MEDOWIE Christian School principal Simon Herd says being recognised in The Educator's Australian Education Awards is a "huge honour".
Mr Herd said he was surprised and humbled to be finalist in the non-government school principal of the year category.
"When you're the principal it's not about you, you've certainly got a whole team that make a school function and help put the gems in the ring," Mr Herd said.
"You don't do it by yourself. It's very much recognition of the team we've got here and what they're doing."
He said nominations for his category were based on leadership shown and professional development introduced over the past year, which was "the most trying time in education, but equally the most exciting time as well".
He said in the past year the school had ensured strong pastoral care for students during COVID-19 and promoted positive mental health and wellbeing; been approved as the first independent school in NSW to offer distance education to the HSC; and started working with education experts to develop a new learning framework.
Mr Herd also started studying for a doctorate of strategic leadership.
Kurri Kurri High is a finalist in the government high school category and teacher Tracey Gavenlock is a government high school teacher finalist.
St Philip's Christian College Cessnock's Luke Adams is a department head finalist and Alysia Neirinckx is a non-government high school teacher finalist.
West Wallsend High's Lauren Holding is an education rising star finalist.
Maitland Grossmann High is a finalist in the best use of technology category.
