After a three-week national campaign, more than 800 employees and 180 centre teams within Affinity Education Group are celebrating nominations as part of our yearly national awards program, the Affinity Awards.
CEO Tim Hickey rolled out the nomination announcements to excited centre teams, who are proudly celebrating and recognising achievements across 40 different categories, all identifying positive workplace culture along with excellence in performance within the Early Education and Care sector.
“This year, our Affinity Awards have had their strongest EVER response with more than 800 individual employees nominated by their fellow Affinity-ites,” Mr Hickey said.
“From trainees to cooks, Nursery Educators to Early Childhood Teachers – no one misses out on a chance for respect and recognition in the Affinity Awards, and we are equally proud and delighted for everyone involved in 2024,” he said.
In a company cultural tradition that has become an annual event for many centres who are part of Affinity Education Group, nominees have taken to social media to celebrate, posting ‘Serious Fun’ photos and videos using the hashtag #2024AffinityAwards.
Affinity Values – Our ‘Affinity Way’
Individuals along with entire centre teams have been nominated for one or more of our six ‘Affinity Values’ on which our company culture is based on. At Kids Academy Murrumbeena, Centre Manager Cristina D’Ambrosio said the team’s nomination for Delivering Outstanding Professionalism had put a ‘big smile’ on everyone’s faces.
“We’ve been celebrating all morning – we're working so hard to achieve this every day, and it means a lot to have that appreciation come through,” said Cristina.
All six Affinity Values, Going Above and Beyond, Creating Shining Stars, Being Completely Connected, Delivering Outstanding Professionalism, Living The Team Spirit and Having Serious Fun, have been featured in nominations for hundreds of Affinity employees including Milestones Early Learning Tarneit’s team in Victoria, who are celebrating a record 21 nominations.
“We are so appreciative of all the recognition and acknowledgement that motivates each one of us to do better every time,” Centre Manager Roshani Shetty said.
“We’re always indebted for the support and love showered on our team.”
Papilio Early Learning Reedy Creek’s team in Queensland quickly took to social media to celebrate their nominations after receiving the update.
“Accolades all around! We have received a whopping SEVEN nominations as part of the 2024 Affinity Awards!!! Five Education and Service nominations and two Affinity Values Award nominations,” said Centre Manager Aletia Grey.
“Absolutely honoured to be recognised for all the incredible passion and dedication our team has shown and continues to show each and every day. We may not be winner winner chicken dinners but a nomination is a huge honour in itself and honestly just a massive shout out to everyone for being a part of what makes Papilio Reedy Creek so special!
Congratulations to Miss Kylie for her nomination for Trainee of the Year
Congratulations to Miss Serena for her nominations for both ECT of the Year and School Readiness Educator of the year
Congratulations to Miss Geise for her nomination for Nursery Educator of the year
Congratulations to Miss Heather for her nomination for Educational Leader of the year
As a whole service a big well done for gaining nominations for the Having Serious Fun Award and the Creating Shining Stars Award “
Other categories recognise Excellence in Safety, Quality, Education and People Development. State Manager’s awards will be complemented by national winners for a wide variety of Education and Management roles including Best Centre Manager, Assistant Centre Manager, Early Childhood Teacher, Educational Leader, Lead Educator, Nursery Educator, Trainee and Cook.
“I like to say we ‘live and breathe our values’ because Affinity Education Group continues to be built on this way of working together. These awards are a fantastic opportunity to recognize those who stand out and lead the way because we want to keep improving as an organization," Mr Hickey said.
The 2024 Affinity Awards National Winners will be announced on 16 December 2024.
Recognising our valued sponsors
The 2024 Affinity Awards have been made possible with the support of valued sponsors including:
Gold – Complete Office Supplies
As a preferred supplier for Affinity Education Group and a proud Gold Sponsor, COS is committed to supporting early education and childcare centres. We understand the unique needs of early childhood education settings and provide tailored solutions to optimise administrative processes, streamline procurement, and create positive and inclusive learning environments.
Our extensive range of products includes stationery, technology, and furniture supplies, as well as baby essentials and cleaning products, all designed to keep staff and children healthy, safe, and productive. Additionally, we offer a wide selection of eco-friendly products to support your sustainability efforts. As a family-owned business, COS is dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of marginalised communities by ensuring access to education, healthcare, and basic necessities for all individuals. We feel a deep sense of responsibility to give back.
Gold – Modern Teaching Aids
Modern Teaching Aids (MTA) is a leading advocate for enriching early childhood education experiences across Australia. As a preferred supplier to Affinity Education Group and proud Gold Sponsor, MTA demonstrates its unwavering commitment to supporting early childhood educators and fostering innovation in this critical stage of development. An advocate for early childhood education, empowering educators and inspiring young learners across Australia, MTA continues to elevate standards in early childhood education and contribute to the growth and development of future generations. By fostering a community of learning and innovation through their innovative products, personalized support, and dedication to professional development, MTA empowers early childhood professionals to excel in their roles and positively impact young children's lives.
Silver – Industry Graduates
Proud to deliver training, development, and support to trainees, educators, Early Childhood Teachers and Centre Management Teams! Industry Graduates improves workforce capability through design and implementation of commercially focused strategies for employers and industry bodies. IT has been working closely with Affinity to Realise Potential in all employees through our ‘Affinity Learning Academy’ model, which provides fully funded accredited training delivered by respected RTOs since 2017. We focus on attraction, recruitment, development and retention of candidates into the workforce from pre employment to leadership.
Silver – Hills Uniforms Australia
For the past 13 years, Hills Uniforms Group has supplied uniforms, workwear, PPE and merchandise to clients across Asia Pacific. Hills Uniforms core values of communication, collaboration, professionalism and going above and beyond for our clients is shared and echoed within “The Affinity Way”. Delivering Outstanding Professionalism is a key Affinity Value – and one reflected by the presentation of our Centre Managers, educators and operational team around Australia. As Affinity Education Groups preferred supplier and Silver Sponsor, Hills Uniforms Group is delighted to use the opportunity to showcase the diverse uniform range.
Bronze – Rockbuild
Proudly supporting facilities repair, playground and internal improvements and safety initiative projects nationally for Affinity! RockBuild Group are an Australian based leading provider, specialising in Design and Construction, Major and Minor Renovations, Project Management and Facilities Maintenance Services, specialising in the Retirement Living, Retail and Childcare sectors.
RockBuild have developed extensive experience and capability, to ensure we offer industry leading solutions to suit your specific construction project, renovation, programmed and reactive maintenance needs, offering a complete project management and construction service. At RockBuild Group, we take pride in our commitment to delivering exceptional results on every project we undertake. Our team of highly skilled and experienced professionals work closely with our clients to understand their needs and objectives, ensuring that we deliver customised solutions that meet their specific requirements.