Teacher cried with joy at pupils’ award
ASECONDARY school teacher from Rhondda Cynon Taf voted best in Wales by his pupils said he broke down in tears when he heard they nominated him,
David Church, head of religious studies at Mountain Ash Comprehensive School won the new Pupil (or Pupils’) Award for Best Teacher at the fourth annual Professional Teaching Awards Cymru.
He was nominated by his pupils for being not only a great teacher, but a role model and a friend.
Judges at the ceremony, held online on November 29, thanks to Covid, were impressed with comments from his pupils, who said in their nomination that Mr Church does everything in his power to help them succeed.
Accepting the award, he said, “I am extremely honoured and humbled to have received multiple nominations from my pupils for this award and when I found out I was a finalist, I cried with joy.
“I am very blessed to have so many wonderful past and present pupils, colleagues and more who have played a significant part in my success, and I will be grateful to them always.”
He was among nine teachers and education staff honoured at the awards.
The pandemic meant it had to be a virtual ceremony with 26 finalists and their schools, family and friends all tuning in to watch.
Victoria Carey, from Mary Immaculate High School in Cardiff, won the award for Teacher of the Year in a Secondary School.
Judge were impressed by her commitment and said her impact on young people’s success was outstanding.
Accepting the award she said, “I feel incredibly honoured to have won as it not only recognises my efforts as a teacher, but the efforts of all the teachers, advisors, colleagues and so many others who have helped me to develop my practice and thrive in my role.
“This nomination is as much for them as it is for me, as without them I would not be where I am today,” she said.
Announcing the winners Education Minister Kirsty Williams also revealed the winner of the Welsh Government Special Recognition Award – every single person in education including teachers, school staff and all of the learners.
The award was open to anyone working in education, in whatever capacity, but after the challenges of working in the pandemic this year the Welsh Government decided it should go to everyone .
The full list of winners:
Teacher of the Year in a Primary school – new for 2020
Stacey Harris – Coed Eva Primary School, Cwmbran
■ Outstanding New Teacher
■ Hannah Lewis – Troedyrhiw Primary School, Merthyr Tydfil
Inspirational Use of the Welsh Language
■ Dyfed Williams – Ysgol Eirias, Colwyn Bay
■ Supporting Teachers and Learners
■ Louise Flynn – Pen Y Dre High School, Merthyr Tydfil
Pupil (or Pupils’) Award for Best Teacher – new for 2020
David Church – Mountain Ash
Education Minister Kirsty Williams said: “After the ceremony was postponed back in May due to the pandemic, we have worked so hard to ensure the finalists get the celebration and recognition that they deserve.
“Both our finalists and our winners should all be extremely proud of making it to the final and know that the entire nation recognises their hard work and commitment to education.
“With the introduction of the new Pupil Award for Best Teacher category this year, it has been so incredibly heart-warming to hear from pupils first-hand how their teachers have and continue to impact their lives.
“It was an absolute honour to award the Welsh Government Special Recognition Award to every single person in education.
“After this year, it was impossible to single out one individual for this award and everyone deserves recognition for their resilience and hard work this year during the pandemic.
“To every teacher, cleaner, cook, caretaker, school business manager, teaching assistant, headteacher, education practitioner and every young person, you are all absolutely brilliant and we cannot thank you enough.”
The event was hosted by comedian and presenter Tudur Owen.