This award seeks to recognise those who have inspired countless children through innovative teaching methods, making learning fun and creating an enjoyable, warm and friendly environment in which to learn.
Tomorrow: Meet the finalists in the Neighbour of the Year category
Winners could include those teaching across all ages, including adult learning. They could have spent decades at the same school, offering stability and familiarity, or be a newcomer to the profession, bringing clever and engaging methods to the classroom.
Teachers can have a huge influence on the lives of those they teach, and this is an opportunity to honour their work.
Meet the three finalists:
Ben Silva
School: Victoria College Prep
Nominated by: Chris Daniels, Karen Bull, Claire Allan-Machan and Samantha Deeks
NOMINATORS: Karen Bull and Claire Allan-Machan
What was it about Ben that made you want to nominate him for a Pride of Jersey award?
‘Ben has a special ability to make all his lessons fun, even when not teaching PE.
‘When children are having fun during lessons they are more likely to learn!
‘There is not a day that goes by at VCP where Ben is not cheerfully organising a team, sports event or giving a boy a quick sporting tip in the corridor.
‘He is always pinning something new to the sports board, which is then teeming with enthusiastic boys finding out what the next sports event is on the calendar.
‘He is always giving with his time and in Friday morning briefings he is quick to commit to a huge array of clubs and activities for the boys; before school, lunch times and after school.
‘He even goes the extra mile by taking boys to weekend matches and tournaments in his own time, on and off the Island, leaving his wife, Katie and young daughter, Beth behind, so that the boys in his teams can gain the broadest sporting experience; often receiving little thanks or reward.
‘He always goes the extra mile with his job, takes an extra tactics session or training sessions, even scheduling before-school sessions with staff who have personal goals which he wants to show support for.
‘He really is one of the most enthusiastic teachers we have ever known and his commitment to both VCP and Island sport is one that we as his colleagues are proud of and Jersey should be proud of also.’
NOMINEE: Ben Silva
What would it mean to you to win a Pride of Jersey award?
‘It would be a tremendous honour to win this prestigious award and have the recognition that all the hard work and extra effort is appreciated by those I have worked with and taught.
‘However, we do not enter the profession to win awards for recognition or for money – teachers gain satisfaction through children enjoying their school life and hopefully creating a lifelong passion for their subject.
‘I am in a lovely position of seeing the impact I have had on children in the past through their continued involvement in both Island-level sport and recreational sport.
What does it mean to you to have been nominated for a Pride of Jersey award and to have received the backing of the public to reach the final three?
‘It is a great privilege to be nominated for a Pride of Jersey award along with so many deserving candidates.
‘The fact that people have taken the time to vote for me during the last few weeks shows that I have managed to have a positive influence on children during my teaching career in Jersey.
‘I am truly grateful that people have given up the time to cast a vote and am humbled that not only parents of pupils have nominated me, but also that fellow teachers felt compelled to nominate me.’
Annette Perkins
School: Jersey Academy of Dancing
Nominated by: Stephanie Marett
NOMINATOR: Stephanie Marett
What was it about Annette that made you want to nominate her for a Pride of Jersey Award?
‘Miss Perkins is Jersey’s very own Mary Poppins, and yes, I do believe in the fantasy world after seeing how this lady goes about life.
‘Her precision and attention to detail in anything she does is incredible.
‘Whether it be making a cup of tea or producing and choreographing top-class productions, the final products are impeccable.
‘Through the immense amount of pain her body has put her through, there is a smile – no one ever knows the struggles she faces every day.
What makes Annette different from other teachers?
‘Many are only involved in the life of their pupils for maybe just one year or in some cases a few years of the child’s life.
‘Miss Perkins teaches the girls and boys at Jersey Academy of Dancing sometimes up to 15 years.
‘This length of time cannot help but have an impact the students’ lives for years beyond Jersey Academy of Dancing.’
NOMINEE: Annette Perkins
What would it mean to you to win a Pride of Jersey Award?
‘I would be amazed and so honoured to be considered amongst so many brilliant teachers that have been nominated.
