In 2025, Swan Valley Anglican Community School was named the recipient of two prestigious national awards:
- The Educator Australia 5-Star Innovative Schools 2025
- The 2025 National ACEL (Australian Council for Educational Leaders) Leadership Award
Being selected for The Educator Australia 5-Star Innovative Schools list is a significant honour. Now in its 11th year, this nationally respected award recognises schools that are pioneering change and reshaping the future of education. It celebrates the most forward-thinking institutions driving innovation across Australia’s education landscape.
Our school’s nomination for this award highlights the creative and future-focused programs we have developed to champion student agency and voice within an inclusive and welcoming school environment. These include:
- Our bespoke Learner Profile, developed by staff through school-based research and collaboration;
- Our New Metrics for Success Research Partnership with the University of Melbourne — we are proud to be the second school in Western Australia invited to join;
- Our authorisation to co-issue the Australian Learner Competency Credential (ALCC) in partnership with the University of Melbourne — in 2024 we were one of only 20 schools nationally (and two in WA);
- Our Whole School Buddy Program, which fosters meaningful relationships across year levels; and
- Our Whole School Values Program, which embeds shared values throughout our school community.
We were also honoured to receive the 2025 National ACEL Leadership Award, recognising our role as a valued partner in the New Metrics for Success Research Partnership. This award acknowledges individual educators and teams who have demonstrated outstanding leadership through significant educational initiatives, impactful research, or influence on educational policy—resulting in measurable improvements for students and colleagues at a national or international level. It is one of ACEL’s most respected peer-nominated honours, affirming leadership excellence and innovation.
ACEL represents educational leaders across all sectors and settings, advocating for leadership that is ethical, future-focused, and committed to the success of every learner. Our work with New Metrics powerfully reflects this vision and the national interest—demonstrating that system transformation is possible when innovative school leaders collaborate across sectors to design better futures for all students.
This award recognises our pioneering contribution to New Metrics: validating assessments, championing learner agency, and helping to build a trusted, scalable system of recognition. Our efforts have advanced the partnership and provided a roadmap for more equitable and future-focused schooling. It acknowledges not only our local impact, but also our role in shaping a collective national effort that ACEL and the University of Melbourne believe will influence education for years to come.
We congratulate our staff on this remarkable achievement. Their dedication, innovation, and unwavering commitment to excellence in education have been rightfully recognised — and truly deserved.