ALLEGRA School Coffs Harbour has won first place in the Best Workplace in Australia Micro Business category in Great Place to Work Australia 2026 Awards.
Allegra School in City Square provides inclusive and individualised education for students who have experienced barriers to learning in mainstream educational settings.
The school focuses on creating supportive and transformative learning experiences, helping students in Years 9 and 10 to develop confidence, connection and the skills they need to thrive.
Winning the Great Place to Work Australia 2026 Award reflects the culture Allegra has worked hard to build, Principal Erin Caceda said.
One hundred per cent of the 27 employees at Allegra School Coffs Harbour said it was a great place to work, compared to 60 per cent of employees at a typical company in Australia.
The Great Place to Work Australia 2026 Awards rankings are based on confidential feedback from employees alongside independent culture assessments.
Through a confidential survey completed by employees, the questions examined the structures and experiences which contribute to a strong workplace culture, including credibility, respect, fairness, pride and camaraderie.
Allegra staff scored highly across these key areas, highlighting a supportive and relational workplace where educators felt trusted and empowered in their roles.
Allegra has built a strong reputation for attracting and retaining quality staff, something Ms Caceda believes comes from combining meaningful work with a workplace that genuinely supports its people.
“Our staff do incredibly important work every day,” she said.
“They support students who have often struggled to find their place in mainstream education, and they create individualised, inclusive and transformative learning experiences.
“To do that work well, our staff need more than good intentions.
“They need professional development, resources, skills, encouragement and the trust to use their expertise.
“We are incredibly proud staff have told us, through this independent process, they feel respected, supported and valued.”
Earlier in the year Principal Erin Caceda was presented with an Outstanding Leadership Award at the National Education Summit in Brisbane, recognising her leadership within education.
The entire Learning Support Team has been nominated for the 2026 Australian Teacher Aide Team of the Year Award as well as Reggie Frost being individually nominated for the 2026 Australian Teacher Aide of the Year Award, while Allegra teacher, Kylie Walters, was nominated as one of Australia’s Top 50 teachers and selected to represent the school in the ASEAN-Australian BRIDGE Program that connects schools and educators throughout Southeast Asia.
“For a regional school in Coffs Harbour to come out on top of its national category is a significant achievement and one Allegra hopes will shine a light on the commitment and innovation being delivered in regional education,” Ms Caceda said.
By Andrea FERRARI
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