Best Use of Technology - National Recognition for Trinity College

Trinity College has been recognised nationally with an Excellence Award at the 2026 Australian Education Awards that were announced on Monday this week. 

Submissions for these awards focus on the achievements and results from the previous 12 months of schooling. The Australian Education Awards team review submissions from hundreds of schools, draw on industry knowledge and information to identify the outstanding schools and individuals in each category that they consider would be worthy of an “Excellence Award”. The team create a short list per category and an independent panel of judges, comprising of education industry leaders and senior representatives make final decisions. 

Head of Trinity College, Mr Nick Hately said “I am incredibly proud of this award as our college was named a winner in this category in 2025.  Back-to-back recognition for Best Use of Technology is very affirming of our investment to resourcing, staffing and innovative design to create the best outcomes for students.”

“To be acknowledged once again in this category clearly reinforces that Trinity is on the right path to be an innovator in the world of education for students and staff.” 

When the judges were considering the Best Use of Technology category the criteria included how the technology has fulfilled a need in or outside the classroom, the impact of the technology on the school, and the change management and implementation process. 

Throughout 2025, the 360 Theatre at the Trinity Innovation and Creativity School (TICS) played a central role in delivering immersive learning experiences for students across the College. The Igloo Vision upgrade transformed an established space into a high-impact, future-focused learning environment and exemplified best practice in the use of educational technology.

The Igloo Vision upgrade expanded the theatre’s capability as a shared, fully immersive learning space where students from Preschool to Year 12 engage with curriculum content as both participants and creators. Learners can explore oceanic ecosystems, launch into space, step inside favourite stories and travel across the globe. The technology supports whole-class immersion, collaborative discussion and reflective learning - experiences not achievable through traditional classroom tools.

For our youngest learners, the theatre supports literacy and creative storytelling. Year 2 students collaboratively extend The Gruffalo by narrating and enacting new chapters within an immersive story environment, fostering oral language, imagination and engagement. The space is also used for reflective and culturally responsive learning, including Reconciliation Week experiences where students collaboratively developed a class Acknowledgement of Country.

Middle Years students use the theatre for virtual global exploration, while for Senior students it is a specialist development space to design, test and refine interactive games.

What distinguishes Trinity College is the integration of the upgraded Igloo Vision theatre into an age-appropriate STEM journey, uniquely enhancing engagement, creativity and authentic learning.

The best in Australia winners will be announced in August this year.