The back-to-school event brought together close to 500 principals, support staff, new and future teachers and education partners to hear from the Minister for Education and Early Learning, Prue Car, and Secretary Murat Dizdar about their aspirations for public education in 2025.

The university teaching students came from Western Sydney University and Department of Education scholarship students from Charles Sturt University, Macquarie University, University of New England, and the University of Sydney.

Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car welcomed the beginning and future teachers and school leaders and said every public school teacher had her “unwavering respect”.

“When the NSW Government came to office two years ago, we heard loud and clear from the profession that they were underpaid and overworked,” she said.

“It’s why we acted quickly to deliver the biggest salary uplift in decades, taking beginning teachers to being the highest paid in the country. 

“We did this not just because we needed to – but because each and every one of you will always have my unwavering respect.”  

 Education Secretary Murat Dizdar said 2025 would be a landmark year in public education, with immense opportunities for students and school staff “whether you are in Bondi or Bowraville”.

“I know this because it will be a year where every teacher guiding our classrooms, and every student walking through our doors, is backed in to succeed,” he said.  

“Some call it magic, but everyone here knows it’s far more than just waving a wand.  

 “It’s the hours of passion and time you pour into getting it right for your students.  

 “It’s every lesson taught, every dance rehearsal, every footy match coached, and every single time you stand in a student’s corner.”

A panel of educators shared their career journeys in education – Hurstville Grove Infants School principal Kym Ferrario, Vacy Public School principal and classroom teacher Jamie Babic, and Kooringal High School teacher Zahraa Najem – with guest speaker Belinda Giudice, Gledswood Hills High principal.

From refugee to opera diva

Year 12 student Maryana Abdo delivered a stellar performance at the back to school event, singing the soprano aria O Mio Babbino Caro by Giacomo Puccini to a libretto by Giovacchino Forzano.

The Miller Technology High School student came to Australia from Iraq five years ago and found music to be her access point to learning English.

She used the internet to teach herself how to sing opera, a passion inspired by her father.

Last year Maryana auditioned for the Schools Spectacular and sang her first opera solo in front of 30,000 audience members in November 2024, followed by another two million views on the television broadcast.

Maryana, like so many other students, received these opportunities in public education.

“We don’t know postcode, decree, or distinction. We know potential and ability, and we help students grab it with both their hands and run with it,” Secretary Murat Dizdar said.

The Schools Spectacular Boys Hip Hop Crew and featured artists from performing arts high schools also performed. The 10 students in the Hip Hop Crew, ranging in age from Year 4 to Year 10, were part of a 120-strong crew that performed at the 2024 Schools Spectacular concerts.

Education partners and stakeholders included: NSW Teachers’ Federation, Public Service Association, Aboriginal Education Consultative Group, Primary Principals’ Association, Secondary Principals’ Association, Special Education Principals and Leaders’ Association, School Administration and Support Staff Professional Association, NSW P&C Federation, Public Education Foundation, and the Advocate for Children and Young People. 

The Department of Education hosted stalls at the expo along with sponsors – Teachers Health, Teachers Mutual Bank, Fitness Passport, Smart, Aware Super, and NSW Teachers Federation.

The expo showcased the diversity of Department teams that support teaching, including Curriculum, Technology for Learning (T4L), Teach NSW, Gain Approval to Teach, Supporting Early Career Teachers, Professional Experience Programs, Diversity and Inclusion, Staff Wellbeing, EduChat, School Sport & Arts Unit, Aboriginal Education and Communities, Sustainability, High Potential and Gifted Education, and Procurement.