Published 13 Aug 2025
Australian Education Awards 2025
The Australian Education Awards recognise educational excellence across 29 categories, showcasing the top-performing schools, principals, department heads and teachers for their outstanding achievements and transformative work that makes a profound difference to the lives of young people across Australia.
Each year, submissions are received from across the country sharing stories of excellence and commitment to education. This year, 40 Victorian schools and teachers were nominated for awards across 29 categories.
Judged by a panel of industry leaders and senior representatives, winners are determined based on scores across a range of categories.
The VIT wishes to congratulate the following teachers and schools who received Australian Education Awards
Department Head of the Year
Marten Visser
St Margaret’s Berwick Grammar
Primary School Principal of the Year – Government
Steven Trotter
Ashby
Primary School Principal of the Year – Non-Government
Dr. Adrian Camm
Westbourne Grammar School
Secondary School Principal of the Year – Non-Government
Kylie Dark
Bentleigh Secondary College
Innovation in Curriculum Design
Westbourne Grammar School
Education Rising Star of the Year
Dominika Kapustka
Haileybury
Primary School Teacher of the Year – Government
Katrina Paton
Springvale Park SDS
Innovation in Learning Environment Design
Nicole Armatas
St Michael’s Grammar School
Best School Strategic Plan
Adrian Camm
Westbourne Grammar School
Primary School of the Year – Non-Government
Scott Doran
Haileybury
2025 Excellence Awardees
Deputy Principal of the Year
Dr Steven Middleton, St Margaret’s Berwick Grammar
Ita Garvey, St. Peter’s Catholic Primary School Westminster School
Primary School Principal of the Year - Government - Jordan Warren, Rosewood Downs Primary School
Primary School Principal of the Year - Non-Government - Nicole Armatas, St Michael’s Grammar School
Primary School Teacher of the Year - Non-Government
Eliza Nolan, Strathcona Girls Grammar
Gregory Milholland, Xavier College
School Principal of the Year - Government - Helene Hiotis, Bentleigh Secondary College
Secondary School Principal of the Year - Non-Government - Matthew Pitman, Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs
Street Science Best STEM Program - Kennedy College
Best Use of Technology
Emmaus College
St Michael’s Grammar School
Westbourne Grammar
Innovation in Curriculum and Design
Aquinas College
Methodist Ladies’ College (MLC)
St Peter’s College
Innovation in Learning Environment and Design
Bentleigh Secondary College
Caulfield Grammar School
Strathcona Girls Grammar
Westbourne Grammar School
Education Rising Star of the Year - Ashleigh Jones, Salesian College
Primary School Teacher of the Year - Government
Georgia Gray, Kunyung Primary School
Melinda Oldham, Glen Huntly
Primary School Teacher of the Year - Non-Government
Danielle Searles, Casey Grammar School
Lisa Stern, Melbourne Montessori School
School Principal of the Year - Government - Kimberley Tempest, Cobram Secondary College
Prime Super School Principal of the Year - Non-Government
Dr Adrian Camm, Westbourne Grammar School
Dr Annette Rome, St Margaret’s Berwick Grammar
Secondary School Teacher of the Year - Government - Nicole Goodwin, Bentleigh Secondary College
Fish Nankivell Secondary School Teacher of the Year - Non-Government
Lachlan Hall, Christ Church Grammar School
Rachael Tharle, St. Kevin’s College Toorak
Clipboard Best Co-Curricular Program - Emmaus College
Best Use of Technology - Westbourne Grammar School
Best Professional Learning Program - Suzanne Cory High School
Best School Strategic Plan
Global Village Learning
Strathcona Girls Grammar
Best Student Wellbeing Program - Bentleigh Secondary College
Australian Boarding School Association Boarding School of the Year - Caulfield Grammar School
Primary School of the Year - Non-Government
Melbourne Montessori School
St Michael’s Grammar School
AFL Schools Secondary School of the Year - Government - Bentleigh Secondary College
WINC education Secondary School of the Year - Non-Government - Haileybury
Special Education School of the Year
St Gabriel’s School
Waratah Special Developmental School