On Friday night, the best of what Australia’s education system has to offer was recognised and celebrated when more than 800 principals, deputies, department heads and teachers converged at the Australian Education Awards 2023.
The nation’s top educators and schools were recognised across 28 award categories, including the national awards of Education Perfect Australian School Principal of the Year and the Education Perfect Australian School of the Year.
The gala event was held at the Fullerton Hotel in Sydney and hosted by Australian comedian, radio and television presenter Merrick Watts, and serenaded by SongDivision, a talented Australian band who have played with some of music’s biggest names, from David Bowie to Beyoncé.
Partnering with The Educator for the second year in a row was Education Perfect, a curriculum aligned teaching and learning platform for Years 5-12 students, teachers and parents. Ian Pedler, the Head of Australia for Education Perfect, said the profound and transformative impact of teachers and the work they do cannot be understated.
“In celebrating teachers and the power of education, we acknowledge the profound impact they have on shaping the future of our society,” Pedler told The Educator.
“At Education Perfect, we firmly believe in the transformative power of education and are privileged to stand alongside these dedicated educators as their partners in the pursuit of excellence. Through their unwavering commitment, passion, and innovative practices, teachers inspire and empower the next generation of leaders, innovators, and changemakers.”
Pedler said the Awards “provide a platform to honour their exceptional achievements and amplify their voices, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collective growth.”
“It is our responsibility to recognise and celebrate the tireless efforts of these remarkable individuals who shape countless lives through education.”
Congratulations to all of tonight’s winners and Excellence Awardees. Your well-deserved awards demonstrate the meaningful change you are making in Australia’s thriving education sector.
The Educator would also like to thank all of our premium partners and Award sponsors – Education Perfect, Grok Academy, Ideagen CompliSpace, AFL Schools, Soprano Design, A Team Tuition, and Prime Super. Your support is greatly valued and appreciated.
Without further ado, here are the winners of the Australian Education Awards 2023.
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Department Head of the Year
Winner: Hope Laavia, Marsden State High School - Education Queensland
Excellence Awardees:
Danni Mattiazzo, Larrakeyah Primary School
Iain Taylor, Saint Stephen's College
Lauren Ward, Dubbo College South Campus
Michael Murphy, Norwood International High School
Michele Brennan, Wenona School
Paul Lowe, Bremer State High Schoo
Samantha Andonis, Trinity College (SA)
Shari Finlay, St Patrick's College Townsville
Education Rising Star of the Year
Winner: Stephanie Thomas, Ipswich Girls' Grammar School including Ipswich Junior Grammar School
Excellence Awardees:
Alyssa Malone, Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School
Andrew Paltridge, Canterbury College
George Allen, Cobram Secondary College
Georgi Eadie, St Margaret's Anglican Girls School
Luen Tobar, Brisbane State High School
Natasha Muller, Beaconhills College
Nikki Asikas, Australian Science and Mathematics School (DfE)
NRL School Ambassador Program Primary School Principal of the Year – Government
Winner: Trent Cowley, Kingston State School
Excellence Awardees:
Angela-Jane Gay, Young North Public School NSW
Duncan Adams, Telegraph Point Public School
Kaylah Gray, Krambach Public School
Matthew Roy, Chatham Public School
Megan Manson, Canobolas Public School
Sandee Ising, St Agnes School
Primary School Principal of the Year – Non-government
Winner: Doug Thomas, Claremont College
Excellence Awardees:
Audrey Fellowes, Clayfield College
Catherine Shaw, The Nature School
Daniel Thomas, Melbourne Montessori School
Katie Petchell, Perth College
Simone Reilly, Caulfield Grammar School
William Wallace, Golden Grove Lutheran Primary School
Primary School Teacher of the Year – Government
Winner: Tara Barron, Rochedale State School
Excellence Awardees:
