A support worker who helps vulnerable children and a student who campaigns for greater awareness about mental health were among the amazing winners in the Herts Advertiser’s annual School Awards.

Herts Advertiser: The Herts Advertiser School Awards. Picture: ARCHANTThe Herts Advertiser School Awards. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Held every year, the event is designed to mark the role schools play in the community and reward the efforts of staff and young people who are making an outstanding contribution to education.

Once again this year showed the tireless efforts of dedicated individuals to give our young people the best start in life.

Teacher of the year prizes went to Catherine Abbott at Redbourn Junior School for her “inspiring belief in every child” and Hilary Moore for her “exciting teaching style and enthusiasm” at St Albans Girls’ School.

Redbourn Infant and Nursery scooped primary of the year for its “great links with the community” and “refreshing approach to education”, while St Albans Girls’ School also won secondary of the year and Monkey Puzzle took the prize for nursery of the year for being a “place of fun and learning”.

Herts Advertiser: The Herts Advertiser School Awards. Picture: ARCHANTThe Herts Advertiser School Awards. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

But it was not just teachers and education professionals winning awards.

St John Fisher’s Lottie McCallum won primary pupil of the year for leading fundraising campaigns and speaking in assemblies, while Benjamin Watkins won secondary pupil of the year for being a mental health champion at Sandringham School.

Dr Kathy Weston - host of Radio Verulam’s The Parent Show, who compered the event on Wednesday, June 28 at Oaklands College Smallford Campus - said: “Education and knowledge are essential to our way of life and through the School Awards, we hope to reward those people who are making a significant contribution within education and those who are excelling within the school environment.

“Congratulations to all of this evening’s finalists and winners – your achievement is well deserved.”

Herts Advertiser: The Herts Advertiser School Awards. Picture: ARCHANTThe Herts Advertiser School Awards. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Nina Morgan, editor of the Herts Advertiser, said: “A good education is so important to our young people and the wider community - after all, they are our future.

“There are so many examples of fantastic work in our schools, whether it be inspiring students or teachers who leave a lasting impression. We hope these awards shine a light on the dedicated and exceptional work they do.”

Herts Advertiser: The Herts Advertiser School Awards. Picture: ARCHANTThe Herts Advertiser School Awards. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: The Herts Advertiser School Awards. Picture: ARCHANTThe Herts Advertiser School Awards. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: The Herts Advertiser School Awards. Picture: ARCHANTThe Herts Advertiser School Awards. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: The Herts Advertiser School Awards. Picture: ARCHANTThe Herts Advertiser School Awards. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: The Herts Advertiser School Awards. Picture: ARCHANTThe Herts Advertiser School Awards. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: The Herts Advertiser School Awards. Picture: ARCHANTThe Herts Advertiser School Awards. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: The Herts Advertiser School Awards. Picture: ARCHANTThe Herts Advertiser School Awards. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: The Herts Advertiser School Awards. Picture: ARCHANTThe Herts Advertiser School Awards. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: The Herts Advertiser School Awards. Picture: ARCHANTThe Herts Advertiser School Awards. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: The Herts Advertiser School Awards. Picture: ARCHANTThe Herts Advertiser School Awards. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: The Herts Advertiser School Awards. Picture: ARCHANTThe Herts Advertiser School Awards. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: The Herts Advertiser School Awards. Picture: ARCHANTThe Herts Advertiser School Awards. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: The Herts Advertiser School Awards. Picture: ARCHANTThe Herts Advertiser School Awards. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: The Herts Advertiser School Awards. Picture: ARCHANTThe Herts Advertiser School Awards. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: The Herts Advertiser School Awards. Picture: ARCHANTThe Herts Advertiser School Awards. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: The Herts Advertiser School Awards. Picture: ARCHANTThe Herts Advertiser School Awards. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: The Herts Advertiser School Awards. Picture: ARCHANTThe Herts Advertiser School Awards. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: The Herts Advertiser School Awards. Picture: ARCHANTThe Herts Advertiser School Awards. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: The Herts Advertiser School Awards. Picture: ARCHANTThe Herts Advertiser School Awards. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: The Herts Advertiser School Awards. Picture: ARCHANTThe Herts Advertiser School Awards. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)