Dympna Turner, Religious Education Leader at St Thomas More Primary School Alfredton, has been nominated by Principal Simon Duffy for her exceptional leadership in nurturing a faith-filled school community and strengthening connections between school, parish and family life. 

She has played an extraordinary role in nurturing a deeply faith-filled and connected school community. Through her authentic leadership, she has strengthened partnerships between school, parish and families, ensuring that faith is not simply taught, but truly lived and experienced. 

Her commitment to Catholic Identity is evident in every aspect of school life – from meaningful liturgies and prayer experiences to her leadership of social justice initiatives, including Project Compassion. Dympna inspires students and families to live with compassion, generosity and a strong sense of service to others. 

She is a collaborative and respected leader who actively supports the broader mission of Catholic education across her parish cluster, helping foster a shared sense of faith and community among neighbouring schools.

Cara Chisholm, Deputy Principal and Religious Education Leader at St Joseph’s Primary School Warrnambool, and Stacey Atkins, Deputy Principal and Religious Education Leader at St Pius X Warrnambool West, have been nominated by Jo-Anne Van der Voort, Education Officer: Religious Education at Catholic Education Ballarat, for their outstanding leadership of Catholic identity within their schools and for their collaborative work in reimagining the Star of the Sea Sacramental Program across the Warrnambool parish network. 

Cara and Stacey are outstanding examples of faith-filled leadership in Catholic education. Through their work within their own school communities and across the Star of the Sea parish network, they have demonstrated deep commitment to authentic Catholic Identity, meaningful Religious Education and collaborative leadership. 

Together, they played a pivotal role in reimagining the Star of the Sea Sacramental Program, supporting and mentoring fellow Religious Education Leaders while fostering a truly collaborative and innovative approach to sacramental preparation through their dedicated Collaborative Innovation Research Prototype. 

Both leaders are deeply respected by colleagues for their integrity, professionalism and commitment to ongoing growth. They create prayer and liturgical experiences that are thoughtful, inclusive and deeply meaningful, helping students engage authentically with the Catholic tradition. 

Their work has strengthened faith formation across multiple school communities while modelling the spirit of collaboration and shared mission envisioned in Catholic education today.

Rachel Brown, Clare Green and Kate Sewell, members of the Junior Teaching Team at St Pius X Primary School Warrnambool, have been nominated by Principal Tristan Fay for their collaborative and evidence-informed approach to literacy instruction, leading to significant improvements in student learning, engagement and wellbeing. 

Rachel, Clare and Kate have demonstrated what is possible when professional curiosity, collaboration and evidence-informed practice come together in the service of student learning and wellbeing. 

Recognising the importance of strong early literacy foundations, the team undertook significant professional inquiry into structured literacy and phonics instruction, ultimately implementing the Sounds Write program across the junior years. Their work reflects a deep commitment to research-informed teaching, continual reflection and responsive practice. 

Importantly, this work has had a measurable impact. Student achievement data has shown significant growth, alongside increased student confidence, engagement and enjoyment of learning.  Beyond the data, Rachel, Clare and Kate have created learning environments where students feel supported, challenged and inspired to succeed. Their work exemplifies collaboration, collective professional agency and a genuine commitment to every learner flourishing.

Belinda Dwyer, Applied Learning Coordinator at Damascus College Ballarat, has been nominated by Rachel Wallbank, Head of Senior School at Damascus College, for her transformational leadership of the VCE-VM program, creating pathways where students experience genuine connection, confidence, purpose and belonging. 

Since commencing in the role in 2020, Belinda has transformed the VCE-VM program into a thriving and deeply connected learning community where students feel genuinely known, valued and supported. 

Under Belinda’s leadership, participation in the VM pathway has grown significantly, reflecting the strong culture of trust, belonging and opportunity she has created. Through innovative partnerships with local schools and community organisations, students have been able to engage in authentic learning experiences, volunteering opportunities and workplace pathways that build confidence, purpose and connection. 

Belinda is a passionate advocate for every student. She empowers young people to take ownership of their learning and future pathways, while ensuring they are supported every step of the way. Her description of the cohort as “the VM family” speaks powerfully to the culture she has built – one grounded in care, dignity and high expectations. 

Through her leadership, Belinda has ensured that students who may once have felt disconnected instead experience success, a sense of belonging, and hope for the future.

