THE winners in the second annual Daily Echo School Awards were announced at a glittering ceremony at Bournemouth's Talbot Heath School last night.

Hundreds of people gathered to celebrate the incredible work going on in schools across the area and to mark the achievements of the winners in each of 11 categories.

Three shortlisted nominees in each category, along with their guest and supporters, attended the event, which included a gala dinner and awards ceremony.

Tom Holbrook-Jones of Ferndown Upper School was nominated in the ‘art/creative teacher of the year’ category.

He said: “It’s strange to be nominated for something that I love doing.

“I’ve been a teacher for 10 years and I just feel lucky to be able to do something that I truly love.”

Sinead Symons of Talbot Heath claimed the ‘newcomer of the year’ award.

Ms Symons, who joined as an NQT in classics and Latin last year, said: “I’m honoured to be nominated.

“I really enjoy the challenge of teaching. There’s always something to make you smile.”

Andy Elliott, nominated in the ‘PE teacher of the award’ category, said: “I’m very excited to have been nominated.

“I genuinely didn’t expect it.”

Mr Elliott, who has been teaching for 15 years, said there are many things to love about being a teacher.

“I work with a lot of people in the sixth form, and having the opportunity to see students develop over the years is just wonderful,” he said.

Welcoming those who attended the evening, Vincent Boni, managing director of Newsquest Hampshire, Dorset, Salisbury and Cornwall, told visitors: “This evening is about you.

“You are wonderful people. You know that already. You don’t do it for money.

“You are doing a proper job.”

There were cheers and applause as the winners were announced by Daily Echo editor and news editor Andy Martin.

The winners are:

NURSERY/PRIMARY TEACHER OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY LIME TREE COMMUNICATIONS) DANIEL BREEZE, MUSCLIFF PRIMARY SCHOOL

Daniel is a teacher at Muscliff Primary school. He was nominated by pupils’ parents, Claire Hoskins and Sam Taverner.

“Mr Breeze ensures children have a happy school life. My daughter struggles to go to school due to anxiety but he has been a rock, not just to the pupils, but to us as parents too. In Chloe’s words ‘Mr Breeze is a lovely, kind teacher who makes a hard day easier’. He is hard working, committed and dedicated.”

“Daniel goes that extra mile in making each child an individual. He sees my daughter for the clever, bright girl she is and her dyslexia as a learning style not an obstacle.”

MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY BEST TRAINING) ALSION SHIVAS, LOCKYER’S MIDDLE SCHOOL

Alison is a teacher at Lockyer’s Middle School and was nominated by a parent. She said: “Last year Mrs Shivas was seriously injured in a road traffic accident and during her time away from school her absence was keenly felt.

“Mrs Shivas is a force of nature who teaches valuable life skills with humour, direction and a smile on her face.

“My son has always been a quiet character at school and yet in the last four years his confidence and self esteem has developed through finding a teacher who encourages him. “Food tech and textiles lessons allow pupils to shine.”

SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHER OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY SCHOOL BUSINESS SERVICES) KIRSTY GAMMACK, CORFE HILLS SCHOOL

Kirsty is a Psychology and Sociology teacher at Corfe Hills School. She was nominated by numerous students.

"Miss Gammack always takes time to go through work in fine detail to ensure everyone knows what they are learning. She's a bubbly character, a fantastic teacher and passionate - she carries on teaching even after school hours to help others. 

"Miss Gammack organises amazing events and works so hard. She helps each individual - going above and beyond.

"She is a brilliant mentor loved by students and staff alike."

"She teaches with a passion that comes from the heart. She'll never give up on her students, she's always smiling, and will listen to any concerns. She isn't just my teacher she's my role model."

PE TEACHER OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY SOUTH COAST WINDOWS) MARTIN COOK, VICTORIA EDUCATION CENTRE

Martin is a senior physical activity assistant at Victoria Education Centre, for children with special needs. He was nominated by colleagues who said: “He is respected and loved by staff and students alike for his unerring sense of fun and his passion to see that every child is included in whatever is going on.

“He has fostered relationships with outside agencies to enhance and expand the experiences of the students.

“He is the fun behind our hectic and mad sports day. The students all love him, as do the staff, and we are all wondering what he’ll manage to organise next.”

STEM TEACHER OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY BOURNEMOUTH AND POOLE COLLEGE) HANNAH DEVONSHIRE, CARTER COMMUNITY SCHOOL

Hannah is a teacher at Carter Community School in Poole and received several nominations.

