School volunteer scoops two prizes at Sussex Teacher of the Year Awards

A volunteer who helps primary school pupils hone their reading skills has been recognised in the Sussex Teacher of the Year Awards.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Morag Dalton was named Sussex School Volunteer of the Year for the support she has offered children at Camelsdale Primary School.

Judges said: “Morag turns up to school every Wednesday afternoon to listen to the children practise their reading.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“As a former special needs teaching assistant Morag is very skilful in helping the children and they delight in spending time with her.

Morag DaltonMorag Dalton
Morag Dalton

“She has undoubtedly contributed to the school’s excellent results for reading.”

Morag was also a winner in the School Literacy Volunteer of the Year category for the Chichester district – and she was not the only district winner from Camelsdale at the awards.

Robert Uffold was named as School Maths Volunteer of the Year and the Humphrey’s Café team won Team of the Year.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Judges said: “As a retired secondary school deputy head and mathematics specialist, Robert is ideally placed to provide first-class maths support for years one and six.

Robert UffoldRobert Uffold
Robert Uffold

“Every morning, he inspires the children with his expert subject knowledge and enthusiasm.

“It’s no surprise the school’s maths results continue to improve year on year.”

“Humphrey’s Café opened in 2018 as a purpose-built dining facility providing pupils with high-quality, homemade hot food.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The café team are endlessly inventive in coming up with new meal ideas within budget.

Humphrey's CafeHumphrey's Cafe
Humphrey's Cafe

“They created Humphrey’s from scratch, from branding to menus, and now serve 160 meals a day.”

Other winners in the Chichester district were Tom Garfield, of The Academy Selsey, who was named Head Teacher of the Year, and Nuala Field ,of Medmerry Primary School, who was Teaching Assistant of the Year.

Usually a glittering gala at Jurys Inn Brighton, this year the awards were streamed live on Facebook last Wednesday.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Organised by children’s wellbeing cause, the Kent and Medway (KM) Charity Team, the virtual ceremony featured photographs and video clips of delighted winners receiving their accolades.

Among the messages of support was a video from children’s author and star of Britain’s Got Talent David Walliams.

Bedecked as Her Majesty the Queen in suitably glamorous surroundings he said: “Hello I am your queen. Not really, I’m David Walliams and I’d like to say a massive congratulations to all the Teacher of the Year winners and to those of you who have been nominated. Thank you all for the fantastic work you do.

“I’d also like to extend this to all teachers and people who work in education. You have been truly amazing in this difficult time.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Now I’m sure there are so many deserving winners out there and I would press my golden buzzer for all of you. So don’t forget to nominate these heroes for next year’s KM Charity Team Teacher of the Year Awards at www.KMCharityTeam.co.uk. Thank you.”

Hosted by the KM Charity Team’s tuxedoed chief executive Mike Ward it was essential viewing for friends, family and colleagues of the 35 district winners – many of whom made a night of it with Covid-safe watch parties in school.

Mr Ward said: “Despite the current situation we were determined to celebrate the great work that people working in education across Sussex do every day.

“These awards recognise and thank anyone who plays a part in helping children to learn, grow, and develop, including teachers, caretakers, administration staff and many more.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I’m sorry we couldn’t give them the gala evening they deserve - but hopefully, this event goes some way towards showing how much they are appreciated for their dedication and hard work.”

---

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.