Victorian Education Excellence Awards winners

On Friday 27 October 2023, the Victorian Education Excellence Awards (VEEA) recognised our outstanding government school teachers, leaders, business managers and education support staff.

Minister for Education, the Hon. Ben Carroll MP, and Secretary Jenny Atta were among the guests at the annual event, offering rousing applause for this year’s winners.

The awards recognised 47 finalists across 15 categories for their achievements, plus the overall award for excellence in education, the Lindsay Thompson award, which went to the learning and teaching team at Balwyn High School for their outstanding programs for high-ability students.

In her speech at the event, the Secretary celebrated the achievements of our state’s leading educators and education support staff, thanking finalists for the admirable work they do for Victorian students and families.

‘Your wonderful work lifts the esteem in which the education workforce is held – you are role models and leaders,’ the Secretary said.

‘On behalf of the Department of Education – and indeed all Victorian school communities – thank you.’

About the awards

Now in their 22nd year, the VEEAs celebrate outstanding government school teachers, principals, business managers and education support staff.

Winners receive professional development grants of up to $25,000. Winners are also eligible to win Victoria's top public education prize, the Lindsay Thompson Award for Excellence in Education, and a further $20,000 grant. 

We’ve listed this year’s award winners below. If you want to learn more about what excellence in education looks like, check out our profiles of this year’s finalists on the 2023 Victorian Education Excellence Awards finalists web page.

Award winners

Lindsay Thompson Award for Excellence in Education

Balwyn High School – Learning and Teaching Team

Individual awards

Outstanding Primary Principal

Clare Monk, Warrnambool West Primary School

Colin Simpson Outstanding Secondary Principal

Kimberley Tempest, Cobram Secondary College

Outstanding Primary Teacher

Ruth Chambers, Wonthaggi Primary School

Outstanding Secondary Teacher

Elizabeth Ferguson, Pascoe Vale Girls College

Outstanding Early Career Primary Teacher

Kendall Heycox, Corryong College

Outstanding Early Career Secondary Teacher

Alice Hu, Elevation Secondary College

Outstanding Physical Education and Activity Teacher

Paul Baks, Belle Vue Park Primary School

Outstanding Business Manager

Sharon Veale, Warringa Park School

Team awards

Outstanding School Improvement

Wangaratta West Primary School – Leadership Team

Outstanding Education Support Team

Mooroopna Park Primary School – Wellbeing Team

Outstanding Inclusive Education

Bentleigh West Primary School

Outstanding Koorie Education

Swan Hill Specialist School – School Inclusion Team

Outstanding Provision for High-Ability Students – Primary

Daylesford Primary School

Outstanding Provision for High-Ability Students – Secondary

Balwyn High School – Learning and Teaching Team

Dr Lawrie Shears Outstanding Global Teaching and Learning

Werribee Secondary College – Global Citizenship Team

Find out more

For more information, including winner profiles, refer to the VEEAs webpage.

For further enquiries, contact the VEEA team by email: excellence.awards@education.vic.gov.au