The Eden School Prize is an essay competition open to year 8, 9 and 10 students in South Australian government schools who want the opportunity to share their ideas about the world they live in.

It’s funded by the 1956 John Joseph Eden bequest and embraces the notion of making the world a better and happier place.

2025 competition

The 2025 competition is not currently open.

Students to submit an essay of between 600 and 800 words that answers the question:

Prizes

There will be 3 prizes awarded to the value of:

• 1st prize: $1250
• 2nd prize: $750
• 3rd prize: $500.

Judging

The judging panel will use the following criteria to judge the entries:

• breadth of thought on the topic
• originality of thought
• evidence of research to support views expressed
• relevance of the response to the question
• reference to current issues
• communication skills.

Submit an entry

Teachers to complete the Eden School Prize student information and declaration form for each student entry.

For teachers without computer access and unable to complete the online student information and declaration form, email EdenSchoolPrize@sa.gov.au to discuss alternative arrangements.

The Eden School Prize and the Australian Curriculum

Schools are encouraged to have their year 8, 9 and 10 students participate in the Eden School Prize because of its connection with essential elements of the Australian Curriculum, including:

• Humanities and social sciences: history, geography, civics and citizenship, economics and business.
• English (literacy strand): creating texts including texts that combine specific digital or media content for imaginative, informative, or persuasive purposes that reflect upon challenging and complex issues.
• Sustainability: the sustainability of ecological, social and economic systems is achieved through informed individual and community action that values local and global equity and fairness across generations into the future.
• Civics and citizenship (contribute to civil society): plan, implement and evaluate ways of contributing to civil society at local, national, regional and global levels.

2024 awardees

The 2024 essay question was inspired by discussions on how music can make the world a better and happier place.

Students were asked to respond to the question:

How can music make the world a better and happier place?

• First prize $1250: Ava Mills, Kangaroo Island Community Education
• Second prize $750: Rylee Williams, Hallett Cove School
• Third prize $500: Rose Twizerimana, Playford International College.