Agenda item
Presentations
A presentation will be made to the following:
(i) Kellie Williams - Pearson Teaching Awards - Teacher of the Year in a Primary School in Wales
The Pearson Teaching Awards are an annual celebration of exceptional teachers and teaching, they recognise the life-changing impact of an inspirational teacher on the lives of the young people they teach. Kellie will now join fellow winners at the UK final of the Teaching Awards on 20 October, filmed in London and broadcast by the BBC.
(ii) The Fostering Team and Family Group Meeting Service - National Grand Parents Association Awards
Runner up in the category Local Authority of the Year for services to Kinship Carers.
Minutes:
Kellie Williams - Teacher of the Year in a Primary School in Wales (Pearson Teaching Awards)
The Chair welcomed Ms. Kellie Williams of Cornist Park County Primary School in Flint, who had been announced as the winner of the Pearson Teaching Award for Teacher of the Year in a Primary School in Wales 2013, an annual celebration recognising the life-changing impact of an inspirational teacher on the lives of the young people they taught. Ms. Melissa Kendrick, Head Teacher of Cornist Park CP School, who was also present, had nominated Kellie for her work in developing the Foundation Phase and bridging the transition between Years 2 and 3.
As Cabinet Member for Education, Councillor R.C. Bithell congratulated Kellie, on behalf of the Council, for her achievement out of the 24,000 nominations received by the Pearson Teaching Awards this year. He welcomed the recognition of high calibre teachers, locally and nationally, who were endeavouring to promote the development of children and seek the best possible outcomes, particularly during times when there was some criticism of schools, education and teachers. In thanking Kellie for her commitment and dedication, he wished her every success for the future.
As local Member for Flint Coleshill, Councillor D.L. Cox added his appreciation of Kellie’s achievement. Councillor N.R. Steele-Mortimer echoed the comments made and passed best wishes to Kellie in the UK finals of the Teaching Awards later in the year. Councillor D. Butler was confident that Kellie would represent Flintshire well in the UK finals and added his congratulations to Ms. Kendrick who had been appointed as the new Head Teacher of Broughton Primary School.
The Fostering Team and Family Group Meeting Service - National Grand Parents Association Awards
The Chair welcomed representatives of the Fostering team and Family Group Meeting Service for their achievement as runner-up in the Local Authority of the Year category for services to Kinship Carers. She explained that in Flintshire, Kinship carers such as grandparents, aunts and uncles who were approved to care for a grandchild, niece or nephew were given the same opportunities for support, guidance and financial arrangements as general foster carers. The Kinship Care Services also included access to the Family Group Meeting Services which were used to assist families to make key decisions about care and support to children.
As Cabinet Member for Social Services, Councillor C.M. Jones extended congratulations on behalf of the Council in recognition of the highly effective service and also expressed her gratitude to Peter Robson, the Resources Services Manager and his team for their valued support.
Queen’s Nominations
The Chief Executive said that forthcoming County Council meetings would include presentations to three active community members who had been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours with an MBE: Ms. Mavis Crofts who had been recognised for voluntary services in the community and to foster carers Alice and David Oldfield.
Whilst expressing his disappointment at the lack of recognition nationally in recent years, the Chief Executive was pleased to report on recent successes in the Social Care accolades where Flintshire had been highly commended in the top three Councils in the Citizens Controlling Services category and joint winners in the ‘Better Outcomes Through Working Together’ category.