It's probably not too rock'n'roll to praise your teachers but when triple j has crowned you as Australia's hottest young band, Trophy Wyfe can do whatever they please.
Trophy Wyfe bassist Neve Scully was still processing the enormity of her band's achievement on Thursday, a day after triple j revealed that the Whitebridge three-piece were the 2026 Unearthed High winners.
Scully, Rex Wardle (vocals, guitar) and Tallis Kessell (drums) beat more than 1000 other acts from around Australia to be the Hunter's first Unearthed winners.
Scully, 19, graduated from Whitebridge High School last year, while Wardle and Kessell, both 17, are in year 12.
The trio reunited at Whitebridge High on Wednesday to perform their nominated song, Spiders, at the school assembly.
But after the song, triple j presenters Concetta Caristo and Luka Muller surprised the band by revealing they were the Unearthed winners.
"The support has been unreal," Scully told the Newcastle Herald on Thursday.
"Just this morning when the result got posted, it's been crazy with so many people reaching out.
"All the teachers, school friends and family have been so supportive. That's probably been the best thing. All our teachers, especially; that's been the highlight.
"They're so lovely and they've been with us for two to three years now watching us grow. There were definitely some tears in the hall yesterday."
Former Unearthed victors include ARIA Award winners Genesis Owusu and The Kid Laroi, pop artist Gretta Ray, and rock bands Hockey Dad and The Rions.
As part of the prize, Trophy Wyfe has chosen Owusu to mentor the band.
"He's just super eclectic," Scully said.
"He doesn't push himself into a box genre-wise and is such a great Australian artist and performer. He's so cool and does his own thing and it really pays off for him.
"We love his music and what he stands for."
Last weekend Trophy Wyfe finished recording their debut album and plan to release it later this year.
Whitebridge High's deputy principal, Melita Morrow, said Trophy Wyfe's success was an inspiration to their fellow students.
"It comes down to the whole concept of creative arts being such an important aspect of education," Ms Morrow said.
"Sometimes, it gets forgotten to a certain degree, and it just shows that when kids have potential in those areas, it's really important to foster it.
"It creates such an undeniable presence in all other areas. It promotes wellbeing, it promotes academic progress, it promotes community, and it's a really good, big thing and our teachers here are really excellent at being able to do that and see that talent."
Ms Morrow said Trophy Wyfe had benefited from the school's "live lunches" program where they've played in music rooms and also at venues like the Kahibah Sports Club and Club Charlestown.
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