Briar Road Public School are a school that promotes and values diversity and inclusion. The school has successfully create and initiate a range of programs that ensure school practices mirror the philosophy of celebrating diversity. Over the past 12 months the schools efforts have been acknowledge through a range of national, state and local awards. These awards include the Australian Education Union Arthur Hamilton Award, NSW Department of Education Nanga Mai Award, NSW Council for the Pacific Award, winner of the Australia Education Awards 2018 and finalist in 2019 along with the NSW Minsters and Secretary Award.
Award overviews:
Australian Educators Award – Best Well Being Program –
Finalist 2019
This award recognises the most outstanding program or initiative developed by a school in Australia to improve student health and wellbeing. The program or initiative can apply to the entire school or a targeted group of students. When judging this award the following criteria will be considered:
Innovation and excellence in program design and delivery
Integration of wellbeing into students’ overall learning and education
Contribution to improved student learning outcomes
Effective collaboration, reflection and feedback
Australian Educators Award – Best Co-Curricula Award –
Winner 2018
This award recognises the most outstanding co-curricular program or initiative developed by a school in Australia, including special needs support programs. When judging this category, the following criteria will be considered:
- Objectives of the co-curricular program and how it supports classroom learning
- Variety and scope of the co-curricular program
- Degree of student participation and engagement with the program and its effectiveness in developing personal skills
- Evidence of stakeholder consultation and feedback
Arthur Hamilton Award – Australian Education Union –
Winner 2019
This Award commemorates the work of Arthur Hamilton who was active in promoting cross-cultural awareness, recognition of Indigenous peoples and the elimination of racism within the Australian Education Union and in schools.
NSW Department of Education – Nanga Mai Award –
Winner 2019
The awards recognise and celebrate innovation, excellence and educational achievement in Aboriginal education in NSW public schools, school communities and Department of Education operational directorates. In 2019 the school won award for outstanding commitment to increasing knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal histories, culture and experiences of Aboriginal peoples.
NSW Ministers and Secretary’s Award –
Winner 2019
The Award recognises a school’s outstanding achievement in creating a sustainable learning environment on a whole-of-school level through a certain project.
As an example, the project can demonstrate:
Achievement of significant improvement in learning outcomes and opportunities
Excellence in student learning initiative
Maximising learning opportunities for all students
Community leadership
NSW Council for the Pacific Awards –
Winner 2019
These awards recognise the achievements and efforts of Pacific people within our communities. Many award recipients have gone on to achieve further recognition and have contributed much to our communities and way of life.
Briar Road Public School was successful in two categories this year. These were:
- Community Event / Project Category - any event held in 2018 to 2019 that benefits the Pacific community
- EDUCATION - Primary
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Our students can take advantage of several scholarship and award opportunities.
NSW School Nanga Mai Awards
The Nanga Mai Awards are an annual event organised by Aboriginal Education and Communities Directorate. The awards recognise and celebrate innovation, excellence and educational achievement in Aboriginal education in NSW public schools, school communities and department directorates.
Premier’s Spelling Bee
The Premier’s Spelling Bee is an annual competition that encourages primary school students in Years 3 to 6 to develop their spelling skills in a fun and educational way. Students are selected at school level to take part in regional finals. Regional winners then compete in the state final.
Premier’s Reading Challenge
This Premier’s Reading Challenge encourages students from Kindergarten to Year 9 to develop a love of reading and plays an important role in developing literacy.
Premier’s Debating Challenge
The Premier’s Debating Challenge is open to students from Year 5 to 12. Teams compete in a round robin series of debates against other schools. The winners go on to compete at regional and state level to determine the eventual state champion.
Public speaking competitions
The Arts Unit offers public speaking competitions for NSW school students. Each competition is a great opportunity for students to develop their speech-writing and presentation skills while representing their schools in a state-wide competition.
Premier’s Anzac Memorial Scholarships
The Premier’s Anzac Memorial Scholarships are an opportunity to visit significant overseas sites associated with Australia’s participation in war for Years 10 and 11 students in selected schools.
Duke of Edinburgh Award
The Duke of Edinburgh Award provides an internationally recognised, self-development program for people aged 14 to 25. The program equips young people with the opportunity to undertake a variety of voluntary and challenging activities.