International Students’ Contributions Celebrated

The winners of this year’s NSW Government Schools International Student Awards have been announced in a virtual awards ceremony.

Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning, Sarah Mitchell, highlighted the success of the international student program and acknowledged the work of schools, teachers and DE International staff in helping students to achieve their best, especially during the challenges of 2020.

The winners of the 2021 NSW Government Schools International Student Awards are:

  • Hong Nhat Phuong (Tracy) To – Academic Achievement
  • Thu Ngoc Hoang Tran – School Service
  • Tung Linh (Andrea) Ha – Leadership
  • Lisa Tolhurst – International Student Coordinator of the Year
  • Muirfield High School – International Student Program School Excellence

This year, 39 students from 25 different schools were nominated for an award. The students’ home countries included China, Thailand, South Korea and Vietnam.

The winner of the Academic Achievement Award, Hong Nhat Phuong (Tracy) To from Vietnam, studied at Burwood Girls High School and achieved the highest possible Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) of 99.95. She stood out in a very strong field of 30 nominees, three of whom achieved an ATAR above 99.

Girl with and award in front of the Sydney Opera House Hong Nhat Phuong (Tracy) To

Thu Ngoc Hoang Tran from Vietnam, who also attended Burwood Girls High School, was the winner of the School Service Award in recognition of her outstanding contributions to her school and community. Thu was school captain at Burwood Girls High School and was involved in fundraising for Legacy and Canteen.

Girl with and award in front of the Sydney Opera House

Thu Ngoc Hoang Tran

Leadership Award winner, Tung Linh (Andrea) Ha, is also from Vietnam and attended Beverly Hills Girls High School. She was a Student Representative Council House Vice-Captain and Leader of the Wellbeing Committee. Andrea was involved in countless projects to support other students to help them gain confidence and skills. Many younger students would proudly speak of her as their role model.

Girl with and award in front of the Sydney Opera House

Candice Byrnes accepted the award on behalf of Andrea Ha

International Student Coordinator of the Year, Lisa Tolhurst, has introduced a range of initiatives to support and engage international students at Concord High School, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The willingness of her students to discuss concerns regarding their personal physical and emotional wellbeing is a testament to the unwavering support she provides to international students.

female with and award in front of the Sydney Opera House

Lisa Tolhurst

The International Student Program School Excellence Award was presented to Muirfield High School, where supporting international students is a team effort by the school executive and teachers, as well as the administrative and support staff. The response of the school in supporting a student in crisis in 2020 demonstrated that their students are truly known and cared for as individuals.

Female with and award in front of the Sydney Opera House

Jennifer Reeves, principal of Muirfield High School

In 2020, 628 international students attending NSW government schools completed the Higher School Certificate (HSC) with 149 students listed on the Distinguished Achievers list for scoring over 90 in a subject, and five being named Top All-Rounders for scoring 90 or above in 10 or more units.

The virtual awards ceremony can be viewed on the DE International website.