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.
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.
Read about the nominees for Teacher of the Year 2015 here:
Name: Annette Perkins
School: Jersey Academy of Dance
Parish: St Helier
Nominated by: Stephanie Marett
A DANCE instructor who has been teaching for 57 years is in the running for the Pride of Jersey Teacher of the Year Award.
Annette Perkins, who teaches at the Jersey Academy of Dancing, worked in partnership with Miss Guy until the latter’s recent retirement, but is now working alongside the new principal, Laura Reynolds.
Stephanie Marett, who nominated Miss Perkins, said that the dance teacher spent endless hours in the studio and in her own time to guide, support and nurture a ‘passion for dance in all of us budding ballerinas’.
For the past 50 years Miss Perkins has also been an active and respected member of the Jersey Green Room Club.
She has choreographed many pantomimes, and her talents are due to be showcased at the Battle of Flowers.
Miss Perkins is a highly respected teacher of dance throughout the Island and at the Jersey Academy of Dancing, Stephanie said.
‘We owe so much to this lady. It is now her time to shine and curtsey centre stage and to receive the recognition that she so richly deserves,’ she added.
Name: Robert D’Orleans
School: Grainville School
Parish: St Ouen
Nominated by: Alex Hilton
A SUPPORTIVE teacher who helps students through school and beyond has been nominated for the Teacher of the Year.
Robert D’Orleans works in the Communications Centre at Grainville School, which supports young people who are on the autistic spectrum.
Alex Hilton, who nominated Mr D’Orleans, says that he has had the ‘privilege’ of knowing him for the past 12 years.
‘I wouldn’t have been able to cope without his support and guidance, in and out of school, throughout my secondary school life,’ Mr Hilton said.
He added that Mr D’Orleans had been there for him even though he had had his own health issues, helping him in his everyday school life and encouraging him to get involved in out-of-school activities.
Mr Hilton said that Mr D’Orleans’ constant support of him and other students had inspired him to participate in the Jersey Youth Inclusion Project.
‘I have had the privilege and honour to have worked alongside him over the past five years as a youth worker at the Youth Inclusion Project, which I am proud of doing,’ he said.
Name: Heidi Grimes
School: Le Rocquier School
Parish: St Helier
Nominated by: Delphinie McCarthy
AN ‘EXCEPTIONAL’ teacher who is ‘passionate’ about her job is in the running for a Pride of Jersey Award.
Heidi Grimes worked at Beaulieu Convent School for eight years, teaching pupils from years three to 13 and mentoring students in years 10 and 11.
She starts at Le Rocquier School in September as the new assistant head.
Delphinie McCarthy, who nominated Mrs Grimes, said that her lessons were always fun and were extremely instructive.
‘She is passionate about her students achieving their best and will be greatly missed,’ she said.
Mrs Grimes has taught pupils of all ages, whether it be cooking with pupils in primary school or giving health and social lessons to students in secondary school.
She teaches her students using song and acronyms to make her lessons more fun and to make the information easier for students to retain.
Miss McCarthy said that Mrs Grimes deserved the award for helping students to achieve their goals.
‘She has inspired me and other classmates to reach our full potential,’ she added.
Name: Dr Dominic Omissi
Parish: St Saviour
School: Hautlieu School
Nominated by: Dr Omissi’s last form group
A TEACHER who ‘helped to make A-levels bearable’ is in the running for the Teacher of the Year Award.
Dr Dominic Omissi is ‘an insightful, funny and wise teacher who knows how to gain his students’ respect’, according to his nominators.
His last form group say he has provided a wonderful and entertaining learning experience for his students at Hautlieu School as a form tutor and as an English language teacher.
He gives sound life advice to his students as well as educating them when he is teaching the course.
‘His lessons are always interesting and thought-provoking,’ they say,’ they added.
‘He is always busy, due to his considerable amount of responsibilities within the school, but he would always make himself available to give advice or help whenever we needed it.’
Dr Omissi’s nominators says he is a credit to Hautlieu and deserves recognition for the exceptional teaching and hard work he puts in.
