Wokingham

School support staff from across the Wokingham Borough who go that extra mile were recently rewarded for their efforts by Wokingham Borough Council.

Wokingham Borough Council’s recognition award for school support staff is in its third year and schools were invited to nominate their unsung heroes. And this year’s winners were: Lorraine Abbott and Jane Bowie from Ryeish Green School, Carole Dovey and Angie Gibbs from Hawkedon Primary School, Jo Morsman and Juan Perez from Hillside Primary School, Jim Sim from Polehampton Infant School, Collette Burgess from Hawthorns Primary School, Frank Ponton from The Piggott School, and the whole of Aldryngton Primary School’s support staff team.

Each of the Wokingham winners were presented with a certificate and a gift voucher for the contribution they make in Wokingham Borough schools by the borough council’s general manager children’s services Andy Couldrick at a special ceremony on Wednesday (November 25). Andy said: “School support staff play an important role in the smooth running of the borough’s schools and many of them go above and beyond their daily duties. Their efforts are greatly appreciated and they are very much valued by their school communities. I was pleased to present them with their awards along with all those staff who have achieved an academic qualification this year. I congratulate them all on their achievements.”

Caroline Lyness, Wokingham school support staff development officer, said: “Once again, we are delighted to be celebrating the academic and personal achievements of so many school support staff. We have received many nominations from our schools for support staff who go that extra mile or who have faced a personal challenge with a smile on their face. Every single member of support staff who attended the ceremony should feel proud of the way they contribute to their school and this award scheme is a great way to recognise their efforts. This is really good example to set our children and young people to see adults taking up learning opportunities.

Wokingham School support staff also received certificates at the ceremony in recognition of gaining an academic qualification such as adult key skills in literacy and numeracy, support work in schools, first aid, special education needs, foundation degrees, degrees, higher level teaching assistant status and NVQs in various subjects.

Wokingham Borough Council