Carmel Spruhan, Larrakeyah Primary School
Daniel Edwards, Montello Primary School
Keegan Peace, Pallara State School
Lauryn Fitton, Governor Philip King Public School
Primary School Teacher of the Year - Non-Government
Winner: Stella Gardner, Brisbane Grammar School
Excellence Awardees:
Jemma Trendler, Ormiston College
Libby Spencer, Pilgrim School
Mary Giles, St Hilda's Anglican School for Girls
Sarah Singleton, St Margaret's Anglican Girls School
Vanessa Hodgkiss, Casey Grammar School
A Team Tuition School Principal of the Year – Government
Winner: Michael West, Bellbird Park State Secondary College
Excellence Awardees:
Anne McLauchlan, The Gap State High School
Benjamin Weeks, Robina State High School
Brenton Farleigh, Loganlea State High School
Christopher Capra, Palm Beach Currumbin State High School
Meaghan Cook, Hastings Secondary College
Simon Done, Maryborough State High School
Steven Cook, Albert Park College
Tracey Rapson, Hunter River Community School
Sponsored by A Team Tuition
Prime Super School Principal of the Year - Non-government
Winner: Phillip Heath AM, Barker College
Excellence Awardees:
Annette Rome, St Margaret's Berwick Grammar
Brett Webster, Ormiston College
Daniel Crump, Stuartholme School
Elizabeth Hanney, Siena College
Fiona Williams, Casey Grammar School
Josh Counsel, Discovery Christian College
Paulina Skerman, Santa Sabina College
Stephanie Kriewaldt, Lobethal Lutheran School 
Zeynep Yaseen, International Maarif School of Australia
Sponsored by Prime Super
Secondary School Teacher of the Year – Government
Winners: Cherie Nelson, Robina State High School & Meg Bailey, Templestowe College
Excellence Awardees:
Jack Anderson, Loganlea State High School
Matthew Meinema, Joseph Banks Secondary College
Mel Mace, Corinda State High School
Sharon Davis, Maitland Grossman High School
Secondary School Teacher of the Year - Non-Government
Winner: Gary Smith, Cobram Anglican Grammar School
Excellence Awardees:
Crystal Thompson, Brisbane Grammar School
Jamie Jones, Josiah College
Julene Lander, Faith Lutheran College Redlands
Kiera Lansdown, Emmaus College
Laura Main, St Philip's Christian College Cessnock
Mitchell Mills, Saint Stephen's College
Natasha Stenta, St Michael's College
CURRICULUM AWARDS
Best Co-Curricular Program
Winner: Lauriston Girls' School - Howqua Outdoor Program
Excellence Awardees:
Marsden State High School + Dance Excellence Program
Palm Beach Currumbin State High School- REDs Wellbeing Portal
Perth College Sports Development and Performance Program
St Patrick's College, Townsville Arts Program
St Peter's Woodlands Grammar School - The DARE Diploma - Year 6 Graduation Diploma
The Lakes College Culinary Club
Trinity Anglican School White Rock Campus Primary Year Six Connections
Grok Academy Best STEM Program
Winner: Boonah State High School - Growing STEM in the Scenic Rim
Excellence Awardees:
Brisbane South State Secondary College - STEMM(medical)
Marble Bar Primary School - Marble Bar Virtual World
MLC School Sydney - Junior School
Reef Guardian Schools
Santa Maria College, Perth
St Patrick's College Townsville - #STEMLikeAPatsGirl
St Philip's Christian College Newcastle
Trinity College (SA) – SPARK
Sponsored by Grok Academy
Soprano Design Best Use of Technology
Winner: Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School
Excellence Awardees:
Brisbane South State Secondary College - Leveraging Digital
Emmanuel College
Emmaus College - Languages (Italian 7-12)
Larrakeyah Primary School
Minarah College - Digital transformation program
Ormiston College
Saint Stephen's College – eLearning
Sponsored by Soprano Design
Grok Academy Innovation in Curriculum Design
Winner: Caulfield Grammar School - Kakadu Year 9 Remote Program
Excellence Awardees:
Mater Dei College - Passion Project
Ruyton Girls' School - Scholar Program
St Catherine's School - Teaching and Learning Framework
St Clare's College Waverley - Lights, Camera, Change in Action
St John's Anglican College - Talking Keys
St Luke's Catholic College - Diploma + HSC Program
St Philip's Christian College, Newcastle - SmartTrack Academy
Trinity College (SA) - Blackham Environmental & Conservation Centre (BECC)
Sponsored by Grok Academy
Innovation in Learning Environment Design
