A group of exceptional educators from across New South Wales have been honoured with the 2025 Premier’s Teacher Scholarships, celebrating their outstanding dedication to enhancing education.
There were 12 categories of scholarships, and 17 scholarships were awarded across multiple education sectors including the Governent, Catholic, and Independent sectors.
This prestigious program, now in its 25th year, aims to support the professional development of teachers and education staff through financial assistance for a five-week study tour.
NSW Department of Education Secretary Murat Dizdar expressed his admiration for the recipients, emphasising the diverse educational fields they represent.
“From teachers who focus on those with special needs, to others who lift outcomes for gifted students or work in Aboriginal education, mathematics and higher/vocational education – I’m delighted to see this outstanding group of public educators acknowledged through the Premier’s Teacher Scholarships,” Dizdar remarked.
“Enabling these educators to expand on their expertise in some of Australia’s and the world’s most acclaimed schools and centres for teaching and learning is fitting recognition for their efforts, and I look forward to hearing about their experiences.”
The Premier’s Teacher Scholarships, open to teachers from both government and non-government schools, preschools, and TAFE NSW Institutes, award between $10,000 and $15,000. This year’s cohort highlights a strong regional presence, with eight of the recipients hailing from outside Sydney, underscoring the program’s commitment to supporting educators across the state.
The recipients of the 2025 Premier’s Teacher Scholarships include:
- Premier’s Anika Foundation Youth Depression Awareness Scholarship
- Katrina Davies (Dapto High School)
- Leanne Brooke (Kincumber High School)
- Premier’s Hicksons Lawyers STEM Scholarship
- Krissa Diamante (Canley Vale High School)
- Premier’s History Teachers’ Association History Scholarship
- Suanne Knight (Ulladulla High School)
- Premier’s Inclusive Education Scholarship
- Julia Scott (Lake Illawarra High School)
- Sophie Evans (Chalmers Road School, Strathfield / Palm Avenue School, Westmead)
- Premier’s NESA Quality Teaching Scholarship
- Simone Hirsch (Rollands Plains Upper Public School / Rowena Public School / Stratford Public School / Nimmitabel Public School)
- Premier’s University of NSW Rural and Remote Education Scholarship
- Danielle Barisa (Gunnedah Public School / Coonabarabran High School)
- Premier’s University of Sydney Mathematics Scholarship
- Jacqueline Lyon (Mathematics Growth Team, working from Orange High School)
- Premier’s Vocational Education in Schools Scholarship
- Frieda Gorman (Bellingen High School)
The scholarships are supported by a range of corporate sponsors, including the Anika Foundation, Hicksons Lawyers, the History Teachers Association of New South Wales, the NSW Education Standards Authority, the Reserve Bank of Australia, Teachers Mutual Bank, the University of New South Wales (School of Education), and the University of Sydney (Faculty of Science).