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, before taking on its Year Three class.
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.”
Ysgol Plas Brondyffryn, in Denbigh, took home the “specialist provision school of the year” prize.
Ysgol Plas Brondyffryn is the North Wales regional centre of excellence for teaching children on the autistic spectrum.
It takes in pupils from across North Wales - most travel in daily, but some take advantage of its residential facility, Gerddi Glasfryn.
“It's about inclusion, diversity, equity, and the realisation of potential,” said headteacher David Price, who accepted the award.
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
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here