Fifteen Lismore schools were acknowledged at this year’s 2024 Public Education Awards, which recognize outstanding achievements and contributions to public education.

Four awards were given to Lismore: one for an initiative that spans 15 schools, two schools got individual awards, and one STEM project officer was awarded for her excellent service:

• A Secretary’s Award for Excellent Service went to Karen Ramsay (STEM Project Officer)
• A Secretary’s Award for School Achievement went to Albert Park School (for STEM Savvy)
• A Secretary’s Award for an Outstanding School Initiative  went to Lismore High School (for their Broader Bundjalung Language program)
• A Secretary’s Award for an Outstanding School Initiative went to STEMming the Divide initiative that runs across 15 schools.

The awards took place at Sydney Town Hall, and five representatives from Lismore were able to attend and receive the awards.

(Town Hall. Image Credit: Public Education Foundation)

Zane Van Den Berg, a project officer with STEM, was amongst them and very pleased with the acknowledgement Lismore received. “Few regions outside major metropolitan centres were recognised. It is a great pat on the back and allows people to see the value in the opportunities here.”

The local Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM program) focuses opportunities for underrepresented groups, including female, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and those from low socio-economic groups. 

Called, STEMming the Divide, it fosters equity and addresses regional disparities with the aim of providing authentic, real-life opportunities for kids to tap into.

Rivers Academy of STEM Excellence Karen Ramsay received her Secretary’s Award for Excellent Service for spearheading a transformation in STEM learning and teaching in rural northern NSW. 

(Murat Dizder, Department of Education Secretary, Karen Ramsay and Zane Van Den Berg accepting awards. Image Credit: Public Education Foundation)

Karen leads STEM programs across the network of 15 schools that have elevated ambition towards STEM subjects. Her service to fostering equity and access through STEM initiatives, in particular with young women and Indigenous groups, has also led to improved teacher learning and collaboration, benefitting schools and students still recovering from the devastating 2022 Northern Rivers flood events. 

STEMming the Divide says their program facilitates access to explore and pursue STEM skills and careers and supports student transitions. The collaborative partnership supports students to be resilient, engaged and better equipped to navigate future challenges effectively.

(The schools that created the STEMming the Divide program, which received a Secretary’s Award for an Outstanding School Initiative.)

The Principal of Dunoon Public School, Amanda Van Den Berg, was in attendance at the awards. She said all of them could feel the excitement when presented with the Awards. 

“Dunoon Public School has been part of the Rivers Academy of STEM Excellence (RASE) for the past four years and this program has enabled us to provide our students with high-quality curriculum opportunities and experiences often not available to regional students. 

“This award highlights and recognises this work and the significance of the STEM Industry School Partnerships (SISP) program that supports RASE in bridging the gap in curriculum delivery for rural, regional and remote students of the Northern Rivers."

Along with their contribution to STEMming the Divide, Albert Park Public School was awarded for their achievement with STEM Savvy, a resilience-building program that develops problem-solving skills, encourages collaboration and has increased student attendance across the school.

The school says the STEM Savvy journey has been “instrumental in sparking creativity and building resilience”, enabling students to participate more constructively and achieve important skills for future learning.

Chris Williams accepted The Rivers Secondary College, Lismore High Campus’s award for their initiative with language. Year 7 and 8 students learn one other language besides English, and Bundjalung is offered through Donna Maganns department.

(Image Credit: Public Education Foundation)

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said she was excited to celebrate the many extraordinary initiatives, achievements and people in a week-themed ‘Proud to belong’. 

“The Public Education Awards are an important opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the amazing work of our teachers, school communities and other staff who each day work together to bring out the best in our students,” Minister Car said. 

“This annual celebration also recognises the academic, cultural, sporting and leadership excellence of our students as we share in their personal stories and performances.”

Department of Education Secretary Murat Dizdar said the awards were an annual highlight, and he was thrilled to see the introduction of the new Living Our Values award which was centred around the Department’s values of accountability, equity, excellence, integrity, service, and trust.

As a former student, teacher, principal and now parent in the public system, Mr Dizdar said he was enormously proud of public education in NSW.

“Through these awards, we honour the best of the best in our system and showcase the incredible work of our schools, support staff and parents in giving our students an incredible platform on which to soar.”

The event was the first time the awards, formerly the NSW Minister’s and Secretary’s Awards for Excellence, have been held during Public Education Week, a week that celebrates and acknowledges all who contribute to our children and young people’s educational journey.

Read about further award citations on the Public Education Foundation website 

If you are interested in learning more about STEMming the Divide, have a look at their Facebook page.