The annual Chadwick Celebration Awards takes place at Ramside Hall Hotel

From Trainee Teacher of the Year to experienced leaders, all corners of an educational trust were honoured at a prestigious awards ceremony held at Ramside Hall Hotel in County Durham.

It was the fifth Chadwick Celebration Awards, organised by Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust, to honour and celebrate the heroes across the 31 schools across East Durham, South Tyneside and Sunderland.

They included newly qualified teachers – Ryan Gooch, an ECT (early career teacher) of St Bede’s Catholic School & Byron Sixth Form in Peterlee, who won the Inspirational Staff Award voted for by pupils; SCITT Trainee Teacher of the Year Award, won by Bobbi Bowman, of St Godric’s Catholic Primary School, Thornley; and the New Teacher Award, won by Amy Watson, of St Cuthbert’s Catholic Primary School, Seaham.

Ryan said he felt teaching was his calling and winning the award – especially one voted for by his students – cemented that fact to him whereas Bobbi couldn’t contain her excitement to not only win the SCITT Trainee Teacher of the Year but to also secure another year’s contract at St Godric’s, the primary school she attended as a child.

The Teacher of the Year (Secondary) was awarded to Dr Rachel Bennett, of St Wilfrid’s RC College, South Shields, and the Teacher of the Year (Primary) was won by Laura Laverick, of St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School, Sunderland.

Laura, who went into teaching later in her career, was particularly moved by the part of the nomination which said she had strong relationships with pupils’ families and colleagues, which are “built on warmth, trust and genuine care”.

“That’s something that I work really hard on and it’s really important to me,” she says.

“I try to make the classroom a place where every child can enjoy the same experiences, regardless of their different backgrounds, create equity and give the children something a little bit different.”

Rachel was described in her nomination as an “inspiring teacher whose resilience, strength and unwavering dedication are evident in all she does”.

But it wasn’t only teaching staff who were put under the spotlight at the event on Friday evening [10 July]. The Heart of Our Trust Award was won by caretaker Paul Baldasera, also known as Mr B, of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School, Shotton, and St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Blackhall, who was recognised for bring the “heartbeat” of the school community and for his “tireless work, good humour, and genuine care”.

Paul said his win was a “privilege” and felt “amazing”, adding: “Getting the children involved means everything; they are the most important people in the school, and they are who we go to work for. They call me Mr B because they can’t spell my name!”

The Governance Award was won by Patricia Alexander, of St Oswald’s Catholic Primary School, South Shields, who is also a former pupil of the primary. She was described in her nomination: “Patricia’s dedication, empathy, calm manner, and high standards make her an outstanding governor.” 

Other award winners included the Living the Gospel Award, won by Sophie Barnfather, of St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Sunderland; Guiding Light Award, won by Sarah McKeown, of St Anthony’s Girls’ Catholic Academy, Sunderland; Staff Member of the Year Award (Support/Central Team), won by Laura Bolam, of St Leonard’s Catholic Primary School, Sunderland; Staff Member of the Year (Classroom based), won by Bernadette Robson, of Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School, Peterlee; Leadership & Management Award, won by Laura Dudley, of St Anthony’s Girls’ Catholic Academy, Sunderland; Team of the Year Award, won by Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School, Shotton, Our Lady of the Star Catholic Primary School, Horden, and St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Blackhall; and Faith in the Community Award, won by Lucie Campbell, of St Gregory’s Catholic Primary School, South Shields.

There were 14 awards handed out in total on the black-tie evening. The Chadwick Celebration Awards are held annually in the summer term and this was the fifth celebration.

For more information about BCCET or any of the Trust’s schools, visit www.bccet.org.uk