Victoria’s most innovative new schools and early learning centres have been celebrated at the 2025 Victorian School Design Awards – recognising the impressive world-class learning spaces across the education state.
Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes announced Swan Hill Specialist School was one of six schools to win an award. WHDA were awarded the Best school Project (below $5 million) for their impressive design.
Much of the existing 2000s building has been retained, with simple extensions and courtyards to stretch the budget, reduce waste and improve circulation. The judges reflected, “there’s a common challenge about how to design outdoor play and community spaces without compromising either – this is how!”
Submissions for the Victorian School Design Awards continue to grow year on year, with 2025 receiving a record number of entries across schools, early childhood, and First Nations design categories.
The awards were open to architects and principal designers of Victorian government school projects or Victorian Government-funded kindergartens or early learning facilities, completed between June 2023 and June 2025.
Winners from across the state include:
- Best new kindergarten or early learning facility: JFKDESiGN for St Kilda and Balaclava Kindergarten
- Best school project – between $5 million and $15 million: BSPN Architecture for Moonee Ponds West Primary School
- Best school project – above $15 million: Kerstin Thompson Architects for Northcote High School
- Best project – First Nations design: ARM Architecture for the Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence
- Minister’s Award: Perkins Architects for Footscray City Primary School
The Allan Labor Government is building the Education State so that every Victorian student gets the opportunity for a great education and every community has access to a great school.
The Government has invested $18.5 billion over the past 11 years to build new schools and deliver more than 2,300 school upgrades − supporting more than 30,000 jobs in construction and associated industries.
Go to www.education.vic.gov.au/about/awards/Pages/designawards.aspx for more details on the 2025 Victorian School Design Awards.
Quotes attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes
“This award is a credit to the architects, school staff, and the entire Swan Hill community. The design of Swan Hill Specialist School reflects our shared commitment to giving every student the best possible start in a modern, welcoming space.”
