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Seven public schools from across Western Australia were named as the best in their field at the state’s education awards at Crown Perth on Monday morning.
Christopher Lambe, a level 3 science specialist at Grandis Primary School with more than 23 years’ experience, was also handed the inaugural Teacher of the Year award.
Lambe was one of four finalists who were chosen out of about 40 nominations.
“I have a privilege of teaching kids to be curious and trying not to blow them up. It is the best job in the world, and I’ll continue doing this until they kick me out,” he joked.
“I’m very overwhelmed [to win this award]. It’s rare that teachers get this sort of treatment – to be put on this sort of a stage so it is an honour.
“I am standing on the shoulders of so many that have taught me, and probably our biggest teachers are our kids, they teach us to be really humble.
“You have to give [the students] a reason to walk to school every day, to put on that uniform. You’ve got to find that spark for things that kids might be interested in.”
Lambe said the trick was to make classes like mathematics and science “as exciting as a children’s birthday party” – something he found easy because of his love for the subjects.
Education Minister Sabine Winton said teaching was the “most noble profession” and congratulated Lambe on his win for his “infectious” passion and professional knowledge.
“Teaching is an incredibly rewarding career, and it’s also challenging, and that is why it is so important that we have events like today to acknowledge and to thank and to celebrate the incredible contributions made by our teachers and all that work in our schools each and every day,” Winton said.
“It’s important for all of us that each child in Western Australia is provided access to quality education that will help them to realise their full potential, and that’s why we all get up each and every day.
The winners from each category in the WA Education Awards for 2025.
“This morning’s story showed us the recipes for success. It’s really rather simple, great teaching, strong leadership, inclusive practice, culturally responsive approaches and a focus on student well-being and high achievement.”
Winton paid special recognition to the winners of another inaugural award – excellence in early childhood education which was awarded to Karratha Primary School.
She said that award was important as it recognised the important work by teachers during the “crucial foundational years” of a child’s education.
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Another key award was the excellence in teaching and learning in primary schools – handed to Campbell Primary School.
Principal Lynne Bates gave a shout-out to her students, who she said she hoped were watching the awards via the event’s livestream.
“You deserve this. You work so hard all the time at trying to achieve the very best for yourself and I couldn’t be more proud of you,” she said.
“I also want to acknowledge exceptional, and I mean exceptional staff that I work with, I couldn’t be more proud of who you are and what you do for our school.”
The winner of the excellence in teaching and learning award for secondary schools was Ocean Reef Senior High School, while the award for excellence in school leadership went to John Curtin College of the Arts.
Excellence in disability and inclusion was handed to Bob Hawke College, and excellence in cultural responsiveness was awarded to Wiluna Remote Community School, located near Meekatharra in the Goldfields-Esperance region of the state.
The winners of each category received $20,000, while all other finalists received $5000 each.
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