Name: Lucia O’Connor
Parish: St Lawrence
Nominated by: Grace Cathcart
A RIDING instructor who works extra hard to teach youngsters to ride is in the running for the Teacher of the Year award.
Lucia O’Connor inspires people to work hard and be the best rider that they can be.
Grace Cathcart (10) has nominated Mrs O’Connor, saying that she works really hard to help her and others to ride their ponies.
‘She comes to every show with me, which means getting up really early at the weekends, even though she has a job in the week,’ said Grace.
‘She is there for all the children she teaches and supports them when they enter competitions or perform shows.
‘Mrs O’Connor is the best teacher I could have asked for.
‘She teaches in all sorts of weather from sun to rain and encourages everyone to enjoy themselves. She is a great role model.’
Name: Hannah Le Couilliard
School: Mont à l’Abbé School
Nominated by: Cirsty de Gruchy-Wilson
A ‘DEDICATED and caring’ special needs teacher has been put forward for the Pride of Jersey Awards in recognition of the support she has given her pupils and their parents.
Mont à l’Abbé teacher Hannah Le Couilliard has been nominated for the Best Teacher Award by parent Cirsty de Gruchy-Wilson.
Ms de Gruchy-Wilson described Ms Le Couilliard and her team as ‘incredible teachers and support staff – the best a family could ask for’.
‘They all go above and beyond the call of duty and are in constant contact with us in order that the school and home can work together to ensure that our children get the best possible alternative curriculum,’ she added.
‘Hannah is such a caring person and always stops for a chat at the end of the school day, taking a real interest in our lives.
‘When you have a young child with complex needs, it means the world to you to have a support network who want to help and support you to see your child thrive.
She added: ‘My son Harry adores Hannah. Under her guidance he has flourished and developed.
‘Hannah has made such a difference in our lives in the short time she has been involved in Harry’s education and she deserves recognition for all her hard work.’
Name: Kayleigh Rive
School: Beaulieu Convent
Nominated by: Karen Evans
A MATHS teacher ‘who goes above and beyond the call of duty to help her students achieve success’ has been nominated for the Pride of Jersey Awards.
Beaulieu’s Kayleigh Rive has been put forward for the award for Teacher of the Year by parent Karen Evans.
Ms Evans said that Ms Rive had been ‘an enormous help’ in preparing her daughter Elizabeth for her GCSE exam.
‘Elizabeth has found maths difficult, but Kayleigh’s enthusiasm and creative teaching methods have helped her to get through year 11,’ she said.
‘When students ask for explanation of a problem, some teachers just repeat how they say it, but Kayleigh thinks of different ways of explaining the situation to make it easier to understand and more interesting.’
Ms Evans added: ‘She was willing to go above and beyond the call of duty and provide extra assistance not only with Elizabeth’s maths, but also giving her advice on taking her exams and dealing with the stress of revising.
‘I really cannot praise Kayleigh high enough.’
Name: Adrian Goldsborough
College: Highlands
Nominated by: Cambridge Jacklin and friends
A HIGHLANDS College culinary arts teacher who is ‘a great ambassador for the Island and a true gentleman’ has been put forward in the Best Teacher category at the Pride of Jersey Awards.
Adrian Goldsborough, who has taught at the college for four years and previously worked at some of the Island’s most acclaimed restaurants, including Sumas, Bohemia and Longueville Manor, has been nominated for the award by his pupils and colleagues.
Former pupil Cambridge Jacklin described the 35-year-old as having ‘a kind, patient, caring attitude and extensive knowledge’.
She added: ‘Adrian taught me culinary arts and I can honestly say I wouldn’t be where I am now without his guidance. He definitely deserves this award.’
Edna Heavey described Mr Goldsborough as ‘dedicated, hard-working, an all-round nice fellow and a great ambassador for the Island’.
And Martin Glynn said: ‘Adrian deserves this award because he works very hard with his students as a professional and as a confidant. He has worked through the ranks to get where he is and he is a true gentleman.’
Name: Sue Le Gallais
School: Helvetia
Nominated by: Peter Field
A FATHER has nominated his disabled daughter’s teacher for the Pride of Jersey Awards in recognition of the care and support she has given to the family.
