The theme for International Women’s Day 2025 is ‘March Forward: For ALL women and girls’, a call for action that turns promises of gender equity into progress.

Throughout the department, public school female students and teachers have been celebrated through the sharing of stories, recognition at award ceremonies, webinars and school assemblies in honour of this important day.

As a leading employer of women, International Women’s Day is a significant day throughout the NSW Department of Education, with schools and the early childhood sector staffed by a majority female workforce.

Acting Deputy Secretary, School Infrastructure NSW, Lisa Harrington, said more than 50 per cent of our principals across primary and secondary schools were female, and also 65 per cent of our senior leaders.

“We need to continue to identify gender barriers in our workplaces, and work to break them down,” Ms Harrington said.

Supporting the next generation of rising stars

Seven public school students have been honoured at the 2025 NSW Women of the Year Awards.

The "Ones to Watch" category recognises 10 girls and young women aged seven to 15, who demonstrate a single act or ongoing acts of courage, bravery, strength, determination and/or kindness to help and support those around them.

Students Ashleen Khela of Kenthurst Public School, Aurora Iler of Leumeah High School, Chloe Croker of Goulburn High School, Emilia Trustum of Casino Public School, Hayley Paterson of Asquith Girls High School, Jiayi Fang of Northern Beaches Secondary College Manly Campus and Lydia Tofaeono of Claymore Public School have been celebrated at this year’s awards.

Year 5 student, Emilia Trustum, has turned her battle with T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma into a mission of hope and advocacy, inspiring others to support her mission.

Diagnosed at age seven, she underwent intensive treatment, including chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. Since 2020, Emilia has raised more than $90,000 for The Kids’ Cancer Project through creative fundraising efforts such as gold dress-up days, cupcake sales, raffles and morning teas.

In 2024 alone, she raised $34,000. In 2022, Emilia launched the ‘Awareness Rainbow’ initiative to symbolise different childhood cancers, gaining national attention.

Another impressive student is Year 9 Asquith High School student, Hayley Paterson, who is committed to social justice and serves as an ally to the Traditional Custodians of Sydney.

Haley learns Dharawal Eora culture and language, delivers acknowledgments of Country in language, and has created an app of Sydney’s seasons that she shares with local schools.

Passionate about supporting marginalised communities, Hayley also engaged in queer and refugee advocacy through fundraising and representation. She is a volunteer mapmaker, serving global charities and rescue organisations by mapping areas in countries including Mauritania, Grenada and Pakistan to help facilitate emergency responses.

Empowering women by example

Boggabilla Central School Executive Principal Jed Peisley has recognised the resilience, leadership, and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women—past and present—at the school’s International Women’s Day Assembly.

Mr Peisley also acknowledged the “exceptional team of educators, administrators, support staff and students who help shape the future every day”.

“50 of 110 wonderful students are female, representing 45 per cent of our school enrolment and among our 40 amazing staff members, 32 are women, making up 80 per cent of our team — a reflection of women's dedication and leadership to education,” he said.

One such teacher is Mary Anne Hennessy who has exemplified excellence in teaching for more than 35 years at the remote NSW school.

The Executive principal said Mary Anne had made a profound and measurable impact on student outcomes and community engagement, but her dedication extends beyond the classroom.

“She has literally spent decades organising and facilitating students’ work experience, providing real-world experience and valuable job skills to her students. She will often drive students to work placements at night to ensure they don’t miss out on opportunities,” Mr Peisley explained.

“Every student who celebrates their 18th birthday receives a homemade cake from Mary Anne, a tradition she started many years ago.

“Her rapport with the Gamilaraay community has been pivotal in building strong community relationships. By integrating cultural perspectives and support, she enhances the educational experience and enriches the school’s learning environment.”

First female trades apprentice lights the way

On the mid north coast, Port Macquarie News ran a story about an impressive 2024 Bert Evans Scholarship recipient who is also Port Macquarie Hastings Council’s first female trades apprentice as part of its International Women’s Day coverage.

Now in her second year, Certificate III Electrotechnology apprentice Grace Kuhnell told journalist Liz Langdale she’d love to see other women give trades a try, especially as she had received plenty of support from her co-workers and fellow TAFE students.

“I’m surrounded by males who have just cheered me on,” Miss Kuhnell said.

Breaking barriers in Lake Macquarie

Sixty students from the Lake Macquarie Educational Pathways Program group of schools spent Tuesday morning at Glendale Technology High School enjoying morning tea and being uplifted by women who are breaking barriers and shaping the future in the Lake Macquarie and western Newcastle areas.

A Q&A panel offered insights into a range of topics which featured vocational education and training (VET) Ambassador NSW Women in Trades Award Winner Jacinta Ferris, female apprentices completing School Based Apprentices and Trainees (SBATs) in non-traditional trades, Mariah Durazza and Hannah Mackey, and Hannah’s employer, Claire Jeans of Garry Jeans Kitchens.

Local Hunter employer Ampcontrol also offered helpful career information and advice to students, including making the most of every networking opportunity and good communication skills will be an asset no matter what industry you want to work in.

Australian of the Year engages student in STEM

The Department’s STEM 2025 unit has marked International Women’s Day with a webinar led by Professor Georgina Long AO, Medical Director of the Melanoma Institute of Australia and joint 2024 Australian of the Year.

More than three hundred students from forty schools took part in the webinar moderated by awarded journalist Deborah Snow, along with teachers and other Department staff.

Ms Long spoke about the highlights of her career, its challenges, and shared insights into medical research and career paths leading to employment.

A pioneering NRL ref inspires Wentworth Point High girls

Wentworth Point high school students were excited this week to hold its inaugural International Women’s Day events. Volunteer students spent the week prior to the celebrations planning events to educate and engage the community.

The week kicked off with a visit from the inspirational Kasey Badger who is one of the first two female NRL referees. She attended the school assembly where three students were able to interview her in front of everyone.

The lesson that we learnt from Kasey was that girls can do anything if they set their mind to it. Kasey said that many times she had to show others and tell herself that “a girl can do this and is capable”.

The impact on the school was positive. It was surprising to see how she came through many challenges such as initially not having female uniforms and no other women on the field.

The other events led by students for IWD included a purple picture frame custom made by volunteers and some collaborative post-note pink and purple wings in the playground. Every student had placed a note on the wings, sharing the story of a woman or girl in their lives who lifts them up.

For the volunteer team the favourite thing was the acknowledgement that all women who have fought for women's rights and done things that others thought were not possible.