement and professional development ensures that we are always implementing the best practices. This unique combination of factors not only sets us apart but also played a crucial role in earning us the Centre of the Year award.
Our management team includes Kylie, Kristy, Thilini, Durga, Era, Diane, Donna, Anjie, Tash, Tina, Jess, Sarah, Kate and other Head Office team members. Each of these people plays a pivotal role in motivating our centre team to strive for excellence. They foster an open and supportive environment, encouraging us to share ideas and collaborate. Regular feedback and recognition of each educator’s and team’s achievements keep morale high and inspire continuous improvement. Furthermore, they invest in our professional development through training and resources, empowering us to reach our full potential. This strong leadership drives us to maintain our high standards and pursue excellence every day.
One of my favourite memories was winning the Aspire Leader in Excellence award at last year’s Awards Night. Our Kinder team won for their outstanding Kinder program which celebrates a culture of excellence which is thoroughly embedded. They have continued to build upon this acknowledgement last year and have formed a truly incredible kinder program.
We have also loved all of the team-building experiences we have held over the years. Whether it’s a pottery painting class or team dinner, it is always a joy to get together as a team and
Positive encouragement, strong relationships, and appreciation create a supportive environment that fuels a passion for working at Aspire Clyde North. When staff feel valued and encouraged, they are motivated to deliver their best for the children and families. This fosters a sense of belonging and pride, which deepens their commitment to providing high-quality care and creating meaningful, nurturing experiences for children’s growth and development.
What I appreciate most is the collaborative environment that foster innovation and creativity. The team is dedicated and passionate making it easy to tackle challenges together. I also value our commitment to professional development as it empowers everyone to grow and success. The positive culture and shared vision make our centre a truly rewarding place to work.
This past year has been full of many great memories. Check out some of the centre's favourite moments in the carousel below!
It is easy to see how Aspire Early Education Clyde North received Aspire’s Centre of the Year award! Through hard work, strong practices, and a passion and drive for delivering high-quality early education, Shashika and the entire Clyde North team continue to move from strength to strength.