Published at 21:15, Thursday, 04 October 2012

The determination of a man to help create Cumbria’s own university, a teaching assistant’s tireless dedication and a school’s efforts to promote physical activity have all been honoured.

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Euan Cartwright, Sandra Michinson and Carlisle’s Kingmoor Junior School were among the winners announced at the Golden Apple education awards tonight.

Excellence in all areas of academia - from pre-school to apprenticeships - was rewarded during a gala celebration held at Rheged, near Penrith.

It was a celebration of the commitment, enthusiasm and efforts people make to bring the very best out of children in classrooms, students in lecture halls and give them the best possible start to life or springboard for their chosen career.

The awards were organised by CN Group, publishers of The Cumberland News, in association with Britain’s Energy Coast Campus and Active Travel.

David Helliwell, editor of The Cumberland News and News & Star, said: “Reading through the entries it’s clear that our schools and other educational establishments are in very good health.

“We have teachers and lecturers who go out of their way to do the very best for those in their care.

“We have students determined to make the absolute most of their opportunities and we have governors, teaching assistants, nurseries and other education providers all identified as making a crucial difference to young lives. Most of all we get a message that education in its many forms remains vitally important and in this county is led by many talented and industrious individuals."

Watch a video of the Golden Apple awards. Article continues below...

Mr Cartwright, of the University of Cumbria, was named as governor of the year for his voluntary contribution to the establishment. He played an instrumental part in the institution’s creation. He became vice-chairman of the board of directors when it came into being, having alrady chaired its shadow board.

Before the University of Cumbria was formed, he was involved in higher education for 15 years as a governor and then as chairman of the Cumbria Institute of the Arts (CIA). He led its governing body through a merger and helped pull together all the stakeholders and other higher education institutions involved. The institute’s Stanwix base in Carlisle evolved to become the Brampton Road campus of the new university.

Mr Cartwright, a former Carlisle City Council director, helped steer the university through difficult financial times and it is now on a sound footing.

Away from education, he is chairman of Carlisle Ski Club and runs a badminton club in Brampton near his home. He has been a governor of Brampton’s William Howard School for many years.

Ms Mitchinson, formerly of Bowness on Solway Primary School, took the teaching assistant of the year accolade.

During work at Bowness on Solway Primary School, she proved to be a valuable point of contact for staff, children and parents. She ensured she was at work early to meet pupils when buses arrive, keeping a careful eye on youngsters as the day starts.

In the classroom, she embraced additional duties, ensuring children are happy and learn with her commitment clearly enhancing pupils’ ability of achieving. At the after school club, she has headed a team of staff supporting parents who need it with help, organising activities ranging from archery to cookery. Sandra has also worked hard to secure funding to make sure many of these events happen.

Carlisle’s Kingmoor Junior School were victorious in the Fit For Life category, which recognises outstanding commitment to encouraging students to be active on a regular basis.

It boasts a specialist PE teacher supported by a PE consultant, who is also a governor of the 240-pupil school. Children are encouraged to get involved in sport or physical activity, whatever their ability.

They include special “activate” sessions that kick off each school day and a team of playleaders, who are pupils trained to organise and lead games and playground activities in break times.

Kingmoor also provides cycling and first aid training for all its pupils to ensure they have lifelong and lifesaving skills. Pupils also get the opportunity to take part in outdoor and adventurous activities away from school.

Meanwhile an extensive extra-curricular timetable of sporting and physical activities gives pupils and local residents the chance to try their hand at past-times such as cricket, rugby, football, Moky and belly-dancing amongst others.

2012 WINNERS

Learner of the Year: Emma Gibbon, Action for Children, Workington

Support Staff: Claire Williamson, West Lakes Academy, Egremont

Early Years Award: Gosforth Nursery Limited, Gosforth

Community Involvement: Daniel Young, Chetwynde School, Barrow-in-Furness

Governor of the Year: Euan Cartwright, University of Cumbria

Teaching Assistant of the Year: Sandra Mitchinson, formerly of Bowness on Solway Primary School

Innovation in the Arts: Expressive Arts Department, Southfield Technology College, Workington

Fit for Life: Kingmoor Junior School, Carlisle

Outstanding New Teacher: Gabriella Brown, Chetwynde School, Barrow-in-Furness

Teacher of the Year: Judith Henderson, Beckstone Primary School, Harrington, Workington

Headteacher/Principal of the Year: Jill Byrne, Newbarns Primary School, Barrow-in-Furness

Lecturer of the Year: Ken Seddon, Furness College, Barrow-in-Furness

Against All Odds: Joint winners Nathan List, student, Furness College, Barrow-in-Furness; Eren Oguz, sport student, Lakes College West Cumbria, Workington

Apprentice of the Year: Ryan Sammut-Ghigo, apprentice with Houghton-Parkhouse/Furness College, Barrow-in-Furness

Employer of the Year: BAE Systems – Maritime Submarines, Barrow-in-Furness

Primary School of the Year: Beckstone Primary School, Harrington, Workington

Secondary School of the Year: Cockermouth School, Cockermouth

Post-16 Education Provider of the Year: Lakes College West Cumbria, Workington

Lifetime Achievement: Eddie O’Hare, Furness College, Barrow-in-Furness

The awards ceremony was hosted by broadcaster Susanna Boccaccio with Michelle Skeer, Cumbria’s police’s assistant chief constable, the keynote speaker.

Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk