This week, the Public Education Foundation (PEF) proudly recognised the outstanding achievements of students, teachers, and principals in public schools across Australia during the annual Proudly Public Awards Ceremony held at Sydney Town Hall. Since the launch of PEF’s scholarship program over 15 years ago, the Foundation has awarded a total of 3,613 life-changing scholarships, including 3,452 to students and 161 to educators. The student speaker at the event is Rafeef Al-Majidi, [...]

The Public Education Foundation (PEF) is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Manisha Amin as its new Chief Executive Officer. Manisha joins PEF at a time of strong momentum, as the organisation stands ready to embrace new opportunities for expansion and progress. Her leadership will be instrumental in guiding the Foundation’s next phase, strengthening support for students, teachers, and principals in public schools across Australia. A highly experienced and respected executive, [...]

The Public Education Foundation is delighted to announce Ian Preston as the recipient of the 2025 Toyota Community Trust STEM Teachers Scholarship. This prestigious scholarship supports outstanding educators committed to advancing STEM education in public schools, with a focus on improving opportunities for students in rural and under-resourced communities. Ian Preston, Deputy Principal at Murrumbidgee Regional High School – Griffith, is the founder and lead of both the Murrumbidgee Academy of STEM [...]

The Public Education Foundation, in partnership with Teachers Mutual Bank, is proud to announce that Emmie Keung and Huy Le, both Learning Specialists at Sunshine College West Campus, have been awarded the 2025 Teachers Mutual Bank Victorian Mid-Career Scholarship. This scholarship recognises and supports public school teachers in Victoria who have been teaching for between five and fifteen years, with $10,000 provided by Teachers Mutual Bank for professional development activities of the [...]

Hellyer College teacher Ronan Douglas has been named the 2025 recipient of the Public Education Foundation’s Teachers Health Early Career Scholarship. Based in Tasmania, Ronan has a passion for empowering students and supporting the teaching profession, particularly in rural and regional areas. Ronan, who teaches Years 11 and 12, plans to use the Teachers Health Scholarship to pursue professional development opportunities, including a program at Harvard University. His focus will be on [...]