Co-hosted by Singleton Public School, the function showcased the talents and accomplishments of the region’s public schools – Broke Public School, Milbrodale Public School, Jerrys Plains Public School, King Street Public School, Singleton Heights Public School, Singleton Public School, Kirkton Public School, Mount Pleasant Public School and Singleton High School.

The evening also included a one-on-one interview with rising sport star Ryan Smith, who is the Australian Junior Dirt Track champion in the 9-11 years’ 85cc division.

“This is an opportunity to acknowledge the many people who contribute to the success of public education,” Singleton Public School principal David Crowe said.

“All of our students are testament to the influence and support of the great work done by our schools in the Singleton Learning Community (SLC).

“This year, the theme of Education Week is recognising local heroes.

“Each and every day people around us do amazing things to help make our schools and communities a better place.

“To us, the residents honoured on Tuesday night are some of our local heroes.”

Singleton mayor John Martin was on hand to bestow certificates to Cheryl Holz (King Street Public School), Kylee Lane (Kirkton Public School), Marg Hayes (Singleton Heights Public School), Penny Clancy (Singleton Public School), Lyndal Barry (Singleton Public School) and Samantha Fernance (Broke Public School), Narelle Harris (Milbrodale Public School), Phil Trees (Singleton Heights Public School), Uncle Les Elvin (Singleton High School) and Tracey Johnson (Singleton High School) for their outstanding contribution by a school community member.

School achievement awards, presented by Dr Mitchell Tanner, went to Regina Stoltenberg (Jerrys Plains Public School), Gai Scoles (Singleton Public School), Jenny Stewart (King Street Public School), Belinda Harden (Singleton Heights Public School) and Alison Dagg (Singleton Heights Public School).

The recipients of the outstanding contribution by a non-teaching member of staff plaudits were Janelle Verdon (Singleton Public School), Pauline Vesper (Singleton High School), Dianne Wheeler (Singleton High School), Anne Edwards (Singleton High School), Loretta Nawrocki (Singleton Heights Public School), Heather Anderson (Mount Pleasant Public School), Garry Kirchen (Milbrodale Public School), Heather Philpott (King Street Public School) and Natasha Ede (Broke Public School). 

Aboriginal Education Consultative Group president Deirdre Heitmeyer congratulated Rebecca Collins (King Street Public School), Kathryn Martin-Anderson (Singleton Heights Public School), Michael Heitmeyer (Broke Public School) and Tony Jarrett (Singleton High School) on receiving the AECG Award for achievement in Aboriginal education.

Charlotte Wilkes (King Street Public School), Macey Howlett (Kirkton Public School), Jeremy Thomas (Mount Pleasant Public School), Joel Sinclair (Singleton Heights Public School), Samuel Barry (Singleton High School), Ebony Ford (Singleton High School), Jules Kirkpatrick (Singleton Public School) and Jasmine Kaizer (Milbrodale Public School) picked up excellence in student achievement honours.

Upper Hunter MP Michael Johnsen praised Dayna Cowmeadow (Singleton High School), Christine Launders (Singleton High School), Diane Merrick (Singleton Public School), Kerry Kermode (King Street Public School), Lucy Pickles (Milbrodale Public School), Jenny Hazelwood (Singleton Heights Public School), Sue Winsor (Singleton Heights Public School), Wendy Kempster (Singleton Heights Public School), Karen Barnett (Singleton High School) and Anne Langley (Broke Public School) for excellence in teaching and school leadership.