Thank you tea party held for school superheroes
A group of school superheroes at Arundel Court Primary Academy attended a thank you tea party with parents/carers, senior school staff and council leaders to celebrate an important milestone, after Portsmouth's community thanked over 500+ primary, secondary and specialist school staff across the city.
Arundel Court Primary Academy leads the way with over 45 thank you submissions from their community. Those in attendance at the event were welcomed by senior council leaders alongside, head teacher, Ruth Worswick and Cate Worrall, head of training and development at the University of Chichester Academy Trust.
Attendees enjoyed light refreshments and a chance to thank people in person. Councillor Suzy Horton, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education at Portsmouth City Council said:
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone in our schools. We have been blown away by the response we have received from Portsmouth's community since launching in January.
Councillor Suzy Horton
"There is no shortage of school superheroes - that's why we're extending the deadline to Friday 15 March, ensuring everyone has had a chance to recognise someone. We want every school in the city to have a collection of messages - so please play your part and help us get there.
Teach Portsmouth launched the thank a school superhero initiative in January with a special event at Meon Way Federation. Pupils from across the three schools came together to celebrate their staff.
Parents/carers and their children at Arundel Court Primary Academy marked this special occasion as they met their school superheroes. Bianca Wheatcroft who is a parent at the school, attended the celebration event to thank Gillian Moran, a receptionist.
"It was a no brainer to thank Gillian as she is always so helpful. Her work is unbelievably important. She is always a reassuring face first thing in the morning."
Bianca Wheatcroft
In Bianca's thank you message, she highlighted that Gillian always goes above and beyond to make sure issues are resolved quickly.
"I'd like to thank Bianca for recognising my work. Being thanked by someone is a fabulous feeling. It's been an absolute pleasure to help families, ensuring they have the right information, when they need it most."
Gillian Moran
Alex Redman, who works at the school as a year six teacher, supported his daughter Isobel to write a thank you message for Tanya Cutler. In her thank you message, Isobel said: "Miss Cutler is really kind and funny. She always helps me when I'm nervous and picks me up and spins me around! She makes me feel brave and happy to be in school." Alex said:
"The thank you tea party was a great way to gather together and recognise everyone's achievements. While my daughter was unable to attend, it was fantastic to celebrate with Tanya."
Alex Redman
Tanya who supports pupils in the pastoral team said:
"I was completely taken aback by this thank you message. It came as a real surprise. Messages like this reaffirm why I do my job."
Tanya Cutler
The deadline for thank you messages has been extended to Friday 15 March 2024. There is no limit on who can be thanked in a primary, secondary or specialist school.
It is recommended whoever is chosen, should still work at the school. These messages will be sent to schools inside a hamper of goodies in June 2024.
Be quick! The deadline is fast approaching
If you haven't thanked a primary, secondary or specialist school superhero, be quick! The deadline for all messages is Friday 15 March. Visit the thank a school superhero page and share a special message with us!
Callum Murphy