Petersham Public School teacher Susan Sukkar is one of just four teachers from across the country to be nominated for the 2024 ARIA Music Teacher Award.

Mrs Sukkar is an adored educator, conductor and musician, with a long and varied career spanning more than 35 years across NSW public schools and in the tertiary sector.

For the past 23 years, Mrs Sukkar has held the positions of Arts Coordination Officer and Artistic Director with the NSW Department of Education’s Arts Unit.

This year, she jumped at the opportunity to get back into the classroom at Petersham Public acting in the role of assistant principal and music teacher.

Mrs Sukkar has played a key role in growing the annual Festival of Instrumental Music (FoIM) from two concerts to four and broadened state-wide student participation.

In June 2024, FoIM brought 3121 students from 254 public schools together for four concerts at the Sydney Opera House, with 1911 student recorder players over the four nights.

Mrs Sukkar is recorder enthusiast, studying the instrument at post graduate level at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and the Royal Conservatorium Den Haag in the Netherlands.

She said the instrument was accessible, portable and simple to learn, with her approach to teaching rooted in inclusivity.

“For many of my students, stepping onto that stage is a life-changing moment,” Mrs Sukkar said.

“It’s about proving to themselves that they are capable of greatness.

“So many children find their place in the world and their tribe through their music interactions, and it gives them a sense of achievement and purpose and brings them to school every day.”

Mrs Sukkar’s work has unified families and communities, as well as sparked ongoing musical passion in her students.

The music teacher said a career highlight was “bringing remote schools, such as the School of the Air Broken Hill and Hay, onboard for the first time and working with their teacher to support and connect with these students”.

Petersham Public School Year 2 student Agnes said her love of music had come from her music teacher.

“Mrs Sukkar always comforts me when I make a new song, and I love how I can now play nine instruments,” she said.

“She’s funny, confident and very kind and I really think she deserves it (the ARIA award).”

The Department’s Student Support and Specialist Programs Executive Director Sylvia Corish said the nomination could not have gone to a more deserving person.

“Susan’s an amazing educator with a great deal of expertise in working with, not only children, but also building a teacher’s capacity, which is a very important skill to have,” Dr Corish said.

“She gets involved in statewide programs, conducts at the Opera House, she’s a musician, and a very talented classroom practitioner. Music is her love and her great strength.”

Winners will be announced at the 2024 ARIA Awards in partnership with YouTube on 20 November.

If you have been touched by Susan’s work and would like to show your support, voting is now open for the ARIA Music Teacher Award.