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Macksville High School

Macksville High School

Respect - Honesty - Pride - Teamwork

Telephone02 6568 1066

Emailmacksville-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Mark Werner Receives Award for Academic Excellence

Pictured: Mark Werner with friends Emeritus Professor John Norrish and his wife Madeline.

Mark is a valued and respected member of the teaching staff at Macksville High School. He is an Indigenous Torres Strait Islander of the Saibai Nation. This year he was appointed to the HSIE Department where he teaches Geography, History and Business Studies. He has recently completed his teaching degree and graduated from the University of Sydney. This esteemed institution has chosen to reward Mark for his record of superior academic achievement.

Mark's career path has spanned industries and decades. After working in Tasmania as a National Parks and Wildlife Ranger, he moved with his wife and two children to northern NSW. In 2010, he took up the position of Aboriginal Education Officer at Macksville High School. He has been a guiding force in Indigenous student relations within the school and community. This positive experience inspired Mark to study to become a high school teacher and he secured a teaching position with our school upon completion of his studies. Mark's accumulated wealth of practical experience, skills and knowledge, he shares generously with staff and students.

On Thursday 27th October, Mark was at Sydney University to receive the prestigious   ‘Charles Perkins Memorial Prize for Academic Excellence for 2016'. The award ceremony in the Great Hall of the University celebrates the 50th anniversary of Dr Charles Perkins' graduation. ‘Charlie' Perkins is a recognised part of our Australian heritage. He was a sportsman, Government Minister and civil rights activist who campaigned tirelessly for crucial social change. In 1987 he became a Member of the Order of Australia for services to his country.

The Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Sydney University and Mrs Eileen Perkins and family invited Mark to the official event. Mark delivered a speech at the ceremony honouring the commitment and achievement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Mark is an active member of the Nambucca Valley community and is involved in sporting and social programs. As Mark's friends and colleagues, we congratulate him on his success and are pleased and proud he is part of the Macksville High School team.   

David King, Teacher