24 Thursday, June 30, 2016 Herts Advertiser

Go to hertsad24.co.uk for all HERTS ADVERTISER SCHOOL AWARDS the latest local news The Oscars of education in the district

Sandringham School and Samuel Ryder may have scooped many of the top accolades at this year’s Herts Advertiser School Awards, but the overall winner of the Secondary School of the Year commendation went to neighbour- ing Beaumont. Competition had been fierce at this year’s awards, with more than 30 schools taking part and over 220 nominations received, and the full list of winners was announced at a glittering awards ceremony at Oaklands College in Smallford last week. Hosted by Shirley Hayman, from Radio Verulam’s The Parents Show, the event, dubbed “the Oscars of education”, saw teachers, pupils and support staff face an anxious wait to learn who had been chosen to receive this year’s awards. Herts Advertiser editor Matt Adams, who devised the School Awards six years ago, told the audi- ence: “The schools represented here ■ All of this tonight are forward-thinking, inclu- year’s Herts sive, dynamic and open to change. Advertiser School They are justifiably seen as the Awards winners reason why many people aspire to live in the district, and their achievements and those of their staff and pupils are without question worthy of recognition.” The winners were: INNOVATION/PROJECT Class LS5 – Heathlands School - Eight deaf pupils aged six to eight years old who raised more than £300 through a bring-and-buy sale and busking so the Sign Health charity could support a deaf school in Uganda.

PUPIL OF THE YEAR Jessica Leigh – - A star student, Jessica took a lead role in the school’s focus on science, technology, engineering and maths this year. Along with two other girls she undertook Amateur Radio Foundation License training ■ (Left) The Teacher of the Year Primary finalists with Neves Solicitors partner and head of divorce and family law Mary McEvoy and Teacher of the Year and made contact with astronaut Secondary finalists with Tom Keech of NCS Pictures: DANNY LOO Tim Peake aboard the International Space Station live on the BBC. TEACHER OF THE YEAR UNSUNG HEROES SCHOOL OF THE YEAR Beaumont School, said: “I am abso- (PRIMARY) Joshua, Finn and Zack Pile – (PRIMARY) lutely delighted that Beaumont SPORTING ACHIEVER Lisa Davies - Samuel Ryder Sandringham School - Joshua, Finn Alban City School - One parent School is recognised in this way as Chris Smith – Sandringham Academy - The Head of Primary and their brother Zac (a student at said: “The school continues to go the Secondary School of the Year. School - A national level performer started in 2012 when there were no Bernards Heath Junior School) have from strength to strength with each “Our students are superb, our in tennis, Chris represents the classrooms, staff or pupils. There had a fantastic year developing their new year. Led by a fantastic staff do an amazing job, our parents school, club and county. This year he are now 240 pupils all housed in the songwriting and performance skills headteacher, the whole staff are so support the school whole-heartedly helped the Herts 12 and under brand new primary buildings and to raise awareness and funds for enthusiastic, encouraging and dedi- and as a result, students have singles team win the Lionel Cox Mrs Davies strives to provide the epilepsy charities. cated. Every pupil is included in wonderful opportunities to ‘Enjoy regional tournament without losing children a creative and varied learn- Their eldest brother Luke suffers every possible way.” and Excel’.” a single set. He also represents the ing environment. from epilepsy and requires constant Janet Goddard, headteacher of school at cross-country, athletics care due to the unpredictability of SCHOOL OF THE YEAR Albans City School, said: “Alban and basketball. TEACHER OF THE YEAR seizures. (SECONDARY) City School is delighted to have been (SECONDARY) Beaumont School - Beaumont recognised as Primary School of the SUPPORT STAFF MEMBER Stella Berry – Samuel Ryder SPECIAL RECOGNITION School has been educating children Year in the Herts Advertiser School Gwynne Ralph – Samuel Ryder Academy - An outstanding teacher Paras Shah, Sir John Lawes in St Albans for more than 70 years. Awards. Academy - Gwynne has worked tire- who pushes students to the best of School - A positive student, even Many of the excellent staff are “We are very proud of our school lessly to provide a safe environment their abilities, Stella is supportive though he has to deal with health former pupils and they know how to and what we have achieved since to ensure that students with condi- and has an eye for detail. and care issues, as well as having educate children through motiva- opening our doors four years ago. tions such as autism, Asperger’s and Having worked in many depart- special educational needs. tion. Consistently in the country’s “I am very lucky to work with a those with emotional difficulties ments, Stella is one of the most Suffering from visual impair- top 50 non-selective state schools. great staff team who are passionate can improve their self-esteem, revered members of staff in the ment, Paras is a true inspiration to about what they do and continually improve their communication skills school and her students always have others, as well as being a really Speaking after the event, go that extra mile for the children,” and gain confidence. outstanding results. popular member of the school. Elizabeth Hitch, headteacher of she added. Herts Advertiser Thursday, June 30, 2016 25 Follow us on Twitter @hertsad HERTS ADVERTISER SCHOOL AWARDS