Helvetia reception class teacher Sue Le Gallais has been put forward in the Best Teacher category by Peter Field.
Mr Field, whose daughter Sophia is the only child in the Island to have Achondrophasia Dwarfism, praised Mrs Le Gallais for her care and understanding and for reducing the ‘extreme strain and stress’ for the family.
He said: ‘Mrs Le Gallias and her team have managed all the additional requirements without fuss and ensure that Sofia has had full inclusion while not dwelling on her disability.
‘She has also ensured that all our concerns and worries are fully addressed.
‘Without Mrs Le Gallais and the school’s ongoing support, life for our family would have been very different from what it is, and for that I can’t thank her enough.’
Name: Ben Silva
School: Victoria College Prep
Nominated by: Karen Bull, Claire Allan-Machan and Samanatha Deeks
A ‘DEDICATED and passionate’ sports teacher who is a great role model for his students has been nominated for the Pride of Jersey Awards.
Ben Silva, head of sport at Victoria College Prep, has been nominated in the Teacher of the Year category by a parent of one of his pupils andby two of his colleagues.
The 37-year-old, who has taught at the school for 11 years, has lead VCP teams to success in several local and regional tournaments, and recently competed in the NatWest Island Games as part of Jersey’s athletics team.
Chris Daniels, whose son George is taught by Mr Silva, said: ‘Ben’s enthusiasm and passion for all sports are infectious and his continuing involvement with Island sport at the highest level make him a great role model and ambassador.
‘Ben always has a smile on his face and is extremely approachable and happy to help.’
Colleagues Karen Bull and Claire Allan-Machan said: ‘Ben is an inspiration for boys to look up to, and over the years Jersey sport has benefited hugely from the wholesome start that many youngsters have been give by Ben.’
They added: ‘His witty yet nurturing approach as a sports teacher encourages those nervous pupils to have a go while still coaching and inspiring those boys who want to become better sportsmen.’
Name: Katrina Simon
School: Bel Royal
Nominated by: Fiona McHugh
A PARENT has nominated a Bel Royal teacher for the Pride of Jersey Awards to thank her for ‘turning her daughter’s life around’ and making her feel excited about school again.
Fiona McHugh has put forward year six teacher Katrina Simon for the Best Teacher Award.
Describing Miss Simon, Ms McHugh said she ‘couldn’t adequately describe how amazing she really is’.
‘Miss Simon turned my daughter Abby’s life around when she became her teacher in year five, and she has continued her journey to year six,’ she said.
‘Miss Simon changed Abby’s life. She used to dread going to school and would cry herself to sleep at night.
‘Now Abby does her homework in advance and has a feeling of excitement about what will be happening that day at school.
‘I want to say a big thank you, as Abby’s asthma has improved, her absences from school have been dramatically reduced and she is so content.’
Ms McHugh added: ‘Miss Simon treats all the children in her class fairly and with great respect.
‘She nurtures their talents.
‘She has gained the trust of all the class and is able to resolve their issues without making them feel inadequate.’
Name: Suzanne Burke
School: FCJ Primary School
Nominated by: Samantha Deeks and 30 others
A TEACHER who is ‘one in a million’ has been put forward for the Pride of Jersey Awards in recognition of her tireless work supporting students and their parents.
FCJ reception teacher Suzanne Burke has been nominated for the Best Teacher Award by several parents, grandparents and past pupils.
Samanatha Deeks described the teacher as having a wonderful way with the children.
‘Mrs Burke has made all the reception class a very happy and educational one,’ she added.
‘Even in the school holidays, my daughter talks about her and tells me she can’t wait to go back to school.
‘Mrs Burke is a real credit to the school and a most deserving Teacher of the Year.’
Fellow parent Louise Miller said: ‘She is the most wonderfully kind teacher yet she has an authority that the children respect.’
Julie Murray added: ‘No matter how busy she is, she always has time to talk to parents to help allay concerns they may have, or to help a child who is struggling,’ she said.
‘Mrs Burke really is one in a million and I look forward to my children’s education continuing under her guidance.’
