Matthew Flinders Anglican College Secures Triple Recognition in 2026 Australian Education Awards

Announced today, Monday, 11 May, the awards recognise Flinders for its commitment to academic rigour, staff development, innovation and holistic student care. 

Flinders has been shortlisted as an Excellence Awardee in three prestigious categories of the 2026 Australian Education Awards:

• Secondary School of the Year - Non Government 
• Primary School of the Year - Non Government 
• Best Professional Learning Program 

Flinders is one of only eight schools selected nationwide in each of the three categories, placing the College alongside the premier capital city schools in the country. 

The Awardees shortlisted will go to an independent judging panel, with the final winners announced at the Australian Education Awards official gala event and awards ceremony on Friday, 7 August 2026 in Sydney. 

Flinders’ triple-category recognition follows the College’s previous national success in the awards, being named Australia's Primary School of the Year (Non-Government) in 2023.

These accolades build on a successful 2025, during which Flinders was named a '5-Star Best School in Australia' by The Educator. Furthermore, the College’s latest NAPLAN results secured its position as the top-ranked school on the Sunshine Coast and among the top 20 schools in Queensland.  

The Australian Education Awards, now in their ninth year, recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of the country’s top performing schools, principals, department heads and teachers across 29 categories.

A Culture of Innovation and Care

Principal Michelle Carroll noted the awards reflect the College’s strategic focus on evidence-based frameworks that drive both student and staff performance and wellbeing.  

“It is a wonderful achievement for Flinders to be recognised across three separate categories in the nation’s leading education awards,” Ms Carroll said. 

“Along with our staff and our community, we strive to provide an ‘education for excellence in learning and life’. It is incredibly rewarding to see our continuous commitment to student growth and future success validated on a national stage.” 

A cornerstone of the College’s success has been the seamless integration of its bespoke Teaching and Learning (T&L) Framework and Wellbeing Framework across the Primary and Secondary Schools. 

These initiatives ensure that high standards are consistently exceeded through: 

• Instructional Coaching - to empower educators to refine their craft through peer-to-peer development
• Leadership Development - cultivating future-ready leaders within the staff
• Holistic Integration - ensuring wellbeing and academic aspiration work in tandem to place student wellbeing and learning at the core of the College’s educational vision.  

"Our students’ leading NAPLAN results and strong ATAR outcomes reflect the culture of aspiration and care we foster at Flinders," Ms Carroll said. "These awards demonstrate how our College continues to set national benchmarks for educational excellence."

Located in Buderim, Flinders is a leading independent P-12 school dedicated to academic excellence and character development. Through its comprehensive curriculum and diverse co-curricular offerings, the College continues to produce the next generation of Queensland’s thinkers, makers and leaders.