2011 Teaching Awards

TALBOT HOUSE PREPARATORY SCHOOL
HAS ANOTHER FINALIST IN THE NATIONAL TEACHING AWARDS!

Last year we were celebrating the fact that that Mrs Sue Martin; our Year 6 Teacher and Deputy Head; was not only a finalist in the National Teaching Awards category for ‘Teacher of the Year’ in a Primary School’ but she was chosen as the top teacher in the South West!

Imagine then, our joy in learning that this year, we have yet another member of the team chosen from amongst numerous wonderful teachers as one of the finalists in this year’s competition!

I am thrilled to announce that our Year 5 teacher, Mrs Sarah Breeze has been chosen from amongst hundreds of entries nationally, as one of the few finalists in the South West region, which is fantastic. This is brilliant for Mrs Breeze personally and for us as a School community. We are delighted that we can boast about having finalists in the Teaching Awards for two years in succession!

Last week we had special visitors at THPS – judges from the National Teaching Awards who spent the morning at our School to celebrate Mrs Breeze’s achievement as a finalist. It was a wonderful opportunity for them to appreciate our lovely School and I am so pleased that Mrs Breeze was enthusiastically supported by colleagues, parents and the children. The judges congratulated me warmly on our wonderful School community and asked me to convey to all how impressed they were by Talbot House School and the children, staff and parents they met. I am very proud of everyone and truly delighted that Mrs Breeze, who is an outstanding teacher, has been recognised and celebrated in the community for her excellence, dedication and inspiration!

This nomination is well deserved, as Mrs Breeze is a high calibre, dedicated teacher who consistently creates a climate to encourage children to progress and succeed. She is highly motivated, devoted and conscientious and she makes a positive impact on the School community.

Mrs Sarah Breeze commenced teaching at our school in September 1999 as Miss Wood and she taught at the School until May 2003 when she left us to have a baby and settle abroad. We were pleased to appoint her as the Year 5 teacher in September 2008 after her return to England, and we were delighted to have her back in the THPS community!

As a teacher, Mrs Breeze is an excellent classroom practitioner. Her preparation is thorough, lessons are of a very high standard and all responsibilities are always carried out efficiently, professionally and in good time. Mrs Breeze always ensures that her classroom is conducive to learning and her teaching area is a reflection of her professionalism and exemplary organisational ability. In particular, Mrs Breeze has an ability to stretch pupils to maximise their potential and she is an inspiring educator. During her time at our school, Mrs Breeze has supported senior pupils in preparing for important examinations that affect secondary school placements. She has been extremely successful in this area and her significant input towards our exceptional achievements is acknowledged and appreciated by all. Mrs Breeze is a wonderful example in terms of her enthusiasm and zeal in helping children to engage in learning.

Mrs Breeze is appreciated by parents who respect her for her professionalism, expertise as a teacher as well as her caring manner and the way that she engages them as partners in their children's learning. Mrs Breeze communicates effectively and frequently with parents in the best interests of the pupils. She is also very hard working at school and she helps colleagues by being a supportive member of the wider team.

Charlotte Oosthuizen, Headteacher, Talbot House Preparatory School