Victoria’s finest educators have been celebrated at the 2024 Victorian Education Excellence Awards, where teachers, principals and school staff were recognised for their outstanding contributions to student learning and community building across the state.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Ben Carroll congratulated the winners and finalists at the Plaza Ballroom in Melbourne, where 14 awards were presented ahead of World Teachers’ Day on 31 October.
“This year’s awards recognise those who go that extra mile to help young Victorians thrive at school,” Mr Carroll said. “Our teachers, principals and education professionals do a crucial job in educating our young people and these awards recognise those who go that extra mile to help young Victorians thrive at school.”
Among the night’s most celebrated honourees was Chufeng Liu from Suzanne Cory High School, who made history by becoming the first early career teacher to receive the prestigious Lindsay Thompson Award for Excellence in Education, while also taking home the Outstanding Early Career Secondary Teacher award.
Liu was recognised for setting high expectations, embedding inclusive practices and holding an unwavering belief in every student’s potential. Reflecting on the recognition, he said he was “incredibly honoured and humbled” to make history at the awards.
“This dual recognition is not just a personal milestone, but a powerful testament to the collective spirit that defines public education in Victoria,” he said. “It reinforces my deepest commitment to our sector, and I hope my journey can inspire a new generation of educators to join and shape the future of our state’s government schools.”
Liu credited his school community for the achievement, describing Suzanne Cory High School—recently ranked Victoria’s top public school—as the foundation of his success. “Our shared belief that community building in Werribee begins with education, and our drive to embed international perspectives and global competencies for every student and family in the Western suburbs, fuels our work,” he said.
He thanked Principal Martha Goodridge-Kelly for her support and leadership, and his language teaching team for their collaboration in pioneering new international programs and curriculum reforms. Liu also acknowledged his partner, Tao Hou, for his sacrifices and support, calling him the “invisible foundation” that allows him to dedicate himself fully to his work.
Other winners included Michael McLean, Principal of Kerrimuir Primary School, who received the Outstanding Primary Principal award for improving learning outcomes in a diverse school community. Alice Jury from Canadian Lead Primary School was named Outstanding Primary Teacher for her excellence in phonics teaching, while Wendouree Primary School received the Outstanding Education Support Team award for its garden and kitchen program.
Additional award recipients included:
- Colin Simpson Outstanding Secondary Principal: Christopher Quinn, Western Port Secondary College
- Outstanding Early Career Primary Teacher: Felicity Jenkins, Box Hill North Primary School
- Outstanding Secondary Teacher: Robert Harrow, Victorian College for the Deaf
- Outstanding Business Manager: Katrina Palmer, Kurnai College
Team honours went to Western Port Secondary College for Outstanding School Improvement, Travancore School for Outstanding Inclusive Education, and the Koorie Emerging Leaders in Schools program (Bayside Peninsula) for Outstanding Koorie Education.
Albert Park College received two awards—Outstanding Provision for High-Ability Students (Secondary) and the Dr Lawrie Shears Outstanding Global Teaching and Learning Award—while Heathmont East Primary School was recognised for Outstanding Provision for High-Ability Students (Primary).
Winners received grants of up to $25,000 to support professional learning and resources, helping further strengthen teaching and leadership across Victoria’s public education system.
More information about this year’s winners and finalists is available at vic.gov.au/VEEA.
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