Outstanding All-Round Student

• Manaia Kemble-Withell, La Perouse Public School
• Tahlia Gilbert, Narrandera High School

Presented to an Aboriginal/and or Torres Strait Islander student who has demonstrated outstanding commitment and excellence across a range of activities, including attendance, leadership, academic commitment and progress, community service, cultural commitments, and a positive attitude to school.

Outstanding Academic Excellence

• Jaxon McGivern-Picken, Bomaderry Public School
• Matthew Phillips, Elderslie High School

Presented to an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander student who has demonstrated outstanding academic excellence in any curriculum area in 2024 and who have displayed a positive attitude to school and a commitment to their future.

Outstanding Student Leadership

• Emiliah Smith, Curran Public School
• Katelyn O'Neill, Trangie Central School

Presented to an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander student who has demonstrated exceptional skills in promoting, encouraging, and supporting student participation across their school and in their community.

Outstanding Achievement in Public Speaking

• Nevaeh Soper, Aldavilla Public School
• Sophia-Rose Markham, Armidale Secondary College

Presented to an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander student who has demonstrated exemplary skills in public speaking. The award recognises Aboriginal students’ ability to speak with authority and confidence and the ability to maintain audience interest.

Outstanding Achievement in Performing/Creative/Visual Arts

• Gabriella Mobbs, Macksville Public School
• Aurielle Smith, Newtown High School of Performing Arts

Presented to an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander student who has demonstrated outstanding talent and application in the performing, creative or visual arts.

Outstanding Achievement in Sport

• Ryder Grierson, Brookvale Public School
• Tallara Joseph-Riogi, Canterbury Girls High School

Presented to an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander student who has represented their school and community, demonstrated fairness, integrity, and outstanding achievement in sport.

NSW Department of Education Outstanding School-Based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year

• Hollie Newberry, Coonamble High School

Presented to an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander student who has maintained outstanding commitment, effort, and application in completing their School Based Apprenticeship/Traineeship, which includes high application to a workplace training and VET course, alongside their HSC.

NSW Department of Education Outstanding VET in Schools Student of the Year

• Cordell Scott, Hastings Secondary College, Port Macquarie Campus

Presented to an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander student who has demonstrated outstanding achievement, commitment, effort and application to completing their VET and HSC commitments.

Outstanding HSC Achievement Award

• Leah-Cherie Holt, Cherrybrook Technology High School (Finished 2023)

The Outstanding HSC Achievement Award recognises the highest ATAR result in 2023 by an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander student.

Outstanding Contribution to Educational Achievement by an Aboriginal Staff Member

• Lee Moran, Koonawarra Public School

Presented to an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander employee of the NSW Department of Education who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to improving educational outcomes for Aboriginal students, their families, and communities.

Outstanding Contribution to Early Educational Achievement by an Aboriginal Staff Member

• Aunty Mary Chatfield, Oorunga Wandarrah MACS, Airds Campbelltown

Presented to an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander employee within the NSW Early Education and Care sector who delivers authentic, culturally responsive care for Aboriginal students, showing outstanding commitment to improving educational outcomes for students, their families, and communities.

Outstanding Contribution to Educational Achievement by a Non-Aboriginal Staff Member

• Brent Waters, Kincumber High School

Presented to a non-Aboriginal or non-Torres Strait Islander employee of the NSW Department of Education who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to improving educational outcomes for Aboriginal students and a commitment to working with Aboriginal students, their families, and communities.

Outstanding Leadership in Aboriginal Education

• Aunty Beris Duroux, Grafton Education Office

Presented to an NSW Department of Education employee who has demonstrated exemplary leadership and capacity building among staff, schools and the school community and an ongoing commitment to improving educational outcomes for Aboriginal students.

Outstanding Leadership in Aboriginal Languages

• Bronywn Hardie-Grant, Kingswood South Public School

Presented to an NSW Department of Education employee who has demonstrated strong commitment to improving educational outcomes for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students through the implementation of a school Aboriginal languages program.

Outstanding Contribution to Educational Achievement by a Non-School Based Staff Member

• Brooke Ferguson, Aboriginal Education and Communities Directorate – Dubbo

Presented to a non-school based employee of the NSW Department of Education who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to the well-being and educational achievements of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students.

Outstanding Early Education and Care Service

• Nanima Community Pre School, Wellington

Presented to a service that has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to creating a respectful and culturally responsive learning environment for students, staff, families, and their local Aboriginal communities.

Outstanding Contribution to Educational Achievement by an Aboriginal Community Member

• Aunty Lindy Lawler

Presented to an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community member who has contributed significantly to the successful educational achievement of Aboriginal students.

Outstanding School and Community Partnership

• Curran Public School

Presented to a school that has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to respectful and productive partnerships with students, staff, parents, and their local Aboriginal communities.

Outstanding Commitment to Increasing Knowledge and Understanding of Aboriginal Histories, Culture and Experiences of Aboriginal People

• Birrelee Multifunctional Aboriginal Children’s Service - Tamworth NSW

Presented to a school or a community of schools that have demonstrated a strong commitment to establishing a culture of respect, caring and inclusive teaching practices which recognise, value, and meet the diverse needs of Aboriginal students.