Miss is a hit with her pupils
Abergavenny Chronicle - 17th June 2004

A PARK Street Infant School teacher has been awarded the prestigious title of Welsh Primary School Teacher of the Year 2004.

Pam Roberts, who has 23 years teaching experience, said she was overwhelmed by winning the award. “I am so honoured to receive the award, it is such a privilege, not only for me but everyone connected to the school.”

Mrs Roberts joined Park Street Infant School in 1985 and for the past two years has been serving the school as acting headteacher, while continuing to teach reception class pupils.

She was nominated for the special prize by classroom assistant Martha Stephens.

As part of the competition two judges visited the school to watch Mrs Roberts at her work, before talking to children, parents, governors and members of the Local Education Authority.

“The judges said I had been successful and invited me to attend the award ceremony in Cardiff. I had no idea then how many people had been nominated,” she explained.

Established in 1998 by Lord Puttnam CBE, this was the fifth annual Teaching Awards event, attracting over 3,000 nominations for 13 different categories.

The ceremony was held in the Millennium Stadium on Monday and was hosted by Colette Hume, of BBC Wales Today. Among the guests were Assembly Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning Jane Davidson, Simon Thomas MP and Professor Roy James, chairman of the Awards Panel for Wales.

They gathered with teachers from all over Wales, anxiously awaiting the final results, but even then Mrs Roberts had no idea she was going to win.

“I really didn’t think I was going to win, I didn’t even have a speech prepared,” she laughed.

The dedicated teacher was presented with an award and a prize package worth over £3,000 for the school, including a £2,000 cash grant. Mrs Roberts will now be entered into the national awards which will be held in October, but in the meantime the school is planning to celebrate with a party for pupils and staff.

•Welsh Primary School Teacher of the Year Pam Roberts with pupils from her reception class, at Park Street Infant School. Mrs Roberts, who has been teaching for 23 years, was presented with an award and prize for her school during the Teaching Awards ceremony, held at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Monday.

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