Congratulations to the Flinders graduates and passionate educators who have been recognised with teaching awards in 2025.
PUBLIC EDUCATION AWARDS WINNERS & FINALISTS
Innovation in Teaching and Learning
Winner: Jason McKenzie (BEd(MidSecSch), BA ’19), Coordinator Teaching and Learning, English and Humanities
Christies Beach High School, Kaurna Country
Learning expeditions that connect students with real-world issues
Jason McKenzie leads a pioneering Year 7 Learning Expedition integrating science, humanities, English and mathematics around pressing real-world issues such as biodiversity. This interdisciplinary approach fosters curiosity, collaboration and critical thinking. By linking classroom learning with local environments and community partnerships, Jason grounds education in authentic contexts, resulting in high-quality student projects showcased in public exhibitions.
Surveys highlight increased engagement, stronger attendance and improved confidence during expedition learning. His leadership also strengthens collaboration among staff, creating a culture of innovation that equips learners as creative problem-solvers and engaged citizens. Watch Public Education Awards video profile
Inclusive Practices in Education
Finalist: Cherie Dawkins (BEd(Sec),BSpecEd ’20, GradCertLeaderEd ‘22) and the Golden Graze Student-led Business Initiative
Disability Unit, Golden Grove High School, Kaurna Country
Golden Graze: inclusive enterprise, crafted by students
Spearheaded by Cherie Dawkins, Golden Graze is a pioneering student-led business initiative at Golden Grove High School’s Disability Unit, empowering students with disabilities through authentic enterprise learning in food preparation, budgeting, event planning and customer service.
Originating from a modified SACE subject, it has grown into a sustainable program integrated across business, civics and food and hospitality. Funds raised are reinvested into sensory tools and learning resources, reinforcing learner agency. Beyond skills, the program fosters regulation strategies, peer support and cross-curricular innovation. With strong community partnerships, including catering for the Red Cross and SES, Golden Graze has inspired replication statewide. Watch Public Education Awards video profile
Outstanding Safety Initiatives
Finalist: Neil Muggleton (BEd(UP/LS) ’04), Work Health and Safety Coordinator
Urrbrae Agricultural High School, Kaurna Country
Championing safety and community engagement through strategic leadership
Neil Muggleton has transformed safety standards and strengthened community engagement at Urrbrae Agricultural High School. Collaborating with SafeWork SA and the Department for Education, Neil ensures compliance and cultivates a strong safety culture.
His initiatives, such as open day events, strengthen community ties, promote a positive safety culture and showcase the school’s strengths. Neil leads compliance efforts and engages stakeholders to ensure safe, supportive environments for students and staff. His practical, people-focused approach strengthens trust and awareness across the school community, providing a model for others. Neil’s work demonstrates a deep commitment to continuous improvement, enhancing the wellbeing and success of the school community. Watch Public Education Awards video profile
COMMONWEALTH BANK SCHOOLS PLUS TEACHING AWARDS WINNERS
Teaching Fellow/Winner: Teresa Maiolo (MEd(SpecEd)’13)
Avenues College, SA, Kaurna
Teresa Maiolo is a pioneering educator in the field of Deaf education, whose work is transforming literacy outcomes for some of the most underserved students in Australia.
As Director of the Centre of Deaf Education at Avenues College in Adelaide, Teresa has co-developed and led MorThemes — a morphology-based, multimodal literacy program specifically designed for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students.
Teresa’s CBSP Teaching Awards profile page
EDUCATORS SA 2025 AWARDS WINNERS
ATOM SA Award for Excellence in Media Education:
Halwyn Bruce (BA ’00, BA(Hons) ’05, Australian Teachers of Media SA (ATOM SA)
Hal Bruce is recognised for his visionary leadership and foundational role in establishing ATOM SA. His dedication to advancing media and screen education has shaped countless professional journeys across South Australia. Through his enduring commitment, advocacy, and mentorship, Hal has helped embed the importance of creative and critical media literacy in education. This award honours his legacy and lasting impact on our association and the broader learning community.
INTAN Gotong Royong:
Kylie Hill (BA ’91), Indonesian Teachers’ Association (INTAN)
Kylie’s unwavering commitment advocating for Indonesian language reflects true gotong royong. She has championed programs across schools, nurtured sister-school connections, and provided local immersive cultural experiences with INTAN and West Fest including food, music and dance. Her passion has sustained Indonesian in schools and inspired students to become teachers, strengthening intercultural understanding and ensuring Indonesia’s language continues to flourish.
