NSW Premier’s Teacher Scholarship Winners

NSW’s 15 best teachers have been rewarded with a 2026 Premier’s Teacher Scholarship. The scholarships are designed to enrich the learning experiences of students in the classroom, and to support teachers to explore their focus areas.

The scholarship program was open to NSW teachers from government and non-government schools and preschools, and to teachers at TAFE NSW Institutes and provides each recipient with $15,000 in funds for a five-week study tour during 2026. They have a strong regional focus, with six of the award winners from outside of Sydney. 

From their study tour experiences, scholars will gain confidence to apply new ideas, new teaching methods and new technologies in their teaching.

Acting Education and Early Learning Minister Courtney Houssos said the scholarship program was designed to make the best teachers in the state even better.

“Since they started in 1999, more than 570 Premier’s Teacher Scholarship recipients have received fantastic opportunities to develop their skills and knowledge in a chosen field of expertise,” she said.

The list of winners are:
Premier’s Anika Foundation Youth Depression Awareness Scholarship to focus on preventing depression in young people or building awareness of youth depression
Betty Tian Yi Li, Macarthur Girls High School, Parramatta
Emma Nile, Campbell House School, Glenfield
Premier’s Early Childhood Australia Education Scholarship to study any aspect of early childhood education
Deborah Bennetts, John Brotchie Nursery School, Botany
Premier’s Hicksons Lawyers Rural and Remote Education Scholarship to study any aspect of rural and remote education
Joshua Crispin, Menindee Central School  
Premier’s Reserve Bank of Australia Economics Scholarship to study exemplary practice & professional development to the teaching and learning of economics
Julie Caddy, Merewether High School
Premier’s Teachers Mutual Bank Aboriginal Education Scholarship to study aspects of Indigenous education relevant to the NSW curriculum or TAFE courses
Tammy Anderson, Briar Road Public School, Airds
Premier’s University of New England STEM and Technology Scholarship to study STEM education or technologies and their application in effective teaching practice
Tara Green, Elizabeth Macarthur High School, Narellan Vale
Premier’s University of Sydney Mathematics Scholarship to study any aspect of mathematics education
Holly Wedd, Orara High School, Coffs Harbour
Premier’s Vocational Education in Schools Scholarship to research issues in vocational education that impact students in schools
Megan Jennings, Belmont High School
Premier's Western Sydney University Inclusive Education Scholarship to study initiatives promoting optimal outcomes for students with disability
Jenny Kennedy, Bulli High School  

Further information on each scholarship can be found at https://education.nsw.gov.au/teach-nsw/enhance-your-career/nsw-premier-s-teacher-scholarships

Sponsoring organisations include: Western Sydney University, the University of Sydney, the University of New England, Teachers Mutual Bank, Reserve Bank of Australia, NSW Education Standards Authority, History Teachers Association NSW, Hicksons Lawyers, Economics and Business Educators NSW, Early Childhood Australia NSW, and the Anika Foundation.