Award for good relationships and working together
Local
When asked to define ‘inclusive education’, teacher Tara Clark describes is as, young people having agency and helping them feel successful at school.
“It’s about watching them grow, even if it’s very small steps,” she says.
The acting assistant principal of Wellbeing at St Joseph’s School in Port Lincoln was the recipient of the 2026 Catholic Education Award South Australia for Inclusive Education, an acknowledgement she found extremely humbling.
Tara was praised for her sustained excellence, deeply relational leadership, and transformative impact on students, families and staff over more than 33 years of service at St Joseph’s School.
Since commencing her career at the school in 1993, Tara has served in a wide range of roles, each marked by professionalism, compassion, and a strong sense of vocation and belief in the mission of Catholic education.
Tara grew up at Cummins on the Eyre Peninsula and after completing her teaching degree, returned there to make her mark. “I’ve always had a love of working with children and seeing them achieve. Our school is a Preschool to Year 12 school, so I’m very privileged to be able to see them grow over many years and become very independent people.”
The mother-of-three said her now grown children taught her important lessons.
“Motherhood taught me patience and gave a bit more insight into how different things can impact them throughout their school life and how important relationships with teachers are,” she says. “When you ask former students about their fond memories at school, it’s always those teachers they have had really good relationships with. They are the teachers they remember.”
Tara also stood out from the crowd for delivering evidence-based professional learning and ongoing training for Education Support Officers, building staff capability and confidence in inclusive practices (In consultation with Leaders of Learning).
Beyond systems and processes, Tara’s most profound impact is cultural. She has fostered a school environment in which inclusion is not simply a requirement, but a lived and shared value. She affirms and encourages staff, builds morale, and models respectful, compassionate leadership. Her work has created a culture where diversity is celebrated, staff feel supported, and every student is known, valued, and able to flourish.
Tara says she is committed to the ongoing wellbeing of her students and their region. “I love our St Joseph’s community and I love Port Lincoln so I can’t see myself going too far,” she says. “I’m hoping that I’ll be able to finish my career at Saint Joseph’s.”
Her involvement in the local community extends beyond the school gates. Her volunteer work across sporting organisations, disability services, and outreach initiatives such as Fred’s Van reflects a life grounded in service and justice. Her recognition with the Tom Venning Volunteer Award in 2025 affirms the breadth and significance of her contribution.
Despite the Inclusive Education award, she is keen to deflect any praise.
“Education is not something we do alone,” she says. “I see this as an award for all our school community because we’re certainly a team and have some excellent educational support officers that do the really hard work on the ground day-to-day.”
