Last week the PEF Awards were presented at the Sydney Town Hall. Jane Caro was the MC and the Minister Sarah Mitchell and Secretary Mark Scott presented the Awards. The following Primary Schools, students, staff and parents/carers featured:

Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Student Achievement: Year 12 students only

Minister’s Award for Excellence in Teaching: Robyn Brady (Revesby PS); Kate Caruana (Elderslie PS); Emma Follett (Bonnet Bay PS); Emma Hutchinson (Scarborough PS); Sarah Jones (Campsie PS); Naomi O’Neill (Flinders PS); Lara Pope (Condell Park PS); Louise Reynolds (Granville East PS); Jennie Wilson (Moulamein PS)

Secretary’s Award for Excellent Service: Jodie Bland (Oran Park PS); Renee Heyburgh (Guise PS); Rozanne Patane (Penrith South PS) ; Emma Shaw (Mary Brooksbank School)

Secretary’s Award for Outstanding School Initiative: Ambarvale PS, Rosemeadow PS and Thomas Acres PS; Auburn North PS; Bankstown West PS; Chifley, La Perouse, Matraville and Matraville Soldiers Settlement Public Schools; Darlinghurst PS; Elderslie PS; Revesby PS.

Secretary’s School Achievement Award: Auburn North PS; Bankstown PS; Briar Rd PS; Grahamstown, Irrawang, Medowie, Salt Ash & Seaham Public Schools and Hunter River & Irrawang High Schools; Granville East PS; Revesby South PS.

Public School Parent Of The Year: Cynthia bacon (Marrickville West PS); Boris Baraldi (Oak Flats PS); Licia Heath (Bronte PS); Jenny McDonald (Gooloogong PS); Erin Oxenbridge (Farmborough Rd PS); Kelly “Nan” Pipe (Stanmore PS); Natasha Ward (Glenn Innes PS).

These prestigious Awards still seem to be given to our High School communities more than our primary communities. The number of applications by our schools is very low. We need to recognise our talented students, staff and community members.