The first-of-its-kind program looks to boost opportunities for students to excel in both their sporting and academic careers with a key focus on creating the next generation of Australian Olympians.

The Hunter region has a strong history of developing Australian Olympians, including Hunter Sports High School alumni and dual Olympian Mariah Williams who represented Australia at the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Through this unique partnership, Hunter Sports High School looks to continue developing Olympic athletes and build on this number in the years to come.

Olympians and current Hunter Sports High staff members Scott Westcott and Nikolai Topor-Stanley attended the celebration, taking part in an Olympics Unleashed inspired Q&A panel hosted by dual Olympic swimmer David McKeon.

During the Q&A, Rio 2016 Marathon runner Scott Westcott encouraged the students to follow their dreams and spoke about the incredible opportunity the Olympic Pathway School designation presents.

"Now is the time to dream for these students, and our school provides a great support for the student athletes on the Olympic pathway," Scott said.

"The students at Hunter Sports High School are very fortunate to be in an environment that's encouraging, surrounded by people that can foster their dreams and help make them a reality."

"To have Hunter Sports High become an Olympic Pathway School is huge for the student athletes in the Hunter region," 2008 Olympian Nikolai Topor-Stanley continued.

"It's great to be affiliated with the Olympics and hopefully in the not-so-distant future we are producing some of Australia's greatest sporting talent."

The Olympians were joined on stage by Ellie and Hunter Baldwin, year 12 students at Hunter Sports High aspiring to play Hockey at Brisbane 2032. The student athletes said the Olympic Pathway School designation will act as a great daily motivator of their goal to one day compete at the top of their sport.

"Being able to walk to school and see the Olympic rings is just a great reminder, it's really special," Ellie said.

"Everyone at this school is so passionate and driven, the staff, the students, we're all driven for that success in sport," Hunter continued.

"It's also really inspiring to be around staff members every day like Scott and Nikolai, who have been to the Olympic Games. They've been through the system, they know what they're doing and they're able to mentor those of us now coming through, so it's a huge help!"

Hunter Sports High School principal Rachel Byrne said the recognition as an Olympic Pathway School represents all the hard work the school has been doing for years.

"This recognition is amazing. We've always known the quality of our programs and the number of talented athletes that we've been able to produce through our programs, but this particular recognition and endorsement takes it to the next level.

"To come in and be able to see the Olympic Rings alongside the school's name will hopefully inspire our students to be the best that they can be every day."

Special guests in attendance on the day included the Hon. Jodie Harrison MP, AOC Chief of Engagement James Edwards, Sports High School Association President Roger Davis, NSW Education Department Director Scott Davidson and Hunter Academy of Sport CEO Brett O'Farrell.

Find out more about the Australian Olympic Pathway Schools program here.