80 school leaders gather in Lismore for 2026 Schools Roadshow

THE Rivers Secondary College Lismore High Campus welcomed around 80 principals and public school leaders from across the North Coast and New England on 26 June as part of the 2026 Schools Roadshow.

The NSW Department of Education’s annual roadshow is touring the state as a key forum for engaging directly with school leaders and advancing the NSW Plan for Public Education across local communities.

Leaders from Wollumbin, Lennox Coast, The Channon, Wytaliba, Tenterfield, Armidale and Grafton came together for this event to exchange insights from their diverse school settings, while helping shape the future direction of public education in NSW.

NSW department of education secretary Murat Dizdar said the roadshow plays a critical role in strengthening the system by hearing directly from those working closest with students.

“It’s inspiring to see so many school leaders coming together with a shared purpose to improve outcomes for every student,” he said.

“When we listen to the experiences of principals and leaders on the ground, we build policies that are more responsive, more effective, and more deeply connected to the communities we serve.”

The department’s senior executive team attends each roadshow to interact directly with principals and improve understanding of local opportunities and challenges.

“This is about genuine partnership. We listen, we learn, and we lead together,” Dizdar said.

At the Lismore event, Dizdar highlighted key achievements across NSW public schools, including strong student growth in NAPLAN and the successful expansion of the Inspire program for high potential and gifted students.

“We are committed to ensuring every student – regardless of their postcode or background – has access to a world-class public education,” he said.

“Bringing leaders together like this strengthens professional networks and builds a more connected, resilient public education system.”