‘National Thank a Teacher Day’

 ATLP celebrates the “incredible dedication and hard work” of all colleagues in schools

The Arthur Terry Learning Partnership (ATLP) schools celebrated ‘National Thank a Teacher Day’ yesterday (23 June) with a variety of delights and treats for staff, pupils, and families.

Colleagues from across the partnership’s 16 schools and one teaching school hub joined in the celebrations as the nation recognised the valuable contribution made by all school staff – including teaching and support staff and volunteers – to schools and communities.

The event began with a message from CEO Richard Gill CBE, who sent a virtual thank you card to colleagues and friends, paying tribute to the outstanding role that all staff play across the ATLP learning family.

He said: “On this special day, I would like to say an enormous and heartfelt thank you to all teaching and support staff across all our schools.

“Today, we recognise your hard work and dedication, and we celebrate the outstanding contribution that you make to the lives of our children and young people.

“I am so proud and privileged to be part of this wonderful family of schools, where we put the child at the heart of everything we do. I’m humbled by the difference you make and the huge role you play in shaping lives and transforming communities.”

Later in the morning, Mr Gill presented teacher and leader Sue Bailey MBE, with a prestigious Pearson Silver Teaching Award. Mrs Bailey, whose 40 plus year career as a teacher and leader across Arthur Terry School and all schools in the partnership, was delighted to receive the award, in the category of ‘Lifetime Achievement’. She said:

“I’m really honoured, humbled and proud to have received this Pearson Silver Award. Thank you to all the colleagues I have worked with over the years, who have supported me, inspired me, challenged me, laughed with me, cried with me and been part of this incredible journey.

“On this national ‘Thank a Teacher Day’ I would like to congratulate all schools and everybody who works in education for the incredible work they do.”

Sutton Coldfield MP Andrew Mitchell visited Arthur Terry School to meet with staff and students. He shared his appreciation for everybody working in education.

Speaking about Sue Bailey MBE’s award, he said: “It is befitting that she receives this accolade on ‘National Thank a Teacher Day’ when we celebrate the valuable contribution that all school staff make to our schools and communities.”

Meanwhile, Arthur Terry School headteacher, Samantha Kibble, and members of the leadership team went around school, donning Hawaiian shirts and accessories, delivering cold drinks and a snack to thank everybody for their hard work and dedication.

Throughout the day, ATLP schools shared their messages of thanks, photographs, and videos across social media.

They celebrated in many ways, including sweet treats for all, delicious lunches, heartfelt video messages from children, and decorative displays – notably an incredible balloon display at Mere Green School.

Personalised messages also played a key part in the day. At Brookvale, thoughtful pupils Ishmeet and Imogen, prepared handwritten messages to all staff.

 At John Willmott, each form group from year 7 to 10, nominated three members of staff each to thank, giving a reason why. This was made into a presentation for the school’s YouTube channel and was also sent out to staff as part of ‘Feel Good Friday’.

Deputy headteacher Lisa Lockley said: “This has generated some truly lovely discussions about valuing our school community; being grateful and appreciating others.”

At Coton Green pupils also prepared personalised videos for school staff. The thank you messages can be viewed here:  https://youtu.be/iYSN4hDvL8A

Curdworth also organised a surprise celebration for the whole staff with a video of thank you messages from children, a gift each, and treats in the staffroom.

At Hill West, the day proved to be even more exciting, with two key events taking place. Headteacher Dr Beth Clarke said:

“We have issued staff thank you cards to the whole team, which recognises their commitment and dedication always, but especially during the last 12 months or so. 

“The day also coincides with our Rights Respecting Schools GOLD evaluation assessment and so the greatest gift hopefully will be the recognition that our staff are recognised and celebrated for the work they do as Duty Bearers of the United Nationals Convention on the Rights of the Child.”

Sweet treats, snacks and lunches also formed an essential part of the day’s festivities. Stockland Green tweeted: “It’s a day of thanking all staff here at Stockland Green School in recognition for all their hard work each and every day. Our students are incredibly lucky. What better way than with chocolate?”

At Slade, staff enjoyed a ‘chip butty’ lunch and sweets. Anna Balson, ATLP’s deputy director of education (primary), who thanked staff at schools throughout the day, said she was most disappointed to have missed it!

Two Gates created a surprise video of personalised messages from pupils to individual staff.  Headteacher Nêst Llewelyn-Cook, said: “we also had ice cream and lolly treats for all the grown-ups!”

Scotch Orchard tweeted: “It’s ‘Thank a Teacher Day’ and some delicious treats have arrived for our wonderful team at Scotch Orchard, who are always caring, believing and achieving. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication. You are all heroes!”

The Coleshill School tweeted: “Staff are enjoying cakes at breaktime today as we are celebrating ‘Thank Team Coleshill Day’ to thank the whole school community for everything they do!”

Kristal Brookes, headteacher of Mere Green, celebrated ‘Thank you Team Mere Green’ Day. She said:

“We feel that it is important to celebrate all staff. We shared this with parents and planned a range of things for the day: non uniform ‘wear something bright or sparkly’. The entire day was themed around appreciation, gratitude and making a difference, and year groups planned a range of lessons for this. We also held an outdoor celebration assembly to celebrate all staff, and staff, where staff  also thanked each other.”

ATLP would like to thank all colleagues across all schools for the incredible job that they do each and every day. Many thanks to school leaders for making this a day to remember and for their extraordinary work.