In the lead-up to Victoria's celebration of World Teachers' Day on Friday 28 October 2022, this year's Victorian Education Excellence Awards have showcased the outstanding work of teachers and schools across the state.
On Friday 21 October 2022, the winners of the 2022 awards were announced at the Regent Plaza Ballroom in Melbourne, before around 370 guests, former major award winners and Minister for Education, the Hon Natalie Hutchins MP.
Department Secretary Jenny Atta warmly welcomed guests and finalists to the big event, who enjoyed music from the Macleod Secondary College Jazz Band.
The event also saw the return of 2 of the 2021 VEEA winners to enjoy the spotlight:
- Rachael Gore from Albert Park College (winner of the Outstanding Secondary Teacher Award)
- Evan Savage, Principal, Armstrong Creek School (Outstanding Inclusive Education Award winner and winner of the Lindsay Thompson Award for Excellence in Education).
Victorian Education Excellence Awards winners
The 15 award winners included teachers, principals, education support staff and business managers from across Victoria.
Individual Awards
- Outstanding Primary Principal – Kim Saddlier, Kangaroo Flat Primary School
- Colin Simpson Outstanding Secondary Principal – Pitsa Binnion, McKinnon Secondary College
- Outstanding Primary Teacher – Ruby Russell, The Basin Primary School
- Outstanding Secondary Teacher – Kimberley Zammit, Warringa Park School
- Outstanding Early Career Primary Teacher – Amy Davis, Clyde Creek Primary School
- Outstanding Early Career Secondary Teacher – Seamus Kavanagh, Richmond High School
- Outstanding Physical Education and Activity Teacher – Alison Dowler, Western Port Secondary College
- Outstanding Business Manager – Victoria Harris, Greenhills Primary School.
Team Awards
- Outstanding School Improvement – Frankston North Education Plan
- Outstanding Education Support – Mount Waverley Secondary College
- Outstanding Inclusive Education – Clifton Springs Primary School
- Outstanding Koorie Education – Reservoir East Primary School
- Outstanding Provision for High-Ability Students Primary – Doncaster Gardens Primary School
- Outstanding Provision for High-Ability Students Secondary – Camberwell High School.
The Victorian Education Excellence Awards support the continued professional development of staff, with professional learning grants of $20,000 available for each individual award and $25,000 for each team award.
The esteemed Lindsay Thompson Award for Excellence in Education was also announced on the night, going to the Frankston North Education Plan, a collaboration between 3 schools:
- Aldercourt Primary School
- Mahogany Rise Primary School
- Monterey Secondary College.
The award recognises the most outstanding contribution to Victorian government school education and offers an additional professional learning grant of $20,000.
World Teachers' Day
Following on from the Victorian Education Excellence Awards, World Teachers' Day provides an opportunity to say 'thank you' to the teachers who make a profound difference to young people's lives.
World Teachers' Day is held internationally on Tuesday 5 October, but Victoria will celebrate on Friday 28 October 2022.
Lee Watts, Acting Deputy Secretary, Schools and Regional Services, thanked teachers for their hard work and resilience to support their communities.
'There is a Japanese proverb, "Better than a thousand days of diligent study is one day with a great teacher", which encapsulates the profound influence a passionate teacher can have on a young life,' Lee said.
'Through challenges such as the pandemic, bushfires or floods, Victorian teachers continue to inspire, motivate, educate and empower young people to live happy, healthy and successful lives.
'This Friday 28 October 2022 is World Teachers' Day, and I would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge the incredible contribution Victorian teachers make to their communities. Thank you.'
Please take a moment to recognise how teaching has extended beyond the classroom and celebrate your passion for building and maintaining connections with your community.
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