Name: Kate Blackhall
School: Hautlieu
Nominated by: Lani Tappenden
A STUDENT whose English grade rose from an E to an A has put forward the ‘inspiring’ teacher, Kate Blackhall, who helped her achieve her success, for the Teacher of the Year award.
Lani Tappenden (18), who was taught by the 34-year-old English teacher for three years, says she does not think she would have achieved her grade if it had not been for the dedication and support of Miss Blackhall.
‘Before Miss Blackhall joined my grade fell from a B to an E,’ said Lani.
‘My grade was then brought up through Miss Blackhall’s dedication and one-to-one sessions to a grade A in my final GCSE exam.
‘She truly cares about every student that she teaches, as she will always go out of her way to help and provide support.’
Lani added: ‘I believe that Miss Blackhall sees teaching as more than just a job.
‘She will always believe in her students to achieve as well as being very understanding and kind.
‘She has been an amazing teacher for me over the last three years and she deserves recognition.
‘Without her help and support, I do not think I would be where I am now.’
Name: Sue Queree
School: Beaulieu Convent
Nominated by: Susie de Carteret and Arabella Knight
AN ‘ABSOLUTELY outstanding’ teacher who ‘goes the extra mile’ for her students is in the running for a Best Teacher Award.
Year 6 Beaulieu Convent School teacher Sue Queree (55) has been put forward by 11-year-old Arabella Knight and Susie de Carteret, the mother of Arabella’s classmate Emily-Rose de Carteret.
Mrs de Carteret said: ‘My daughter Emily-Rose has been taught by Miss Queree for three years and she and her year group have had the happiest primary school years possible as a result.
‘She is amazing in the way she engages her class, pushing them to do great work with often very difficult subject matter.
‘She has a very calming influence and she is very open-minded and she really goes the extra mile for everyone in her class.
Mrs de Carteret added: ‘She is incredibly modest and avoids accolades at all cost but she really deserves this because she really stands out as an absolutely outstanding teacher.’
Year 6 student Arabella said: ‘Miss Queree deserves this award because she is caring, explains things well and understands each and every individual child.’
Name: Anna Gillham
School: Grands Vaux
Nominated by: Tracey Russell and 14 others
AN ‘outstanding’ teacher with a ‘fountain of knowledge’ and the ‘patience of a saint’ has been nominated by 15 different people in the Best Teacher category in this year’s Pride of Jersey Awards.
Grands Vaux Year 4 teacher Anna Gillham, who is leaving the school at the end of the year, has been put forward by a combination of parents, pupils and colleagues.
Parent Tracey Russell said: ‘She is inspirational, patient, instinctive, level-headed, knowledgeable and excellent at challenging the children beyond what they think their levels are.
‘If every school and every teacher was like Miss Gillham our children would want for nothing they would be so well educated.’
Paul McClemens added: ‘She is a truly exemplary teacher, a person that cares about not where her children are from or how much money they have but the talents and needs of all.’
Nine-year-old William Rawnsley-Gurd called her the ‘best teacher ever’.
‘Miss Gillham makes learning fun and interesting and takes us on great field trips,’ he said.
‘She is always happy and smiling.
‘I will miss her and never forget her.’
Name: Heidi Stevenson
School: Beaulieu Convent
Nominated By: Nicholas Crocker
AN ‘exemplary and highly esteemed’ history teacher has been put forward in this year’s Pride of Jersey awards in recognition of her leadership and enthusiastic attitude to learning.
Heidi Stevenson, the head of year 11 at Beaulieu Convent School, has been nominated in the Teacher of the Year category by Nicholas Crocker, a parent of one of her pupils.
Mr Crocker said: ‘Mrs Stevenson is a fully professional teacher who has found her true vocation.
‘There is an admirable method and discipline in her teaching, in the material she provides for her pupils and the work she requires from them.
‘Her lessons are demonstrations of enthusiasm for her subject – anyone fortunate to be taught by her is in excellent hands.’
Mr Crocker added: ‘She expresses her authority with decisiveness, clarity and fairness, simply for the good of the school and its pupils, and she is quite rightly a senior member of staff.
‘Given all her other qualities, her authority comes naturally to her, as one who is to be entirely trusted.
