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Inaugural scholarship honours education professor

15 June 2005

A new memorial scholarship honouring a Monash education researcher has been given at the annual Education faculty student awards.

Jeff Northfield Award, from left: Inaugural recipient Mrs Jill Flack; Education faculty acting dean Professor John Loughran; and Jeff Northfield’s wife, Mrs Joan Northfield.

The inaugural Jeff Northfield Memorial Award for Excellence in Teacher Research was presented to Ms Jill Flack at the ceremony on 1 June.

The award is dedicated to the memory of Education faculty researcher Professor Jeff Northfield, who died in May last year.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Education faculty acting dean Professor John Loughran said Professor Northfield was passionate about teaching and teaching research.

"From the time Jeff arrived in the faculty in 1975, both his research and practice were framed by a commitment to the fundamental significance of teacher knowledge, and more specifically the knowledge generated by teacher research for the improvement of classroom learning," Professor Loughran said.

Ms Flack, who taught at Monash's Peninsula campus and worked as a school teacher, played a key role in establishing the first Project for Enhancing Effective Learning (PEEL) group of primary teachers from schools around Warragul in rural Victoria.

Teachers who participate in PEEL undertake research and discuss classroom approaches that stimulate and support independent student learning.

Margaret Clark Award, from left: Award recipient Ms Hongming Ma; Margaret Clark’s daughter, Ms Heather Clark; Education faculty acting dean Professor John Loughran; and Margaret Clark’s husband, Mr Malcolm Clark.

A second memorial prize -- the Margaret Clark Award -- was presented to Ms Hongming Ma. It is awarded annually to an outstanding Master of Education student in the maths and science field.

Ms Ma, who obtained her Master of Education (Mathematics and Science Education) last year, is now investigating the culture of mathematics and science education for her PhD.

Ms Margaret Clark, who completed her Master of Education (Research) at Monash in 1991, passed away from cancer in early 1992. The award was established in her name by her husband Mr Malcolm Clark, and it was presented by her daughter Ms Heather Clark.

As well as the two memorial awards, 15 university and industry-based scholarships for excellence were awarded to Education students at the Clayton campus ceremony.