Sydney, Australia (Jan 16. 2025) – Visionary educators and Schools Plus Teaching Awards Alumni, Brett Dascombe, of Wavell State High School in Brisbane and Rosie Connelly of Playford Primary School in Adelaide have been selected as two of the Top 50 finalists for the prestigious Varkey Foundation’s 2025 Global Teacher Prize.
The Global Teacher Prize is an annual award presented by the Varkey Foundation to an exceptional teacher who has made a significant impact on their students and community. Established in 2014, the prize aims to highlight the importance of educators and recognize the outstanding contributions they make to society. The award comes with a cash prize of $1 million, making it one of the most prestigious recognitions in the field of education. Through a partnership between Schools Plus and the Varkey Foundation, recipients of the Schools Plus Teaching Awards are invited to apply for the Global Teacher Prize.
Brett Dascombe has been recognised for revolutionising geography education in Queensland by integrating geospatial technologies and building strong industry connections, to inspire a new generation of globally minded learners to pursue careers in fields like geospatial technology, engineering and urban planning.
Brett says, “students are learning valuable future-focused skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, data analysis, and communication through engaging in real-world projects that will help them to thrive in a society where there is a growing demand for a skilled and digitally enabled workforce. They’re also learning to work in a collaborative culture gaining in global competence which is a crucial skill in the modern world.”
Brett’s work has helped to transform learning outcomes for more than 1000 young Queenslanders across the state, including those from communities facing disadvantage or geographic isolation. His efforts have helped Wavell students to achieve remarkable success, with students consistently exceeding state averages, winning numerous state awards, gaining national recognition at the Australian Geospatial Awards and presenting at state conferences.
The breadth of Brett’s influence extends beyond his own classroom, with over 150 teachers and 100 schools benefitting from his professional development programs and school visits, that have equipped educators and students alike to embrace technology in education.
Brett’s dedication has earned him a number of significant accolades including a 2023 Schools Plus Teaching Awards Fellowship, the Peter Doherty STEM Award, and the Queensland Department of Education Showcase Award for Excellence in Teaching. These honours showcase Brett’s outstanding efforts to inspire lifelong learning in young learners and advance the teaching profession.
Rosie Connelly has been recognised as an emerging and transformative force in education, driven by personal experiences and a passion for advocating for students with neurodiversity. She has dedicated her career to creating inclusive classrooms by pioneering innovative and evidence-based teaching methods that foster student agency, metacognition, and critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving skills. This has led many children to achieve significant academic gains in literacy and numeracy, with 95% of her students meeting or exceeding the Standard for Educational Achievement in mathematics.
Rosie says, “creating an inclusive environment that meets the diverse needs of all students should be the cornerstone of education. As an autism inclusion and highly accomplished teacher, my passion and commitment are focused on empowering the entire community with a deeper understanding of how to foster a sense of belonging for every student, enabling them to thrive and reach their highest potential – socially, academically, and personally.”
Renowned for her impact on the wider community, Rosie has shared her expertise with teachers across South Australia, has been praised for her initiatives as best practices for Autism inclusion, is a published advocate for autism awareness and collaborates with local organisations to promote dialogue on autism and sustainability. Rosie’s students have engaged in community-focused projects, such as understanding and advocating for environmental sustainability following South Australia’s statewide plastic ban. These initiatives have inspired many children to see themselves as global citizens, equipped with the skills to navigate and contribute to a rapidly changing world.
Rosie’s outstanding work has been recognised by a series of notable awards, including a Schools Plus Early Career Teaching Award (2023), South Australia’s Primary Teacher of the Year (2022), and recognition as Australia’s Most Influential Educator by Educator Australia (2024). This exemplifies Rosie’s profound impact as an advocate for inclusivity and excellence in education.
The Global Teacher Prize will be narrowed down to the top 10 finalists in late January, with the winner announced at the World Governments Summit in Dubai from 11 to 13 February.