TA Appreciation Week School Celebrations

The 2026 Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week Competition Winner is Zillmere State School, QLD

Zillmere State School’s entry captured something particularly special about Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week – not only how much their teacher aides are valued, but how much they value each other, their students and being part of their school community.

Submitted by one of the school’s own teacher aides, the entry is filled with pride in their role and genuine affection for their team. They describe a group who support one another, share the laughs and challenges, celebrate students’ wins, build confidence and trust, and are always ready to step in for each other.

The appreciation clearly goes both ways, as teacher aides were celebrated with handmade cards from every class, a special video featuring messages from students, a personalised song written by the HODC and gifts from teachers and administration. Each teacher aide also received a jar filled with individual messages of appreciation from staff.

Recognising the team as ‘the heart of the school’, complete with rose-coloured heart glasses, Zillmere State School shows a wonderful culture of appreciation, connection and belonging – and a teacher aide team who are very proud to be part of it.

Congratulations to Zillmere State School on winning an Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week Morning Tea valued at $150!

We would like to give a special mention to the entries from the following 3 schools:

Edinburgh College, VIC

Edinburgh College’s appreciation for its Education Support Officers shines all year round. Weekly planning sessions ensure ESOs are true partners in supporting students, while their achievements are regularly celebrated in team meetings. During Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week, that culture of gratitude grew even brighter with shoulder massages, flowers, personalised gifts and heartfelt student-made notes. From handmade flowers and messages to thoughtful treats, the celebrations reflected a community where ESOs feel genuinely seen, valued and loved.

Springwood Central State School, QLD

 

Springwood Central State School took our Shining a light on teacher aides theme and turned the spotlight onto the people behind the role and the many ways they support students, teachers and each other. The week included Meaningful Mailbox Monday, Tasty Treat Tuesday, We’ve Got Your Duty Covered Wednesday and Thanks-a-Lot Thursday, alongside individual TA profiles shared with the school community. A joyful celebration of the quiet encouragers, problem-solvers, listening ears and helping hands at the heart of their school.

St Raphael’s Catholic School, NSW

St Raphael’s Catholic School truly shone a light on its Learning Support Officers during Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week, celebrating them as listeners, supporters, advocates, light-bringers, solution-finders and so much more. Heartfelt staffroom displays, personalised mugs, custom LSO stamps and messages from colleagues ensured each team member felt seen. A joyful appreciation lunch, certificates and a special “Ode to LSOs” celebrated the steady hands, warm hearts and brilliant minds who make their school nurturing, inclusive and joy-filled.

Amazing teacher aides embody a blend of dedication, compassion, and reliability. They are not only hardworking and attentive but also bring a genuine care for the students' learning and well-being.

This year’s entries in our morning tea competition once again shone a spotlight on these qualities, showing how exceptional education support teams go above and beyond every day.

The standard keeps rising each year, and the stories, photos, and videos shared were an absolute joy to read and watch.

As part of the 2026 Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week celebrations, held from August 31 – September 4, all of these schools made great efforts to show appreciation to their education support staff…

Amity College, Preston’s Campus, NSW, celebrated its 16 Learning Support Assistants and the important role they play in helping every student shine. Working closely with teachers, their LSAs provide targeted support, encourage independence, celebrate progress and help students with diverse learning needs participate confidently. Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week recognised the patience, consistency and flexibility they bring each day, and the many quiet moments of support that make a meaningful difference to students.

At Andale School, VIC, learning assistants are the quiet cheerleaders at the heart of every classroom. They celebrate the small wins, build trusting relationships and help ensure every child feels safe, supported and capable. Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week was an opportunity to say a big thank you to Kirsty, Chantal, Jamie, Chelsey, Mal, Brittany and Rosie for the patience, kindness and encouragement they bring every day.

