A Sutherland Shire festival has landed a top award for its work among primary school students.
The popular Sutherland Shire Schools Music Festival recently won an Excellence in Education Award from the Australian College of Educators (NSW branch).
The festival is running this month at the Sutherland Entertainment Centre and includes 12 shows, with 10 concerts and two dance extravaganzas.
The award was in recognition of last year’s festival – which featured more than 5000 primary school students from 50 different schools.
Founded in 1970, the festival show cases combined choirs and dance arrangements. It is also known for its outstanding training for both students and teachers.
Festival committee president Sue Roach said they were rapt with the award.
“The award celebrates the contribution of the festival committee who have dedicated thousands of hours to ensure students get to experience the thrill of music and dance,” Ms Roach said.
“The Sutherland Shire Schools Music Festival is an opportunity for students throughout the region to showcase what they’ve been taught.
“The festival is also a celebration of the arts. The STEM fundamentals are vital, but singing, dancing and visual arts are just as important.”
Australian College of Educators chief executive Helen Jentz said the organisers of the festival did a great job.
“It’s educators like Sue and her team that make students want to learn,” Ms Jentz said.
“It’s near impossible to find a student the Sutherland Shire Schools Music Festival hasn’t influenced in the past 47 years.”