‘Pupils can tell the quality of their teachers, and she is very highly esteemed by those she teaches.
‘Heidi Stevenson is exemplary.’
Name: Nicola Hay
School: Bel Royal Nursery
Nominated by: Sharon Bull
A ‘DEDICATED and inspirational teacher who is the pride and joy of Bel Royal Nursery’ has been nominated for the Best Teacher Award at this year’s Pride of Jersey Awards.
Nicola Hay, who has taught at six Island schools in a career spanning more than 30 years, has been put forward by Sharon Bull, a parent of one of her Bel Royal Nursery pupils.
Mrs Bull, the mother of four-year-old Elouise, praised Mrs Hay for having ‘the perfect balance of teaching and caring’.
‘She has a kind nature that welcomes the children into nursery and makes it feel like home,’ she said.
‘And she has earned every child’s respect and they all love to learn in her presence.
‘Mrs Hay takes a personal interest in every child, caring what they have been up to at the weekend or on holiday.
‘The children happily get muddy and play with worms, have a tea party, go on outings and bake goodies, but equally the are nurtured in their educational learning and preparation for school.’
Summing up, the 56-year-old, Mrs Bull said: ‘Dedicated, inspirational, delicate and respected, she is the pride and joy of Bel Royal Nursery.’
Name: Laura Hill
School: St Mary
Nominated by: Fiona Mclaren
AN eight-year-old St Mary’s School pupil has nominated ‘the best teacher in the universe’, Laura Hill, to be honoured at the Pride of Jersey awards.
Year 4 pupil Poppy McLaren has put forward Miss Hill to become the Teacher of the Year. Poppy’s mother, Fiona McLaren, said: ‘When Poppy heard about this award she said: “Miss Hill has to win this, she is the best teacher in the universe!”.
‘The words she used are spot-on and I can’t agree with her more. Miss Hill’s style of teaching is beyond compare and all the children love her.
‘She has brought the best out of them all.’
Fiona McLaren added: ‘Her enthusiasm with the children is just brilliant.
‘She has made a massive impact.
‘All the children are finding it fun to go to school and they are achieving great things with her.
‘Miss Hill also takes netball sessions after school, and I know Poppy and lots of the other girls love them.
‘She is a credit to the school – no one deserves the award more than she does.’
Name: Pam Pitman
School: Grouville
Nominated by: Jonathan Mews
A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD Grouville School pupil has nominated his ‘inspiring’ and ‘enthusiastic’ head teacher, Pam Pitman, to be honoured at the Pride of Jersey Awards.
Year 2 student Jonathan Mews has put forward Mrs Pitman, who is retiring at the end of the year, to become the JEP’s first Teacher of the Year.
His mum, Naomi, said: ‘Jonathan and I were having a chat about his teachers and he said he really wanted to nominate Mrs Pitman for the award.
‘She has over 400 children in her school and she knows all of them personally, which is really quite outstanding.
‘She is very approachable and always has an open door for parents who want to raise any ideas.’
Mrs Mews added: ‘Mrs Pitman is an inspiring head teacher and her infectious enthusiasm for learning and positive endorsement of achievements has built a happy and thriving school community.
‘She has led changes to the English and Maths teaching programmes which have been adopted by other Island schools.
‘She is never too busy and never without a smile on her face, and I think she deserves this recognition before her retirement in December as a huge thank-you from all her pupils, fellow teachers, parents and support staff.’
Name: Nadia Guglieri
School: Les Landes
Nominated by: Francine Oxenden
AN ‘inspirational’ teacher has been put forward in this year’s Pride of Jersey awards in recognition of her tireless work helping students, staff and parents.
Nadia Guglieri, a Year 2 teacher at Les Landes Primary School, has been nominated in the Teacher of the Year category by a parent of one of her pupils.
Francine Oxenden said that she ‘jumped’ at the opportunity to nominate Ms Guglieri, who teaches her six-year-old son, Finley.
‘I can’t tell you how fabulous she is,’ Mrs Oxenden said.
‘Nadia is such a nice person and the children all love her.
‘She is always friendly, positive and inspiring – she is that teacher that will always be remembered for how encouraging she is and how good she makes the children, parents and others feel.’
