Sunshine Coast Grammar School is proud to announce that Principal, Mrs Anna Owen, and Head of Digital Innovation, Mr Justin Pembroke, have been named in The Educator’s prestigious Hot List for 2025, which recognises the top 50 educators in Australia.
This national accolade celebrates outstanding educators across Australia who are driving innovation, inspiring communities, and achieving exceptional results. Both Mrs Owen and Mr Pembroke have been recognised multiple times, highlighting their sustained impact and commitment to excellence in education. Mrs Owen was previously named in 2021, 2023 and 2024, while Mr Pembroke received recognition in 2023 and 2024.
Mrs Owen’s leadership has been recognised both nationally and internationally. She has represented Australia at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris and served as a member of the UN Principals Network. Closer to home, her extensive academic and leadership experience spans Independent Schools Queensland, the Buderim Foundation and the Sunshine Coast Biosphere Community Advisory Group. Mrs Owen has also held senior executive roles at Canberra Girls Grammar School and Brisbane Girls Grammar School, and was named Professional Business Woman of the Year in 2023 by the Sunshine Coast Business Women’s Network.
Mrs Owen’s leadership has been instrumental in transforming Sunshine Coast Grammar into a leading educational institution. As the school is situated within a UNESCO designated biosphere, Mrs Owen has successfully integrated the UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals into its curriculum, co-curricular activities and community engagement programs. Mrs Owen’s focus on personalised education has created pathways for a diverse community of students, helping them find their interests and passions. This year, the school was proud to celebrate the outstanding achievements of its 2024 graduates, who led the region with the highest percentage of Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) Awards. An impressive 19.2% of the 2024 graduating cohort received recognition from the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) for their exceptional performances.
Mr Pembroke is renowned for his passion for emerging technologies and innovation. He has played a pivotal role in designing and leading the robotics and STEM programs that empower students to achieve excellence. This year, he led Sunshine Coast Grammar’s robotics team at the FIRST Tech Challenge, where the team was crowned Asia Pacific Open Champions. Through initiatives such as the FIRST Programs, Mr Pembroke inspires students to think critically, collaborate effectively and tackle real-world engineering challenges with confidence.
This dual recognition highlights Sunshine Coast Grammar School’s commitment to excellence in leadership and innovation within the education sector. The school’s vision and dedication to excellence continue to shape the future of education, inspiring its students to contribute locally, nationally and globally in the 21st century.
