Jose Bustamante recognised for kindness and compassion in ACT Children’s Week Award

A number of teachers, staff, students and volunteers in ACT public schools, including schools offering preschool programs, who make a difference in the lives of children and young people have been recognised through the ACT Children’s Week Award ceremony, held last Wednesday. 

Award winners came from a variety of roles within the school community, from students, to learning support assistants and business support officers, with Building Services Officer at Southern Cross Early Childhood School, Jose Bustamante, being recognised for his 14 year commitment to the school. 

Former principal at Southern Cross Early Childhood School, Catherine Dillon, spoke about the “great pride” Jose has in caring for the buildings and playgrounds of the school, as well as contributing to a culture of kindness. 

Mr Bustamante, she said, “always comes from a position of compassion”. 

“Jose cares for children”, Ms Dillion said, saying his contributions to supporting the educational and wellbeing outcomes for children “far surpass his role as a Building Services Officer”.

“He contributes to our culture of kindness and always comes from a position of compassion. Jose cares for children,” Catherine said.

Director General of Education Katy Haire had the pleasure of announcing the award winners and personally thanked each for their outstanding contributions.

“It was a great pleasure to join the ACT Children’s Week festivities as we celebrate Canberra’s children and young people and their right to enjoy their childhood.

“We are proud of our students, their parents and carers and our teachers in the way they all responded to these challenges and Children’s Week provides a valuable opportunity to celebrate the rights, talents and citizenship of Canberra’s children,” Ms Haire said.

Further information about the Awards is available here.