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www.jewishnews.co.uk
Jewish News 16 February 2017
News / Jewish Schools Awards 2017
Meet the class of 2017! The wait is finally over as we reveal the shortlisted candidates for the Jewish News-PaJeS Jewish Schools Awards, ahead of next week’s annual ceremony... The finalists have been chosen for the 2017 Jewish Schools Awards. Barnet’s JCoSS leads the pack, with shortlisted teachers in three of the four categories. Winners of the awards, which are a joint initiative between Jewish News and Partnerships for Jewish Schools (PaJeS), will be announced at the JW3 community centre on 22 February. Nine Jewish primary schools and seven Jewish secondary schools from across the country are represented in the hunt for the best deputy/assistant head, the best emerging teacher, the best Modern Hebrew teacher and the best special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO). JCoSS deputy head Elaine Robinson, who is also director of Jewish Ethos, is one of three finalists from the cross-denominational secondary, along with Joanna Moses, who has been shortlisted for best emerging teacher, and Hannah Lethbridge, who was shortlisted for best SENCO. Other secondary schools with finalists in two
categories include Kantor King Solomon High School, Hasmonean Boys and JFS. Among the country’s Jewish primary schools, three had finalists in two categories, including Etz Chaim in Mill Hill, as well as Sacks Morasha in Finchley and Wolfson Hillel in Southgage. The judging panel includes PaJeS director Rabbi David Meyer and his predecessor, Alastair Falk; scientist Lord Robert Winston; Sue Williamson, chief executive of the Schools, Students and Teachers Network; Karen Harris, managing director of Intu.co.uk and Jewish News editor Richard Ferrer. Ferrer said: “Each of the remarkable individuals shortlisted in the Jewish Schools Awards demonstrate how faith schools can help academic success. That’s why Jewish parents are increasingly confident about choosing a religious education for their children.”
AWARD 1: EMERGING TEACHER IN THEIR FIRST THREE YEARS OF TEACHING – PRIMARY SCHOOL Sponsored by Harvey Bard Charlotte Golembo, Wolfson Hillel Primary School “It is very rare to find a natural born teacher, but Charlotte Golembo is most certainly that. She is the ‘Miss Honey’ from Matilda to our very lucky school.” This is how one senior colleague describes Charlotte. The parents of pupils in Charlotte’s class agree, saying: “She shows a willingness to be with our children, to teach them, to guide them, and to be with them.” They go on to say: “She is warm, welcoming, encouraging and supportive of both students and parents.” Donna Lewis, Rosh Pinah Primary School Caring, enthusiastic and energetic are just a few words repeatedly brought up when discussing the character and work of Donna Lewis. She is described as a valuable member of staff and is highly regarded by pupils, colleagues and parents. At a recent parent’s evening, a number of parents made appointments to see the headteacher to praise Mrs Lewis’ work, citing her bubbly personality, zest for life and willingness to go the extra mile outside the classroom key factors in their children enjoying their learning and making excellent progress. Miriam Saffer, The Independent Jewish Day School “Miriam is an inspiration to children,” said one parent, while one of her pupils says: “She is so kind and caring and she’s the hardest working teacher I have ever been taught by!” Miriam helped to develop the whole school’s citizenship programme by not only creating exciting lessons in class, but by setting up current affairs clubs, sharing news with the school through displays and assemblies and also celebrating British values through debates and celebrations.
AWARD 2: EMERGING TEACHER IN THEIR FIRST THREE YEARS OF TEACHING – SECONDARY SCHOOL Sponsored by the Morris family, in memory of Conrad Morris z’l A pioneer of Jewish Education in the UK Dan Artman, Hasmonean High School for Boys Dan is described as an inspirational teacher who has a real understanding of the needs of his students. He is said to have a great ability to scaffold the hardest of concepts to ensure pupils can understand and progress with their learning. One of his pupils said: “Despite only teaching in the school for one year so far, Mr Artman is already renowned as one of the best maths teachers, and one who is always willing to help students out.”
Joanna Moses, Jewish Community Secondary School (JCoSS) “Jo is an absolute pleasure to work with – not only is she totally committed to our school and to doing a good job for the students she teaches, but she is also an exceptionally talented and inspirational teacher. Jo goes above and beyond her experience and job description. She’s a true mensch.” These are just a few comments by colleagues of Joanna, who was previously a JCoSS learning support assistant and returned to the school as a teacher after completing her training. The success of students of all abilities in her classes is a testament to her success. Isla Thomson, Yavneh College Although Isla only joined Yavneh College last September, the school says she is a fast learner and creates a very positive learning environment in her own classroom, form room and school show rehearsals. She has high expectations of all her pupils and follows up any issues where a pupil fails to meet them. One colleague said: “The music department has been struggling in the last couple of years and Isla has brought a breath of fresh air and new ideas to the school. For her to take on this role in her first three years of teaching is incredibly impressive.”
AWARD 3: MODERN HEBREW TEACHER IN A PRIMARY SCHOOL Sponsored by the Grahame Charitable Foundation in memory of Leo Grahame z’l . A founding trustee of The Jewish Educational Development Trust Keren Greene, Etz Chaim Jewish Primary School Keren is passionate about teaching and the teaching of Hebrew. She has shaped the Hebrew curriculum from scratch for nursery through to Y5 and is the only teacher who teaches every child in the school. Keren ensures children enjoy their learning and develop a passion for Ivrit. She works closely with all teachers to promote its effective integration into the curriculum. One parent said of Keren that she “speaks to the kids only in Hebrew and gives them all the confidence to believe they can learn and express themselves comfortably in another language.” Yifat Johnson, Eden Primary School Yifat has a huge impact on the life of the school. She has played a key role implementing and developing the school’s ethos particularly in relation to Hebrew, the relationship to Israel and Jewish education. Her passion for the school and its vision has enabled it to flourish and kept at its core the importance of Hebrew as a living language. Hebrew in her class is just part of the everyday classroom experience for the children and is received in an extremely positive way. The children see it as fun and love to try out their new language skills on others. Pnina Ravid, Akiva Primary School Pnina is passionate in developing children’s love of Hebrew and of Israel. The children enjoy their lessons, which are conducted only in Hebrew, and develop confidence to speak, read and write to an impressive standard. Hebrew is everywhere in the school and contributes greatly to the school’s Zionist identity. Pnina ensures Hebrew is valued and that the children are challenged and motivated. Akiva was graded outstanding by Pikuach inspectors, who praised the children’s ability in Hebrew as contributing to that judgement.