Student awards

NSW Government Schools International Student Awards

The NSW Government Schools International Student Awards recognise the outstanding achievements of international students and their significant contributions to our schools and communities.

The awards also recognise school and staff excellence in supporting international students.

2023 NSW Government Schools International Student Awards

Nominations for the 2023 NSW Government Schools International Student Awards have now closed. Finalists will be announced in December 2022.

Awards will be presented at a ceremony in March 2023.

Student awards

Student award categories

The Academic Achievement Award recognises outstanding academic results.

The Leadership Award recognises students who have demonstrated outstanding leadership through school activities and who are a positive role model and mentor to other students.

The School Service Award recognises students who have contributed to their school community through volunteering and engagement activities.

Eligibility for student awards

  • Students must be enrolled in Year 12 at a NSW government school through the International Student Program
  • Nominations for student awards must be submitted by a staff member of the student's school and with the principal’s endorsement.

School and staff awards

School and staff award categories

The International Student Coordinator of the Year Award recognises professional excellence in delivering services and support to international students.

The International Student Support Award recognises school staff members, other than International Student Coordinators (ISC), who have gone above and beyond in delivering services and support for international students.

The International Student Program School Excellence Award recognises best practice in delivering activities and initiatives that support international students through a whole of school approach.

Eligibility for school and staff awards

  • Schools must be registered with DE International to be eligible for the school excellence award.
  • Nominees for the International Student Coordinator of the Year Award must be formally registered as the school's International Student Coordinator.
  • The activities for which schools and staff are nominated must have taken place in the 2022 calendar year.
  • Nominations for school and staff awards may be submitted by school staff or anyone in the school community. Self-nominations are welcome.

Recipients of the 2022 NSW Government Schools International Student Awards

Academic Achievement

Ruby Nguyen, Vietnam
Bonnyrigg High School
Academic Achievement Award Winner 2022
ATAR 99.85

Resilience

Dany Teang, Cambodia
Cabramatta High School
Resilience Award Winner 2022

Leadership

Yimei Zhao, China
Mosman High School
Leadership Award Winner 2022

International Student Coordinator of the Year

Diana Kulevski
Cecil Hills High School
International Student Coordinator of the Year 2022

International Student Program School Excellence Award

Kogarah High School
International Student Program School Excellence Award 2022

History of the NSW Government Schools International Student Awards

The NSW Government Schools International Student Awards have been presented each year since 2009 when the first student award categories were introduced. In 2020, the first school and staff award categories were introduced.

Previous student award winners come from ten countries and attended 23 NSW government schools.

NSW International Student of the Year Award

Each year international students are selected for this prestigious award by StudyNSW based on criteria, including:

  • Being an inspirational role model to the community
  • Demonstrating an achievement or contribution that adds value to the community through
    • touching the lives of others
    • participating in the community
    • connecting an ethnic or language community group with the broader NSW community
    • volunteer work.

International students enrolled in NSW government schools have won the Schools sector category for this award in 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, and 2022 acknowledging the outstanding contributions these students have made to their communities and the state of NSW.

Some of our award winners and nominees include:

2022 Winner - Kathy Nguyen, Dulwich High School of Visual Arts and Design

2022 Finalist - William Nguyen, Canley Vale High School

2022 Finalist - Arum Jeon, Northmead Creative and Performing Arts High School

2021 Winner - Frank Lai, Epping Boys High School

2021 Finalist - Yimei Zhao, Mosman High School

2020 Winner – Andrea Tung Linh Ha, Beverly Hills Girls High School

2020 Finalist – Nickie Tran, Sarah Redfern High School

2019 Finalists – Baiyang Hu, Hunters Hill High School and Thong Dat (David) Pham, Kingsgrove North High School

2018 Winner – Duy Quang Mai, Homebush Boys High School

2017 Winner – Katherine Pei Kun Qi, Beverly Hills Girls High School

2016 Winner – Abigail Aguilar, Hunters Hill High School

2015 Winner – Mingjun (Martina) Zhang, Killarney Heights High School