Beerwah State High School, QLD, celebrated its teacher aides during Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week with plenty of treats and heartfelt thanks. A special morning tea, complete with homemade caramel slice and Melting Moments, was accompanied by a speech from the HOSE. The Special Education team also received thoughtful gifts and personalised chocolates, while certificates and chocolates added to the celebrations. Most importantly, words of appreciation flowed between the TAs themselves, reflecting a supportive team that values one another.

Casino Christian School, NSW, celebrated the important role its Student Learning Support Officers play in helping every student feel valued, known and able to flourish. Through patience, encouragement, care and commitment, the SLSOs create an inclusive and supportive learning environment. Their dedication and compassion make a difference beyond the classroom, building students’ confidence, wellbeing and growth and bringing plenty of joy to the school community each day.

Catherine McAuley College Mackay, QLD, made Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week personal with a lolly bar stocked all week, individual photo boxes and heartfelt cards sharing what teachers value about each teacher aide. These thoughtful gestures celebrated a team whose impact is felt every day. Their teacher aides create safe, supportive relationships with students, becoming trusted people they can turn to for help, a chat or encouragement when they need it most.

Christway College Wyndham, VIC, packed Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week with opportunities to celebrate its teacher aides. Students shared why they appreciate them in a special video, followed by a standing ovation at assembly. The celebrations continued with professional development, a catered hot lunch and a fun afternoon of cupcake making and team games. It was a week filled with learning, laughter and heartfelt recognition for a much-loved team.

Collier Primary School, WA, is proud of its Education Assistants, whose care and teamwork help every student feel safe, welcomed and included. Their support extends well beyond the classroom, working alongside teachers, families and the wider community, caring for one another and generously supporting fundraising initiatives. Their commitment to creating opportunities for students makes them an integral part of what makes Collier Primary such a special place to learn and grow.

Cook School, NSW made their teaching assistant team feel like royalty with a whole Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week of recognition! Each day brought something different, from free coffee and a pizza lunch to a duty-free day and morning tea. The week finished with a special thank-you video from teaching staff and students, along with a pot plant for each team member, a fun and thoughtful celebration of a hardworking team.

 

Geraldton Primary School, WA, celebrated its Education Assistants with a beautiful symbol of teamwork: the leucospermum, with its many individual strands coming together as one. A special video captured their EAs supporting students, joining in the fun and making a difference across the school. Each received a leucospermum and personal note of appreciation, recognising that while every EA brings something unique, together they help the whole school thrive.

Grandis Primary School, WA, made its Education Assistants feel truly valued during Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week with an afternoon tea, duty cover so they could spend time together, and plenty of thoughtful surprises. Humorous, personalised photos brought lots of laughs, while heartfelt messages recognised the difference EAs make for students every day. Goody bags, chocolates and flowers added to a celebration that left the team feeling appreciated, proud and an important part of their school community.

Greenwood College, WA, celebrated its Education Assistants across Special Education and the Intensive English Centre during Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week with plenty of thoughtful touches. Each EA received a personalised card filled with thanks from students, teachers and administration and a certificate of appreciation. A whole-staff morning tea completed the celebrations, recognising the important role EAs play in helping students succeed every day.

Groves Christian College, QLD, celebrates 22 teacher aides who quietly achieve extraordinary outcomes for more than 450 students. From helping a student who is blind and deaf win a Braille Reading and Writing Challenge to building trust, independence and belonging, their impact reaches far beyond everyday tasks. Whether supporting learning, calming moments of uncertainty or bringing Book Week to life, they are champions of inclusion who believe every student can succeed.

Heritage College Lake Macquarie, NSW, celebrated its teacher assistants during Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week with plenty of fun, food and sunshine. Special ‘work survival kits’ added a thoughtful touch, while a morning tea gave the team time to come together, relax and enjoy being celebrated. The smiling faces captured throughout the day say it all, a happy team enjoying some well-deserved appreciation for everything they bring to their school community.

