A new category for inclusive education has been added to the annual Victorian Education Excellence Awards as part of the Andrews Labor Government’s election promise to make schools fairer and more inclusive.

Announcing the new award category, Education Minister James Merlino said the new Inclusive Education Award will recognise exceptional education staff who have demonstrated outstanding ability in improving the achievement, engagement and wellbeing of students with disabilities and special needs.​

The new award category is one of nine initiatives for fairer and more inclusive schools for students with disabilities and special needs, announced in the Government’s Special Needs Plan.

In addition to the introduction of the new Inclusion category, other changes to the Awards are:

• The creation of a single dedicated, independent judging panel comprising world-renowned educational leaders and thinkers
• The streamlining of the awards into nine categories with each winner in the running for the top gong: the Lindsay Thompson Award for Excellence in Education
• A simpler and quicker nomination process that encourages educators to nominate their colleagues for the work they are doing
• Nominations, judging and the awards presentation will be held within the same school year
• Increased opportunities for professional development for winners, who will join a prestigious Roll of Honour and become ambassadors for the awards

Since 2002, the prestigious awards have showcased the dedicated and passionate people at Victoria’s 1525 government schools striving to bring out the very best in Victoria’s children.

Nominations for the 2015 Victorian Education Excellence Awards are now open and close on 2 August. Finalist will be unveiled in September, with winners announced during an award presentation evening on Friday, 30 October.

Individual category winners will receive up to $20,000 for professional development, while team-based award winners will receive up to $25,000. The winner of the Lindsay Thompson Award for Excellence in Education will receive a further $20,000. For more information visit: www.education.vic.gov.au/veea

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino

“The Victorian Education Excellence Awards are a great opportunity to recognise those who deliver school experiences that change the lives of children in the Education State.”

“We promised a new Inclusive Education Award to recognise exceptional educators who are creating more inclusive and fairer schools for kids with disabilities and special needs.”

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