As a College community, we are thrilled to announce that Dr Steven Griffiths has been named an Excellence Awardee in the Secondary Teacher of the Year – Non-Government category at the 2026 Australian Education Awards.
Presented by The Educator, the Australian Education Awards recognise educators, leaders and schools making an outstanding contribution to students, communities and the broader education sector across Australia.
Steven’s recognition celebrates his exceptional contribution to Science and Biology education, and his commitment to creating learning experiences that are accessible, engaging and designed around the needs of Clayfield students.
A certified Highly Accomplished Teacher with a PhD focused on video learning, Steven has reimagined the traditional classroom model through a research-informed flipped learning approach. He has developed an extensive library of concise, high-clarity instructional videos that students can access before lessons, allowing valuable classroom time to be used for deeper discussion, practical application, feedback and extension.
This approach translates to a consistently high standard of clarity, challenge and care where students know what they are learning. Importantly, it supports a wide range of learners, including students who benefit from multimodal explanations, the ability to pause and rewatch content, and opportunities to consolidate understanding at their own pace. Steven’s work reflects Clayfield College’s commitment to Learning by Design, where teaching is intentional, student-centred and focused on helping every learner understand their strengths and realise their potential.
Dr Andrew Cousins, Principal says Steven’s recognition is acknowledgment of both his individual excellence and his commitment to innovative learning.
“Steven’s work demonstrates the very best of teaching at Clayfield: thoughtful, evidence-informed, generous and deeply student-centred. His leadership in Science and Biology, particularly through the creative use of digital learning, strengthens Clayfield’s vision for future-focused learning and inspires students to question, explore and engage with the world around them. We are incredibly proud to see his contribution recognised on a national stage.”
Steven’s impact extends beyond the classroom into the wider life of the College. His involvement in the College Musical, Service Learning initiatives, tutoring in the Boarding House, and advocacy for inclusive education, reflect his care for students and his commitment to building a connected, supportive community at Clayfield.
Congratulations Steven on this achievement and thank you for the energy, expertise and heart you bring to students, colleagues and the wider College community.
Steven’s acknowledgement represents the third year that Clayfield College has been recognised on the national stage. The 2026 award winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on Friday 7 August 2026.
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