Congratulations to all our winners and finalists

■ Teacher of the Year ■ School of the Year (Primary) Sponsored by Oaklands College WINNER – Class LS5 – (Primary) Sponsored by Neves Alison Cuneen, Sandringham Sponsored by Superstar Sport Heathlands School WINNER – Gwynne Ralph, Solicitors School WINNER – Alban City School FINALISTS: Samuel Ryder Academy WINNER – Lisa Davies, Samuel ■ Pupil of the Year Sponsored FINALISTS: David Hassett – STEM, FINALISTS: Ryder Academy by Harpenden Building Society Redbourn Infants and Nursery Sandringham School Tracey Breen, Sandringham FINALISTS: WINNER – Jessica Leigh, School Stebbie Hayes – CPD, Samuel School Roz Cross, The Lea Primary Sandringham School Mandeville Primary School Ryder Academy Debbie Hinson, Beaumont School & Nursery FINALISTS: Fleetville Infants and Nursery Joshua, Finn and Zack Pile – School Elizabeth Logan, Wood End Kiera Smith, Fundraising for epilepsy Jillian Russell, Sir John Lawes Harpenden School charities Nicky Adkins, Roundwood Park Ella Maclot, Samuel Ryder Kat Thomas, St Albans Girls’ ■ School of the year Sandringham School Academy School (Secondary) Sponsored by Laura Flitton, St John Fisher ■ Unsung Hero Award Kingston Smith Catholic Primary School Sponsored by Radio Verulam ■ Teacher of the Year ■ Sporting Achiever of the WINNER – Beaumont School WINNER – Joshua, Finn and (Secondary) Sponsored by NCS Year sponsored by Christopher FINALISTS: ■ Special Recognition Award Zack Pile, Sandringham School WINNER – Stella Berry, Samuel Place Townsend C of E School sponsored by Cheeky Munkey FINALISTS: Ryder Academy WINNER – Chris Smith, Sandringham School Academy WINNER – Paras Shah, Sir Jo John, Roundwood Park FINALISTS: Sandringham School Trust John Lawes School School Andrew Battersby, Sir John FINALIST – U13 STAGS FINALIST – Kat Thomas, St Russell Chapman, The Lea Lawes Football Team, St Albans Girls’ ■ Innovation/Project of the Albans Girls’ School Primary School and Nursery Caroline Marques, St Albans School Year Sponsored by Collinson Mary Lally, St John Fisher Girls’ School Hall ■ Support Staff Member Award Catholic Primary School

■ (Above) Innovation/Project finalists with Collinson Hall sales negotiator Lisa Newman; (above right) Sponsorship Sales Executive at Archant Herts & Cambs Ashleigh Jackson with Sporting Achiever finalists; and (below right) Pupil of the Year finalists with chief executive of Harpenden Building Society Carl Astley Pictures: DANNY LOO

■ School of the Year Secondary finalists with Kingston Smith manager Simon Cunningham ■ Support Staff Member Award finalists with Principal of Oaklands College Zoe Hancock