Every school needs support, and this week NSW public schools are saying ‘thank you’ to the best and most dedicated support staff around.

NSW Department of Education Secretary Murat Dizdar said School Support Recognition Week was a chance for school communities to recognise the critical role support staff play in keeping schools running smoothly, helping teachers bring out the best in students and providing high levels of service to their school communities.

“I can tell you firsthand our school support staff truly are the backbones of our schools,” he said.

“Whether it’s keeping our grounds in tip top condition, providing tech support across a school, or keeping our libraries running, we rely on them to help provide safe and engaging places for our students to thrive.”

Merewether High School, on Awabakal land, thanked its administration team, general assistant and other staff in non-teaching roles.

“Whether it is greeting our school visitors, managing essential school finances, maintaining school grounds or providing in-class learning support, these colleagues are the backbones of our school community,” the school said in a Facebook post.

Kingscliff High School said school support staff were an essential part of the NSW public education system.

“Administration Officers, Business Managers, Schools Officers, IT Officers, Science Technicians, Speech Language Pathologists, Social Workers, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Agricultural Assistants, Unit Support Officers, Community Liaison Officers, Community Education Counsellors, Youth Support Coordinators, VET Coordinators and others – every single one of these amazing professional roles support world-class education in NSW,” the school said in a Facebook post.

“It’s time to remind everyone just how important the work you do is!”

The department’s School Administration Improvement Program will release new resources for school administrative and support staff, including universal school-based staff induction to make the process consistent across all public schools.

There are also plans to release an excursion toolkit.