What do Reserve Bank Governor Michele Bullock, NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year Dr Casey Sullivan, Rhodes Scholar and international human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson and marine biologist and documentary film star Dr Alex Schnell have in common?
They are all former public school students from regional NSW and all have agreed to join an alumni program, led by former High Court Justice Michael Kirby, to showcase the benefits and opportunities of a public school education in NSW.
NSW Education Secretary Murat Dizdar, a former public school student, teacher, principal and current parent, said the alumni project would inspire today’s students to think big.
“We are using Public Education Week this year to link alumni with their former schools to lift our students’ horizons and inspire them to embrace the vast opportunities that a public school education can provide,” Mr Dizdar said.
NSW public schools will throw open their classroom doors to families and communities during Public Education Week 2024 – from 5 to 9 August – the annual celebration of teaching and learning in public schools.
Mr Dizdar said Education Week had been a highlight of the NSW public education calendar for more than 60 years.
This year the celebration has been renamed Public Education Week with the theme of ‘Proud to Belong’ to highlight how almost 800,000 students learn, grow and belong in an equitable and outstanding system of public schools.
“Public Education Week is a time for all of us to feel proud to belong to the public education family and to celebrate the achievements of our students and school staff and the support of our families and communities,” Mr Dizdar said.
“Our incredible alumni will also highlight to parents that a public school education is the best education money can’t buy that will enable their children to achieve their ambitions and reach the pinnacle in any field they choose.”
Lake Macquarie’s Dr Alex Schnell, a marine biologist and oceanic explorer, is the star of the documentary Secrets of the Octopus, now streaming on Disney Plus.
Dr Schnell is a graduate of Randwick Girls High School.
“I love that science serves as a universal language for understanding how the world works, transcending social and economic boundaries,” she said.
“All you need is a curious mind and supportive teachers to foster the learning experience.”
Research reveals that students who experience a positive sense of belonging at school have improved overall wellbeing, mental health and long-term academic success.
Public Education Week starts on Monday 5 August with the prestigious NSW Public Education Awards at Sydney Town Hall to recognise students, teachers, school staff and parents for their exceptional achievement and contribution to public education.
Justice Kirby recently visited his former primary school, Strathfield North Public School, where he told students his proudest achievement was being a product of the public school system.
“I’m still, in my heart, Strathfield North Public School,” he said.
“I haven’t changed in the values I received from my school, my teachers, and my parents – values of kindness, of reaching out, and working for a better society and equality.
“Public education welcomes all students and proudly embraces equity and inclusion. All students, regardless of their postcode and life circumstances, deserve the same opportunities.”
- Michael Kirby attended Strathfield North Public School and Fort Street High School; Michele Bullock studied at Armidale High School; Dr Casey Sullivan studied at Quirindi High School; Jennifer Robinson is a graduate of Bomaderry High School and Murat Dizdar attended Summer Hill Public School and Fort Street High School.
Visit the Department of Education website for more information on #PublicEdWeek24
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Contact details:
Luke Horton | mediaunit@det.nsw.edu.au | 0436 950 946