North East Schools Awards ceremony held yesterday

Jul 3 2009 by Nicola Juncar, The Journal

The ceremony for the third North East Schools Awards was staged yesterday at the Centre for Life, in Newcastle.

The awards, which celebrate excellence in education, are run by The Journal and our sister paper, the Evening Gazette, in association with our main sponsors, Northumbrian Water.

Awards were given out in 10 main categories and highlighted some of the fantastic work being carried out by our region’s teachers and pupils, both in and outside the classroom. Gongs were presented to staff, including Jim Wood, from Glendale Middle School, in Wooler, Northumberland, who was named Caretaker of the Year, and Anna Bent, from Durham Gilesgate Sports College, in Durham City, who won the School Support Staff award.

Amanda Mitchell, from Morpeth All Saints C of E School, in Northumberland, picked up the Inspirational Primary School Teacher award.

She said: “One of my colleagues nominated me and I was gobsmacked when I found out.

“It’s been great to be part of this event; it’s been fantastic. It’s wonderful to recognise the achievement of our region’s schools and bring everyone together.”

Each winner was presented with £250 for their school, with two runners-up in each category receiving £100. As well as individual awards, prizes were also presented for school projects.

These categories were: The Sustainable School Award, the Healthy Living Award, the School Newspaper Award, the Environment Award and the Active Community Award.

The winners of each category received a £1,000 bursary towards the winning project, while the runners-up in each section got £250. George Stephenson High School, in Killingworth, North Tyneside, won the School Newspaper Award for its impressive magazine, called Evolve.