Jo-Anne Van der Voort, Education Officer: Religious Education (Primary) at Catholic Education Ballarat, has been nominated by Sarah Mooney, Catholic Identity Leader at St Michael’s Daylesford, for her outstanding support of Religious Education across schools, her contemporary and engaging approach to Catholic identity, and her unwavering commitment to students, staff and school communities. 

Lucy Quanchi, Classroom Teacher at Emmaus Catholic Primary School, has been nominated by Torie Waight, Catholic Identity Leader at St Aloysius Primary School Redan, for the way she lives out Gospel values through service, faith leadership and her deep commitment to Catholic Social Teaching, inspiring both students and the wider community through her actions and example. 

Karen Goonan, Katrina McMahon, Fiona Mackenzie, Rachael Thompson, Roger Barrows, Anita Lidgett, Paul Crabtree and Peter O'Loughlin of the Damascus College St Brendan’s Dunnstown Founding Team have been nominated by Principal Steven Mifsud for their innovative and collaborative development of an alternate Year 8 program focused on student engagement, wellbeing and deeper learning experiences. 

Andrea Welsh, Jess Baldock, Maryanne Leslie, Tehan Kelleher, Mikayla Simpson and Jill Appleton, members of the leadership team at St Mary’s F–8 School Robinvale, have been nominated by independent education consultant Stephen Russell for their evidence-informed teaching practices and outstanding student learning outcomes, achieved through strong collaboration and innovation in a remote regional setting

Jan Madden and Amy Atwell, Assistant Principals at St John’s Primary School Dennington, have been nominated by Principal Ben van de Camp for their leadership in improving teaching practice, student engagement and learning outcomes through evidence-informed professional learning, collaboration and whole-school improvement initiatives. 

Tegan McDonald, Principal of St Patrick’s Primary School Koroit, has been nominated by classroom teacher Mirjam van Berge for her compassionate leadership and her unwavering commitment to creating a school environment where every child feels safe, valued, supported and capable of success. 

Fiona Combe, Deputy Principal at St Brigid’s College Horsham, has been nominated by Principal Gerard Raven for fostering a school culture where students, staff and families feel included, respected and empowered through authentic relationships, student voice and collaborative leadership. 

Sarah Weiss, Wellbeing Coordinator at Trinity College Colac, has been nominated by Emma Mezzatesta, Wellbeing Practitioner at Trinity College Colac, for her outstanding commitment to student wellbeing, inclusion and advocacy, ensuring every member of the school community feels safe, connected and supported. 

Brendan Chalmers, Capital Works Project Delivery Officer at Catholic Education Ballarat, has been nominated by Madeleine Ingham, School Capital Planning Officer at Catholic Education Ballarat, for his collaborative leadership, commitment to innovation and outstanding stewardship in delivering sustainable infrastructure projects across the Diocese. 

Karen Rintoule, Administration and Business Manager at St Patrick’s Primary School Nhill, has been nominated by Principal Kingsley Dalgleish for her exceptional stewardship, operational leadership and tireless commitment to supporting the sustainability and success of both the school and wider Nhill community. 

Elle Seath, Classroom Teacher at St Patrick’s Primary School Koroit, has been nominated by Principal Tegan McDonald for creating St Paddy’s Breakfast Club, a welcoming initiative that strengthens connection, belonging and wellbeing for students and families within the school community. 

Tarryn Delaney, Benson Steere, Peita Cryer, Rachael Osborne, Michelle Malone and Abby McLear, members of the leadership team at St Patrick’s Port Fairy, have been nominated by Abby McLear, Learning and Teaching Leader, for building a deeply connected school community through strong partnerships, student leadership opportunities and meaningful engagement with the wider community. 

Paul McDowell, Principal of St Patrick’s Primary School Gordon, has been nominated by Fiona Conroy, MHiPS Officer at St Patrick’s Gordon, for his authentic Catholic leadership, his deep commitment to student wellbeing and belonging, and the strong and trusting relationships he fosters across the school community. 

Julia Petrov, Strategy Implementation Manager, and Monique Ryan, Education Officer: Learning Diversity, at Catholic Education Ballarat, have been nominated by Ange Jones, Assistant Director: People and Development at Catholic Education Ballarat, for their leadership of the Student Agency Forums, empowering student voice and building collaborative cultures across the Diocese through partnership, innovation and shared agency.