- Nominations are now open to celebrate excellence in WA public schools across Western Australia at the WA Education Awards 2025
- Two new categories announced for 2025: Minister's Teacher of the Year, and Excellence in early childhood education
- Staff, school council and board chairs, and P&C presidents encouraged to nominate their schools and teachers
Nominations are now open for the WA Education Awards 2025, with two new categories added to celebrate the important work of schools, school leaders, and teachers who demonstrate excellence in the classroom and beyond.
The new award categories being introduced this year are Minister's Teacher of the Year, and Excellence in Early Childhood Education.
The Minister's Teacher of the Year award - championed by Education Minister Sabine Winton - will recognise exemplary teachers across primary, secondary, education support and early childhood settings who demonstrate outstanding professional knowledge, practice and engagement.
It will also recognise teachers who display professional leadership in collaborating with colleagues, parents and the community, sharing expertise and initiating activities that improve educational opportunities for all students.
The excellence in early childhood education award will acknowledge early childhood centres and early years programs in Western Australia that demonstrate excellence in early learning and development.
Schools nominated in this category will demonstrate strong partnerships with families and their communities and adopt inclusive practices for young learners of all backgrounds and abilities.
School staff, school council and board chairs, and P&C presidents are encouraged to work together to nominate their schools and teachers.
Nominations close at 5pm on Friday, 5 September 2025, with the final presentation event set to take place in November.
Categories for the WA Education Awards 2025 include:
- Minister's Teacher of the Year (new)
- Excellence in early childhood education (new)
- Excellence in school leadership
- Excellence in teaching and learning - primary
- Excellence in teaching and learning - secondary
- Excellence in disability and inclusion
- Excellence in wellbeing and learning
- Excellence in cultural responsiveness
The winning school in each category, and the individual category, will be awarded $20,000, and three finalists in each category will receive $5,000 to put towards professional development.
In 2024, 24 public schools across WA were recognised for their innovation and commitment to excellence in education.
Find out more about how to nominate here: https://www.education.wa.edu.au/wa-education-awards
As stated by Education Minister Sabine Winton:
"I'm thrilled to announce the opening of the WA Education Award nominations for this year's outstanding schools and teacher.
"This year's new individual category - Minister's Teacher of the Year - is an exciting addition to the awards.
"We all have a teacher, or several teachers, who have left a lasting mark on our lives. This award highlights the exceptional impact that individual teachers have on our school students, ensuring their contributions are recognised and celebrated.
"The new excellence in early childhood education award will recognise strong partnerships with families and communities, and evidence of positive, measurable impacts on young children's learning and wellbeing.
"These awards shine a spotlight on outstanding educators and schools, recognising the dedication and exceptional impact they have in our communities.
"Their commitment to supporting students makes a difference every day - in our classrooms, and to the lives of school students across WA."
