P&C Federation Awards
The 2026 P&C Federation Awards are now open
We want to celebrate and recognise the incredible work done in public schools throughout the state. Whether it is the contribution of a particular individual in your school community, your school’s principal, or your P&C Association, the P&C Federation Awards are an opportunity to showcase these efforts and reward outstanding work.
This year’s awards are centred around the theme ‘Inspirational School Communities’. Submit a nomination for an individual, P&C Association or school principal who has gone above and beyond to help or inspire your school community.
We have three categories of awards, each with its own criteria. P&C Associations can choose to submit a nomination for all or any of the categories.
All nominations must be formally endorsed by the nominating P&C Association. The endorsement must be recorded in the minutes of a P&C Association meeting with these minutes submitted as part of the nomination.
The Association of the Year Award recognises the outstanding and inspirational contributions by a P&C Association towards its school and wider school community.
This award will be judged on the following criteria:
- Development and implementation of innovative, impactful and inspirational activities, campaigns or strategies to support their school
- Significant contribution to building community engagement and participation leading to a positive impact on school and culture
The Volunteer of the Year Award recognises an individual P&C member who has contributed significantly to their P&C Association and school community.
This award will be judged on the following criteria:
- Leading initiatives with energy and dedication
- Community engagement and inspirational impact
- Going above and beyond to create improvements through fresh ideas, meaningful contributions, or positive change
To be eligible, the nominee must be a financial member of their P&C Association
The Principal of the Year Award recognises the contribution of a principal to their P&C Association and school community.
This award will be judged on the following criteria:
- Actively collaborating in a meaningful way with their P&C Association, building a culture of trustÂ
- Supporting and championing the work of the P&C Association
- Inspiring and elevating the voices of parents and carers
Terms and conditions
1. Eligibility
- Nominations are open to NSW public school communities only.
- To submit a nomination, the relevant P&C Association must be a current affiliated member of P&C Federation.
- Nominees must meet the eligibility requirements for the category in which they are nominated.
2. Endorsement of Nominations
- All nominations must be formally endorsed by the nominating P&C Association.
- The endorsement must be recorded in the minutes of a duly convened P&C Association meeting.
- A copy of the meeting minutes confirming the nomination must be submitted as part of the nomination.
3. Supporting Documentation
- All nominations must include a written statement of support addressing the relevant award criteria.
- The statement should provide evidence of the nominee’s achievements, contributions and impact on the school community.
- Additional supporting material may be submitted where relevant.
4. Nomination Period
- Nominations open on Monday 21 September 2026.
- Nominations close at 5.00pm AEST on Monday 16 November 2026.
- Late or incomplete nominations may not be considered.
5. Assessment Process
- Nominations will be assessed against the published criteria for the relevant award category.
- The independent judging panel may request additional information where required.
- The judging panel’s decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into regarding the outcome.
6. Verification of Information
- P&C Federation reserves the right to verify any information provided in a nomination.
- Any nomination found to contain false, misleading or incomplete information may be deemed ineligible.
7. Award Categories
- P&C Federation reserves the right to reclassify a nomination into a more appropriate category where necessary.
- P&C Federation reserves the right not to present an award in a category if nominations do not meet the required standard.
8. Privacy and Consent
- By submitting a nomination, the nominator confirms that the nominee has been informed of, and consents to, the nomination where appropriate.
- Personal information collected through the Awards process may be used for the administration and promotion of the Awards in accordance with applicable privacy requirements.
9. Publicity
- Finalists and award recipients may be featured in P&C Federation publications, websites, social media channels and other promotional materials.
- Submission of a nomination constitutes consent for P&C Federation to use nomination content, photographs and related information for promotional purposes, unless otherwise advised.
10. Changes and Cancellation
- P&C Federation reserves the right to amend these Terms and Conditions, alter award categories, or vary the Awards program where necessary.
Volunteer of the Year
- The nominating P&C Association must be a current affiliated member of P&C Federation.
- The nominee must be a financial member of the P&C Association.
- Nominations must include:
- A statement of support addressing how the P&C member has contributed significantly to their P&C Association and school community with specific reference to the award criteria:
- Leading initiatives with energy and dedication
- Community engagement and inspirational impact
- Going above and beyond to create improvements through fresh ideas, meaningful contributions, or positive change
- A copy of the P&C Association meeting minutes recording the nomination.
- A statement of support addressing how the P&C member has contributed significantly to their P&C Association and school community with specific reference to the award criteria:
Association of the Year
- The nominated P&C Association must be a current affiliated member of P&C Federation.
- Nominations must include:
- A statement of support addressing how the P&C Association has contributed to its school and wider school community with specific reference to the judging criteria:
- Development and implementation of innovative, impactful and inspirational activities, campaigns or strategies to support their school
- Significant contribution to building community engagement and participation leading to a positive impact on school and culture
- A statement of support addressing how the P&C Association has contributed to its school and wider school community with specific reference to the judging criteria:
Principal of the Year
- The nominating P&C Association must be a current affiliated member of P&C Federation.
- Nominations must include:
- A statement of support addressing how the Principal has contributed to their P&C Association and school community with specific reference to the judging criteria:
- Actively collaborating in a meaningful way with their P&C Association, building a culture of trust
- Supporting and championing the work of the P&C Association
- Inspiring and elevating the voices of parents and carers
- A statement of support addressing how the Principal has contributed to their P&C Association and school community with specific reference to the judging criteria:
A copy of the P&C Association meeting minutes recording the nomination must be provided.
P&C Federation Awards recognise individuals and organisations that make a positive contribution to public education and school communities.