2020 NSW Government Schools International Student Awards

Outstanding contributions by international students to NSW government schools have been recognised by the NSW Department of Education in an awards ceremony at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

Keynote speaker David Riordan, Director City Operations, highlighted the success of the international student program and acknowledged the work of schools and teachers in helping students develop skills in global citizenship.

The 2020 NSW Government Schools International Student Award winners were:

• Enxi (Nancy) Lin – Academic Excellence
• Eunse (Lia) Seo – School Service
• Gustavo Floreste Aizza Melo Toledo – Leadership
• Mee Lin Liau – International Student Coordinator of the Year
• Burwood Girls High School – International Student Program School Excellence

The NSW Government Schools International Student Awards Ceremony was attended by international students, their friends and family, school and departmental staff and consular representatives.

At the ceremony, certificates were presented to shortlisted students from 35 different schools and coming from 8 countries - Bangladesh, Brazil, Cambodia, China, Guinea, Jamaica, South Korea, and Vietnam. The student winners each received a $1000 prize.

Enxi, Eunse and Gustavo’s achievements were recognised as outstanding examples of the contribution international students make to NSW government schools and to their school communities.

The winner of the Academic Achievement Award, Enxi (Nancy) Lin from China, studied at Burwood Girls High School and achieved an ATAR of 99.9. She stood out in a very strong field of 46 nominees, nine of whom achieved an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) above 99. Enxi was unfortunately not able to attend the award ceremony but nominated her teacher, Janice Raynor, to accept the award in her absence.

Eunse (Lia) Seo from Korea, who attended Asquith Girls High School, was presented the School Service Award in recognition of her outstanding contributions to her school and community. Her volunteer activities included fundraising for a sister school in Afghanistan, acting as a buddy for newly arrived students and organising events for the school's Spirit Week and Harmony Days.

Leadership Award winner, Gustavo Floreste Aizza Melo Toledo, is from Brazil and attended Marsden High School. Gustavo’s fellow students elected him as their School Captain and he demonstrated commitment and leadership in the role by mentoring other students and assisting with school and community events.

International Student Coordinator of the Year, Mee Lin Liau, has introduced a range of initiatives to support and engage international students at Evans High School, including an annual “Aussie Bush Camp” that introduces international students to the Australian environment.

The inaugural International Student Program School Excellence Award was presented to Burwood Girls High School. The award recognises the support the school’s committed and responsive team provides to international students and the positive outcomes achieved. For the past three years, a student from Burwood Girls High School has received the NSW Government Schools International Student Academic Achievement Award. In 2019, five of their international students achieved an ATAR above 99.

In 2019, 707 international students attending NSW government schools completed the Higher School Certificate with 179 students listed on the Distinguished Achievers list of students receiving a result in the highest band possible for one or more subjects, and 10 being All Round Achievers with results in the highest band for at least 10 units of HSC courses.

For further information about the Department’s International Students Program go to https://www.deinternational.nsw.edu.au/study-options/study-programs/international-student-program