The State’s most outstanding schools were celebrated this morning, as the winners of the WA Education Awards 2021 were announced at Optus Stadium.
The awards acknowledge the inspiring role school staff play in shaping the lives of children in public schools in Western Australia, while recognising their hard work and innovation.
Schools from the remote Kimberley region all the way to the State’s South-West were recognised for their excellence in education and ensuring all students achieve success.
WA Primary School of the Year was awarded to Joondalup Education Support Centre, while Ashdale Secondary College was named WA Secondary School of the Year.
The WA Premier’s Excellence in Aboriginal Education Award went to Mount Lawley Senior High School for the way it successfully guides Aboriginal students to reach their potential and enter the post-school world feeling prepared, positive and connected.
Schools in the Wheatbelt also shone this year, taking out two awards.
Narrogin Primary School’s Basil Kickett won the Aboriginal and Islander Education Officer of the Year, while Western Australian College of Agriculture – Cunderdin farm supervisor Madison Corsini was named School Services Staff Member of the Year.
This year, there were two new categories recognising public school leaders – WA Primary Deputy Principal of the Year and WA Secondary Deputy Principal of the Year.
Harrisdale Primary School deputy principal Niquolei Lyons and Cape Naturaliste College deputy principal Rob Nail were winners in their respective categories for their ability to successfully lead their schools and be inspiring role models for students and staff.
The 13 winners were selected from a total of 52 finalists and will share a total prize money of $402,500, with a portion to be spent on professional development.
As stated by Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:
“I am honoured to celebrate schools and staff for the outstanding work they do each day to ensure the success of WA public school students.
“These prestigious awards acknowledge those who display innovation and go above and beyond to provide students with the best opportunities to reach their potential.
“Congratulations to all of the winners in the 2021 WA Education Awards. It is fantastic to recognise the excellence of public education in Western Australia.”
WA Education Awards 2021 winners:
2021 WA Premier’s Primary Teacher of the Year, sponsored by BHP
Kristyn Oldfield, Aspiri Primary School
Kristyn has always had a passion to inspire and help young people. The impact Kristyn has on her students is immeasurable. Each day she creates an inclusive environment for students to learn new skills. She goes out of her way to greet students and their families and always makes herself visible in the school community. Kristyn is also passionate about assisting other teachers to improve their skills and has successfully modelled her teaching practice over the years.
2021 WA Premier’s Secondary Teacher of the Year, sponsored by BHP
Charan Pabla, Girrawheen Senior High School
Charan believes education is a pathway to a better life. She has a focus on making science and mathematics fun and interesting. She breaks down complex science concepts and shows her students real-world applications to help them discover why topics are relevant to their lives. Charan has inspired students to attend national and international youth science forums and pursue further studies in science and medicine.
2021 WA Primary Principal of the Year, sponsored by Fotoworks School Photography
Louise O’Donovan, Beeliar Primary School
Louise has exactly what it takes to be a strong school leader. She leads Beeliar Primary School with integrity, empathy, knowledge and skill to build a school culture focused on student learning, well-being and achievement. Her aim is to ensure each of her students and staff have a rewarding school experience. She cares deeply for each member of the school community and is a visible leader who successfully impacts student learning by setting a strong vision for her staff.
2021 WA Beginning Teacher of the Year, sponsored by Edith Cowan University
Anika Brown, Halls Creek District High School
Anika creates a safe and inviting learning environment for her students to enable them to develop their skills and confidence. She focuses on helping students increase their attendance and encourages them to actively participate in daily classroom routines and activities. Anika also has deep respect for the local Aboriginal culture and consistently provides opportunities to support educational success in remote WA.
2021 WA Education Assistant of the Year, sponsored by oOH!Media
Michelle Barrett, Byford Secondary College
As an education assistant, Michelle goes above and beyond to help students learn new skills and build their confidence to succeed. Michelle creates an optimal learning environment to enable students to be more receptive and engaged in class, and has a particular focus on supporting Aboriginal students. As a former nurse, caring is a lifelong passion. She seeks to understand each child’s background so she can help set personal improvement goals for all of her students.
