Deb Summerhayes PSM has been a passionate educator in NSW Public Education for over thirty-five years.

In her current role as Deputy Secretary, Public Schools, Deb supports 120,000 school leaders, teachers and support staff to deliver a high-quality education for 800,000 students in NSW Public Education.

As a classroom teacher, Literacy Consultant, Head Teacher, Deputy Principal, Principal, Director, Educational Leadership, Director, Secondary Education, Executive Director, Metropolitan South and West Directorate, and now Deputy Secretary, Deb has led school communities for continuous school improvement and improved learning and life outcomes for students.

Deb does not believe a postcode should determine a young person’s life options and has been committed to leading, supporting and working in partnership with students, families, and staff in complex school communities across the state, particularly in Sydney’s Western and South Western suburbs.

Every student in a school should be valued, known and cared for, and Deb believes it is the job of educators to ensure every student, in every classroom, in every public school in NSW has access to an equitable and excellent education, where their learning and wellbeing are supported and their lives transformed through learning.