On Friday 8 August 2025, more than 600 principals, deputies, department heads and teachers converged at the Star Events Centre in Sydney to recognise and celebrate the best that Australian education has to offer.
The annual Australian Education Awards, now in its eighth year, showcases the achievements of the country’s top performing schools, principals, department heads and teachers across all states and territories, and all school sectors.
The evening – including dinner, music and live entertainment – focused on celebrating the industry’s high achievers across 29 categories, including the national awards of Compass Australian School Principal of the Year and Wayground (formerly Quizziz) Australian School of the Year.
The top accolades of the night – Wayground (formerly Quizziz) Australian School of the Year and Compass Australian School Principal of the Year – were taken out by Hunter Sports High School and Dr Adrian Camm, Principal of Westbourne Grammar School, respectively.
When asked what she believes are the pillars to a great school, Hunter Sports High School Principal Rachel Byrne pointed to strong foundations that go well beyond academic results.
“For me, the pillars are excellence in teaching and learning, with a relentless focus on high-quality, evidence-based practice that challenges every student to achieve their personal best,” Byrne told The Educator.
“It is also about innovation and personalisation, ensuring every student has a pathway that reflects their strengths, passions, and future goals.”
Commenting on his Compass Australian School Principal of the Year Award, Dr Adrian Camm said great school leaders of today adopt a pedagogy of listening and use what they hear to shape their school for the better.
“Great school leaders embrace people first,” Dr Camm told The Educator. “They grow and empower people, elevate the profession publicly, and provide pathways that retain and attract talent.”
Another key attribute of a great school leader, says Dr Camm, is challenging the status quo.
“They think differently and are not constrained by the structuring structures of the world around them – they push through perceived and real barriers in order to achieve better outcomes for their community,” he said.
John de la Motte, CEO of Compass, said the company chose to sponsor the Australian School Principal of the Year Award because it recognises the pivotal role of school leadership in driving educational excellence
“School principals play a pivotal role in shaping the future of students and fostering thriving learning environments. By sponsoring this prestigious award, we aim to highlight the dedication, innovation, and profound impact of principals across Australia,” de la Motte told The Educator.
“The Australian Education Awards celebrate the achievements of educators and school leaders, building pride in the profession and reminding us all of the impact education has on communities.”
Without further ado, here are some of those who were recognised on the national stage at the Awards.
Ormiston College | Primary School of the Year – Non-Government (Excellence Award)
Sheldon College | Primary School of the Year – Non-Government (Excellence Award)
Sheldon College | Best School Strategic Plan (Excellence Award)
Westbourne Grammar School | Best Use of Technology (Excellence Award)
Westbourne Grammar School | Innovation in Curriculum Design (Winner)
Dr Adrian Camm | Australian School Principal of the Year (Winner)
Angela Drysdale | Primary School Principal of the Year – Non-Government (Excellence Award)
Ms Ros Curtis AM | School Principal of the Year – Non-Government (Excellence Award)
St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School | Australian Boarding Schools Association Boarding School of the Year (Winner)
St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School | Primary School of the Year – Non-Government (Excellence Award)
Marist Catholic College Penshurst | Street Science Best STEM Program (Excellence Award)
Loreto College Marryatville | Parentshop Best Student Wellbeing Program (Excellence Award)
Heather Murry | School Principal of the Year – Government (Excellence Award)
Hume Anglican Grammar | Parentshop Best Student Wellbeing Program (Excellence Award)
Nicole Armatas | Primary School Principal of the Year (Excellence Award)
St Michael’s Grammar School | Best Use of Technology (Excellence Award)
Larrakeyah Primary School | AFL Schools Primary School of the Year – Government (Excellence Award)
Larrakeyah Primary School | Best Use of Technology (Excellence Award)
Murrumbidgee Regional High School – Griffith | Street Science Best STEM Program (Winner)
Trinity College SA | Professional Learning Program (Winner)
Joshua Kerr | FACTS Management Australia Education Rising Star of the Year (Excellence Award)
Trinity College SA | Best Use of Technology (Excellence Award)
Kylie Dark | Secondary School Teacher of the Year – Government (Winner)
Helene Hiotis | School Principal of the Year – Government (Excellence Award)
Bentleigh Secondary College | Innovation in Learning Environment Design (Excellence Award)
Bentleigh Secondary College | A Team Tuition Secondary School of the Year – Government (Excellence Award)
Hunter Sports High School | Compass Australian School of the Year (Winner)
Belinda Vlasenko | Department Head of the Year (Excellence Award)
Meagan King | Deputy Principal of the Year (Excellence Award)
To read the full Australian Education Awards 2025 Commemorative Guide, please click here.