6 April, 2016:

Over the coming weeks the Public Education Foundation will be exploring new executive arrangements as I am moving to a new and different role.

I take this opportunity to thank all our donors, partners, volunteers and supporters for your efforts for the Foundation; you have changed lives, and thousands of students have been helped by your generosity.

Over the last year, more than 300 scholarships, ranging in value between $1000 and $15000 have been provide to public school students and teachers through the Public Education Foundation and its supporters.

I thank the PEF Board, and Chairs Jenni Neary AM and Chris Ryan; their passion and support for public education has been rivalled only by the leadership on schools funding provided by Minister Piccoli.

I thank also the dedicated staff of the PEF, who make sure we run one of the leanest not-for-profits in Australia. Well done.

I will be continuing to support the work of the Foundation and look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the Foundation awards night on 18 May at Sydney Town Hall – which promises to be wonderful celebration of student achievement. This year we are delighted to have the Nobel prize-winner Professor Brian Schmidt as our guest speaker and Wendy Harmer as our MC.

I will be taking some leave later in April. Michelle Stanhope will be Acting CEO while I am on leave.

Finally, I thank the students who let us know just how much their scholarship has meant for them:

“To those who donate .. you turn dreamers into achievers… turn hopeless thoughts to hope. I would not be at Armidale University studying… I hope Una May Smith is looking down from the Dreamtime above, and is proud of what she sees in me. In the Dreamland.

Thank you very much, Will Freestone.

PS I have gained selection into Medicine at UNE . Yes! YES! YES!”

Nathan Rees

CEO

Public Education Foundation