Coffs Harbour Allegra School principal honoured for Outstanding Leadership

ALLEGRA School Coffs Harbour principal Erin Caceda has received national recognition, taking home the Outstanding Leadership Award at the 2026 National Education Summit.

The prestigious award was presented at the recent summit in Brisbane, where educators from across Australia gathered to exchange ideas, explore innovative approaches to teaching and leadership, and discuss the future of education.

Mrs Caceda was recognised for her leadership, vision, and commitment to creating an inclusive, student-centred learning environment.

The award acknowledged her dedication to inspiring confidence, belonging, and achievement in every learner through a deeply human approach to education.

Under her leadership, Allegra School Coffs Harbour has become a transformative learning environment for young people who may have struggled and are seeking an alternative to mainstream education.

The school supports students to thrive in a setting that values individuality, nurtures strengths, and encourages both personal and academic growth.

Accepting the award, Mrs Caceda credited her staff, saying the honour belonged to the entire Allegra School team.

“I may have been the one holding the trophy, but the award belongs to the staff of Allegra School,” she said.

She described the school community as a team of people that “cares deeply about the students and each other”.

She praised staff for challenging traditional ideas about education while supporting one another through both successes and challenges.

“Allegra is what it is because of a team of people who think differently, back one another, and never lose sight of why we do this important work,” she said.

The award highlights the growing recognition of alternative education models and the role independent schools such as Allegra play in supporting young people to reconnect with learning and achieve success on their own terms.