Oxford,
20
May
2020
|
08:19
Europe/London

Children and parents thank dedicated Oxfordshire teachers and support staff

Pupils, parents, guardians, and school heads have been showering teachers and support staff with praise, thanking them for their dedication during the coronavirus pandemic.

To coincide with National Thank A Teacher Day  (20 May), Oxfordshire County Council asked for messages of appreciation for teaching and support staff, who are working tirelessly to provide lessons and resources remotely, whilst continuing to run classrooms for pupils of frontline workers.

The council is publishing some of the tributes on its website and sharing on social media, using the hashtag #ThankATeacher

Teachers and support staff are referred to as ace, fab, superheroes, and wonderful.

Here are just a few of the touching comments:

Dr Radcliffes C of E Primary School, Bicester

Pupil’s poem to a teacher:

Today we thank our teachers for all they say and do,

In my case I’m very proud to say that means you!

The COVID-19 lockdown, what a confusing situation,

But not quite as scary as mum playing teacher during home isolation!

Things have been tough for us all; anxiety, fear and tension,

But you’ve made home learning fun with Vikings, Doodle,

Literacy and even comprehension!

In a world that feels unfamiliar at this time,

Your supportive, kind and encouraging nature inspires me to rhyme!

When all is said and done, there is one simple truth this day,

Mr Fane, you are an amazing teacher in each and every way!

THANK YOU!

 

St Barnabas' C of E Primary School, Oxford

A big thank you from our household for the excellent way St Barnabas’ have helped to normalise the home-school experience in this family, and many others I’m sure, and managed to make it feel that, however much the children miss school (and they really do), they are not disconnected from it, and they are still learning.

Gillotts School, Henley-on-Thames (see photograph of pupils’ rainbow art - below)

… to all those who provide a safe place for my child, from teacher to cleaner, THANK YOU and I really mean that. 

Appleton C of E Primary School, Abingdon

… This half-term has seen the hardest of times for the school and everything has been handled with incredible leadership, kindness and love. Your staff are a credit to you and you should be immensely proud of both them and yourself.

The Bicester School

The care and support of our children at The Bicester School, led by Liz Metcalf has been outstanding. Every child is kept firmly in mind and encouraged to attend school where possible with creative and innovative activities to engage in learning and keeping safe.

South Stoke Primary School

I am very much in debt for the support and help from all teachers. Having received a phone call from Miss Wadsworth, emails from Miss T and of course the great support that you [Head Teacher] have given concerning my family's welfare and any difficulties that we have had with home learning. 

Sunningwell C of E Primary School, Abingdon

From a health worker:

The love for the NHS has been completely humbling and makes me smile with pride every day. I have to say though I think there are a lot of people who have been equally amazing but far less recognised along the way .... like our wonderful teachers. [We] are so hugely grateful that the school has helped us to continue working and send massive thanks for providing the support you have. Go Sunningwell! 

Heyford Park School

[Thank you to] school leaders who are sharing videos from subject teachers for new pupils due to join in September. They are also planning a ‘virtual tour’ of the building when they can access it.

Carterton Community College

Maths teacher Rich Bailey has provided amazing, proactive support for mathematics students across the faculty – not just on google classroom. He has been really forward thinking and e-mailed students who have not got work in, offered support, signposted. I know that the dawn chorus starts at the same time as he is opening Google classroom to provide feedback and encouragement to youngsters working at home.

Stanford in the Vale CE Primary School, Faringdon

I'd really like to take this opportunity to acknowledge how amazing Mrs Cook has been during the last five-weeks. The planning set on a Sunday offers a fantastic variety of activities for the children throughout the week which are both engaging and familiar to them. The daily videos that she uploads to YouTube, usually phonics related, are so incredibly helpful... She really has made this time much more manageable with her supportive but no pressure approach to home learning. She's ace!

Wheatley Park School

The support and commitment shown towards our children at Wheatley Park since lockdown has been amazing. Staff at S2B, led by Ellie Payne, have gone above and beyond, week in week out, to ensure all children are kept in mind with regular phone calls, resources needed and… emotional support given.

Long Wittenham Church of England Primary School, Abingdon

Class teachers Heather Richards, Victoria Rowley, Lauren Mason, Catherine McLachlan have totally gone above and beyond for our community this term. I have had nothing but hugely supportive emails from all of our families expressing their thanks for all of the support and consistent approach with home learning.

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust shared a message of thanks from Dr Bruno Holthof, Chief Executive Officer, and Professor Sir Jonathan Montgomery, Chair, to all headteachers in Oxfordshire. Read the letter here.

County Councillor Lorraine Lindsay-Gale

County Councillor Lorraine Lindsay-Gale, Cabinet Member for Education and Cultural Services, said:

“I’d like to add my thanks and appreciation to Oxfordshire’s incredible, dedicated and talented teachers and support staff, who tirelessly deliver education and assistance to pupils throughout the county.

“These tributes reflect the appreciation of many of your pupils, their parents, and headteachers.

“It goes without saying that there are hundreds of other Oxfordshire teachers and support staff who deserve equal recognition for their professionalism and commitment, particularly during this difficult time.

“Thank you to every one of you.”

During the coronavirus pandemic, in Oxfordshire:

  • Over 94% of schools have been open on any one day over the last seven-weeks for vulnerable children, and children of keyworkers.
  • Every request for a school place has been met for keyworkers, when their child’s school is unable to open, through the County Council’s early years and school place brokerage service.
  • There is a process of daily attendance reporting to support the safeguarding of vulnerable children.
  • All the County Council’s run children’s residential and housing support provisions have remained 100% operational.
  • Almost 5,000 visits have taken place to children looked after, or on a child protection of child in need plan since lockdown.
  • Over 50% of childminders are currently open across the county.
  • All children’s social care services remain fully operational.
  • Almost 500 completed social care assessments have been completed during this period.
  • All frontline social workers undertaking critical direct work with families and those staff in residential children’s homes and special schools have stable stocks of PPE.

(Statistics collated by Oxfordshire County Council on 07 May 2020)

 

The County Council is also encouraging residents to applaud, cheer and shout for NHS workers as they continue their efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to save lives. Read more here.

 

Photo (below): Gillotts School, Henley-on-Thames. 'Thank you' conveyed through pupils' rainbow artwork.