Published 28 Mar 2024
Nominations now open for Victorian Education Excellence Awards
The Victorian Education Excellence Awards (VEEA) recognise and highlight the work of outstanding Victorian government school professionals who help young people achieve their best.
The VEEA is an opportunity to celebrate the real and unique differences teachers, principals, business managers and education support staff make to the lives of students and their communities, inspiring young minds, contributing to improved student outcomes and delivering innovative learning experiences.
Nominations are open now for staff and government schools and close 20 May 2024.
Winners of each category will be awarded professional development grants up to $25,000 to continue in their endeavour for education excellence.
For enquiries, email excellence.awards@education.vic.gov.au.
Individual award categories
Outstanding Primary Principal
In recognition of exceptional principals who have demonstrated leadership excellence in a Victorian government primary school. These principals have made a significant contribution to improving staff and student learning and wellbeing; raised the quality of teaching; and improved the overall performance of their school.
Colin Simpson - Outstanding Secondary Principal
In recognition of exceptional principals who have demonstrated leadership excellence in a Victorian government secondary school.
These principals have made a significant contribution to improving staff and student learning and wellbeing; raised the quality of teaching; and improved the overall performance of their school.
This award is named in recognition of the late Colin Simpson who was a teacher and education leader in Victoria. He was the foundation principal of Richmond High School from 2017 to 2019 and principal of the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School (VCASS) from 2004 to 2016. He was awarded the Outstanding Leadership Award at the 2009 VEEA.
Outstanding Primary Teacher
In recognition of effective and innovative teachers who have demonstrated excellence in teaching practice at a Victorian government primary school and have made a significant contribution to improving student learning and wellbeing.
Outstanding Secondary Teacher
In recognition of effective and innovative teachers who have demonstrated excellence in teaching practice at a Victorian government secondary school and have made a significant contribution to improving student learning and wellbeing.
Outstanding Early Career Primary Teacher
In recognition of effective and innovative teachers in the first five years of their teaching career who have demonstrated excellence in teaching practice at a Victorian government primary school and have made a significant contribution to improving student learning and wellbeing.
Outstanding Early Career Secondary Teacher
In recognition of effective and innovative teachers in the first five years of their teaching career who have demonstrated excellence in teaching practice at a Victorian government secondary school and have made a significant contribution to improving student learning and wellbeing.
Outstanding Physical Education and Activity Teacher
In recognition of an exceptional teacher in a Victorian government school who has demonstrated leadership and excellence in teaching physical education that has led to significant improvements in student learning and wellbeing.
Outstanding Business Manager
In recognition of exceptional business managers within a Victorian government school who have demonstrated excellence in school finance and business management while making a significant contribution to the performance of their school.
Team award categories
Outstanding School Improvement
In recognition of exceptional staff within a Victorian government school who have demonstrated excellence to improve whole-school outcomes through strategic planning and improvement initiatives, and have made a significant contribution to developing effective partnerships with the broader community to improve overall school performance.
Outstanding Education Support
In recognition of exceptional education support teams within Victorian government schools that have demonstrated excellence in collaboration and teamwork within a school setting and made a significant contribution to improving student learning and wellbeing.
Outstanding Inclusive Education
In recognition of exceptional staff within Victorian government schools who have demonstrated quality teaching and learning, delivered outstanding system improvements that have made a positive impact in their school and community that support learning and wellbeing through a positive climate for learning for students with additional needs.
Outstanding Koorie Education
In recognition of exceptional educators in a Victorian government school who demonstrate Aboriginal inclusion across the whole school, respectful and inclusive teaching and learning practices to improve Koorie student learning and wellbeing and embed Aboriginal perspectives in the curriculum.
Outstanding Provision for High-Ability Students - Primary
In recognition of exceptional teams within Victorian government schools that have demonstrated excellence in provision for high-ability students, supporting their learning, engagement and wellbeing and helping them thrive now and into the future.
Outstanding Provision for High-Ability Students - Secondary
In recognition of exceptional teams within Victorian government schools that have demonstrated excellence in provision for high-ability students, supporting their learning, engagement and wellbeing and helping them thrive now and into the future.
Dr Lawrie Shears Outstanding Global Teaching and Learning Award
In recognition of exceptional teams in Victorian government schools that have demonstrated excellence in global learning and engagement at their school and have provided their students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.
This award is named in honour of the late Dr Lawrie Shears who served as Director-General of the Victorian Education Department from 1973 to 1982 and was a strong advocate of building global education connections.
Lindsay Thompson Award for Excellence in Education
The Lindsay Thompson Award for Excellence in Education is awarded to the winner of an award category whose contribution to Victorian government school education is judged to be the most outstanding.
The winner will have demonstrated exemplary practice while contributing to positive school culture and a commitment to improving student outcomes.
This award is named in recognition of the late Honourable Lindsay Thompson, AO, CMG, who began his career as a teacher in 1951 before entering Parliament in 1955. He became Education Minister in 1967, held that position for 12 years and remains Victoria’s longest serving Education Minister.
He was Deputy Premier between 1972 and 1981 and Premier between 1981 and 1982.