Harmony Early Learning’s night of nights, its 2021 Inaugural Harmony Awards, was held on Saturday 27 November recognising the incredible efforts of educators and support staff off the back of a tumultuous year.
With over 400,000 fairy lights, silk aerial dancers, red carpet on arrival and internal fireworks, the festivities were held at the Gold Coast Convention Centre on Saturday 27 November and put the hard works of educators over the past year up in lights.
Peter Warner, Chief Executive Officer of Harmony Early Learning, said the event was an amazing celebration of the dedicated staff across all ten centres in Southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales.
“As a 100 per cent Australian family-owned business, we’re all about creating a sense of community at Harmony, and after a tough year, we felt it appropriate to celebrate our educators’ contribution, energy and passion in inspiring the next generation in the best way possible.”
There were 12 different categories including Student of the Year, Educational Leader of the Year, Diversity and Inclusion Award and Outstanding Leadership Award.
Taking out the most prestigious award for the night – Centre of the Year – was Hope Island on the Gold Coast. This centre commenced operations at the start of 2021 and is Harmony’s largest centre.
“The team at Hope Island have excelled in their first year of operations in all areas. Accommodating up to 230 children per day, there’s up to 60 educators working with our children and families every day,” Warner said.
Yarrabilba local Maddison Kirchner took out the ‘Student of the Year’ award, acknowledging her notable commitment to her study whilst working at Harmony’s Yarrabilba centre as Lead Educator.
Since inception in 2016, Harmony has graduated more than 850 students to primary school and beyond. With over 2,000 children currently enrolled at Harmony centres, they are a team of 450 strong and have served more than 650,000 meals to their students.
“This event was more than just the awards; it was to commemorate all we achieved over the past year at Harmony of which all our employees have been integral to,” Mr Warner said.
“We opened three new state of the art centres at Springfield, Hope Island, and Yarrabilba Drive, and recruited more than 120 new team members.
“We’re also really excited at where we’re going. Over the next two years, we will double in size with a total of 21 centres – all in Northern NSW and Southeast Queensland – keeping our Harmony family tight and connected geographically.
“Our vision is to be and become Australia’s pre-eminent, contemporary early learning provider for discerning families and gifted educators. As a learning organisation, we’re always looking for the latest and best knowledge currently available to build upon, and at the same time, lean on age old wisdom from generations gone,” Warner said.
Student of the Year – Maddison Kircher – Yarrabilba, QLD
This award recognises a person who is enrolled in a course that will enhance or develop their career. This award acknowledges an individual who has exhibited exceptional commitment to study whilst demonstrating outstanding work ethic at Harmony.
