A number of Hunter schools were well represented in the 2020 NSW Minister's and Secretary's Awards for Excellence.
The awards, announced Wednesday, showcase NSW public school students, staff and parents who have made major contributions to their education communities and served as role models to their peers.
Five Hunter year 12 students received the Minister's Award for Excellence in Student Achievement - Jacob Carson and Swathy Raveendran from Lambton High, Whitebridge High's Joshua Levin, Mackenzie Gilligan from Merewether High and Maddison Reichert of West Wallsend High.
RELATED:Check out the Hunter recipients of the awards from 2019 and 2018
The Secretary Award for Excellent Service awards, which acknowledge Department of Education staff, went to Nick Patsianis of Morisset High, Hunter Sports High's Rachel Byrne and Sharon Jenness from West Wallsend High.
Valentine Public's Deb Radvan was recognised in the Public School Parent of the Year category.
Secretary's School Achievement Awards went to Charlestown South Public and Kurri Kurri High, while West Wallsend High and the Gateway Learning Community (a collection of schools around Tarro, Woodberry, Beresfield) received the Secretary's Award for Outstanding School Initiative.
West Wallsend High principal Fiona Walsh said it was a huge honour for her school to be well-represented in the awards.
The school's female captain Maddison Reichert received a Minister's Award for Excellence in Student Achievement, while the male captain Jake Muller received a commendation in the category.
"We are so, so excited to be recognised in three categories," Dr Walsh said. "It's quite a rigorous application process that has to be data-evidenced.
"This is like our Logies - it's a very high level of recognition."
Joshua Levin said he was shocked but stoked to be recognised in the awards.
"It was a surprise. I wasn't aware I had been entered," he said. "I was thrilled."
Swathy Raveendran said she knew she had been nominated by one of her teachers, but was still surprised when she found out she was successful.
"I was very grateful and honoured," she said. "It's a very nice ending to the year."
Fellow Lambton student Jacob Carson said the award was something he had aspired towards for a few years after seeing students in years above receive the accolade.
"It's just a huge honour to be recognised at that prestigious level," he said.
