To find Australia’s best government primary school, up-and-coming teacher or learning environment, pack your bags for a journey into public education in regional NSW.

The winners of the Australian Education Awards 2026 have been announced, with The Entrance Public School on the Central Coast named Primary School of the Year – Government.

This award considers excellence across the whole school, and Principal Dave Stitt has a particular reason for being so delighted.

“That external recognition is lovely, but it has always been a consequence of the work rather than the reason for doing it,” Mr Stitt said.

“I don’t think there was one thing that won the award. I think it was the breadth, consistency and evidence of sustained improvement across the whole school.

“We’ve spent years systematically improving teaching, wellbeing, opportunity, community connection and the environment our children learn in.

“The philosophy underneath all of this is quite simple. We remove barriers for children; we don’t lower expectations.”

Along with students who with strong academic outcomes, The Entrance Public School, on Darkinjung Country, demonstrates significant work and impact in student wellbeing, early childhood education, high potential and gifted education, Aboriginal education, sport, creative arts, transition, community partnerships and professional learning.

These last two include staff extending their explicit teaching professional learning community to other schools, while at the school there is a community shop, after-hours clubs for students and a community dinner every Monday evening.

These last two include staff extending their explicit teaching professional learning community to other schools, while at the school there is a community shop, after-hours clubs for students and a community dinner every Monday evening.

Now in their ninth year, the Awards celebrate excellence and recognise educators and leaders who make an outstanding impact on their students, schools, and communities, with winners recognised in 29 categories spanning the three education sectors across Australia.

NSW Department of Education Secretary, Murat Dizdar, said the awards were a fitting close to Public Education Week, celebrating how NSW public schools are Inspiring Excellence in every community across the State.

“The calibre of our regional staff and schools is a powerful demonstration that excellence in public education knows no postcode,” Mr Dizdar said.

“Across NSW, our school leaders are driving stronger academic and wellbeing outcomes while creating schools where every student can feel a sense of connection, belonging and opportunity.

“These awards recognise the outstanding educators and school communities who are making a real difference for students and families every day.”

The Rising Star of the Year is awarded to ‘the most outstanding teacher in a school in Australia who has been an educator for five years or less.’

2026 recipient, Jade Bassett, is a multi-award-winning science teacher and STEM leader at Rutherford Technology High School on Wonnarua Country in the Hunter.

Last year, some of her students travelled to Europe to represent Australia in an international STEM competition and while others have developed business concepts which have attracted industry support.

“I think some of the most powerful learning happens when students can connect what they are doing at school with a future they can genuinely imagine themselves being part of,” Ms Bassett said.

“While my name is on the award, the work it recognises has involved so many people.

“I’m particularly grateful to the female students who have embraced and helped build our Women in STEM program, my colleagues at Rutherford Technology High School, and the many industry and community partners who continue to invest their time and expertise in our students.”

Receiving the national award for Innovation in Learning Environment Design was twice as nice for Ballina Coast High School on Bundjalung Country.

Not only did it come the same week as recognition at the 2026 NSW Public Education Awards but taking out a category that includes government and non-government schools from across Australia is an extra validation for principal Peter Howes.

“As a result, we are seeing impact across the school including teachers working with their students to create warm and welcoming classroom environments, where everyone feels like they belong and the environment is suited to contemporary learning,” Mr Howes said

“It proves that students are more than capable of collaborating with adults to deliver solutions to sophisticated problems.”