Albion Park High School’s new principal Suzanne Williams and Mt Terry Public School principal Stuart Dewar were honoured as part of the Illawarra and South East Region (ISER) Excellence in Education Awards.

They were among the four regional recipients of the Excellence in Leadership Demonstrated by a Principal Award, presented last Friday in Queanbeyan. Mrs Williams began her stint at Albion Park a few weeks ago, after a five-year tenure at Moss Vale High and has been teaching for 25 years.

Mr Dewar, who is retiring this year, began teaching in 1974. He has spent time at schools in Warilla, Mt Warrigal, Mt Kembla, Mt Keira and Gwynneville, before coming to Mt Terry five years ago.

They were pleasantly surprised principals from neighbouring schools had been acknowledged in the region, which includes about 69,500 students and 4700 teachers in 228 public schools.

‘‘We just come along and do the job,’’ Mr Dewar said.

‘‘People seem happy with what we’ve done and want to come to this school, which is a compliment.’’

Mrs Williams said teaching was the only career she ever considered.

‘‘I don’t think there was an alternative,’’ she said.

‘‘I love it (her new post). I love the area, the staff are so obliging and hard-working and the kids are gorgeous.’’

Mr Dewar was drawn to the field by the opportunity to make a difference.

‘‘I just really like the people, the children that I get to work with,’’ he said.

‘‘It’s gone from blackboards and chalk to highly interactive technology,’’ Mr Dewar said.

Mrs Williams said some aspects stayed the same. ‘‘The world and technology has changed, but kids are kids,’’ she said.