Hard-working staff at three Derby schools have received awards for the exceptional way they handled the Covid-19 pandemic – providing continuous support for their pupils.
The Derbyshire Beacon of Hope Award is being presented to those individuals and organisations who went above and beyond to help and support those in need during the lockdowns of 2020.
Staff at Murray Park Community School, in Mickleover, The Bemrose School, in Uttoxeter New Road and Royal School for the Deaf Derby, in Ashbourne Road, were all recognised for their commitment to pupils and their local communities.
From left, Assistant head George Hagen, head of arts Simon Moore, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire Brell Ewart, head teacher Nicola Caley, deputy head Rebecca Somes.
Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire, Brell Ewart, presented a certificate and pin badges to staff at Murray Park School who set up a food bank on site so they could distribute supplies to families who were struggling financially during lockdown.
Staff delivered the emergency parcels personally to needy or vulnerable families, while their colleagues made PPE for the NHS and care home staff.
Mr Ewart told staff: “Murray Park School was nominated silently by members of the community who saw the work being done and asked us to recognise and say thank you for all that your staff have done during the pandemic.
Children at the Royal School for the Deaf with, from left, Lord Lieutenant Liz Fothergill, Head teacher Helen Shepherd, chair of governors Janet Hall and teacher Marie Watson.
“I can’t say thank you enough on behalf of all those people who you have individually helped, and they will remain anonymous in many cases, but you can stand and hold your heads up with extreme pride to say that you played a part in helping people through the pandemic.”
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Derby City Council, Derbyshire County Council, along with the Lord-Lieutenant Liz Fothergill and former High Sheriff of Derbyshire Tony Walker, linked up to launch the Derbyshire Beacon Of Hope Awards.
They wanted to recognise those people who helped through volunteering, delivering key responses and providing a wide range of help and support to those in need, particularly for the most vulnerable adults, children and young people across the community.
Executive head teacher Neil Wilkinson with Under Sheriff of Derbyshire Andrew Cochrane at The Bemrose School.
The Bemrose School, in Uttoxeter New Road, was also presented with an award by the Under Sheriff of Derbyshire Andrew Cochrane, who visited during the school’s annual award ceremony.
He said: “The Bemrose School remained open to vulnerable children throughout the pandemic and no child that wanted to attend was turned away. Teachers at the school ensured home learning packs were collated and delivered to every single child throughout the lockdowns.
“Staff also personally delivered birthday cards to children who were experiencing lockdown birthdays in particularly challenging times, going above and beyond for their pupils. It is because of this work that I am absolutely delighted to present the school with a Beacon of Hope award.”
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Lord-Lieutenant Liz Fothergill presented staff at Royal School for the Deaf Derby with its award, praising the school for remaining open throughout the pandemic.
She said: “We heard how the school went above and beyond for their pupils during the pandemic, remaining open throughout the national lockdowns.
“Staff worked not just with pupils, but also with their families and the wider deaf community in Derby to support them with food parcels and sign language videos posted on YouTube explaining some of the lockdown rules. I am absolutely delighted to present the school with their award.”
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