The awards were presented by Mr Graeham Kennedy, Regional Director, Illawarra and South East Region and James Walsh, student, Boorowa Central School, Regional Director for a day.

The citations for the Bega High School awards are as follows:

Dennis Dakis.

Excellence in educational support by a DET employee in a school or regional office.

Dennis has worked as a teachers' aide (special) at Bega High School since 2001. During this time he has assisted the schools most profoundly disabled and most challenging students, and has invariably proved himself to be an employee of the highest calibre.

In working with students, Dennis's actions and attitudes embody the core values of public education. He provides a strong and positive example of integrity, excellence, respect, responsibility, cooperation, participation, care and fairness.

Dennis regularly volunteers for additional roles, one of which is as a mentor for adolescent boys in need of strong, positive male role models.

Terlisha McGrath.

Excellence in student achievement - student with special needs.

Terlisha has proven herself to be an exemplary student and consistently displays a strong commitment to achieving to her potential.

She has achieved an amazing array of swimming titles and honours at local, state and national levels since joining the Special Olympics program in 2001.

In dealing with her peers and teachers, Terlisha's manner is invariably of the highest standard.

Her perseverance and positive attitude have earned the respect of all her teachers.

Terlisha continues to challenge herself by undertaking a broad and dynamic course of study.

As well as undertaking Life Skills courses in English, Maths and Work and the Community, Terlisha is studying Hospitality at Bega TAFE as well as Exploring Early Childhood, Sport, Lifestyle and Recreation and Video and Photography in mainstream classes.

Continued page 38.

Tom Robson.

Excellence in student achievement (secondary)

Tom has achieved outstanding academic, sporting and civic results throughout his schooling, including the Bill Adlide Scholarship awarded for social justice and student involvement, the Bob Ware award for honesty, integrity, co-operative and caring attitude and distinctions and high distinctions in numerous academic competitions.

He is vice president of the SRC, and has been a member for three years.

Tom tutors students for School and High School Certificate examinations, is a peer support leader for Years Seven and Eight students and has completed a Peer Support Workshop through Kids Help Line.

He has natural leadership abilities and is an outstanding role model demonstrating integrity, diligence, trustworthiness and reliability.

Bega High School, excellence in Aboriginal education

Over the past two years Bega High School has secured funding from a wide range of sources including the Federal Government, Mission Australia, Bega Valley Shire Council and the NSW Department of Education and Training as well as utilising the resources of Bournda Environmental Education Centre, Bega Lands Council, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Sport and Recreation, Auswide, local elders and Indigenous community members to enhance Indigenous education programs in the school.

Aboriginal workers have been employed to support Aboriginal students and their families across all areas of the curriculum.

Programs have included in-class tuition for students, cultural programs with local elders and significant Aboriginal people, fostering of Aboriginal leadership, school to work program, Koori girls mentor program, implementation of a bush tucker and native garden, Aboriginal art workshops, NAIDOC week celebrations, mentoring primary school Koori students in literacy and an Aboriginal Recognition Ceremony.

Each of these programs has involved the local Aboriginal community in planning and implementation and has led to a strong community presence in the school. Aboriginal students have developed a sense of self worth and enthusiasm for learning which is reflected in their improved literacy and numeracy results, improved retention rates through to year 12 and over 85 per cent of Koori students with an attendance record of 90 per cent or better and winning regional excellence awards and scholarships.

Estelle Jones.

Excellence in student leadership by an individual student (secondary)

Estelle was nominated and successfully selected to be one of fifty young women from NSW, ACT and Victoria to attend the Young Women's Leadership Academy at Sydney University.

She has attended the Young Women's Leadership Seminar at NSW State Parliament House and is a member of various school committees.

Estelle was winner of the Bega Lions Youth of the Year Award and Public Speaking Award in 2006 and received the Year Advisor's award in 2005 and 2006 for demonstrating outstanding personal qualities and characteristics.

Jocelyn Byrnes

Excellence in teaching practice by an individual teacher.

Jocelyn is an outstanding teacher who challenges her students and ensures that her classroom is a positive learning environment where student learning is the focus and instructional time is maximised.

Jocelyn is accessible to her students and conducts tutorial groups before school each day.

She ensures she is aware of the significant personal needs that could impinge on her students learning and recognises the importance of acknowledging the accomplishments of her students.

Ben Ellis

Excellent contribution beyond the classroom by a teacher.

Ben died suddenly on New Years Eve 2006 at the age of 29, at Tathra beach just after completing his shift as patrol captain with the Tathra Surf Life Saving Club.

At a celebration of his life on Tathra Beach over 1,000 people attended to pay their respects and to acknowledge Ben's significant contribution to the local community.

Throughout Ben's life and career he consistently strived and achieved excellent outcomes for himself, his colleagues and his students.

Ben was a PD/H/PE teacher and taught Sport Lifestyle and Recreation, PD/H/PE from Years Seven to 12.

In addition, he was a year advisor, Koori contact person, Duke of Edinburgh Co-ordinator, emergency care trainer and was a member of the environment committee, assessment and reporting committee and welfare and discipline committee.

Ben was an outstanding teacher, always striving to incorporate teaching and learning strategies that would engage his students and their learning.

In everything he did he was fastidious in his organisation and evaluation.

Ben was always willing to give freely of his time to enhance learning opportunities and experience for his students.

The award is an acknowledgment of Ben's dedication and commitment to the students of Bega High School and the wider Bega Valley community.

His death has had a profound affect on the whole Bega community.

Bega High School, excellence in student wellbeing.

Bega High School's Year Six to Year Seven transition program was designed to address the needs of its prospective student population from its 13 partner primary schools.

It includes Year Six parent information evenings at primary schools, the Year Six Adviser visiting each Year Six class at their schools with Year Seven students who graduated from that particular primary school the previous year and a primary links program in science and a mathematics enrichment program.

Year Six students participate in a three day camp at Bournda Environmental Education Centre in term four where students meet each other in a relaxing and informal environment with staff and students from Bega High presenting talks and workshops.

Orientation days allow students to experience a day at high school and to develop a relationship with their peer leaders.

A Year Six parent seminar is held at the high school and the SRC hold a dance for all the Year Six, hosted by the current Year Seven, providing a positive social environment for students to develop friendships and support networks.

The program is comprehensive and provides supportive, caring and co-operative experiences for students entering Year Seven at Bega High School.