They are the Oscars of education in the St Albans district - an annual celebration of all that is great about our schools.
Each year, only the district’s finest education establishments, staff and pupils are awarded a gold star in the Herts Advertiser School Awards.
This is your chance to celebrate your school’s hardworking and dedicated members of staff, highlight the achievements of the student body, shout about any innovative projects you have part taken in, and celebrate those unsung heroes without whom our schools would be poorer places.
The winners of this year’s awards will be revealed at a gala evening taking place at Oaklands College on June 22, which will see schools and sponsors come together to celebrate the continuous achievements of educational institutions in St Albans and Harpenden.
Categories for this year’s awards include Teacher of the Year (Primary and Secondary), Pupil of the Year, Sporting Achiever of the Year, School of the Year (Primary and Secondary), Innovation/Project of the Year, Special Recognition Award, Support Staff Member Award and Unsung Hero Award, and we will be focusing on each of these awards in the following weeks.
Unsung Hero Award - These are the volunteers, staff and students that go the extra mile and without whom our schools would simply struggle to cope and the experience for the young students would surely be the poorer. Last year’s award was won by Year 9 St Albans Girls’ School. These students managed to raise both awareness and £758.43 for the Young Minds charity as part of their citizenship foundation event. Through a non-uniform day and their bake sale their efforts assisted the UK’s leading charity committed to improving the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children.
The Special Recognition Award recognises students who have overcome adversary be it in the form of a learning difficulty or disability. The 2015 award went to Bessie Davies of Alban City School. In 2014 Bessie was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis (NF1), a genetic condition which results in the growth of benign tumours. By that November her ability to move around became so difficult that she needed a wheelchair nearly full time. She was praised for maintaining an exemplary attendance record at school during an 18-month course of chemotherapy, and was described as an inspiration to all those who know her.
The awards evening will be presented and broadcast as part of Radio Verulam’s The Parents Show, and chairman Nick Hazell said: “Radio Verulam is delighted to celebrate and recognise all the very special people in our schools, and considers it a privilege to be able to broadcast the awards ceremony live to their families and friends and all our listeners to enable them to participate in this wonderful event.”
Oaklands College principal Zoe Hancock said: “We are very proud to once again support the Herts Advertiser School Awards. It is a wonderful opportunity to recognise the hard work of teachers, staff and students in our local area who go the extra mile to achieve success. Schools play a vital role in our communities so it is important that we recognise their dedication and achievements.”
The deadline for nominations is Friday May 27 at 5pm. Click here for details on how to nominate.
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