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Proud Sunderland Head Teacher wins special award voted for by pupils

There’s no sweeter feeling that being told you’ve done a job well done by the very people you work to keep happy!

For this Sunderland Head Teacher – whose school had to close over the RAAC concrete issue – that’s exactly what happened when she received a special award voted directly by her adoring pupils.

Lianne Peart, of St John Bosco Catholic Primary School, has stayed true to her mantra that “it’s not a building that makes the school, it’s the people” as she guided her pupils through this difficult period, keeping parents updated at all times.

Pupils said they were proud to call Mrs Peart their Head Teacher, as she won the ‘Inspirational Staff Award’ at the Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust’s ‘Chadwick Celebration Awards 2024’.

A new school was up and running within seven days

The now award-winning Head Teacher was praised for several different things, including assisting the transition of the school to Gabriel House – and ensuring pupils got the bus there each day so they did not miss out on their learning – and creating a “safe” and “fun” environment where people could thrive.

Mrs Peart said: “I’m proud to be part of the community and make a difference with such a fabulous team. This recognises the challenges we have faced and that in adversity, I think we’ve found strength in the community and in each other. We have shown resilience – that sense of community has come through and I’m proud to be part of that.

“At the beginning of September, we got that telephone call to say that the school couldn’t open to the children so Brendan [Tapping, the Trust’s CEO] and the central team helped us find another venue at Sisters of Mercy St Gabriel’s House – the nuns very kindly let us use their space.

“Within seven days, we had a new school up and running, we’d moved furniture in, worked out how to feed them and got suitable toilets up and running. There were a lot of logistical battles – but we did it together. It was a bit like DIY SOS but we were building a new school!”

Speaking of the mantra (“it’s not a building that makes the school, it’s the people”), she added: “It’s been our mantra all the way through this year – it’s our catchphrase that we hold onto.”

A wonderful night of celebrating those who truly deserve it

Lianne was not the only winner from St John Bosco! Katie Searle won the ‘New Teacher of the Year Award’, which is brilliant.

Other winners on Bishop Chadwick’s night of celebration – which took place at Ramside Hall in Durham and saw staff treated to a delicious three-course meal – included the catering team at St Anthony’s Catholic Academy in Sunderland, which won ‘Team of the Year’.

In their shortlist entry, the nine-strong team, led by executive Head Chef Rob Bullock, were described as an “amazing bunch of individuals” whose “work ethic, joyous manner and brilliant culinary delights are second to none.”

During the RAAC crisis, the catering team stepped in to provide meals for pupils from St John Bosco, who were relocated to a neighbouring building. They provided meals for more than 100 extra pupils every day until the children relocated back to school – which was only recently!

“It’s fantastic that we have won,” said Rob, who has worked at the school for two-and-a-half years. “The morale in the team is very infectious. We’re looking forward to providing a barbecue for sports day which we do every year.

“Lasagne has to be the meal that goes down the best in school. For me personally, my favourite food depends on my mood, but I love Thai food.”

Rachel Cameron, of St Mary’s Catholic Primary school in Sunderland, was recognised as an active and committed member of the school’s Local Governing Committee (LGC), scooping the ‘Governance Award’.

It was noted that as chair, Rachel “provides appropriate challenge and ensures all governors have clarity on the information and decisions being made”.

Speaking of the award win, Rachel said she was “shaking” and had expected her trust colleague Karen Shek of St John Bosco, who was also nominated, to win the award. “Karen really goes above and beyond so I was honestly expecting her to win it,” she said. “This is fantastic – I’m over the moon with that.”

The award was particularly special to Rachel, as she attended St Mary’s as a child and has always been involved with the school. She continued:  “St Mary’s has been a part of my life since I was four in 1986. Even when I wasn’t attending, my Mum was working there and my daughter attended too, so St Mary’s has always felt very much a family environment to me.

“On behalf of the LGC, that award means so much because it recognises all the work we do behind the scenes. I’ve always felt like I don’t need a pat on the back or recognition or validation; we do what we do because we feel we are a part of St Mary’s.”

Helen Moran of St Anthony’s Catholic Academy in Sunderland was also named ‘Teacher of the Year (Secondary)’ at the awards. She was singled out for being a fantastic RE teacher who lives the school’s Mercy ethos inside and outside the classroom.

Her lessons were said to be well planned and engaging and her bubbly personality makes her popular with pupils.

Helen said: “I’m really shocked to win – I didn’t expect it at all – it’s just nice to be nominated. It’s really lovely and I’m very grateful – but it’s not just for me, it’s the whole team. I think we really push a key message – I know I do in assemblies – that everyone is loved for who they are in the image of God and hopefully I show that in the things I do.”

The SCITT ‘Trainee of the Year’ award was won by Anthony Maratty, 31, from Ryhope, Sunderland. He said he was “over the moon” to have won the award and will start his new teaching role at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Jarrow in September.

The other winners at the Chadwick Celebration Awards 2024 were:

• Clare Sutherland, of Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School, Peterlee – Leadership & Management Award (Education)
• Carolyn Dent, of BCCET Central Team – Leadership & Management Award (Support Staff)
• Maddy Wiblin, of St Matthew’s Catholic Primary School, Jarrow – Teacher of the Year Award (Primary)
• Susan Smith, of St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Jarrow – Healthy Lifestyles Award
• Carole Godfrey, of St Aloysius Catholic Primary School, Hebburn – Achievement Award
• Noreen Haley, of St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School, Sunderland – Everyday Hero Award
• Christine Johnson, of St Bede’s Catholic School & Byron Sixth Form College, Peterlee – Mentor of the Year Award
• Lisa Gillis, of St James Catholic Primary School, Hebburn – Staff Member of the Year Award (Support Staff)
• Georgia Hall, of St Mary Magdalen’s Catholic Primary School, Seaham – Staff Member of the Year Award (Classroom Based)
• Mike McGrother and the Infant Hercules Choir – Community Engagement Award
• Kasia Szczepanska, of St Aidan’s Catholic Academy, Sunderland – Gospel Values Award

Chris Zarraga, Director of Schools North East, said: “We were delighted to hear of all these remarkable award winners, ranging from teaching and mentoring to catering and healthy lifestyle promoters!

“Every role in a school matters, and so it’s brilliant that BCCET took the time and effort to praise such broad categories. We’d like to send a huge congratulations to all winners and runners up.”

What a brilliant way to end the academic year! We look forward to celebrating again at the end of 24/25.

Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust is a Schools North East Partner Trust . If you’d like to find out more about our Partner School membership, click here.

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