‘I have never been nominated for an award before, having worked for a hugely popular and successful boss for 57 years.
‘I have always been happy to stay in the wings, but it would special to receive the award.’
What does it mean to you to have been nominated for a Pride of Jersey award and to have received the backing of the public to reach the final three?
‘I discovered I had been nominated while I was in hospital after being taken ill while on holiday in the US.
‘My first reaction on receiving the news that I had been nominated was disbelief, as I have never had this kind of publicity before.
‘I have to admit that I was stunned that my nominator should have done this, but at the same time very embarrassed as I know that there are so many other teachers that deserve this award.
‘Now that I have recovered from the shock I am so delighted.
‘I feel very humble and have huge gratitude both to my nominator and to the many people who must have voted for me.
‘I am sure a large proportion of them will have been pupils, ex and present, also their parents.
‘My family and friends are just as overwhelmed and pleased for me as I am.
‘I have received huge support from everyone, including my work colleagues who all very kindly voted for me.
‘My close family are all very proud and pleased that I have had this recognition and honour.
Heidi Grimes
School: Beaulieu Convent (now at Le Rocquier)
Nominated by: Delphinie McCarthy
NOMINATOR: Delphinie McCarthy
What was it about Heidi that made you want to nominate her for a Pride of Jersey award?
‘Mrs Grimes is an exceptional teacher.
‘She has helped me reach my full potential in Home Economics.
‘She is committed to her students’ learning. She makes lessons informative, fun and interesting.
‘Mrs Grimes has also helped me to develop many skills throughout practical lessons.
What makes Heidi different from others?
‘Mrs Grimes is an exceptional teacher who is committed to her students.
‘She will be leaving Beaulieu Convent School to transfer to a different school and if she won Teacher of the Year this would be an excellent way to celebrate her teaching at Beaulieu Convent School.
NOMINEE: Heidi Grimes
What does it mean to you to have been nominated for a Pride of Jersey award and to have received the backing of the public to reach the final three?
‘It is really humbling to know that so many people have voted for me.
‘I have had the pleasure of working with many families over the years, not just their children, and many have become friends.
‘For me my lessons reach beyond the school and classroom situation.
‘The nomination is from a student at school, who I have worked with in both a class and one-to-one situation.
‘Every student has potential, and sometimes you have to help the student believe they have it.
‘This student is very similar to many and has lots of potential but very little belief.
‘We worked together to devise a plan and made it something we did together so it wasn’t as scary.
‘This is what I believe teaching to be about – empowerment and team work.
‘This nomination means I have been recognised not just for being a teacher who fills a head with facts and figures.
‘Although this does have a place in education, what it’s really about is teaching students how to learn, how to enjoy learning and making the journey fun.
‘This is something I strive to do and ensure every child is learning as best they can.
We sing, invent rhymes, have hand movements – whatever it takes to get the facts and figures not only learnt but available to be used in both practical lessons and examinations.’
COMPLETE Facilities managing director Martin Mundy said: ‘Every company should be putting something back into this wonderful Island. At Complete Facilities we have already provided enough hi-vis vests for every primary school child, and we are always looking for opportunities to improve this fantastic community in which we live.
‘I came to Jersey 33 years ago for a holiday and was offered an opportunity.
‘When I came and worked here, people made me feel important – they were like a family to me.
‘I realised that it is now time to give something back, and feel lot of people in Jersey need to be rewarded for what they do, and these awards are fantastic, because they give us all a chance to do exactly that.
‘We forged a link with all the primary schools last December when we decided to put something back into the community and provided hi-vis vests for all children.
‘We enjoyed the feedback we received, and we wanted to continue to build on that relationship with the schools.
‘I think we have the hardest category because there are so many good teachers in the Island. In terms of qualities, we will be looking for someone who has inspired others. They might have been involved not necessarily in just the one school, or indeed any school, and it may not necessarily be someone who has been a teacher for a long time. There are young teachers who have some great ideas, pushing the boundaries.
‘What we are looking for is someone who can make us think about what they have done differently.’
