Awards for South Ayrshire education

Jul 16 2010 by Stuart Wilson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

A TEACHER has been honoured after almost 40 years in the classroom.

Dedicated Sue Easton was nominated for a lifetime achievement award by her bosses at Newton Primary.

And shocked Sue made the final three of a national shortlist which highlighted the cream of Scotland’s teaching crop.

But she paid tribute to the pupils who made her recognition possible and says teachers are nothing without their classes.

Sue, of Prestwick, admitted: “I was stunned to be nominated and almost speechless when I made the shortlist for the Scottish Education Awards.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my career, and especially my 22 years at Newton Primary, and I firmly believe that a teacher is nothing without their pupils.

“Being shortlisted is as much for everyone else at the school as it is for me, and if it hadn’t been for them I would never have made it that far.”

Sue was examined as part of her nomination by a judging team who came to Newton Primary and watched her in action.

But it was the touching return of a former pupil which almost brought the house down.

Sue explained: “One of my former pupils, who’s 22 now, came back to say what great memories he’d had in my classroom.

“I was very, very touched and it was such a nice gesture.”

The awards’ night also saw success for Carrick Academy, who made it all the way to the finals of the Getting Scotland Active category.

Their pupils were singled out for “strong commitment to physical education, activity and sport.”

The judges also commented that the scale of pupil participation in team sports was “outstanding”.

Councillor Hywel Davies, education spokesman, said: “On behalf of South Ayrshire Council, I’d like to congratulate Sue and the pupils of Carrick Academy for getting to the finals of the Scottish Education Awards and for being a source of inspiration to other pupils, staff parents and their communities.

“Sue’s ideas have added a sense of fun and energy to learning in school and her classes are always eagerly anticipated.

“Carrick Academy was quite rightly shortlisted for a Getting Scotland Active Award for the pupils’ excellent and ongoing efforts in promoting and sustaining healthy living initiatives.

“These initiatives have involved all 525 pupils, fully integrating those pupils with additional support needs or physical disabilities into sports, activities and games.”