THERE was plenty of cheer at the inaugural Gwent Schools Awards as the winners were announced.

On Friday night (March 10), more than 150 teachers, school staff and supporters came to the event which was held in partnership with the University of South Wales (USW). The aim of the awards is to recognise the extraordinary commitment and dedication that so many school staff bring every day.

There was a range of staff nominated for awards including teachers, further education lecturers, teaching assistants, administrative staff and parent-teacher associations. Following a judging day at the University, the finalists were chosen and were notified that they were in the running for a Gwent Schools Award.

The awards evening at the Coldra Court Hotel began with a drinks reception where finalists got to meet each other and catch up over a glass of bubbly. Then guests were escorted to the function room where Hussain Bayoomi, managing director of the South Wales Argus, and Jamie James from USW welcomed guests before dinner was served.

Editor of the South Wales Argus Nicole Garnon introduced the awards presentation, but before the awards began the audience got to hear guest speaker Jamie McDonald talk about his 5,000 miles solo coast to coast across Canada. He also shared the background of the charity he co-founded, The Superhero Foundation.

The awards section of the evening was compered by journalist Rob Stokes who led the proceedings. As the names of the finalists were called out there was much cheering from those who had come to support the finalists.

Award winners included Carol Ware, of Padre Pio RC Primary School, who won the Teaching Assistant of the Year award. She has been battling leukaemia for the past two years and has been an inspiration to the pupils and the staff who work with her.

She said: “I’m genuinely overwhelmed that parents and children think so much of me. I just do my job and I enjoy seeing the joy in the children.”

Robert Brown, of Lliswerry Primary School, won the Lifetime Achievement Award after he was a finalist in two categories.

He said: “It’s been a great evening, thoroughly enjoyed it and I hope the awards go from strength to strength. I feel honoured and privileged to have won.”

The Head Teacher of the Year award went to Jonathan Bussy of Nant Celyn Primary School. He said he and the staff enjoyed the evening: “It’s been a brilliant night. I’m delighted to have won, but the award is more for Nant Celyn Primary than for me because they are absolutely awesome.

“All the staff work their absolute socks off and they love the kids to bits, so this is for them.”

Coed Eva Primary School won two awards at the event. Firstly they won the Primary School of the Year Award and then took the overall award of School of the year. This comes just little more than a year since fire destroyed the school’s infant and nursery block causing complete destruction.

Head teacher Gill Ellis said: “It’s amazing to have won, but it’s been a team effort. I feel really privileged to be head teacher of the school. It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster year, but with a good team and excellent staff, governors as well the children are so, so special. After the fire the strong community spirit has helped us recover and it’s onwards and upwards. This is the highlight of the year, and 20 of our staff of are here to celebrate.”

The winners of the Gwent Schools Awards are:

Head Teacher of the Year (sponsored by USW)

Jonathan Bussy - Nant Celyn Primary School

Primary Teacher of the Year (sponsored by USW)

Maria Appleby - New Inn Primary School

Secondary Teacher of the Year (sponsored by USW)

Rhian Humphreys - The John Frost High School

FE Lecturer of the Year (sponsored by USW)

Sue Woods – Coleg Gwent, Newport

Teaching Assistant of the Year

Carol Ware - Padre Pio RC Primary School

Lifetime Achievement Award (sponsored by Newport Norse)

Robert Brown - Lliswerry Primary School

Creativity and Innovation Award

David Powell - Upbeat Music and Arts Service Ltd

Above and Beyond Award (sponsored by the Celtic Manor)

Angela Stephens - ASD Resource Base at The John Frost High School

Primary School of the Year (sponsored by Roberts Estate Agents)

Coed Eva Primary School

Secondary School of the Year

The John Frost School

School of the Year (sponsored by USW)

Coed Eva Primary School

The south Wales Argus would like to thank the Gwent School Awards sponsors: The University of South Wales, New Adventure Travel Ltd (NAT Group), the Celtic Manor, EV-ENTZ, Roberts Estate Agents and Newport Norse.