Education Awards
Brief ministerial statement
Ms Sabine Winton (Wanneroo—Minister for Education) (9:18 am): I am proud to update the house on the fantastic 2025 WA Education Awards that were held recently. These awards were an opportunity to celebrate excellence in our public education system and to shine a light on our outstanding schools, teachers and school communities for their exceptional work in areas like teaching, leadership, inclusion and wellbeing.
This year, we added two new categories including the inaugural Minister's Teacher of the Year Award and, of course, the Excellence in Early Childhood Education Award. I am pleased that this has driven a surge in nominations this year. I was excited to present the inaugural Minister's Teacher of the Year Award to science specialist Christopher Lambe from Grandis Primary School, who was selected because of, amongst many things, his outstanding engagement with students and his knowledge, particularly of science. His acceptance speech really stuck with me. He joked that as a science teacher his job is trying not to blow up students. He also stressed the importance of a love for learning and highlighting that teaching is the most honourable profession. I could not agree more. Karratha Primary School's principal, Annalyn Navarrete, reflected on her school's sometimes bumpy journey from, in its first year, meeting only one of the national quality standards to now satisfying all seven standards. It is a worthy winner of the inaugural Excellence in Early Childhood Education Award.
I congratulate the other worthy winners, which were John Curtin College of the Arts for Excellence in School Leadership; Campbell Primary School for Excellence in Teaching and Learning—Primary; Ocean Reef Senior High School for Excellence in Teaching and Learning—Secondary; Wiluna Remote Community School for Excellence in Cultural Responsiveness; Bob Hawke College for Excellence in Disability and Inclusion; and Rangeway Primary School for Excellence in Wellbeing and Learning. Winners were awarded $20,000 each, and the prize money can be used for professional development, school projects, suitable activities or student resources. I sincerely thank the awards' generous sponsors in Stott Hoare, Edith Cowan University, LIFT Alliance, The West Australian, Maxxia and Programmed.
I again congratulate all the outstanding finalists and winners. They make a meaningful difference in the lives of students and their families across our state, each and every day.
