DATTA Qld Newsletter
July 2025
Dear Colleagues,
Welcome to our July newsletter! This month features a celebration of the recent 2025 DATTA Qld State Conference and the recipients of the DATTA QLD Teacher Awards.
Discover the latest opportunities and achievements from across our educational community below.
With best wishes,
Carol-Anne Durkin
President – Design And Technology Teachers’ Association QLD
2025 DATTA Queensland State Conference
Celebrating the Success of the 2025 DATTA Qld State Conference
The 2025 DATTA Qld State Conference, held on 19 and 20 June at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, proved to be an outstanding success, drawing design and technology educators from across the state for two days of dynamic professional growth and collaboration.
Attendees immersed themselves in a robust program packed with insightful information sessions spanning the Design & Technology curriculum, innovative pedagogy, and advances in content delivery. The interactive workshops empowered teachers with practical tools and creative strategies, sparking new perspectives on student engagement and delivery methods. Sessions covered everything from marking guides and subject mapping to harnessing the value of unconventional ideas.
The energy extended beyond the seminar rooms, with trade displays bustling with activity as leading industry partners showcased state-of-the-art products and solutions. Exhibitors praised the conference for its effectiveness in building brand visibility and cultivating connections with enthusiastic educators.
The event fostered a true spirit of community, with participants and trade companies alike expressing high satisfaction and anticipation for future collaboration. We extend our heartfelt thanks to every attendee, presenter, and exhibitor for making this conference such a memorable and rewarding experience.
We look forward to welcoming you again next year, as together we continue to advance excellence in design and technology education.
Share with us your feedback on the conference
Do you have any suggestions for presentations, exhibitors or improvements? Please send them through! We would love to hear your feedback on the venue, presentations and topics of the conference, as well as anything you could suggest for future events.
Please send any suggestions through to president@dattaqld.org.au.
2025 DATTA Qld Conference Photos
Teacher Excellence Awards
The DATTA Queensland Teacher Excellence Award program was established to recognise Design & Technology teachers (and other industry associates) who contribute to the profession, serve as models for their colleagues and demonstrate excellence in the classroom. It should be noted that the term “Design & Technology teachers” is meant to include all teaching areas in the subject area, including areas such as engineering and STEM.
The award serves to provide public recognition for Queensland Design & Technology teachers with candidates being nominated by their colleagues. They may also self-nominate.
These awards are made each year and one of the awardees will become the Queensland nomination for the DATTA Australia Educator of the Year award, which is announced at their conference.
2025 Teacher of the Year Award Winner
This year’s recipient is a teacher whose career has spanned more than three decades, across seven Queensland schools. Terry Grieger is not only a master of his craft, but a generous mentor, an innovator, and a community builder.
From foundational trade experience to high-level curriculum design, Terry brings depth and integrity to everything he does. His students aren’t just taught – they’re inspired. His senior Graphics programs, such as the 2024 Printing Press unit and immersive architectural work explored through VR, speak to his commitment to relevant, rigorous, and future-focused learning.
But Terry’s influence goes beyond the classroom. He has served on the State Graphics Panel, delivered professional learning across the Darling Downs, and consistently uplifted colleagues with his extensive knowledge and his humility. His contributions have shaped not only student outcomes, but the very culture of Technology education in his schools.
Terry is the kind of teacher whose work leaves a legacy – seen in the continued messages from former students, the thriving elective numbers, and the instructional resources he has created to continue teaching even after he eventually retires.
For his unwavering commitment, his innovative teaching, and the immeasurable difference he has made in the lives of both students and staff, we are pleased to congratulate the 2025 DATTA QLD Teacher of the Year – Terry Grieger.
2025 Service to Design Technology Award Winner
This award recognises an individual whose dedication, initiative, and behind-the-scenes contribution have had a profound impact on their school community and on the delivery of quality Design and Technology education.
This year’s recipient is someone who exemplifies quiet excellence, tireless support, and an unwavering commitment to student learning and staff success. Leah Mark, School Officer at St Anthony’s, has become the cornerstone of her department – liaising with trades, supporting teachers across more than 10 classes each week, and mastering the machinery and materials required across hard technologies and textiles.
