Faculty of Education Awards recognise student and staff excellence

An impressive 105 education students earned a place on the Dean’s Honours List, achieving a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 6.5 or above (full list below). The Faculty of Education is Southern Cross University’s largest Faculty with over 8,500 students, signifying their extraordinary achievement in being the top 1.2 per cent of Education students. The students on the Dean’s Honours List were also personally invited to the Bachelor of Education with Honours program.

Students receiving a Student Donor Prize were also acknowledged and commended for their academic excellence (see below). Southern Cross University expressed gratitude to the prize donors for their support of Education students, including: The Primary English Teaching Association Australia, Byron Writers Festival Committee, Bishop Druitt College, Lord's Taverners Northern NSW and Early Childhood Australia.

Outstanding contributions to education research were also highlighted. Professor Lexi Lasczik was named Researcher of the Year, recognising her impact in the research fields of movement, displacement and climate change education. Professor Lasczik is also the research co-leader of the Sustainability, Environment, and the Arts in Education Research Cluster (SEAE).

Dr Carla Valerio was awarded Early Career Researcher of the Year for her research into initial teacher education and social learning strategies as well as translating outdoor practices into school-based settings. Professor Sue Walker also received HDR Supervisor of the Year for an outstanding track record in Higher Degree Research supervision, supporting her students’ career development, and contributing to the development of excellent supervision practices.

The research publication “A synergetic perspective on students' perception of classroom environment, expectancy value belief, and engagement in an EFL”, by Dr Hoi Vo and published in SAGE Journals, was awarded Outstanding Research Publication.

The HDR research publication, “A Journey into School Lunchbox Decision-Making: A Mixed Methods Exploration of Australian Parents”, published in Health Promotion Journal of Australia, was also recognised, co-authored by Professor Wendy Boyd, Associate Professor Nasim Salehi, Dr Frances Doran, Dr David Ellis, Dr Hannah MCGuigan and Dr Megan Lee.

Faculty of Education academics demonstrated their passion for teaching with Paula Farrell and Timothy Barringham named Educator of the Year, and 12 staff members receiving a Commendation for Teaching Excellence, including: Dr Lana McCarthy, Dr Lewes Peddell, Dr Colin Klupiec, Dr Mandy Hughes, Novy Dharmawan, Phillipa Trickett, Fabiola Pereira Sessa, Jacinta Lowes, Dr Monica Krajcovicova, Hiba Hawchar, Lauren Carn, and Dr Olivera Kamenarac.

Additionally, Nicole Rose from Benowa State School was awarded the Mentor Teacher Award, with Candice Walker from Olive Grove Centre of Early Learning, Gosnells, receiving a commendation for supporting pre-service teachers when on professional experience.

Professional staff were also celebrated, with Executive Assistant to the Executive Dean, Penny Bredenkamp, awarded the Professional Staff Award for Service, and commendations going to Tiffany Cutter, Kerrilee Sage and Emilee Devine.

The Student Advisory Group for Education (SAGE) leadership team were also recognised through the SAGE Award for Service, which was awarded to Savannah Shepherd Juniel (President), Caragh Rosevear (Vice-President) and Brynn Castle (Secretary).

"These awards showcase the exceptional talent and dedication within our Faculty of Education. Our students and staff continue to set the benchmark for excellence in teaching, research and community engagement. We are committed to preparing teachers, educational leaders and researchers who inspire and transform, and these achievements reflect that vision," said Professor Amy Cutter-Mackenzie-Knowles, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Education.

Deans Honours List 2025:

Bachelor of Early Childhood Education

Lesa Armstrong, Jaimee Luck, Lauren Shaw.

Bachelor of Education

Siddika Abay, Rachael Anderson, Holly Andrews, John Archinal, Mirani Astawa, Kym Bambrook, Rachel Baumgartner, Bradon Behan, Shu‑Xin Behr, Liela Blanch, Chantel Boaden, Matthew Bollard, Nathan Booth, Amelia Booth‑Barker, Hannah Bradmore, Timothy Browne, Erin Buckingham, Christie Campbell, Christopher Cherry, Ashley Clark, Amy Clisby, Lily Coleman, Tilli Coulter, Sophie Cracknell, Kiara Cunningham, Ruby Denner, Rowena Drew, Helen Edwards, Zoe Edwards, Lauren Ellem, Gypsy Forrest, Thomas Gray, Courtney Hackfath, Rebekah Hall, Luke Hammond, Cheyenne Hickson, Karen Hill, Caleb Hogbin, Jessica Housley, Kate Hulbert, Luke Knight‑Brooks, Timna Kopman, Sarah Lindo, Jian Liu, Robert Lucivero, Jaimee Luck, Sarah Maddock, Madeline Maric, Renee Marshall, Sarah McDonald, Michaela McGregor, Laura McKnight, Zahra McLaughlin, Sophie Mednis, Rachel Mott, Kayla Orphin, Janine Palmer, Meredith Palmer, Amalia Pearl, Vanessa Pham, Alexa Phillips, Declan Prain, Cameron Pratt, Sarah Rahilly, Acacia Roberts, Hayley Scanlon, Melinda Spencer, Rachelle Stevens, Tabatha Stockdale, Brooke Surawski, Carly Taylor, Jun Touzel, Laura Verstappen, Lucas Wagland, Lucy Ward, Kirsty West, Isabelle Wills, Emily Zauner, Kristin Zerna.

Bachelor of Education with Honours

Josie Hockey, Jian Liu, Samantha Miller, Georgiana Siaxiates.

Graduate Diploma of Education (Early Childhood)

Paula Montes, Raziya Rashid.

Master of Education

Josie Hockey, Stewart Jensen, Samantha Miller, Robert Pattearson, Sonia Solo.

Master of Teaching

Ellen Carey, Imogen Holt, Nerida Hornery, Jaimi Mahony, Emily Markwell, Ruby Marshall, Nicholas Mattingly, Sallyanne Moonga, Caitlyn Morrison, Okan Okyay, Carla Simpson, Aislinn Spencer, Ashley Warby, Nathan Warnes, Melissa Welsh, Cheryl Wright.

Student Donor Prizes

The Primary English Teaching Association Australia English Excellence Award: Aidan Tolman and Robert Lucivero.

Early Childhood Outstanding Student of the Year: Bridget Brosi.

Byron Writers Festival Prize for Associate Degree of Creative Writing: Kaye Irwin.

The Bishop Druitt College Wellbeing Education Prize: Brydi Custance.

The Bishop Druitt College STEM Education Prize: April Loadsman.

The Bishop Druitt College Arts Education Prize: Brydi Custance.

The Lord’s Taverners Northern NSW Buttrum-Whitelaw Memorial Prize: Ashleigh Larrescy.