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Entering the Public Education Awards

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    Nominations are now open


    Start or submit an award nomination

    The Public Education Awards recognise equity and excellence in public education across South Australia.

    The Awards celebrate the important work individuals, teams and community members do in ensuring all children and young people can learn and thrive.

    Through the awards we spotlight the innovation, passion and expertise that drive our public education system. Sharing stories of impact, sustained improvement and how our strategy for public education is being brought to life.

    Every site, service and team has a story worth sharing.

    About the Awards

    Established in 2011, the Public Education Awards recognise the vital role our people and communities play in helping children and young people to learn and thrive.

    The Awards recognise excellence across every role in public education, including educators, leaders, support staff and employees working in corporate teams across the department.

    Employees are encouraged to nominate an outstanding colleague, team or initiative, including their work or team. Community members who have made a significant contribution to a site can be nominated (by an employee) through the Community Impact Award.

    Winners and finalists receive prizes to support professional learning, community initiatives or resources that strengthen their work and its impact. By sharing these stories across the system, the Awards help others learn from and build on high-impact practice.

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    Key dates 2026

    • Nominations open: 1 to 30 June
    • Judging: July to August
    • Finalists announced: 1 September
    • Filming of finalists: September
    • Awards ceremony: 27 November

    Reasons to nominate

    The Public Education Awards provide a platform to share stories of excellence and inspire others across the education system.

    By recognising outstanding practice, the Awards strengthen a culture of recognition and highlight initiatives that improve outcomes for children and young people.

    Finalists and winners receive prizes that can be invested back into their work and communities.

    How to nominate

    The awards are open to all Department for Education employees across schools, preschools, children’s centres, education offices and corporate teams. Nominations can be submitted from 1 to 30 June each year.

    Nominations must be submitted by a Department for Education employee.

    You can nominate:

    • yourself
    • a colleague
    • a team
    • a community member through the Community Impact Award.

    Before nominating someone else, make sure you have their permission.

    Follow the advice on this page or read the nomination guide (PDF 2 MB) to learn how to make a nomination.

    Recognition starts with a nomination.

    If you know an individual or team making a meaningful difference for learners, colleagues or communities, consider putting their work forward.

    Start or submit an award nomination.

    Review the award categories and choose 1 that best aligns with the initiative or practice you are nominating and that you can comprehensively address the award criteria.

    It is recommended you discuss your nomination with your leader before submitting. Your leader, education director or director will need to endorse your nomination.

    Most award categories are open to individuals and teams working within the Department for Education, including employees working in sites, services and corporate teams supporting system improvement.

    Eligibility for specific categories

    • Outstanding Early Career Professionals – open to individuals or teams of employees in the first five years of their professional career who are already demonstrating positive impact through their work.
    • Aunty Josie Agius Award – open to Aboriginal employees or teams working within the Department for Education.
    • Community Impact Award – open to individuals or teams from the wider community who have made a significant contribution to a site. This may include parents or caregivers, volunteers, governing council members, coaches or community partners.

    Individuals or teams previously recognised as a winner or finalist for the same initiative cannot resubmit that initiative in future years. They may nominate again with a different initiative.

    For team nominations there’s no limit to the number of team members included, provided they have all made a significant contribution. There may, however, be a limited number of tickets available for the team to attend the awards night.

    Go to the online form to start filling out your nomination:

    Start or submit an award nomination

    You’ll need to create a login and follow the steps listed in the form. Your progress will be automatically saved so you can leave and revisit your nomination at any time.

    Just make sure you finalise and submit the nomination before midnight 30 June.

    If you wish to prepare your responses before entering the online platform, you can use a nomination template  (on this page).

    What makes a strong nomination

    Strong nominations clearly demonstrate:

    • what was done
    • the difference it made (impact)
    • how the work can continue over time (sustainability)
    • how the practice could influence others or be adapted elsewhere (scalability).

    These elements help judges understand the significance of the initiative and how it contributes to improved outcomes for children and young people.

    For more information read our section on writing a strong nomination (on this page).

    Your site leader or director will need to approve your nomination after you submit it.

    It's a good idea to discuss the nomination with them before submitting.

    Your nomination will then need to be endorsed by your education director or executive director (your leaders’ leader).

    Before submitting your nomination

    Before you submit your nomination make sure you've:

    • read the terms of entry in the nomination guide (PDF 2 MB)
    • answered all questions and addressed all criteria
    • checked spelling and names carefully.

    It can also be helpful to ask a colleague to review your nomination before submitting.

    You'll receive a confirmation email once your nomination has been submitted.

    A nomination certificate will be available to download or print for yourself or to provide to the person or team you have nominated.

    All nominations undergo due diligence checks before finalists are confirmed to ensure all finalists are in good standing with the department and community.

    Selection process

    Approved nominations progress through a 2-stage judging process.

    First round judging

    A panel of employees from across the department reviews nominations and develops a shortlist.

    State judging panel

    The state panel selects 2 finalists and 1 winner for each category. The state panel is chaired by the Chief Executive, Department for Education.

    The Aunty Josie Agius Award follows a culturally informed selection process facilitated by a council of representatives.

    Announcement of finalists and winners

    Finalists will be notified by 1 September if they have been selected.

    If you're selected as a finalist, check the information for finalists.

    Winners will be announced at the Public Education Awards ceremony on 27 November at the Adelaide Convention Centre.

    The event will also be streamed on the Department's Facebook page.

    Tips for writing a strong nomination

    Strong nominations provide clear examples and evidence to demonstrate the impact of the initiative.

    Information sessions are held during the nomination period. They cover how to nominate and what makes a good nomination. Details will be shared via internal communication channels.

    You can also get inspiration by viewing the winners and finalists for 2025 or reading testimonials from past winners.

    When writing your nomination:

    • avoid focusing only on activities or tasks
    • clearly explain the difference the initiative has made.

    Examples of impact your nomination might demonstrate include:

    • learners having a strong sense of belonging and feeling safe
    • children and young people actively engaged in their learning and demonstrating learner agency
    • improved outcomes for children and young people through innovative practice or programs
    • strong partnerships between employees, families, communities or external organisations
    • improved services, systems or processes that support learners, sites or staff
    • initiatives that strengthen collaboration across teams, sites or portfolios
    • learning or working environments that value diversity, inclusion and wellbeing
    • initiatives that align with the Strategy for Public Education (PDF 6 MB) , including the levers for impact and guiding principles.

    You can provide evidence in 2 attachments to support your nomination if needed. This could include a video demonstrating the impact of the initiative.

    When writing your nomination:

    • the criteria is written in the first person however, if you are writing on behalf of an individual or team, consider it from their perspective
    • focus on 1 good example across all criteria
    • provide context for the initiative
    • include headings, sub-headings and bullet points where helpful
    • use plain English and
    • avoid using acronyms or relying on assumed knowledge
    • you’re allowed 250 words for each criteria to provide as much detail as possible.

    Consider following the STAR model to structure your responses:

    • Situation: What was the situation, context, or challenge faced?
    • Task: What needed to be accomplished, what role did you play?
    • Action: What did you do and how did you go about it?
    • Result: What results or outcomes were achieved and what did you learn?

    If you wish to work on your nomination offline before submitting, you can use a nomination template. You can then copy and paste your answers from the template into the online nomination form.

    Digital assets

    Print and display these posters at your site:

    Public Education Awards Team

    Phone: 8463 4985
    Email: PublicEducationAwards [at] sa.gov.au