Leah does far more than her job description ever demanded. She organises safety training, mentors other support staff, maintains essential equipment, and ensures that projects across the school – not just within the Design and Technology department – are well-resourced and delivered safely and professionally. Her support enables teachers to focus on curriculum, and students to have hands-on, engaging learning experiences.
Her hospitality background, combined with her drive to learn and adapt, has made her an irreplaceable part of the team – and a true force for good within the school. Leah’s work is often invisible to the wider community, but without her, the learning opportunities available to students would be far more limited.
We are proud to shine a light on her exceptional contribution. We congratulate the recipient of the Service to Design & Technology Education Award – Leah Mark.
Student Awards - Submissions Closing Soon!
The Design and Technology Teachers’ Association of Queensland Student Subject Award program has been established to recognise excellence and outstanding achievements in Design and Technologies subjects across Queensland.
This year there has been an update to the requirements for submission. Please see following:
- Student work must use the template provided
- Student work must be submitted in .jpeg format
- Submissions must be accompanied with media coverage permission form
- File name format “LastName_FirstName_School_Category” (Doe_Jane_SHS_Y10D&T.jpeg)
Submissions along with the completed nomination form and signed media consent form, should be emailed to Jamie Lay at; studentawards@dattaqld.org.au by Friday 5 September 2025. There are no limits to the number of entries from each school.
Teach Meet - Week 5 - Applied Subjects and QCAA Quality Assurance
Join colleagues from across the state to share practical strategies, innovative approaches, and tackle questions about the upcoming QCAA Quality Assurance process. This interactive session will help you refine your methods and learn from others’ experiences.
When: Term 3, Wednesday, Week 5 – 13/08/2025
Time: 4:30pm-6:00pm
Platform: Zoom (open to all attendees)
Audience: Teachers and HODs from all Design and Technologies areas
What to bring:
- Classroom examples and learning sequences
- Questions about the QA process
- Ideas for task modification (substitute, augment, modify, redefine)
- Your experiences and challenges to share
Free for DATTA Qld Members!
Podcast episode 82 - Preparing Students for an AI-Driven Future
Don’t forget to tune in regularly for the DATTA Qld Podcast with Stephen Anderson! Episodes drop every Wednesday in Weeks 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 each term, each one packed with up-to-date insights, tips, and inspiration for all things Design & Technology. Whether you’re after curriculum updates, fresh classroom ideas, or the latest news in the D&T space, these podcasts are a must-listen for every teacher and HOD. Mark your calendars and stay connected with the DATTA Qld community!
Click the link below to listen to the Bridge Building Podcast today!
Episode 82 is out now – Preparing Students for an AI-Driven Future
Survey - Inspired Education
Inspired Education Australia, with industry partners, is building an Advocacy Report to highlight the importance of Design & Technologies in Australia’s future workforce – Example from 2022 – Your insights will shape better support for teachers, schools, and students in the Design & Technologies (D&T) area.
Please use the following link to complete the survey and assist with information!
Collaborate with your Peers on the Design Teachers QLD Website
The website provides a secure platform for teachers of General Design to collaborate. It doesn’t matter if you’re an Industrial Design and Technology teacher, Food and Textiles Design and Technology teacher, Art teacher, or any other teacher out of field. If you are teaching or planning to teach General Design, log on, create an account and collaborate with your peers.
Useful links
Upcoming events and important dates for 2025
Podcast – Out Weeks 1,3,5,7,9.
Teach Meet – Wednesday, Week 5
DATTA Qld Student Awards – Due by 5 September, 2025
Design and Technology Week – 13-19 October 2025
Membership Matters – Support Your Professional Community!
Take a moment to check your DATTA Qld membership status for 2025. Whether you hold school membership, personal membership, or both, your participation strengthens our professional association and unlocks valuable benefits throughout the year.
Why membership matters:
- Access to exclusive professional development opportunities
- Networking with educators across Queensland
- Resources and support for your teaching practice
- A stronger voice for Design and Technologies education
Spread the word! Consider who in your network might benefit from DATTA Qld membership. A quick conversation with colleagues about renewing or joining could make a real difference to our community’s growth and impact.
Contribute to our monthly newsletter
We encourage our members to contribute to our monthly newsletter! Please contact us if you have any articles or information that you think could be included in future newsletters.
Email on: socials@dattaqld.org.au
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