Education Week 2009
Sunday 24 May – Sunday 31 May
NSW Public Schools – leading the way

During Education Week public schools across the state showcased a wide range of local and regional activities and events including many featuring this year's focus on the environment. View a range of Education Week events on the gallery.

Education Week each year includes many themed days, regional, community and local events such as:

The Showcase09 featured NSW Public School environmental achievements presented via video conference across ten live regional sites!

Principal for a Day is a community partnership program which provides business and community leaders the opportunity to experience first-hand a government school. The program has been operating in NSW since 2004 and is part of a global program, with sister programs in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Auckland.

Through the program, business and community leaders experience a range of activities including in-depth leadership discussions with school principals, taking classes with students and talking to parents and staff. The type of activity is negotiated with the principal.

Principals for a Day and their host principals were invited to attend a forum with senior departmental officers to share experiences, exchange observations and discuss ideas, where Dr Keith Suter, broadcaster and writer, was the 2009 forum facilitator.

More information is available from the Professional Learning and Leadership Development website.

Director-General for a Day provides opportunities for secondary students to learn about the challenges and satisfactions of working in senior management in the Department and allows students to find out how educational policy relates to schools. 

Over one hundred Expressions of Interest for Director-General for a Day were received from students in Years 9, 10 and 11 representing all educational regions. Two candidates (one male and one female) became Director-General for a Day and other students took on positions such as Deputy Director-General (Schools) for a Day, General Manager for a Day or Director for a Day. In regions, students became Regional Directors or School Education Directors for a Day.

Learning to be a leader through student leadership programs is a great way for students to have more fun, feel more connected and to find ways to contribute their ideas and skills.

Public Education Day celebrates the values, traditions and achievements of public education in Australia.

The day recognises the learning successes of all students and the commitment of teachers, staff and parents to the public education system in Australia.

Back to School is a nationwide campaign that celebrates the incredible role public schools play in our nation's development and success. Past public school students from all walks of life go back to school to tell their stories. Back to School 2009 NSW role model was Lisa Wilkinson, co-host of the Nine Network's TODAY Show and one of Australia's most admired and respected journalists.

To join in the back to school program check out the website www.backtoschool.org.au where you can find a free Back to School Pack for schools and information for past students. Many public schools hold their Back to School in May during Education Week, however events are also held at other times to suit the school and former students.

View photos of the Showcase which included a cross arts, major performance by students from the NSW Public Schools' Performing Ensembles in Dance, Drama and Music and a display of student visual art works from Operation Art and ARTEXPRESS.