Their work might be done mostly behind the scenes but it’s integral to the running of a school, and our 47,000 School Administration Support Staff (SASS) have been celebrated for their contributions across the state.

The Deputy Secretary of Public Schools at the NSW Department of Education, Deb Summerhayes, described SASS as incredible people who help make our schools great.

“They welcome families at the front office, keep our schools safe, organised and connected, and provide one-on-one student support in classrooms and on the playground,” Ms Summerhayes said.

“Our school support staff are pillars of our school communities.”

Around NSW, schools have taken time out to acknowledge their work with School Support Staff Week.

And for the first time many have been publicly recognised at the inaugural NSW School Support Staff Awards, with winners chosen from more than 400 nominations.

The winners were:

Impact on Operations award

• Vicki Cheung - School Administrative Manager, Homebush West Public School

• Jeff Doolan – Farm Manager, Hurlstone Agricultural High School

• Louise Dorsman - School Administrative Manager, Waterfall Public School

• Danielle Golby - School Administrative Manager, Jindabyne Public School

• Belinda Perkert - School Administrative Officer, Sydney Technical High School

• Belinda Stevenson – Business Manager, Melonba Public School

Impact on Students award

• Gloria Harrison – School Learning Support Officer, Doonside Public School

• Michelle Hose – Student Support Officer, Bankstown Girls High School

• Katherine Lo Castro - School Learning Support Officer, Tarrawanna Public School

• Karly Morris – Aboriginal Education Officer, Orara High School

Impact on the Community award

• Silvana Lofaro – Community Liaison Officer, Hoxton Park Public School

• Danny Satiu - Community Liaison Officer, Curran Public School

• Joan Sherriff - Aboriginal Education Officer, Centaur Public School

• Alison Soden – School Administration Officer, Lindsay Park Public School

Belinda Stevenson, the Business Manager at Melonba Public School and winner of the Impact on Operations award summed up the feeling of the recipients.

"I'm really proud of the work that we're doing at our school and feel very humbled for the recognition,” she said.

Deb Summerhayes had a message to all School Support Staff in NSW public schools.

“Thank you for your commitment, care and hard work,” she said.

“You play a vital role in improving the learning and life outcomes of the children and young people in our care, as well as the success of our schools.”

For more about the awards, including a video of the ceremony, visit:

NSW School Support Staff Awards