Stanmore Public School

Respect - Resilience - Responsibility

Telephone02 9569 1638

Emailstanmore-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Music teacher nominated for ARIA Award

23 Sep 2024

We are thrilled to announce that Mrs Susan Sukkar, one of our specialist music teachers, has been nominated for the ARIA Music Teacher Award. Susan is one of only four teachers from across the country to be nominated.

Mrs Susan Sukkar Nominated for an ARIA Award

The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) grants this award in recognition of the vital role that music teachers play in fostering a love of music among students across Australia, shining a light on the importance of music education in improving students’ wellbeing, learning and community connection.

When Mrs Sukkar is not working as one of our specialist music teachers, she also teaches music at Petersham Public School and when she is not teaching there, she coordinates concerts for the Department of Education Arts Unit.

Mrs Sukkar has been the driving force behind the Festival of Instrumental Music which sees thousands of students from across the state performing at the Sydney Opera House. Not only does she support the professional learning of teachers as they prepare their students for the event, but Mrs Sukkar also conducts over 470 students playing recorder each night of the concert.

Mrs Sukkar studied the recorder at post graduate level at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and also at the Royal Conservatorium, Den Haag in the Netherlands. Not only does she teach music to our students at Stanmore Public School but she also conducts our recorder ensemble. While the recorder strikes fear into the hearts of many teachers and parents, Mrs Sukkar brings out the best in our young players, returning the instrument to the glamour of the Baroque period.

The Department’s Student Support and Specialist Programs Executive Director Sylvia Corish said the nomination could not have gone to a more deserving person.

“Susan’s an amazing educator with a great deal of expertise in working with, not only children, but also building a teacher’s capacity, which is a very important skill to have,” Dr Corish said.

“She gets involved in statewide programs, conducts at the Opera House, she’s a musician, and a very talented classroom practitioner. Music is her love and her great strength.”

The public helps to determine the winner of the ARIA Music Teacher Award and voting is now open.

Please join us in congratulating Mrs Sukkar on this outstanding achievement.