Schools across NSW are gearing up for Education Week with activities designed to celebrate the week’s theme “A love of learning”.

Annual events held across the state during Education Week include Principal for a Day on May 28, when business and community leaders and media professionals step behind the principal’s desk. Students will also act as Department of Education and Training directors on the same day.

The week starts on Monday, May 26, and culminates on Sunday, June 1, with the annual gala celebration at Sydney’s Tumbalong Park. Schools from all parts of NSW will participate in the event, with performances including circus acts and the popular parade of school flags.

Out in the regions, schools are planning Education Week events that showcase their students’ scholastic and sporting achievements, environmental commitment and talent in the performing and visual arts.

Here’s a taste of what schools are planning for Education Week:

Proudly public

The South Western Sydney region’s “Ambassadors for Public Education” program will enter its second year during Education Week. Over the past year, school-based ambassadors have been responsible for welcoming visitors, working with partner primary schools, speaking at school assemblies and generating good news stories for the media.

Ambassadors representing the region’s 10 school education groups have been called upon to perform a range of duties – they may be asked to visit other schools, to be a student delegate at regional events, or to perform roles such as ushering at the region’s Director’s Choice awards.

Maruschka Loupis, the region’s school promotions officer, said the ambassadors have also had the opportunity to attend a forum focusing on teamwork, citizenship and leadership with input and advice from ABC journalists.

“You look at [the student ambassadors] and can almost imagine that one will become Prime Minister, that one will be head of the World Bank – but luckily for us, a lot of them plan to be teachers,” Ms Loupis said.

Academically challenging In the Hunter and Central Coast region, Wallsend South Public School in Newcastle is holding a design and construction challenge.

The competition brings together the Stage 3 maths and science curricula by requiring students to apply mathematical and scientific concepts to the design and construction of their projects.

Callaghan College Jesmond campus, is combining its Education Week activities with a celebration of World Environment Day. An environmental expo will include guest speakers and exhibits from community groups such as Waterwatch and Trees in Newcastle, a native nursery and education centre.

Strong connections

The signature launch event for the Riverina region, High Times, Dry Times, will highlight the close links between NSW public schools and their local communities in the tough drought conditions still evident in the south west Riverina. The launch will be held in the Deniliquin Multi Arts Centre on Tuesday, May 27.

Riverina’s regional school promotions officer Jenni Hamilton, said the launch will showcase a wide range of education initiatives and local success stories with performances, interactive displays and student demonstrations. “We are really taking the best of public education to the streets of Deniliquin,” she said.

Community focus

For the Hastings Valley Community of Schools on the mid north coast, Education Week is very much a community event.

The six Port Macquarie schools will host an evening launch, which features the combined community choir and band.

Tacking Point Public School principal Terry Robinson describes the event as “a fairly formal occasion” that includes the presentation of Education Week awards. Tacking Point Public will hold its annual science fair where Stage 3 students show their mastery of scientific process.

Senior science students from Westport High School evaluate the primary students’ projects: “The senior students give such good feedback, and our kids like getting it from their peers,” Mr Robinson said.

“The importance of Education Week has changed over the years,” Mr Robinson said. “It used to be the one occasion when parents came into the school. Now we use the week to reach out to the broader community to showcase – or show off – our achievements, which are considerable.”

History and culture

Vaucluse Public School will also be showcasing its achievements – 150 years worth of them. The school is holding its sesquicentenary celebrations at historic Vaucluse House during Education Week. Activities will include dressing up in period costume, lemonade-making and old-fashioned games.

Lane Cove West Public School is taking a cross-cultural approach to Education Week. Principal Judy Doherty said a school performance will feature dances from seven countries the students have studied.

“For example, the students learn that the use of colour is important in Korea and so the girls will add a chogon (one-sided bow tie) and the boys, a yellow shoulder sash to their costumes,” Mrs Doherty said.

For more information about Education Week 2008 go to www.schools.nsw.edu.au