EDUCATION Week is underway, with Myall Coast Schools showcasing the achievements, innovation and excellence occurring in classrooms throughout the region.

Open Day’s, performances and special assemblies are some of the many highlights during the week-long celebration of public education.

This year’s theme, ‘Shared stories, better learning, stronger communities,’ acknowledges the important role schools have in their communities.

At Bulahdelah Central School, Senior Hospitality students catered for visitors and community members during the school’s Open Day for Grandparents and Friends this week.

Hospitality Teacher Mrs Elizabeth Smith said the event highlighted the ‘better learning, stronger communities’ Education Week theme.

“Opportunities such as this allows the students and staff to work with the community providing wonderful benefits for everyone involved,” Mrs Smith said.

“The students enjoy catering as they are able to transfer their skills from a classroom setting to a real life hospitality situation.”

Mrs Smith told News Of The Area the Open Day was an excellent learning experience in customer service for the students and allowed them to showcase their developing skills to the wider community.

Tea Gardens Public School Principal Mr Mark Clemson said the school’s Education Week activities reflect the importance of community involvement.

“For us, it is all about our community,” Mr Clemson said.

“We not only have a good relationship with parents but also with the local organisations, including the Rotary Club who come in to read with the children.”

Mr Clemson said the range of activities organised by the school were not just limited to Education Week.

“We spread our events across the whole school year so students and their parents are able to get the most out of them,” he said.

“These would not be possible without the support of the community and the P&C Committee.”

Karuah Public School Assistant Principal Megan Saffioti said their school’s Education Week Celebrations included a formal school assembly and open classrooms.

“Education week provides another opportunity to strengthen our connections to our community and share our many successes,” Mrs Saffioti said.

“Each class presented a performance during the assembly to showcase the skills they have learnt and classrooms were opened to family members.”

Mrs Saffioti said the school provided a barbeque lunch for the students, parents and visitors which was enjoyed by all.

Education Week 2016 is celebrated in public schools across the state from 1 to 5 August.