Photo: Parliament of Victoria

Minister for Education James Merlino announced the 28 finalists across nine award categories today, congratulating them on their achievements.

The awards recognise inspirational teachers, principals and support staff who get the best out of their students.

Whether by inspiring young minds, contributing to better classroom results or delivering new teaching strategies – the finalists are all positively shaping young lives.

Finalists include:

• Year 10 leading teacher Karen Anders from Traralgon College, who has improved student engagement and retention using a clever rewards system that sees students claim prizes for meeting set targets
• Canterbury Primary School teacher Emma Ross has developed STEM literacy programs for disengaged writers and a “Makerspace” where students and teachers design and invent using activity areas including a robotics and electronics zone and a lego and construction zone
• Lighting Reef Primary School in Bendigo has – along with several other local schools – joined forces with local businesses to run a “Passions and Pathways” program. Students are given a taste of the careers they might like to pursue by undertaking workplace tours and workshops.

Award categories include Outstanding Koorie Education, Outstanding Inclusive Education, Outstanding School Advancement, Outstanding Education Support Team, Outstanding Business Manager, Outstanding Primary Teacher, Outstanding Secondary Teacher, Outstanding Primary Principal and Outstanding Secondary Principal.

As the Andrews Labor Government makes Victoria the Education State, we want Victorians to be proud of the great government schools in their communities and the people who work in them.

Winners will be announced on 27 October at a ceremony at the Plaza Ballroom.

More information about the awards and finalists is available at www.education.vic.gov.au/veea.