Finalists in the annual Public Education Awards have been announced today – recognising the outstanding people or programs supporting and delivering education in South Australian schools and preschools across the state.

Spanning a dozen categories, the awards celebrate and showcase innovation, equity and excellence across public education. Individuals and teams are recognised for the work they do with students, families and communities to unlock their potential, enabling them to learn and thrive.

“It has never been more important that we celebrate all that our educators, and those who are around them, do to bring equity and excellence into public education,” said Department for Education Chief Executive Professor Martin Westwell

“The Public Education Awards celebrate the dedication and outstanding contributions made by our people, allowing us to recognise and share the innovation, passion, and expertise that lies at the heart of our public education system.

“Public education is for every child and young person in every community across our state, and this acknowledgement of great work being undertaken in these diverse areas shows the depth of skill and care that is supporting this generation of learners.”

This year’s finalists include a leader in the field of AI, early childhood directors driving culture and change, cultural innovators and leaders, and transformative programs.

A new category this year, the Community Impact Award, has three finalists - an individual and two programs – that actively partner in learning, contributing to a shared responsibility for learner success. This award celebrates those that foster a positive attitude towards education and support the site to build a supportive and inclusive community. The Community Impact Award winner will receive $2000 to be invested back into the school.

The winner of the other categories will each receive $10,000 and two finalists from each category will receive $2000 for professional development or resources for their site community.

Finalists and winners will be celebrated at an awards ceremony on 7 November.

Being a finalist gives schools, preschools, children’s centres and central employees the opportunity to share their expertise and be recognised more widely for their outstanding impact.

The 2025 Public Education Awards finalists are:

Equity and Excellence in Education

Amata Anangu School

Newbery Park Primary School

The Grove Education Centre

Innovation in Teaching and Learning

Jason McKenzie, Coordinator Teaching & Learning, English & Humanities – Christies Beach High School

Mark Nethercott, Leader - Reconciliation/Languages - Victor Harbor High School

Rebecca Weber and the LEAP app - Digital Guarantee Unit, ICT Services

Excellence in Learner Agency

Cory O'Connor, Agriculture and Science Teacher - Penola High School

Kangaroo Inn Area School

Rawinia Te Whare, Teacher - Mount Barker South Primary School

Inclusive Practices in Education

Cherie Dawkins and the Golden Graze Student-led Business Initiative - Disability Unit, Golden Grove High School

LEAPP for Inclusion - Craigmore High School

The Inclusion House Cup - Berri Regional Secondary College

Excellence in Collaborative Partnership

South Australia - Rural Youth Ambassadors – the voice of country students

Stephanie Ryan, HPE Specialist Teacher – Parafield Gardens Primary School

Together We Grow: Intergenerational Play and Learning – Barker Kindergarten

Community Impact Award (new in 2025)

Ida Webster - Springton Primary School

Resilient Lenswood Project - a Parents in Education Grant initiative – Lenswood Primary School

Youth Engagement Program – Kadina Memorial School

Aunty Josie Agius Award

Anangu coordinators - Growing our Own – Anangu Lands Partnership

Brenda Rogerson, Aboriginal Secondary Education Transition Officer - Avenues College

Jenny Bishop, Aboriginal Education Support Worker – Millicent High School

Excellence in the Support of Early Career Teachers

Caitlin Thomas, Humanities and Social Science Leader - Modbury High School

Country Teaching Initiatives – Employment Programs and Attraction, Workforce Management

Tarin Zurlino, Year 5/6 Teacher and Early Career Teacher Lead - Newbery Park Primary School

Outstanding Safety Initiatives

Monique Barns, Principal Policy Advisor - Office of the Chief Operating Officer

Neil Muggleton, Work Health and Safety Coordinator - Urrbrae Agricultural High School

Trauma Informed Practice in Education program – Support and Inclusion

Excellence in Collective Wellbeing

Cultural Safety, Inclusion and Anti-Racism – Parafield Gardens High School

GEM Festival and JCS on a Mission Week – Jamestown Community School

Wellbeing Team – Murray Bridge High School

Outstanding Reconciliation Initiatives

Lake Windemere B-6 School

Relocation of Warriappendi Secondary School

Excellence in Leadership

Emma Liebeknecht, Director - Adelaide Miethke Kindergarten

Lucie Walker, Principal – Mount Compass Area School

Tarsha Howard, Director - Lake Windemere Children's Centre

Read more about the finalists here.