LETASA Outstanding Contribution and Excellence Award:
Brett Schenk (BA ’87, DipEd ’88), Legal Education Teachers Association of SA (LETASA)
Since 1998 Brett has taken on multiple positions on the executive committee, supported pre-service educators, early career teachers and experienced teachers new to Legal Studies and taught his classes with vigour and brilliance. He is an outstanding leader who always puts others first.
MLTASA Collegial Action Award:
Javier Diaz-Martinez (Flinders Spanish lecturer), Language Teachers SA (MLTASA)
Javier is an inspiring and forward-thinking educator who has provided vision, direction, energy and humour to the Languages teaching field in SA. He brings valuable insight into research trends, understanding the challenges faced, and opportunities presented, for both tertiary Languages and languages programs in schools. Javier is highly collaborative, fostering productive educational partnerships across language associations, schools and universities. His professional and collegial approach in working across sectors and levels of Languages education has redefined relationships and strengthened the identity of Languages in our state.
SASTA 2025 Honour Award:
Sarah Todd (BEd(JP/P),BSc ’14), SA Science Teachers Association (SASTA)
Sarah Todd has made an outstanding contribution to science education through her innovative teaching, environmental projects, and leadership. She inspires students with real-world science connections and empowers teachers through professional learning. Most recently, she led the 2025 Flinders Ranges Ediacara Teacher Scholarship trip, developing resources and sharing knowledge widely, ensuring that South Australian educators and students continue to benefit from these unique learning experiences.
SLASA Joan Brewer Award:
Catherine Barnes (BTeach(JP/P) ’92), School Library Association of SA (SLASA)
Catherine is a highly respected Lecturer of Information Management at UniSA and has presented and published both nationally and internationally on AI and metadata. She is committed to librarianship and is a member of various local and international professional committees around school libraries. Catherine is the Teacher Librarian at Endeavour College and is currently studying her PhD on immersive technologies. Catherine is an outstanding recipient of the Joan Brewer Award.
WSTA Outstanding Contribution to Women’s Studies:
Rachel Wood (BEd(UP/LS) ’97), Women’s Studies Teachers Association (WSTA)
Rachel Wood has significantly contributed to the establishment of the Women’s Studies Teachers Association. Her dedication and passion for Women’s Studies have benefited the subject in many ways. Rachel’s work as Treasurer and Secretary has been vital to the running of the Association. She is an exemplary Women’s Studies teacher, sharing best practice and supporting Women’s Studies teachers to develop to their potential.
MINISTER’S ARTS EDUCATION AWARDS
Inaugural Excellence in Financial Education (Joint) Award Winners 2025
Bianca Drum (BEd(Sec),BA ’22) (pictured left) and colleague Jazmin Nardelli (Maryattville HS)
Jasmin and Bianca have a long-held passion for financial literacy and have embraced “Financial Education” with enthusiasm since first participating in one of the Minister’s initiatives – the Financial Changemakers in Education Programme in 2024. They have already had some stunning achievements at their own site through the production and implementation of a series of financial literacy electives. Jasmin and Bianca have been participating as Members of the Dept’s Financial Literacy Working Group and have also created a network of industry partnerships.
Ministers Language Immersion Scholarship Independent School Educator 2025
Leah Wardle (BA ’04) (St John’s Grammar School)
As a teacher of Indonesian, Leah will be undertaking a two week immersion programe at the State University of Makassar’s Language Centre. This “Survival Indonesian and Cultural Exposure Course” incorporates intensive language development sessions as we as guided cultural experiences to assist Leah to continue to develop her intercultural understandings. She is also undertaking some cultural experiences that particularly highlight the importance of the Aboriginal-Indonesian relationships and trade in our shared history and is looking forward to deepening her understandings in this area.
UNIVERSITY AWARDS
Flinders University Outstanding Graduate Award
Mary Forbes
Mary Forbes, recipient of the 2025 Flinders University Outstanding Graduate Award, is a first-in-family student and passionate advocate for disability rights. Deeply committed to equity and inclusion, she has devoted countless hours to supporting children with intellectual and physical disabilities and their families, including advocacy for rare conditions such as GRIN2B-related neurodevelopmental disorder. Renowned for her compassion and professionalism, Mary’s teaching and volunteer work embody care, resilience and social responsibility—qualities that make her an inspiring ambassador for Flinders University and the teaching profession.
Photos courtesy of Educators SA & Heidi Wolff