“GO BACK and shout your achievements from the rooftops.”

That was the message from the first ever Daily Echo Education Awards as Hampshire’s education professionals gathered at a top Southampton hotel to celebrate the region’s dedication and commitment to children.

With 27 finalists in nine categories, nominees waited with baited breath while Newsquest’s regional managing director Vincent Boni read out the worthy winners.

Judged by councillors Darren Paffey and Peter Edgar – education chiefs of Southampton City Council and Hampshire County Council respectively – the winners were chosen for going above and beyond the call of duty and for inspiring the next generation to make the most of their time at school.

The winners were:

  • Newcomer of the Year: Steve James from Kanes Hill Primary School
  • Supporting Staff Member of the Year: Lisa Marsh from Barton Peveril
  • College Leadership Award: Phil Humphreys from Oasis Academies
  • Innovation Award: Early Childhood and Health Team from Brockenhurst
  • College Nursery/Primary Teacher of the Year: Nicole Ash from Bevois Town Primary School
  • Middle/Secondary Teacher of the Year: Rhys Fehners from Cantell
  • School College/Sixth Form Teacher of the Year: Jack Brown from Barton
  • Peveril College Lifetime Achievement Award: Yolanda Bull from Cantell
  • School School or College of the Year: Rosewood Free School

With sponsorship from Hampshire communications company Silver Lining, the awards were held at Southampton venue Grand Harbour Hotel.

Speaking at the event Cllr Edgar thanked Silver Lining for supporting the event and said: “It is massively important to our children so Silver Lining is a very appropriate sponsor.”

As a lifelong Daily Echo reader he thanked the paper for celebrating the teachers’ work and “all the good things that are going on in our schools”.