Not-for-profit organisation, the Public Education Foundation (PEF), has recognised the outstanding achievements of students, teachers, and principals in public schools across Australia.
PEF’s 2025 scholarship winners were announced at it’s annual Proudly Public Awards ceremony, which took place at Sydney Town Hall on 13 May.
Since the launch of PEF’s scholarship program over 15 years ago, the organisation has awarded a total of 3,613 scholarships, including 3,452 to students and 161 to educators.
Scholarship recipient Ms Rafeef Al-Majidi, a Year 10 student at Miller Technology High School in Sydney’s south-west, spoke at the event.
She shared three goals for this school year: “Get all As in my subjects, create a daily routine for studying so that I can focus on my studies more and learn how to play the piano.”
She said the scholarship will assist her financially and allow her to afford school expenses including textbooks, excursion fees, uniform and extracurricular activities. Having the scholarship funds will now allow her to use her limited savings for other necessities, such as obtaining her driver’s license and passport.
PEF is supporting over 800 scholars in 2025—a record number of scholarships in the organisation’s history.
“Thanks to the generosity of donors and partners, the scholarship program continues to expand each year, addressing the educational needs of students facing disadvantage and recognising excellence in our public schools,” the organisation said.
Scholarships not only provide financial assistance but also open doors to resources and opportunities that can dramatically alter a student’s educational path.
“For those facing social and economic barriers, these scholarships can alleviate the burden of costs associated with academic materials, extracurricular activities, and essential services, allowing them to focus on their studies and personal development.”
PEF said 94 per cent of its scholars agreed that their scholarship gave them an increased sense of confidence and pride in their academic potential.
“By empowering students to overcome obstacles, scholarships foster resilience and help cultivate a new generation of leaders who can thrive in their education and beyond.”
NSW Department of Education Secretary Mr Murat Dizdar thanked the Public Education Foundation for its unwavering commitment to supporting public education.
“It was fantastic to celebrate the life-changing impact our schools have on young lives at the Proudly Public Awards. As a proud beneficiary of public education, I will always believe in its transformative powers for students and young people,” he said.
“The students honoured tonight are proof of that potential being realised and the teachers, school leaders and families in their corner.”
Mr David Hetherington, PEF Board Chair, emphasised that the awards celebrate the enduring values of the public education system, which provides invaluable opportunities for young people to succeed in life.
“I congratulate our students, teachers, and principals who have received scholarships. Their collective efforts contribute to the extraordinary public education system we value in Australia,” Mr Hetherington said.
The Awards Program and a full list of 2025 Scholarship Recipients can be found on PEF’s website.
