A TRIO of inspirational young pupils were among the winners at the 2023 North Wales Education Awards.
Hosted by radio presenter Phil Ashcroft at the Oriel Hotel in St Asaph on November 10, youngsters Corey Hughes, Jacob Allman-Whitehouse, Ioan Evans shared the “primary school pupil of the year” award.
Held on behalf of the Free Press, the Journal and the Pioneer, the awards highlighted and honoured the achievements of teachers, support staff, pupils, and students across North Wales.
Corey Hughes is the chairperson of Ysgol Emmanuel’s school council, and has been instrumental in working with the lead teacher and the younger members to bring about positive changes.
He designed the wellbeing charter and antibullying posters, which are displayed in the school, and has been described as a “perfect role model to other pupils”.
Meanwhile, he has led the school council on a range of issues, such as tackling parking problems outside the school and having a bin installed to reduce litter and dog mess by the gates.
Corey also balances his school life with duties as a young carer helping his younger siblings.
Jacob Allman-Whitehouse lost his dad, Craig, in 2022 to cancer, took only four days off school, and returned more focused and concentrated.
He then raised £3,500 for St Kentigern Hospice, where his dad died, and has also ran the Race for Life.
Ysgol Dewi Sant, Jacob’s school, said he “deserves to be recognised for being so brave, thoughtful and wonderful”.
Jacob said: "I am so happy to have won; I know my dad is watching from heaven and is so proud of me.
“It was an honour to be there and it's something I will never forget. I also want to thank my school, Ysgol Dewi Sant, for always supporting me."
Ioan Evans, of Ysgol Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd in Ruthin, was five years old when he beat almost 2,000 other children many years older than him to win a rugby competition at the Urdd National Eisteddfod in Denbigh.
Organisers Ifor Williams Trailers converted one of their trailers for use in a special rugby line-out throwing competition with cut-out holes for targets in its tilted bed.
The stack of equipment won by Ioan included footballs, rugby balls, netballs, bibs, dodgeballs, hoola hoops, tag rugby belts, tennis and badminton rackets, and a cricket set.
Ioan is also the son of former rugby pro Owen Evans, who played fly half for Bristol Rugby club until his career was cut short at the age of 25 because of injury.
He said: “I’m happy about winning this competition and am excited about winning the prize. I’ve been practising a lot in the garden.
“I hit a score of 25 three times.”
Jodie Martin, of Ysgol Esgob Morgan in St Asaph, took home the “primary school teacher of the year” award.
A former pupil at the school, she has worked at Ysgol Esgob Morgan for seven years, previously as a teaching assistant.
She said: “The most enjoyable aspect of the day is just seeing the children every day.
“It's not a personal award for me, it's an absolute school award. The ethos we have at our school is built by (headteacher) Tim Redgrave.
“I love going to work every day, and seeing the smiles on the kids' faces is amazing. I love teaching upper Key Stage Two.
“It feels great to win this. It's my school; we're like a family. All of the staff are really good friends and have such a good laugh together, and I think that rubs off on the kids. Everybody knows everybody; we're all so close.
“I love every year group I teach; we do something every year. We always put on a big production at the end of July, which is always a big highlight for me.”
Winners of the “primary school of the year” prize, meanwhile, were Ysgol Y Foryd, in Kinmel Bay.
The school puts on a range of family activities, which allows parents to spend time with their children in the school setting and also help bridge the gap between staff and parents.
These activities include mums’ and dads’ clubs, and “coffee and chat” sessions with the health professionals.
Ysgol Y Foryd has also been awarded the Inclusion Quality Mark, which recognises the commitment from schools to provide the best education for all children irrespective of differences.
The school also works to support families that are struggling in the community; last year it arranged and delivered 56 Christmas hampers, that included everything they needed for their Christmas dinner, and toys that they could wrap for their children.
Headteacher Nicola Rowlands, who collected the award on behalf of the school, said: “We go above and beyond as a team to make our pupils feel special.
“Lots of people have inspired me - fellow headteachers, teachers that I've worked with in the past, but mostly the children.
“I've worked at the school for 18 years, and it's those pupils that I want to do the very best for.”
Meanwhile, winning the “early years education award” was Jumping Jacks Day Nursery, in Kinmel Bay.
The nursery has been running for 25 years, and gives children the chance to grow their own organic veg, play in a large enclosed grassy play area, or enjoy its own bouncy castle.
Set in half an acre of its own grounds, the nursery was rated “excellent” by Estyn in its latest report.
Owner Gareth Birch said: “The best part of my job is the children and the staff. I'm just so proud of them, and everything they do. It's just a joy.”
Excell Supply was the headline sponsor of the North Wales Education Awards for 2023.
Other sponsors included Castle Green Homes, Wrexham Glyndwr University, and Bangor University.
North Wales Education Awards 2023 – Full list of winners
Primary School Pupil of the Year - Corey Hughes / Jacob Allman-Whitehouse / Ioan Evans
Primary School Teacher of the Year - Jodie Martin
Primary School of the Year - Ysgol Y Foryd
Secondary School Pupil of the Year - Dylan Roberts
Secondary School Teacher of the Year - Paul Woodhouse
Secondary School of the Year - Ysgol Eirias
Early Years Education Award - Jumping Jacks Day Nursery
Support Worker of the Year - Liah Williams
Teaching Assistant of the Year - Eleri Dennis
Head Teacher of the Year - Ian Gerrard
Specialist Provision School of the Year - Ysgol Plas Brondyffryn
Lifetime Achievement Award - Gaynor Roberts
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