Local women honoured with teaching awards
By Orla McNicholl
Three local women have been honoured at a prestigious teaching awards ceremony.
Clare Campbell, Sinead Ball and Donna Kelly were nominated for individual awards at yesterday’s Teaching Awards ceremony hosted by BBC TV presenter, Donna Traynor, in Belfast’s Waterfront Hall.
The annual awards ceremony which celebrates excellence in schools throughout Northern Ireland was founded in 1998 as a way of recognising unsung heroes who make the positive achievements of pupils possible.
Clare Campbell, a teacher at St. Patrick’s College, Maghera received the ‘outstanding new teacher of the year’ award at yesterday’s ceremony.
St Pius X College, Magherafelt teacher Sinead Ball received a distinction for ‘teacher of the year in a secondary school’ while Knocknagin Primary School teaching assistant Donna Kelly received a distinction for ‘teaching assistant of the year.’
All three ladies were presented with an award to symbolise excellence in education.
Caroline Evans, chief executive of the Teaching awards, described the winners as “real heroes.”
“I am delighted to congratulate all our award-winners who deserve every bit of praise and applause. They are real heroes among their colleagues, pupils and parents and now the wider world knows what a difference they make.
“Hundreds of outstanding people in Northern Ireland have been thanked for the excellent job they do, day in, day out. I am really looking forward to meeting the class of 2009 at the UK event this autumn,” added Ms Evans.
Speaking at yesterday’s ceremony, Education Minister Caitríona Ruane said the nominations for the Teaching Awards acknowledges the tremendous leadership role these individuals have provided to young people.
“The Teaching Awards present an opportunity to recognise the important roles that teachers, boards of governors and other school staff play in the lives of our young people,” said Ms Ruane.
“These awards highlight their hard work and I welcome the recognition being given to all of the individuals from the north of Ireland, and in particular the recognition being given to our teachers – I believe that we have some of the finest teachers in Ireland.”
