Ms Selvakumaran, who was dux at Bathurst West Public School in 1999 before going on to be vice captain at Bathurst High, was one of 10 finalists in this year's Global Teacher's Prize from a field of more than 10,000 nominations.

She returned to Bathurst this week to speak with teachers and students for the opening of Education Week, 2019.

Ms Selvakumaran said walking through the school gates at Bathurst West felt like home.

She said she really enjoyed her time at the school and carries many fond memories from her time there.

She said she developed her love of learning at Bathurst West and Bathurst High, saying her education was far more than just academic.

"It was all the extra curricular stuff I loved, music and sport. It made it really fun," she said.

Ms Selvakumaran brought memorabilia from her time at the school to show the students, including ribbons from athletics carnivals and newspaper articles.

Speaking to the students, Ms Selvakumaran said her message was simple: Don't be afraid to follow your dreams.

"If you surround yourself with good people you'll reach any heights you want," she said.