Bega High School student Maximillian Navarrete is among 105 individuals and schools acknowledged for their exceptional student achievement and inspiring public education.
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Awardees of the 2021 NSW Minister's and Secretary's Awards for Excellence include teachers, staff, and parents who have made major contributions to their school communities and serve as role models to their peers.
Also showcased are schools that have developed innovative programs focused on student wellbeing, improving school results, or changing the way education is delivered within the government system.
Max received a Minister's Award for Excellence in Student Achievement.
This particular award category considers achievement in the academic, sporting, cultural and leadership fields, commitment to the school community and personal values.
The citation for his award said Max has demonstrated a strong commitment to his education at Bega High School.
"He is self motivated, mature and a hard worker. Max is a well rounded young man demonstrating skills performing musically within his band, playing a range of sports and high level academic achievement in physics, advanced English, mathematics, PDHPE and music.
"Max performs at a high level in many sports including rugby league, snow skiing and soccer. He acts as a mentor and role model for younger students in his capacity as school captain."
NSW Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell, said the 2021 awards highlighted the excellence underpinning the NSW public school system even as schools, students and teachers have navigated the challenges of natural disasters and a global pandemic.
"These awards reveal that regardless of the circumstances, our students, teachers, principals and the school community are always striving for learning and teaching excellence," Ms Mitchell said.
Department of Education Secretary Georgina Harrisson said the geographic spread of award winners demonstrated that the state's public education system was delivering excellence regardless of location.
"Whether it is the use of technology to deliver language classes across the State, an on-site observatory inspiring the astronomers of the future or a program using a school cafeteria to improve wellbeing, the programs represented in these awards are just the tip of the iceberg in outstanding initiatives that are happening across the NSW public education system," Ms Harrisson said.
The Public Education Foundation's executive director, David Hetherington, said the foundation was proud to host the awards on behalf of Education Minister Sarah Mitchell and Department Secretary Georgina Harrisson.
"These awards celebrate the exceptional work that occurs every day across NSW public education - by schools, students, teachers, employees and parents," Mr Hetherington said.
"In 2021, the standard is as high as ever and perhaps even more impressive as this work has been undertaken against the backdrop of a pandemic."