This week public schools across the state are celebrating 60 years of Education Week – a key opportunity to clap the valuable contribution of public schools in the Upper Hunter. 

Various students, teachers, staff and community members from Murrurundi, Blandford, Aberdeen, Belltrees, Ellerston, Rouchel, Scone Public and Scone High School were highlighted at this year’s ceremony which was held at Aberdeen Public School. 

Performances showcased the students’ skills with musical items by the Scone High School Band, dance by the Aberdeen Public School Stage 2 Dance Group, a performance by the Murrurundi Senior Girls’ Choir and an item by the Scone Public School Boys Hip Hop Group. 

Special guest to the event was the NSW Public Schools director Mark   Young who presented some of the various awards including:

Awards for Excellence in Student  Achievement:  Sarah Caspers - Ellerston Public School, Lachlan Sevil - Murrurundi Public School, Chelsea Speck - Blandford Public School, Bradley Orlowsky - Scone Public School, Sarah Schofield - Scone Public School, Jack Smith - Aberdeen Public School, Skye Singleton - Belltrees Public School, Jasmine Andrews - Rouchel Public School, Sam Reddie - Scone High School, Lauren Eccles - Scone High School.

Awards for Excellence in Teaching: Lindy Hunt – Scone High School, Jennifer Campbell - Ellerston Public School, Sandra Coffey - Blandford Public School, Vicki Schofield - Scone Public School, Janet Walsh - Scone Public School, Bianca Mooring - Aberdeen Public School, Anne Carter - Scone High School, Susan Ransom - Scone High School.

Awards for Outstanding Contributions by Non-teaching Members of Staff: Michelle Singleton - Belltrees Public School, Elizabeth Batterham - Ellerston and Belltrees Public Schools, Beverley Tuckwell - Blandford Public School, Maree Laurie - Scone Public School, Marjorie O’Rourke - Aberdeen Public School, Vicki Wright - Scone High School.

Outstanding Contributions by School Community Members: Jackie Caspers - Ellerston Public School, Heather Ranclaud - Murrurundi Public School, Jodi Wilson -  Blandford Public School, Russell Sakey - Scone Public School, Kelly McMahon - Aberdeen Public School, Melinda Jordan - Aberdeen Public School, Sue Thompson - Scone High School,  Margaret MacDougall - Rouchel Public School.

School Achievement and Excellence in School Leadership: Scone Public School’s  Breakfast Club, Blandford Public School’s Learning Support  Team, Aberdeen Public School’s Literacy Support programs, Murrurundi Public School Senior Girls’ Choir and Scone High School’s Equestrian Program.

Mr Young addressed the crowd and thanked the principals, teachers and staff of the local public schools for what they do.

He also thanked the students as they are the reason and purpose that drive teachers as educators.

“Education Week is about celebrating and looking forward to say ‘this is what these schools are about’.

“Teachers are working to achieve quality teaching, so quality learning is available.”

Member for Upper Hunter George Souris said Education Week is the time for us all to celebrate the achievements of public schools, their students, staff and school communities. 

“In 1954, the theme for Education Week was ‘lighting the way to a better world’.

“So much has changed since then, but our local public schools remain committed to that philosophy,” Mr Souris said. 

“Let’s use this week as an opportunity to take a closer look at the valuable contribution schools make to our young people and community, and to celebrate and praise their work.” 

See more photos on The Scone Advocate's Facebook page.