A group of high achieving public school teachers has been recognised with awards from the Council for Australian Educational Leaders.

The awards celebrate outstanding contributions to leadership in schools and the broader educational landscape.

The Secretary of the NSW Department of Education, Murat Dizdar, said this year’s recipients were hugely deserving.

“The NSW ACEL Fellowships and Leadership awards are more than just awards; they are a heartfelt recognition of those remarkable individuals who have dedicated themselves over many years to making a profound difference in education,” Mr Dizdar said.

“These leaders have not only achieved significant educational outcomes but have done so with an unwavering commitment to inspiring and uplifting those around them — their students, their colleagues, and the broader community.”

The awards also recognised individual schools and leaders within the department.

The recipients were:

ACEL NSW Leadership Awards (Individual)

• Alexander Moussawer - Homebush Public School

• Danielle Lloyd - Sarah Redfern High School

• Elizabeth Purvis - Forestville Public School

• Joanne Gardiner - NSW Department of Education

• Manisha Gazula - Marsden Road Public
  

• Sana Zreika - NSW Department of Education

ACEL NSW Leadership Awards (Team)

• James Meehan High School - Curious Collaborative Community

• Auburn Girls High School - STEM Co-Curricular Initiative

ACEL NSW Mary Armstrong Awards for Early Career Teacher Leadership

• Taylah Hanavan - Narrabeen Lakes Public School

• Joshua Barden - Emmaville Central School

ACEL NSW Fellowship 

• Karen Maraga - NSW Department of Education School Leadership Institute

Dr Paul Brock Memorial Medal

• Dr. Viviane Robinson – NSW Department of Education, School Leadership Institute

“What stands out most about our awardees is their ability to lead with vision and heart. They remind us all that educational leadership is not about titles or positions, it’s about the impact we have on lives and the legacy we leave behind,” Mr Dizdar said.

“I am personally inspired by the stories of these leaders, how they have built effective teams, nurtured professional learning, and modelled transformational leadership day after day. They show us that when passion meets purpose, education has the power to truly change lives.”