Mrs Oxenden added: ‘My son has just been diagnosed with ADHD and she’s been absolutely amazing throughout all of it.
‘This year has been full of extra work for Nadia, as she has provided so much extra support for my son.
‘She also trains and supports newly qualified teachers and experienced teachers, as well as ensuring that the variability of all students’ needs have been met, which really shone through on the school’s open day.’
Name: Janet Willis
School: St Peter
Nominated by: Angela Betts, Tracy Simpson, Ellen Toner, Gillian McGuigan, Harvey Murtagh
A ‘PASSIONATE’ teacher who ‘goes beyond the call of duty’ has been nominated by five different people for the Best Teacher Award at this year’s Pride of Jersey Awards.
Janet Willis, who teaches Year 6 pupils at St Peter’s Primary School, has been put forward by parents Ellen Toner, Tracy Simpson, Angela Betts, Gillian McGuigan and pupil Harvey Murtagh.
Mrs McGuigan spoke of Mrs Willis’s engaging teaching methods and her ‘willingness to devote endless time to the children’.
‘She is extremely caring and supportive, not only of the children, but also of the families of the children,’ she said.
‘There are too many examples of her amazing ways of teaching to mention but she manages to make every subject interesting and inspires the children to do well.’
Meanwhile, Mrs Betts described Mrs Willis as ‘very inspirational’ and a ‘total joy to be around’, while Mrs Simpson described her as ‘going above and beyond what was expected’ out of school hours.
Harvey Murtagh (11) said: ‘I think Mrs Willis deserves this due to the fact that she is a hard-working teacher who never wastes time.
‘She is very dedicated to get the best out of all of us, no matter what our ability.’
Meet the award sponsor:
COMPLETE Facilities has come about after a number of local companies amalgamated to form a ‘one-stop shop’ for services.
From carpet cleaning to dry cleaning, electricians to plumbing, Complete Facilities is new on the scene but already making a big impact in Jersey.
And although the company has only been operating for a short period – even though those companies which have joined forces are well-established local institutions – managing director Martin Mundy is very keen to get involved in the community straight away.
‘Every company should be putting something back into this wonderful island,’ he said. ‘At Complete Facilities we have already provided enough high-vis vests for every primary school child and we are continually looking for opportunities where we can improve this fantastic community in which we live.’
WHY THESE AWARDS?
‘I came to Jersey 33 years ago for holiday and was offered an opportunity. I feel that when I came and worked here the Island 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. Therefore, I think the awards are fantastic for the Island as it gives us all a chance to do exactly that.’
WHY THIS CATEGORY?
‘We have a link to all of the primary schools in Jersey after last December when we decided to put something back into the community and provided high-vis vests for all children. This was something we wanted to do and we have enjoyed the feedback we have received so wanted to continue to build upon that relationship with schools in Jersey.’
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR IN THE WINNER?
‘As far as I am concerned, I think that we have got 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, and it may not necessarily be someone who has been a teacher for a long time. There here are some young teacher who have got some great ideas, pushing the boundaries. What I’ll be looking for is someone who can obviously make me think about what they have done differently
‘It is also worth pointing out that it could be teachers of any age group and from various different walks of life.’
THE Jersey Evening Post has created the Pride of Jersey awards to recognise and honour all aspects of community life in the Island.
Celebrating everyone from grandparents and neighbours to community champions and teachers, the awards’ aim is to mark some of the wonderful day-to-day activities and achievements of Islanders who help make Jersey such a special place to live.
And in order to keep the community at the heart of the awards, Islanders will be asked to nominate potential winners and be involved in the voting and judging, via the newspaper and online.
The categories for the awards are
- Ambassador of the Year
- Volunteer/Fundraiser of the Year
- Grandparent(s) of the Year
- Community Champion(s) of the Year
- Environmentalist(s) of the Year
- Jersey Angel of the Year
- Teacher of the Year
- Unsung Sporting Hero of the Year
- Customer Service Employee of the Year
- Young Star of the Year
- Neighbour of the Year
- and Inspirational Leader of the Year.[/breakout]
