WA Education Awards 2025 winners announced

Seven amazing school communities and one outstanding teacher are celebrating today after being named winners in the WA Education Awards 2025.

Winners come from as far north as Karratha, to Wiluna in the remote Goldfields, highlighting the education excellence across WA, both in the regions and the city.  

The WA Education Awards celebrate the achievements of public schools and teachers, recognising those who go above and beyond to create inclusive, engaging and high-impact learning environments.  

This year, there were eight award categories recognising excellence in public education, including two new categories: 

• Minister’s Teacher of the Year 
• Excellence in early childhood education.  

Thirty-two finalists were named this year, all highlighting the transformative work happening in public schools.  

WA Education Awards 2025 winners 

Minister’s Teacher of the Year: Christopher Lambe, Grandis Primary School 

With more than 23 years of experience in science and technology education, Mr Lambe is recognised for his innovative teaching methods, including inquiry-based learning, STEM integration, and culturally responsive approaches that incorporate Indigenous knowledge.   

He has developed advanced science programs and created impactful resources, such as the ‘Science with Mr Lambe’ video series.   

His leadership in science education and community engagement, including his work with the Fathering Project, has transformed learning experiences and fostered a positive school culture.  

Find out more about the Minister’s Teacher of the Year finalists.  

Excellence in school leadership: John Curtin College of the Arts 

At John Curtin College of the Arts, there is a strong focus on staff leadership, as well as student leadership that provides opportunities for genuine responsibility.   

The Mia Maali (Home of the Black Swan) student cultural leadership group addresses community needs, provides a space for connection and belonging, organises cultural events and advises on policy that impacts all at the school.   

Through clubs, student house leadership and involvement on the WA Student Council, students don’t just participate in the community, they lead and improve it.  

For staff, they take part in the Teachers Leading Teachers initiative, leading each other in professional learning that directly improves student outcomes.  

Find out more about the Excellence in school leadership finalists. 

Excellence in teaching and learning – primary: Campbell Primary School 

At Campbell Primary School, staff are committed to providing a safe, positive and supportive learning environment.  

School staff embrace partnerships with family and community, fostering engagement through parent workshops in literacy and numeracy and providing a rich offering of before-and-after school programs.   

There are programs run at the school that reflect and support the diverse school community, helping to ensure all young students thrive.  

Find out more about the Excellence in teaching and learning – primary finalists. 

Excellence in teaching and learning – secondary: Ocean Reef Senior High School 

A spirit of collaboration strengthens teaching and learning at Ocean Reef Senior High School in Perth’s northern suburbs.  

There is a strong focus on teaching excellence, which is boosted by staff professional learning and a range of collaborative initiatives.   

The school’s distributed leadership model supports teaching and learning, with a clear development path to promote instructional leadership at every level.  

There is also a strong focus on supporting students with additional needs to ensure positive classroom outcomes.  

Find out more about the Excellence in teaching and learning – secondary finalists.  

Excellence in cultural responsiveness: Wiluna Remote Community School 

Students at Wiluna Remote Community School are empowered through a community-first, cultural knowledge-led approach to education.  

Measuring success through both Western academic benchmarks and Martu cultural standards, the Goldfields school is governed by Ngaparrtji Ngaparrtji (two-way learning). 

The curriculum is shaped around Martu knowledge and culture, and is delivered on Country, with rangers teaching students about conservation science and bush medicine units led by Elders.  

Community consultation is central to the school, with Elders and local role models visible in classrooms and involved in designing programs and events.  

Find out more about the Excellence in cultural responsiveness finalists.  

Excellence in disability and inclusion: Bob Hawke College 

Bob Hawke College is home to a richly diverse community with students who have a wide range of needs.   

Inclusion at the college is not a program but a core belief. Every student learns in mainstream classes and is supported to succeed.  

Flexible teaching, education assistants and dedicated inclusion facilitators ensure students can access learning alongside their peers. Staff are also encouraged to lead the college’s inclusive vision and receive targeted professional learning.  

This whole-school approach has received strong feedback from students and families, many of whom credit the college’s culture of belonging as key to their success.  

Find out more about the Excellence in disability and inclusion finalists.  

Excellence in wellbeing and learning: Rangeway Primary School 

At Rangeway Primary School, culture and care is at the centre of learning.   

Families, staff and students all contribute to making Rangeway a place where students feel valued and heard and where wellbeing and learning go hand in hand.

A cultural reference group, on Country learning, a weekly on-site health clinic, and an edible garden are some of the many initiatives that contribute to wellbeing and learning.  

Find out more about the Excellence in wellbeing and learning finalists.  

Excellence in early childhood education: Karratha Primary School 

Located in the heart of Karratha, on the Ngarluma Country shoreline, Karratha Primary School’s early learning environment is purposefully designed to advance students’ social, emotional, cognitive and physical development. 

Its early childhood program is built on the belief that strong, reciprocal relationships with students, families and the wider community are the foundation for sustained learning success. 

Leadership in early childhood is driven by a clear vision that every decision must directly improve learning outcomes and wellbeing.  

Early childhood educators work collaboratively to develop curriculum-aligned experiences that nurture the learning of the school’s youngest students.  

Find out more about the Excellence in early childhood education finalists.