The Proudly Public! Celebrating Excellence in Public Schools awards were held in Sydney on Monday night, with Taylah the only Bathurst student, and one of just 10 in Western NSW, recognised.

She received the Harding Miller Education Foundation Scholarship which provides practical support to lift educational outcomes and career aspirations of high potential girls.

With the support of principal Ken Barwick and her parents, Year 9 student Taylah said she applied for the scholarship to help her further succeed at school.

“I had to send in my reports and my awards I got for that semester,” she said.

“We had to show what we do within the community and the school.”

In the community, Taylah is involved with the Carillon Theatrical Society Inc and in sport she swims, plays netball and dances.

The four-year scholarship has already provided her a laptop, she will also receive tutoring, vouchers for books and stationary, and have her school fees and excursions paid for.

“I was really happy it’s a lot of help … I would like to do tutoring because I struggle a little bit in maths,” Taylah said.

Mr Barwick said public education awards were very prestigious.

“She is one of our outstanding school students who puts in across all areas at school, and is always extremely dedicated to the direction of the school and her own learning,” he said.

“We’re very fortunate at Bathurst High to have many students of that caliber.

“She’s one of the very few people of her age that can hold quality conversations with her peers, the staff that teach her the rest of the community.”

On Monday, 230 public school students and educators from across NSW were awarded scholarships, among them were 10 in Western NSW:

Department of Education secretary Mark Scott said the scholarships not only provide financial assistance to the recipients, but also acknowledge their dedication and commitment to the public education system.

“These scholarships are about recognising and rewarding student excellence to encourage high-achieving students to continue to maximise their potential,” he said.

“At the same time, the scholarships aim to remove those barriers to achievement created by social and economic disadvantage.

“It’s encouraging to see that through the generous and ongoing support of its sponsors, the Public Education Foundation is able to support even more richly deserving students each year.

“After all, it is the efforts of our students as well as those of our exceptional educators that combine to create the extraordinary public education system we have in NSW.”

The scholarships were provided by the Public Education Foundation to enhance student and educator learning and professional pathways.

The Public Education Foundation is a charity dedicated to enhancing the value and reputation of public education by providing life-changing scholarships to its students, teachers and principals.