16 August 2023
It’s time to celebrate excellence in our schools again, with nominations open for the WA Education Awards.
The annual event celebrates the work and achievement of WA public schools.
Anyone looking for encouragement need only ask Girrawheen Senior High School Principal Barbara Newton, whose school took out the Excellence in Teaching and Learning (secondary) Award at last year’s ceremony.
Girrawheen SHS staff with principal Barbara Newton at the 2022 WA Education Awards.
“I think it’s a great experience,” Ms Newton said. “To go through the process of just putting an application together means you really reflect on how well your school’s done and what the school’s achievements are.
“And the process isn’t very difficult. To do that and come out with an award at the end is a great experience.”
Girrawheen took out one of three award categories in 2022. Shenton College won Excellence in School Leadership, while Narembeen District High School claimed Excellence in Teaching and Learning (primary).
There will be two new award categories in 2023 - Excellence in Cultural Responsiveness and Excellence in Disability and Inclusion.
Ms Newton said she was initially driven to nominate the school in 2021 to showcase student results to the local community, as well as other schools across the state. After being named as a finalist at 2021 awards, the school embraced the opportunity to nominate again and clinched the award last year.
Ms Newton said the win was a great boost for both students and staff at the school.
“It was really affirming for the staff, for their good work,” Ms Newton said. “We’ve got great teachers in the school and it was just wonderful they got that affirmation.”
Nominations close Friday 22 September 2023. Award finalists will be announced later this year, with the winners announced at the presentation event in November. For more information, visit our awards page.