The Educational Computing Association of WA (Inc.) is proud to announce announce Maria D’Cunha as the recipient of the ECAWA Leader of the Year Award for 2025,
With over 30 years of experience as an educator, Maria has been recognised for her visionary leadership, dedication to innovation, and significant contributions to the advancement of ICT and Technologies education in Western Australia.
Maria’s work has transformed the way students and teachers engage with digital technologies. As a leader at Hampton Senior High School, she developed the school’s renowned ICT Specialist Program, which became the cornerstone for Hampton’s recognition as a Teacher Development School (Technologies – ICT focus) from 2011 to 2020. Through this program, Maria established strong pathways for student achievement and helped position the school as a leader in Technologies education. Initiatives such as TechFest and the STEM Awards—introduced under her guidance—continue to celebrate student innovation and promote excellence in STEM across the wider school community.
In her roles as ICT Coordinator, HOLA Technologies, TDS Coordinator, PLC Leader, and member of the Senior Leadership Team, Maria has championed collaboration, quality teaching, and professional growth. She employs the GROWTH coaching model to mentor staff and foster reflective practice, resulting in improved teacher confidence and curriculum consistency. Her focus on digital integration and assessment design has led to stronger student engagement and success, with consistently strong WACE results in Applied Information Technology and student participation in competitions such as FIRST Lego League and RoboCupJunior.
Maria’s leadership extends well beyond the school gates. She has cultivated enduring partnerships with SciTech, Curtin University, Macquarie University, Women in Technology WA (WiTWA), and the Western Australian Innovation, Technology and Talent Alliance (WAITTA). Through these collaborations, students have gained access to authentic STEM experiences, industry mentors, and national-level competitions such as the Game Changer Awards. Her coordination of TechTrails and other outreach programs has strengthened community connections and raised the profile of her school as a centre of excellence in ICT education.
Maria D’Cunha exemplifies the spirit of innovation, collaboration, and excellence that defines the ECAWA community. Her enduring commitment to empowering both teachers and students through technology continues to shape the future of digital education in Western Australia.
ECAWA warmly congratulates Maria D’Cunha, our ECAWA Leader of the Year 2025.
This text was summarized from the award recipient’s nomination documents.
