Denise Perry, whose Year 12 group recently finished their schooling, is one of four year advisers across the state awarded the Student Engagement 2014 NSW Year Adviser of the Year, in the first time the award has been run.

Ms Perry has been a teacher for 32 years, 25 of which she has been a year adviser.

Earlier this month, Ms Perry attended the Student Engagement Year Adviser Conference, previously being informed she was one of the finalists for the award.

In addition to receiving a trophy, she was given a $1000 scholarship, which she will donate to ABOUTAsia Schools and the Landmine Museum in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

There is no future promotion in mind according to Ms Perry, as she likes what she already does and said one of the greatest achievements as a year adviser was “actually getting to know the kids and their families”.

“Also, I think realising that education doesn’t just happen in the classroom - often what happens outside of classrooms is just as important,” she said.

What has been most difficult about her role is “time management”.

“It is a very important job, but it becomes a juggling act balancing classroom teaching with time as a year adviser,” she said.

“Being in a small community you know each other very well - you’re part of the community - which can be a real strength, but can also be challenging as well.”

Bega High teacher Douglas Whitaker nominated Ms Perry for the award, which also required the testimonials of a number of her Year 12 students.

“It was a long-deserved nomination for 30 years of personal sacrifice for the wellbeing and educational outcomes of the Bega Valley,” Mr Whitaker said.

The Student Engagement nomination required Ms Perry to list achievements she has contributed to as part of her role, which included creating a link with CanTeen, mock trial and particularly the overseas study tour to South East Asia, which has run six times so far. 

The other Student Engagement year advisers of the year are Nicole Tate of Airds High School, Melinda Atkinson of Great Lakes College and Gillian Carpenter of Strathfield Girls High School.