2021 WA Primary Deputy Principal of the Year, sponsored by Beilby Downing Teal
Niquolei Lyons, Harrisdale Primary School
As a foundation deputy principal at Harrisdale Primary School, Niquolei has been instrumental in building a school with a positive and caring culture. She enjoys working in an industry that allows her to make a difference in the lives of young people. Niquolei always strives to improve the quality of education and support for students, while also establishing fun and creative events for the school community to be involved in.
2021 WA School Services Staff Member of the Year, sponsored by K2 Audiovisual
Madison Corsini, Western Australian College of Agriculture – Cunderdin
After completing her own education at the Western Australian College of Agriculture – Cunderdin, Madison returned to the college to inspire the next generation of farmers. Madison is involved in leading the operations of the college farm. Using her innovative strategies, she also transformed the piggery into the successful enterprise and training program it is today.
2021 WA Aboriginal and Islander Education Officer of the Year, sponsored by Kurongkurl Katitjin at Edith Cowan University
Basil Kickett, Narrogin Primary School
At Narrogin Primary School, local elder Basil Kickett builds rapport with students and their families from the earliest days of their schooling. He helps students develop their literacy and numeracy skills, and is always a supportive and familiar face in the classroom. Basil also helps Aboriginal students to learn about their culture and language. Earlier this year, Basil wrote a book in English and Noongar telling his story of growing up around Narrogin.
2021 WA Secondary Deputy Principal of the Year, sponsored by K2 Audiovisual
Rob Nail, Cape Naturaliste College
Rob is an exceptional leader and role model who has played a big part in Cape Naturaliste College’s growth to become the successful school that it is today. Rob is trustworthy, empathetic, highly intelligent, resilient and a deep and reflective thinker. He ensures he gets to know students and their families, and works with individual students to develop their own pathway to success.
2021 WA Secondary Principal of the Year, sponsored by Teachers Mutual Bank
Mitchell Mackay, John Curtin College of the Arts
Driven by his belief in the public school system and dedication to pursuing secondary school excellence, Mitchell leads John Curtin College of the Arts with talent and purpose. His career has spanned more than three decades during which he has inspired the next generation of young adults. Mitchell builds the capacity of his school’s staff and leadership team to make sure they can lead students to achieve outstanding success.
2021 WA Secondary School of the Year, sponsored by Perth Energy
Ashdale Secondary College
Ashdale Secondary College is a school community of excellence where all students and staff strive to achieve their best. It is an innovative school that has developed programs and opportunities to meet the needs of modern students. The college is a leader in STEM education and has a particular focus on providing students with the skills they need to achieve a positive future. It also runs successful soccer, netball and music academies to enable students to excel in their chosen passion. Ashdale Secondary College also has a particular focus on quality teaching and staff development to maximise each student’s potential.
2021 WA Primary School of the Year, sponsored by Teachers Health
Joondalup Education Support Centre
Joondalup Education Support Centre is a safe, fun and supportive place where students and families feel welcome the moment they step into the school. It has a positive culture built through trust, transparency and quality relationships where all staff, students and parents feel valued. The school focuses on equipping students with academic and social skills to enable them to thrive independently. It also has a music program, a multi-award winning school vegetable garden and a focus on sharing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
2021 WA Premier’s Excellence in Aboriginal Education Award, sponsored by BHP
Mount Lawley Senior High School
Mount Lawley Senior High School is focused on helping Aboriginal students feel culturally safe and proud to be Aboriginal people. The school guides Aboriginal students to reach their potential and enter the post-school world feeling prepared, positive and connected. It hosts a number of programs to provide students with a sense of belonging and enhance their sense of identity. This has led to students going on to study in a range of fields including medicine, law and teaching.
