School Awards: Double delight for winning primary

May 15 2008 by Paul Loraine, The Journal

THERE was double success for a Durham primary at the North East School Awards yesterday.

St Joseph’s RCVA School in Coundon won the overall school of the year prize while head Stefa McManners triumphed in the headteacher of the year category in the event run by The Journal, our sister paper on Teesside the Evening Gazette, and main sponsors Northumbrian Water.

Speaking after the event at Newcastle’s Centre for Life, Mrs McManners praised the collective effort of staff, pupils and the wider community.

She said: “I have been head for 26 years and nobody can be successful in isolation.

“I have had a wonderful, talented and dedicated team alongside me as well as the parents and people in the surrounding area.

“These awards are not just mine – they are for the team. It is a wonderful feeling for everyone involved.

“It is always nice to be recognised from outside the school.”

Alistair Baker, communications and PR manager for Northumbrian Water, said the company would be looking to establish a relationship with the school of the year.

He said: “These awards are unique because it’s the participation and the involvement of the children which makes them extra special.

“We didn’t want these to be an award that gathers dust – we wanted the children and the community to see a tangible benefit.

“We will be working alongside the winning school over the next year and getting involved in the curriculum in whatever helpful way we can.”

Kath Turner, from Holy Trinity School in Seaton Carew, took the Inspirational Primary Teacher prize; Barndale House Special School in Alnwick, Northumberland, won the Environment Award; Delia Sykes, of King Edward VI in Morpeth, was named the most inspirational secondary school teacher; and Thornhill School in Sunderland won the Active Community award.

Mrs Sykes, who teaches maths at King Edward, said: “It feels incredible to win this award. There are some exceptional members of staff and some amazing students.

“I have been lucky enough to work with students I enjoy working with. I’m past retirement age but I still love it.”

Meanwhile, Irene Wase, who works at Westlands School in Thornaby, topped the Support Staff of the Year category and The Duchess’s Community High School in Alnwick, Northumberland, was recognised as the most sustainable school.

Oakfield Infant School won the Healthy Living category; Yarm County Primary School won the School Newspaper Award; and Brian Laidler took the Caretaker of the Year prize.

Brian Aitken, editor of The Journal, said: “Education is the key to transforming the region’s economy and a great deal of hard work has gone in to turning around our performance in the Government’s league tables.

“A large number of dedicated people who work in our schools have had a massive part to play in that improvement.”

These awards are unique because it’s the participation and the involvement of the children which makes them extra special

Pupil’s prompt action averts possible tragedy

A NURSERY nurse whose first-aid lesson helped a schoolgirl save her stepfather’s life was among those honoured at yesterday’s awards.

Becky Willis, eight, put her mother’s boyfriend Jonathan Noble in the recovery position during a diabetic fit so he avoided choking on his tongue.

Yesterday Dorothy Keelan, who works at Becky’s school, St Teresa’s Catholic Primary in Heaton, Newcastle, was among the finalists in the Support Staff of the Year category.

Becky’s mother Charlene, 25, of Chipstone Avenue, Walker, nominated Mrs Keelan.

She said: "My daughter put her stepdad in the recovery position and stayed calm when normally she panics. If Mrs Keelan hadn’t taught my daughter what she needed to know, then my boyfriend might not be here today.

"Paramedics said that he could have choked on his tongue or even died. She did this of her own accord and it’s a brilliant thing for kids to learn.

"This is something every school should be doing."

Mrs Keelan said she had been extremely impressed by Becky’s reaction to a high-pressure situation.

She said: "We have been running the course for two or three years. I couldn’t believe what had happened when I heard.

"She did so well to remain calm and put him in the recovery position. I was very proud.

"We will definitely keep teaching the kids the basics of first aid."

Go to page two for a list of winners