Colleagues said: “Hannah uses creativity within her classroom to engage students and has built strong relationships with her pupils. “Hannah has also been at the heart of organising events which introduce students at Carter to careers within STEM subjects.

“Hannah deserves to be recognised for the incredible effort she invests into the students. She inspires the students and her colleagues to be the best that they can be.

“Hannah has developed into an exceptional classroom teacher. She is a dedicated professional.

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY WESTOVER JEEP) SINEAD SYMONS, TALBOT HEATH SCHOOL

Miss Symons is a teacher at Talbot Heath School. She joined in 2016 as an NQT, as a teacher of classics and Latin. She was nominated by head teacher Angharad Holloway.

“Owing to the sudden sick leave of her Head of Department, Sinead found herself taking on the role, running all aspects of the department in her first year of teaching.

“Her passion for the subject and her outstanding teaching, meant that she came through the year with flying colours.

“She is young, trendy, highly professional and knowledgeable and has proven that she is incredibly resilient and resourceful. Pupils love her lessons.”

SUPPORTING STAFF MEMBER OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY BAGGETTE & COMPANY) KERRY CUTLER, ST LUKE’S PRIMARY SCHOOL

Kerry works at St Luke’s Primary School and was nominated by several parents. They said: “I have always thought her vital role is not acknowledged as it should be. “Miss Cutler is a real star and our gratitude is immense.

“Miss Cutler gave support to our daughter - a young carer - providing a caring, safe, nurturing and supportive environment. “Miss Cutler is one in a million. Her kindness, sympathetic and friendly approach has made a significant difference to numerous families.

“If Kerry doesn’t know the answer, she makes it her mission to find out.”

ART/CREATIVE TEAM MEMBER OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY BOURNEMOUTH COSTAL BID) HOLLY HAMILTON, BISHOP ALDHELM’S COE VA PRIMARY SCHOOL

Holly is a full time teacher at Bishop Aldhelm’s CoE VA Primary School. She was nominated by Chair of Governors Heidi Moxam.

“Holly joined two years ago as a SCITT student, teaching Year 4. She is an accomplished singer and has embraced the music and art portfolio since she started.

“She has built up a school choir from scratch, enabling the pupils to broaden their horizons by involving them in local concerts and the Royal Albert Hall. It gives the pupils a real sense of achievement. She has a passion for her art and this is demonstrated to the children who have the upmost respect for her. Holly is a conscientious young women who goes that extra mile.”

TEACHING ASSISTANT OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY GOADSBY) NICKY BELBIN, SOMERFORD PRIMARY SCHOOL

Nicky works at Somerford Primary School and has been nominated by a parent. He said: “Nicky is one of those simply brilliant people of the world.

“Our son suffers from ADHD and Autism. He can be an incredibly difficult child to manage and to teach, yet Nicky always greets him every day with a warm smile.

“She does an amazing job with him and we feel privileged as parents to have had her help our son every day at this critical stage of his development. “She has taken so much time and care to learn his peculiar ways and his triggers. She is incredibly dedicated to her job.”

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD (SPONSORED BY BLUE SKY FINANCIAL PLANNING) SUZANNE STODDARD, BOURNEMOUTH COLLEGIATE SCHOOL

Suzanne is a mathematics teacher and Head of Department at Bournemouth Collegiate School. She was nominated by assistant head, Stephen Pumphrey.

“She has demonstrated a life long record of achievement to the teaching of mathematics and has been an inspiration Head of Department. She works tirelessly for her students and is never satisfied with anything that is second best.

“Outstanding exam results over the years have been testament to her commitment to excellence and she achieves one of the highest VA scores at the school.

“Suzanne leads her department by example and her colleagues hold her in the highest regard. She is highly knowledgeable, organised and supportive of staff and students.”

LEADERSHIP AWARD (SPONSORED BY SHOREFIELD HOLIDAYS LTD) DARRYL WALSH, SYLVAN INFANT SCHOOL

Darryl is head at Sylvan Infant School. He was nominated by parents and colleagues. They said: “Mr Walsh is approachable, knowledgeable and is caring and considerate.

“He comes up with new ideas and Sylvan is constantly evolving. Recently we went through a difficult situation and Mr Walsh was caring and supportive.

“It is clear that he loves his job and his school. We feel Mr Walsh is the best head teacher in Dorset and should be commended for his passion and focus. “He always puts the children first and is easy to talk to, down to earth and happy to help where possible.”