EDUCATION Week is a statewide, annual event to celebrate NSW public education.
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This year's week runs from August 5 to 9, with the theme, "Every student, every voice".
It is a celebration of student empowerment and how the NSW public education system gives students the skills they need in order to have and express a voice during their own educational journey and as engaged global citizens.
Kelly's Plains Public School principal Brad Hunt says the week is "a time to celebrate the achievements of students and staff in our wonderful public schools".
"This year, every student in our school will perform at the biennial event, An Evening with ACOS, at Lazenby Hall.
"Due to the size of our school, every student has the opportunity to perform.
"We have been working tirelessly to prepare for the event, along with every public and high school in Armidale and Uralla.
We will also hold our first assembly for term 3 on Friday afternoon, where we will showcase some of the innovative learning in our classrooms."
Kelly's Plains Public School is one of the oldest schools in NSW, situated on the southern edge of Armidale.
"The school has been providing a quality education for students in the local area since 1863," Mr Hunt says.
"During that time the school has continued to embrace the small school ethos in providing a caring and supportive environment for students to learn and achieve their personal best.
"I have returned to Kelly's Plains Public School this term after relieving at another local public school for the past few years.
"It is wonderful to return to the school and work with such a dedicated and committed staff and parent group."
THIS year marks the 100th anniversary of Steiner-Waldorf education around the world, Armidale Waldorf School educational director Zana Clarke says.
"So Education Week is the perfect opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the wonderful opportunities we bring to our students," Ms Clarke says.
The Armidale Waldorf School has been celebrating the global Waldorf 100 centenary with various activities throughout the year, including flying 100 handmade kites at the school's autumn festival and sending and collecting postcards from other Waldorf schools around the world.
Armidale Waldorf School was founded in 1985 by a group of parents and interested community members headed by Kit Wyndham.
"Our school is one of 1100 Steiner schools in 80 countries around the world and provides a comprehensive education for preschool through to secondary years," Ms Clarke says.
"Our NESA approved curriculum is based on Rudolf Steiner's philosophy of educating the whole person; head, heart and hands.
"This is achieved by our three daily lessons; main lesson which has an academic (head) focus and occurs during the first two hours of the day.
"The middle lesson (heart), occurs after morning tea and focuses on music, drama, language and arts.
"The afternoon lesson (hands) is for handiwork, bushwalks and outdoor games (or sport).
"Our lessons are hands-on and often provoke an emotional connection to the subject, making the lessons memorable and meaningful. This forms a well-rounded education of high academic achievement, physical awareness, creative ability and social/emotional development."
Chloe Lincoln is in year 8 and a boarder at Tara Anglican School for Girls.
Tara offers boutique boarding in Eggleton House, located in a contemporary setting in the heart of the school.
Chloe has just enjoyed the experience of a lifetime to hone her footballing skills accompanying the Matildas squad in France during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup.
"Because of all the help I get in Eggleton House, I was able to travel overseas for nearly a month to play for NSW against French teams at the Women's World Cup," Chloe said.
"I was able to see the Matildas play against Italy, Brazil and Jamaica.
"We even met the Matildas and watched a private training session."
Tara encourages girls to embrace life's opportunities at school and in the wider world.
Chloe says Tara has supported her even though she is away a lot for training and playing football, which she loves.
"I have made great friends in the house and the day girls are really nice.
"I am keeping up with the work because of all the help I've received from the teachers and boarding staff.
"Currently I have to train and play six times a week and Tara has really helped me manage school assessments and classes.
"It was an amazing experience and boarding at Tara provides me with the 'individual support' to follow my dreams.
"It's an awesome school and I am really lucky to be a Tara girl."
Tara Anglican School for Girls is in Masons Drive, North Parramatta. It caters for girls from pre-kindergarten to year 12.
Established in 1897, Tara has a strong and proud tradition as an Anglican, non-selective school for girls which nurtures its students academically and spiritually and provides opportunities in the co-curricular arenas of the arts, sports and the service of others. Tara is a school where the emphasis is on learning in a Christian framework with the aim of providing an holistic education.
Tara Senior School has a reputation for preparing girls for entry into the country's top universities. Staff at Tara encourage and empower girls to achieve and serve in a dynamic world.