Winners in the 2025 Public Education Awards have been revealed – celebrating the exceptional individuals, teams and programs that support and deliver education in South Australian schools and preschools.

Spanning a dozen categories, the awards were presented on Friday night at a ceremony highlighting innovation, equity and excellence across public education.

This year’s winners come from across the state from Amata Aṉangu School in the APY Lands in the state’s far north, to an innovative agriculture teacher at Penola High School in the state’s south-east.

Department for Education Chief Executive Professor Martin Westwell said, I want to congratulate all the winners and finalists in this year’s Public Education Awards – each of whom exemplifies the tremendous work happening in classrooms across the state every day to deliver equity and excellence in public education.

"The Public Education Award categories are thoughtfully chosen to showcase the most valued facets of education, recognising innovation, collaboration, learner wellbeing and agency".

"It is an honour to lead a system enriched by educators of the calibre represented by the 2025 Public Education Award winners and finalists".

"These individuals and teams - like so many across public education - do remarkable work with students, families and communities, helping to unlock their potential and enabling all to learn and thrive", said Professor Westwell.

The Community Impact Award, a new category this year, was won by Lenswood Primary School for The Resilient Lenswood project. Supported by a Parents in Education grant, the program empowers the community to face natural disasters with preparedness and confidence, with students helping to co-design projects with families and experts. As this year’s winner, Lenswood Primary School will receive $2000 to be invested back into the school.

Winners in all the other categories each received $10,000 and the two finalists from each category received $2000 for professional development or resources for their site community.

Winning an award gives schools, preschools, children’s centres and central employees the opportunity to share their stories and be recognized for their outstanding impact on children and learners.

To learn more about our finalists and winners and their inspiring contributions to public education in South Australia visit Public Education Awards winners and finalists 2025.