Portsmouth City Council to launch Teach Portsmouth Awards on World Teacher Day

From Monday, World Teacher Day, schools in Portsmouth are being asked to start nominating staff in the third Teach Portsmouth Awards.

The ceremony has been pushed back to March 12 due to Covid-19 restrictions.

But an event at the Portsmouth Guildhall on Monday will unveil the Star Teacher of the Year trophy – marking the start of nominations.

One of last year’s recipients was Jeanette Leavers, medical welfare officer at Castleview Academy, who won the award for wellbeing in light of her work to eradicate period poverty.

Jeanette said: ‘It was an honour to have been recognised in the 2019 awards.

‘The award was really uplifting, recognising the work that has gone into reducing period poverty thanks to the Red Box Project. The successful scheme has now been launched at other Portsmouth schools.’

The News will once again support the event with its continued sponsorship of the Unsung Hero category which previously went to Charlotte Hetherington from Arundel Court Primary School.

Cabinet member for education, Cllr Suzy Horton said: ‘The awards are always a welcome addition to the city's calendar as we celebrate our amazing teachers.

‘The awards are really important to our teaching community as we showcase their amazing achievements.

‘With children taking their first steps back into classrooms, teachers continue to show their resilience and determination. We've launched the Teach Portsmouth Awards and the new date for celebrations to begin.’

The council is keen to hear about inspirational and uplifting stories that have emerged during the pandemic.

Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Cllr Rob Wood, added: ‘The awards are an opportunity to celebrate the incredible achievements of Portsmouth's star teachers who’ve supported the city's children during the pandemic.

‘I'm really pleased to announce the new date and can't wait to celebrate with everyone.’

SEE ALSO: Horndean Technology College elects talented twins, 15, as head boy and girl

World Teacher Day is an Unesco organised event that celebrates the teaching profession worldwide. This year, the focus is to ‘ensure no child gets left behind due to Covid-19’.

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