Winner: Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School - Early Learning Centre
Excellence Awardees:
Caulfield Grammar School - A Cluster at Wheelers Hill Campus
Haileybury – Haileybury Pangea Online School
Kildare College - Tullow Centre
Marsden State High School
Melba Copland Secondary School
The King's School - School Wide Literacy Enhancement project
St Paul's School - Design Led Ventures
SCHOOL AWARDS
Ideagen CompliSpace Best First Nations Education Program
Winner: Marble Bar School - Integrated Virtual World
Excellence Awardees:
Bandiana Primary School
Bellbird Park State Secondary College
Bremer State High School
Briar Road Public School
Gorokan High School
MLC School Sydney
Palm Beach Currumbin State High School
Presbyterian Ladies' College (Perth)
Torres Strait Kaziw Meta
Sponsored by Ideagen CompliSpace
Best Professional Learning Program
Winner: Robina State High School
Excellence Awardees:
Canterbury College
Genazzano Fcj College
Joseph Banks Secondary College
Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School
Miami State High School
Mt St Michael's College, Ashgrove, Brisbane
Queensland Children’s Hospital School
St Catherines school
Best School Strategic Plan
Winner: Maryborough State High School
Excellence Awardees:
Corinda State High School
Cornish College
Emmanuel Catholic College - Western Australia
Loreto College Ballarat
Scotch Oakburn College
St Saviour's College, Toowoomba, Queensland
Westbourne Grammar School
Best Student Wellbeing Program
Winner: Berry Public School
Excellence Awardees:
Asquith Girls High School
Haileybury
Joseph Banks Secondary College
Loreto College Marryatville
Mooroopna Park Primary School
South Thornlie Primary School
St Margaret's Berwick Grammar - Positive Mental Health Strategy
St Ursula's College Toowoomba
Boarding School of the Year
Winner: St Ursula's College Toowoomba
Excellence Awardees:
Clayfield College - Boarding House
Fairholme College
Kincoppal - Rose Bay
Presbyterian Ladies’ College Perth
Stuartholme School
AFL Schools Primary School of the Year – Government
Winner: Prospect North Primary School
Excellence Awardees:
Cabramatta Public School
Cessnock East Public School
Governor Philip King Public School
Tallimba Public School
Wyalong Public School
Yates Avenue Public School
Sponsored by AFL Schools
Primary School of the Year – Non-government
Winner: Matthew Flinders Anglican College
Excellence Awardees:
Haileybury
Lauriston Girls' School
Ormiston College Junior School
Penrhos College Junior School
St Mary's Parish Primary School, Greensborough Victoria
Strathcona Girls Grammar
Prime Super Regional School of the Year
Winner: Haileybury Rendall School
Excellence Awardees:
Fraser Coast Anglican College
Newcastle Grammar School
Red Bend Catholic College - Forbes Central West NSW
Riverside Christian College, Maryborough, Queensland
St Edward's Primary School South Tamworth
Sunshine Coast Grammar School
The Rockhampton Grammar School
Sponsored by Prime Super
Secondary School of the Year – Government
Winner: Templestowe College
Excellence Awardees:
Ashdale Secondary College
Bentleigh Secondary College
Brisbane State High School
Cabramatta High School
Canterbury Boys High School
Marsden State High School
Miami State High School
A Team Tuition Secondary School of the Year – Non-government
Winner: Haileybury
Excellence Awardees:
Balcombe Grammar School
Emmanuel Catholic College - Western Australia
Immanuel College
Masada College
St Margaret's Anglican Girls School
St Paul's School
Trinity Anglican School
Sponsored by A Team Tuition
Special Education School of the Year
Winner: Cook School
Excellence Awardees:
Anson Street School
Bellbird Park State Secondary College
Carenne School for Specific Purposes
Cranleigh School
Glenallen School
Maryborough State High School
St Peter's Heart, Campbelltown
Education Perfect Australian School of the Year
Winner: Cook School
Excellence Awardees:
Prospect North Primary School
Matthew Flinders Anglican College
Templestowe College
Haileybury
Sponsored by Education Perfect
Education Perfect Australian School Principal of the Year
Winner: Phillip Heath AM, Barker College
Excellence Awardees:
Trent Cowley, Kingston State School
Doug Thomas, Claremont College
Michael West, Bellbird Park State Secondary College
Sponsored by Education Perfect