SAPPA Early Career Principal Award 2026

Date 21/05/2026
Category Uncategorised

Eligibility

Nominees must:

be a SAPPA member in the first 3 to 5 years of their first principal tenure.
be nominated by a peer. This could be a Principal or leader colleague, Education Director or LET team member. Nominators do not need to be SAPPA members.

Prize

The award recipient will receive a $500 prize from SAPPA and invited to the EducatorsSA 2026 World Teachers’ Day Awards Ceremony and dinner.

How to nominate

Review the award criteria on the SAPPA website: SAPPA Early Career Principal Award 2026
Complete the nomination form
Submit your nomination by 5:00 pm, Friday 11 September

We encourage you to take this opportunity to recognise and celebrate the incredible work of our early career principals.

We look forward to receiving your nomination.

Nominations are now open for the SAPPA Early Career Principal Award 2026 and we look forward to receiving your submissions.

Early Career Principal Award Submission

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Part 1: Details of Nominee

First Name(Required)

Last Name(Required)

Email(Required)

Position(Required)

School(Required)

Mobile(Required)

Part 2: For completion by the person who is recommending the above nominee

Name of person submitting nomination(Required)

Position(Required)

Site(Required)

Mobile(Required)

Email(Required)

Please describe, in the boxes below, how the Band A leader has demonstrated the selected criteria to either a proficient or highly accomplished level.

In your response, please explain why you believe this Band A leader’s achievements deserve recognition.

Please provide information about activities or programs that the Band A leader has initiated. The evidence of the Band A leader’s engagement with one or more of the criteria may come from their work within the classroom, site or the wider school community.

Criteria 1: Leading and Learning Excellence • Actively engages in own professional learning, reflection and goal setting. • Demonstrates resilience and persistence and ethical decision-making when faced with challenges • Leads the learning in the school and creates positive learning and teaching environments

Criteria 2: Collaboration and Citizenship • Demonstrates collaborative leadership and supports peers and leader colleagues positively in a variety of contexts – school, community and system level. • Initiates and leads programs that promote equity and inclusion.

Criteria 3: Connection with Community • Builds and enhances a positive school culture • Builds positive relationships with staff, families and community members, working respectfully with others and contributing to group success

Additional information: You are encouraged to provide any additional information you think will further support this nomination.

Early Career Principal Award Submission

Part 1: Details of Nominee

Part 2: For completion by the person who is recommending the above nominee

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