Warilla North Public named Wave FM’s School of the Year

Celebrations are afoot at Warilla North Public School in New South Wales.

It’s been named Wave FM’s School of the Year, picking up $10,000following the month-long promotion involving local Illawarra schools.

Wave FM put out the call for schools to nominate, with 34 local schools seizing the chance to pick up the cash to put towards whatever they wanted.

Schools were keen to invest the money in playground equipment, outdoor shade, gardens, sporting equipment, even a handball court.

Members of the public were also encouraged to vote for their favourite school, with over 15,800 votes received for the 34 nominated schools.

Judges then narrowed down the list to five finalists, and chose the winning school, Warilla North Public.

Wave FM breakfast hosts Jade Tonta and Damien Leith (pictured) were on hand to surprise the winning school at a special school assembly.

Wave FM Content Director Barry Keohane says he was surprised by the sheer amount of excitement the promotion generated: “The schools and their communities were incredible. The prize money aside, it was great to see just how much the kids and their parents got behind their schools, and how it brought everyone together.”

Warilla North Public School Principal Rachel Armer says they will use the money to build some shade sails on the school’s main oval.

“This is the first time we’ve run Wave FM’s School of the Year and based on the reaction we have had from local schools, it will be back in 2024,” says Keohane.