Top educators named as finalists in prestigious awards

• Finalists announced for the WA Education Awards 2019
• State's top educators and schools named across 11 award categories

Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery has today recognised the State's most outstanding teachers, leaders, support staff and schools while announcing the finalists in the 2019 WA Education Awards.

The awards acknowledge the role educators play in shaping the lives of children in public schools in Western Australia every day, while recognising their hard-work, talent and dedication.

From Wananami Remote Community School - located 500 kilometres north-east of Broome - to Esperance Senior High School, staff and schools across the State have been applauded.

Melville Senior High School, Thornlie Primary School, Baldivis Secondary College, Busselton Senior High School, Warwick Senior High School, Wattle Grove Primary School, Yule Brook College and Baynton West Primary School have each scored two finalists nods.

In total, 32 individual finalists and 12 schools are in the running for top honours in 11 award categories. Finalists are listed in the attachment.

Winners will share in total prize money of $337,500 with a portion of this to be spent on professional development.

The awards are sponsored by BHP, Edith Cowan University, Fotoworks School Portraits, Teachers Health, Teachers Mutual Bank, Community Newspaper Group, Kinetic IT, Beilby and Modis.

Comments attributed to Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:

"Public schools in Western Australia provide a high-quality learning environment for children every day.

"I am proud to celebrate the teachers, principals and support staff who continue to inspire students to succeed.

"The awards are a fantastic way to thank our educators for the knowledge, dedication and the endless opportunities they create for young people in our State."

Minister's office - 6552 5700

WA Secondary School of the Year

Exmouth District High School

Newton Moore Education Support Centre

Bunbury Senior High School

Melville Senior High School

WA Primary School of the Year

Kalgoorlie Primary School

Dawson Park Primary School

Thornlie Primary School

Caladenia Primary School

WA Primary Principal of the Year

Dean Finlay, Ocean Road Primary School

Lisa Ledger, Baynton West Primary School

Emma Bancroft, Balingup Primary School

Lee Woodcock, Thornlie Primary School

WA Secondary Principal of the Year

Keith Svendsen, Baldivis Secondary College

Phillip White, Melville Senior High School

Dainon Couzic, Busselton Senior High School

Mark Gillett, Cape Naturaliste College

WA Aboriginal and Islander Education Officer of the Year

Gwen Gray, Busselton Senior High School

Lois Little, Newton Moore Senior High School

Jade Muli, Warwick Senior High School

Daniella Borg, Governor Stirling Senior High School

WA Premier's Secondary Teacher of the Year

Tamarra Sheldon, Baldivis Secondary College

Jeremy Casperz, Warwick Senior High School

Jane Ganfield, Dongara District High School

Michael Gowland, Fremantle College

WA Premier's Primary Teacher of the Year

Veronica Akse, Treendale Primary School

Michael Webb, Rosalie Primary School

Renee Knapp, Boyup Brook District High School

Johnathan Petch, Wattle Grove Primary School

WA Premier's Excellence in Aboriginal Education Award

Wananami Remote Community School

Cable Beach Primary School

Baynton West Primary School

Yule Brook College

WA School Services Staff Member of the Year

Julie Hawke, Esperance Senior High School

Christine Dullard, Shenton College Deaf Education Centre

Joshua Inwood, Yule Brook College

Merilyn Harvey, Kent Street Senior High School

WA Beginning Teacher of the Year

Dion Alfonsi, Shenton College

Tasmin Drummond, Vasse Primary School

Julie Hughes, Ashdale Secondary College

Kieron Alford, Belmont City College

WA Education Assistant of the Year

Cassandra Wilson, Dawul Remote Community School

Kym Coulthard, Waggrakine Primary School

Roslyn Price, Dianella Primary College

Annjanette Wisby, Wattle Grove Primary School