Kurri Kurri High School recognised at Public Education Foundation Minister's and Secretary's Awards for Excellence

Hosted by the Public Education Foundation, the awards showcase NSW public school students, staff and parents who have made major contributions to their education communities and serve as role models to their peers.

The awards recognised 120 individuals and schools from across the state in categories including student achievement, excellence in teaching, excellent service, outstanding school initiative, school achievement award and public school parent of the year.

Of the 10 awards handed out in the Secretary's School Achievement Award, Kurri High received two - for its Staged Learning and Peer Critique programs.

Deputy principal Alan Hope the award for the Staged Learning program was a "wonderful acknowledgement" of the school's whole teaching staff.

The student-centric approach places responsibility back to the learner as an active participant in the journey.

"Staged Learning is the culmination of three to four years planning, over which time it has evolved and become embedded into a practice that we are genuinely proud of," Mr Hope said.

QUEST teachers Sam Golding and Kylie Edwards, who drove the Peer Critique project, said they were proud to receive the award.

"It validates our efforts in designing this process and managing its implementation across the whole school," they said.

"We truly believe in the Peer Critique Process and have seen great gains in student results, as such, we appreciate the recognition our staff has been given.

"We are looking forward to evolving the steps of Peer Critique and making a lasting impact on our students and how they perceive themselves as learners."

Kurri High's student engagement support officer Leeanne Field was also nominated for the Secretary's Award for Excellent Service for her tireless work in the school's Study Centre and for Aboriginal education.

Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning, Sarah Mitchell, said the awards affirmed the high standards, dedication and community connections in the public education system.

"These awards highlight the tremendous contribution that students, teachers, support staff, principals and the school community make to public education in NSW as we strive for learning and teaching excellence," Ms Mitchell said.

Department of Education Secretary Mark Scott said it was timely to celebrate the range of achievements in a difficult year for schools, staff and students.

"This year's recipients showed the remarkable flexibility and resourcefulness in our school communities when faced with the learning challenges of COVID-19," he said.

"Many of these schools and teachers have used their significant knowledge of education in their communities to lift their school standards and recognise all students as their own learners."

Public Education Foundation executive director David Hetherington said the foundation was proud to host the awards on behalf of the minister and secretary.

"The awards are always a highlight of the education calendar, showcasing the extraordinary talent across NSW public education, which has been on display more than ever in this unusual year," Mr Hetherington said.

The accolades don't end there for Kurri High this year - the school will also be recognised at the Regional North awards, which will be presented via Zoom on September 24.

Its executive team has been named a winner for its remote learning on Canvas (an online learning platform), and deputy principal Pip Cleaves will receive an individual award for her innovative leadership throughout COVID.

And that's not all - Kurri High has once again been named as a finalist in the prestigious Australian Education Awards.

The school is in the running for Best Strategic Plan and Secondary School of the Year at the awards, which will be announced on October 29.

It is Kurri High's third year in a row as a finalist in the Australian Education Awards, at which teacher Lisa Scobie took out the Rising Star award in 2019.