Hopetown School, NSW, celebrates a close-knit team of SLSOs who go above and beyond for students with significant and complex needs. Staff unity is at the heart of their work, with SLSOs supporting individual programs that respond to each student’s needs. Through challenging moments, they remain focused on helping students achieve the best possible outcomes, bringing care, commitment and heart to their roles every day.

King’s Christian College, QLD, celebrated its fantastic team of teacher aides with time to connect, reflect and have some fun together. The team shared coffee with their supervisor and took on a challenging Quest team-building session, while heartfelt letters from teachers brought plenty of joy.

Kuta-kaya, the Special Education unit at Kurri Kurri High School, NSW, celebrated an outstanding SLSO team who support students academically, socially and emotionally. Whether they’re building genuine connections, helping students feel safe or joining in for dress-up days and Friday fun, they bring plenty of heart to their roles. Their support reflects the meaning of Kuta-kaya, think strong, able and powerful, and helps students experience that for themselves.

Lighthouse Christian College, VIC, filled Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week with thoughtful treats that made its Learning Support Assistants feel seen, valued and celebrated. The team enjoyed a special lunch, drinks and sweets, with another delicious surprise waiting each day at recess. A $20 Heart Café voucher from the Principal added to the celebrations. It was a week of shared moments and heartfelt recognition for the dedication and difference their LSAs bring every day.

The Magnetic Island State School, QLD, teacher aides’ contribution is impossible to miss! Always there to support both students and teachers, the team is known for going above and beyond every day. Their help, dedication and willingness to step in wherever needed are deeply appreciated, making them a much-loved and valued part of the school community.

Prendiville Catholic College, WA’s, teacher assistants know how to bring fun and team spirit to school life! Their Book Week celebrations saw the department embrace the occasion in costume. It’s a wonderful snapshot of a team getting involved, sharing a laugh and contributing to the sense of community that makes school events memorable.

Rosella Park School, QLD, celebrated its dedicated team with sweet treats and thoughtful messages of appreciation, recognising the important role they play in helping every student be the best they can be. In a school where every child is supported to learn according to their individual needs, these educators bring specialist skills, care and commitment each day. Their personalised mugs of goodies were a fitting thank you for a team that gives so much.

Secret Harbour Primary School, WA’s, EA team is built on support, teamwork and looking out for one another, stepping up and swapping out when someone needs a break. Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week brought a beautiful morning tea organised by admin, along with a moving performance from the school choir. Year-round appreciation shines through too, with teaching staff regularly sharing just how valued and essential their EAs are.

 

St Anne’s College, VIC, celebrates its Learning Support Officers not just during Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week, but every week. Their impact reaches far beyond classroom support as they build relationships, encourage confidence, celebrate achievements and help create an environment where every student can succeed. From quiet moments of encouragement to everyday interactions across the College, their professionalism, compassion and dedication make a meaningful difference to students and staff alike.

St James the Apostle Catholic Primary School, VIC, celebrated a caring team of Learning Support Assistants who give their time and energy wholeheartedly to students and teachers. United by a shared hope, their strong sense of teamwork reflects the school’s commitment to learning with “strength and gentleness” and creating a community where students can flourish.

Thuringowa State High School, QLD’s, teacher aides were celebrated for the heart and soul they bring to their roles and the profound difference they make every day. Whether supporting classroom learning, fostering inclusion or creating a nurturing environment, their dedication, patience and compassion help uplift students. Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week recognised them as the backbone of the school community and celebrated their commitment to dignity, integrity and compassion.

At Youth Futures Community School, WA, Chloe, Iain and Vivek are the team who simply see what needs doing and step in. Their roles stretch far beyond classroom support, from serving breakfast and preparing meals to driving students, navigating challenging behaviours and tackling whatever unexpected job the day brings. Their flexibility, initiative and genuine care help keep the school running and its young people supported.

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Previous Appreciation Week Celebrations

Looking for inspiration? Explore how schools across Australia have celebrated their amazing teacher aide teams over the years.