Two champions of public education, former High Court Justice and NSW public schools alumni project ambassador Michael Kirby and outstanding educator Lila Mularczyk, have been recognised with the inaugural Outstanding Advocate for Public Education award.

Justice Kirby and Ms Mularczyk were among 132 awardees who gathered at Sydney Town Hall on Monday to celebrate outstanding individual achievements in NSW public education, along with breakthrough school initiatives, community partnerships and major contributions to school communities.

It was the first time the awards, formerly the NSW Minister’s and Secretary’s Awards for Excellence, have taken place during Public Education Week.

The gala event also saw the introduction of the Secretary’s Award for Living Our Values, a category that recognises the NSW Department of Education’s support staff and teams that support frontline staff and learners.

Of the 112 primary and secondary schools recognised at the awards, 27 schools received multiple awards. Among those, south-west Sydney’s Prairiewood High School and Ulladulla High School on the South Coast each received five awards.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said she was thrilled to celebrate the many extraordinary initiatives, achievements and people in NSW public education.

“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,” she 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.”

The winners from across NSW were selected from the following categories:

• Minister’s Award for Excellence in Student Achievement  

• Minister’s Award for Excellence in Teaching  

• Secretary’s Award for Excellent Service  

• Secretary’s Award for an Outstanding School Initiative  
  

• Secretary’s Award for School Achievement

• Secretary’s Award for Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging

• Secretary's Award for Living Our Values   

• Public School Parent of the Year Award

• Lifetime Achievement Award.  

Department of Education Secretary Murat Dizdar said the awards were an annual highlight.

Mr Dizdar was particularly pleased to see the introduction of the new Living Our Values award, which centres on the Department’s values of accountability, equity, excellence, integrity, service, and trust.

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

“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,” he said.

Mr Dizdar also acknowledged the 11 recipients of the Parent of the Year award.

Public Education Foundation Chief Executive Officer David Riordan said the organisation’s mission was to celebrate the best of public schooling.

“We are honoured to once again present this event and celebrate many extraordinary initiatives and achievements from across the state,” Mr Riordan said.

Award citations can be read on the Public Education Foundation website.