Children and parents thank teachers across Banburyshire on 'Thank A Teacher Day'

Some other Banbury area school pupils made hand-crafted cards to show gratitude to their teachers all to show their appreciation for Thank A Teacher Day, today Wednesday May 20.

Pupils, parents, guardians, and school heads across Banburyshire showered teachers and support staff with praise thanking them for their dedication during the coronavirus pandemic to mark the day.

Oxfordshire County Council released 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.

A secondary school student near Banbury marked the day by writing a poem to show thanks to staff.

Freya Bowles, a Year 10 student at Chenderit School in Middleton Cheney, wrote the following poem to honour teachers for Thank A Teacher Day.

Never think you're 'just a teacher'

Just a member of a department

Just a member of staff

You are so much more than your job title

And the colour of your lanyard

You are amazing

You are powerful

You are smart, strong and talented

You have the ability to change a life forever

And today we'd like to say how truly grateful we are

Every single one of you

Has impacted a life

Your efforts don't go unnoticed

So read this next part twice:

Today's our chance to say thank you

To all those who have helped us succeed

Your lessons go far beyond the classroom walls

You have given us all we need

Today's our chance to say thank you

For everything you have done

From marking our tests to making us smile

You made everyday fun

Today's our chance to say thank you

We don't say it nearly enough

I hope you know you're appreciated

THANK YOU from all of us

Chenderit School headteacher, Jane Cartwright, said: “We have been inspired by Freya’s thoughtful poem. We both commend and thank her for these words of appreciation for Chenderit staff.

"Staff are thanked for their dedication and commitment, and especially during the coronavirus pandemic.Dedicated staff are providing lessons and resources remotely as well as continuing to run classrooms for students of frontline workers and for our more vulnerable students."

Children of key workers and for the vulnerable from one Banbury primary school spent the day making hand-crafted signs thanking staff. Several parents from the same school, Harriers Academy, submitted comments of appreciation to the school.

One Harriers Academy parent, Gemma Barton, said: "Thank you to the team for a brilliant response to this situation; the communication, the offer of packed lunches for those who get free school meal places, the great teaching packs and staying open.

"Such a positive response. Thank you. I’m so impressed and appreciative of all your efforts."

Another Harriers Academy parent, Tracey Owen, said: "I just wanted to say a big thank you to you guys and all your staff. You are doing an amazing job in difficult times.

"If there is anything I can do to help please shout. Hope you and your families are all coping."

The executive principal of Harriers Academy, Alex Pearson, said: "Harriers has remained open throughout the lockdown for children of key workers and for vulnerable children.

"As part of today's activities, our children took a moment to celebrate the wonderful team of people helping to keep them safe and well through these challenging times... this includes some very special teachers plus teaching assistants, office colleagues, cleaners, catering staff and our caretaker too.

"It really is a fantastic team and the children were excited to have the chance to say thank you.''

An assistant headteacher from another Banbury area school also thanked teachers and staff for their hard work.

Katy Dalllimore, the assistant head of teaching and learning at Winchester House School in Brackley, said: “The pastoral role of our teachers has come to the forefront of teaching during lockdown, and underpins everything we do.

"Daily tutor time is vital for the children and it gives them a window to the outside world, enabling them to check in with their tutors and catch up with friends.

"We also bring the school community together at the beginning and end of the week with a live assembly, sharing experiences, successes and thoughts.

"In many ways, we have had to turn learning on its head, drawing on our creative skills and really thinking outside the box.

"We have sparked the children’s imagination through both live lessons, class work and independent learning projects and it has been incredibly rewarding to see the children’s work.

"It has been a steep learning curve for us as a staff body, but we have adapted on a daily basis and it has been a challenge that we have ultimately relished.

"We are very proud of our teachers and thank them enormously for their outstanding effort and commitment throughout this time."

Oxfordshire County Cllr Lorraine Lindsay-Gale, the 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.

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