Outstanding teachers, principals, and school staff across Victoria are being recognised for their transformative impact on student learning, with 41 finalists announced for the 2025 Victorian Education Excellence Awards.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Ben Carroll congratulated the finalists, who span 14 award categories celebrating innovation, leadership, and dedication in government schools.
“Victorian Education Excellence Awards finalists have gone above and beyond, and represent just a small fraction of Victoria’s outstanding teaching workforce that delivers world-class education to our students,” Minister Carroll said.
Among the finalists is Ms Chloe Wade from Welshpool and District Primary School, whose data-driven approach has significantly improved student literacy and numeracy outcomes. Ms Wade also plays a key role in disability inclusion, supporting staff to develop and refine individual learning plans for students with disability.
At Victorian College for the Deaf, secondary school leader Mr Robert Harrow has been recognised for his leadership in reintroducing the VCE after a 15-year hiatus. His efforts have boosted literacy and numeracy, opening new academic pathways for students.
Western Port Secondary College is also a finalist, praised for implementing a consistent, high-expectation behavioural framework across the school. The initiative has led to notable improvements in VET participation, VCE median study scores, and staff wellbeing.
Winners will be announced at a ceremony on Friday, 24 October – one week prior to World Teachers’ Day. Each individual award winner will receive a $20,000 professional learning grant, while team winners will receive $25,000 to support continued development.
The prestigious Lindsay Thompson Award for Excellence in Education, named after Victoria’s longest-serving education minister and former Premier, includes an additional $20,000 professional learning grant.
“All of our teachers, principals and education staff are working hard every day to make a difference to the lives of young people,” Minister Carroll said. “It is a pleasure to acknowledge those whose commitment is transforming many lives for the better.”
More information about the awards and finalists is available at vic.gov.au/veea.
