About the Awards

The Marco Polo Awards are established by Marco Polo – The Italian School of Sydney to support the quality of teaching and learning of Italian across schools in NSW.  The main purpose of the Awards is to reward and encourage the further academic proficiency, teaching and study of Italian language and culture in NSW.

From 2025, the Awards recognise excellence for BOTH students and teachers.

Nominations for the 2025 edition of the Marco Polo Awards for Excellence in Italian Language and Culture will open on Monday, 23 June 2025. Submissions close on Friday, 5 September 2025.

The prize-giving ceremony is expected to take place on Saturday, 15 November 2025 at Club Marconi, 121-133 Prairie Vale Rd, Bossley Park NSW 2176, commencing at 12.30pm.

Selection process

1. Student Excellence Awards

Nominations for students can be submitted by teachers in public, Catholic, independent or other recognised community language schools across NSW. Each school may submit up to THREE nominations. All nominations are to be submitted using the official Student Nomination Form by Midnight on Friday, 5 September 2025.

2. Teacher Excellence Awards

Nominations for teachers are to be made by principals or other delegates in public, Catholic, independent or other recognised community language schools across NSW. Each school may submit up to TWO nominations. All nominations are to be submitted using the official Teacher Nomination Form by Midnight on Friday, 5 September 2025.

Late nominations may be accepted at the discretion of the Board. If late nominations are accepted, notice will be communicated to the teachers or principals/delegates making the nomination.

Regulations

A. The Award

  1. The Award is known as “The Marco Polo Award for Excellence in Italian Language and Culture in NSW Schools” (the Award).
  2. The Award has two categories: a. students and b. teachers.
  3. Student Category:
    • The Award may be made annually to any student in Year 6 to Year 12 who has studied Italian in NSW schools (public, catholic, independent or other recognised community language school)  in the year the award is conferred.
    • The Award recognises students who have made the most progress in learning or demonstrated a level of excellence in Italian.
  4. Teacher Category:
    • The Award may be made annually to any teacher of Italian in NSW schools (public, Catholic, independent or other recognised community language school) who has taught the language for at least three years, including the year the award is conferred.
    • The Award recognises teachers who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to Italian language education, through excellence in teaching practices, active promotion of Italian culture and meaningful contributions to the professional growth of fellow Italian language educators.
  5. The Awards are conferred by the Board of Marco Polo – The Italian School of Sydney, in consultation with any teaching staff (for student awards only) or members of the community selected to assess the merits of each application received. 
  6. For the Student Category: Together with the student nomination, teachers will have to submit a typed response of 100-150 words in Italian or English from the student, based on the following annual theme:
    • 2024: “Il mio amore per l’Italiano | My love for Italian.“
    • 2025: “La mia frase italiana preferita | My favourite Italian phrase.“
  7. Note: Submission of any AI-generated student response will result in an automatic exclusion from the Award of ALL nominations from the school to which the student belongs. All statements will go through an AI Detector.

B. Prize

  1. The Board of Marco Polo – The Italian School of Sydney is not bound to grant the Awards in a particular year if there is no candidate of sufficient merit or if the Board determines so.
  2. The Student Category Awards comprise the following:
    • ONE Award for the monetary prize of $250.
    • Up to FIVE other non-monetary Awards may be made annually, including commendations or special mentions at the discretion of the Board.
  3. The Teacher Category Awards comprise the following:
    • ONE Award for the monetary prize of $500.
    • Up to THREE other non-monetary Awards may be made annually, including commendations or special mentions at the discretion of the Board.
  4. The Awards may not be shared between participants.
  5. The monetary value of the Awards may only be accepted via EFT transaction to a bank account nominated by the winner. No cash payments may be made to the winner of the Awards.
  6. The winners of the Awards are required to respond to the Board with a brief letter or email of acceptance, together with a suitable profile photo (preferably in school uniform for students) for publication.

C. General Notice

  1. The Board of Marco Polo – The Italian School of Sydney is to publish the winners of the Awards in one or more press releases and on the school’s website or other media outlet.
  2. The Board of Marco Polo – The Italian School of Sydney may amend or vary these regulations provided that there is no departure from the main purpose of the Awards.

For additional information email: learning@cnansw.org.au.