Awards

Student Voice Impact Award

Recognising schools that champion student voice, agency, and leadership

This award honours a primary or secondary school that has embedded meaningful student voice in its culture, decision-making, and practices. It highlights schools where students are not just heard but actively shape their learning and school environment.

Criteria

  • Demonstrates student leadership and co-decision-making at a school-wide level.

  • Shows impact on school culture, policy, or learning outcomes.

  • Provides sustainable and inclusive opportunities for student participation.

  • Involves a diverse range of students, ensuring all voices are heard.

Partnership for Change Award

Recognising collaboration across sectors to empower students and drive change

This award celebrates partnerships between students and educators, policymakers, community organisations, or other stakeholders that have led to real-world impact. It highlights initiatives that break down silos and ensure students are co-creators of solutions.

Criteria

  • Involves genuine, equal partnerships between students and adults.

  • Leads to positive and measurable change in education, policy, or the wider community.

  • Demonstrates innovation, shared decision-making, and co-leadership.

  • Fosters long-term collaboration beyond a single project.

Nominate for an award

Nominations close 11 April 2025.

Further guidance

We are celebrating excellence in student empowerment through two special awards:

1. Student Voice Impact Award

This award honours a primary or secondary school that has demonstrated outstanding commitment to student voice, agency, and leadership.

Eligibility:

  • Open to primary and secondary schools in Australia.

  • Schools must provide evidence of student-led decision-making and impact.

Assessment Criteria:

  • Student Leadership: How are students involved in shaping school culture, policy, or learning?

  • Impact: What tangible changes have resulted from student voice initiatives?

  • Sustainability: How is student voice embedded as an ongoing practice?

  • Inclusivity: How are diverse student voices represented?

Examples of Eligible Initiatives:

  • A student-led review of school policies or curriculum.

  • A project addressing well-being, sustainability, or equity led by students.

2. Partnership for Change Award

This award recognizes collaboration between students and educators, policymakers, researchers, or community groups to drive meaningful change.

Eligibility:

  • Open to partnerships involving students and adults (schools, organisations, policymakers, universities, etc.).

  • Must demonstrate co-leadership and shared decision-making.

Assessment Criteria:

  • Collaboration: How are students and adults working together as equal partners?

  • Impact: What real-world change has this partnership achieved?

  • Innovation: How does this initiative push boundaries or take a new approach?

  • Sustainability: How will the partnership continue beyond a single project?

Examples of Eligible Initiatives:

  • A student-led research project in partnership with a university.

  • A collaboration with community organisations to address a social issue.

How to Nominate

  • Submit a nomination by 11 April 2025.

  • Include a video and short description of the initiative and how it meets the criteria.

  • Winners will be announced at SVC 2025.

For questions, contact us at awards@studentvoice.org.au. We can’t wait to celebrate the incredible work happening in student voice and partnerships!