Year 12 students Mackenzie Purtill-Wright and Edward 'Ned' Prescott received the minister's student achievement award in recognition of their academic record, community and school service, and cultural involvement.

In a normal year, the honour would mean a trip to NSW Parliament to accept the awards from Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell. This year, however, the framed certificates were posted to the school.

"It is upsetting but it can't be helped. It's still an honour to be nominated and to have been given the award," Mackenzie said.

Veterans of the stage already, the students have become regulars on the School Spectacular scene. Mackenzie has been dancing for the school since 2016, while Ned began singing at the event in 2013. However, their final performance, like so much else this year, has had to be cancelled.

"It was always nice to do something outside of school and participate with all these other schools," Ned said.

"It made you feel like a tiny member of a huge team," Mackenzie agreed.

After nearly 40 years in schools around the Riverina, agricultural sciences teacher David Gillard received the State Minister's Award for Excellence in Teaching.

For the past 23 years, Mr Gillard has worked at Wagga High and has witnessed several generations of students walk through the gates.

"What's rewarding is the students you come across years later that will come up to you and tell you all about what they've been doing in life since you taught them," he said.

Mr Gillard was joined by the school's deputy principal, Tania Maddison, in accepting the excellence in teaching award.

Ms Maddison has spent 20 years a maths teacher, the past nine of which have been at Wagga High.

Although this year's awards ceremony was cancelled, Ms Maddison said the pandemic has not diminished the achievement.

"Normally we have two students [who win awards] but this is the first year we've had two teachers as well," she said.

"It's about the third year we've had a parent win too."

Erika Crevatin took out the Parent of the Year Award for her commitment to the school's P&C, having served as both the president and treasurer since 2012.

"The most memorable thing for me is the relationships that have been formed. High school is a challenging time for parents because kids don't really tell you much, so being involved with the school is one way I could assist," Ms Crevatin said.