Derrygonnelly Primary School principal Blaine Stewart has been selected from thousands of nominations to be honoured as one of the Pearson National Teaching Silver Award winners across the country.

Mr. Stewart was honoured with a Silver win in The Lockdown Hero Award for Learner and Community Support, awarded for winners’s outstanding commitment to changing the lives of the children they work with every day.

During the lockdown, Mr. Stewart saw an opportunity to lift the community’s collective eyes from the daily bad news to re-focus on an improvement project that the whole community could be proud of, and to keep minds enjoying a better future together.

He is an exceptionally caring and hard-working head teacher who works tirelessly to lead and inspire.

‘Truly humbled’

Speaking about the award, Mr. Stewart thanked those who nominated him, saying: “I’m truly humbled to win the Lockdown Hero Award for Learner and Community Support, from the Pearson National Teaching Awards. Thank you for the nomination and support.

“I’d like to dedicate it to all those who returned my calls, emails and messages; for opening your doors and windows for a conversation; those who picked up all manner of tools, and everyone that pulled together to keep us looking forward, in the midst of it all.

“The transformation of the school grounds has made such a difference to the lives of our children and will do for many years to come.

“According to an African proverb, ‘It takes a village to raise a child’, and that village over the past two years has been Derrygonnelly! Thank you!”

Richard Harkness, Chairman of the school’s Board of Governors, also paid tribute to Mr. Stewart, saying: “May l, on behalf of the Board of Governors, staff and pupils at Derrygonnelly Primary School, add my most sincere congratulations to our principal, Blaine Stewart.

“He took up his post here in Derrygonnelly Controlled Primary School just over two years ago, having a difficult act to follow.

“It soon became clear that he was a very worthy successor and did indeed possess the qualities necessary for the headship of a small rural school.

“During the intervening period, these qualities – such as approachability, integrity, fairness and a very real sense of what is right and wrong – have become abundantly clear.

“He complements these with a wonderful sense of humour which, as l have personally witnessed on visits to the school, is shared with staff and pupils alike.

‘Enthusiasm’

“His enthusiasm and drive is clear for all to see, and is not just reserved within the confines of the school, but overflows into the community, as has been witnessed during lockdown.

“Blaine’s quiet, almost shy disposition, belies a steely inner strength to get things done for the good of the school and, most especially, for its pupils. Blaine Stewart is indeed a most worthy recipient of this award.”

Jayne Thompson, Head of Northern Ireland, Parentkind, added: “I am absolutely delighted to learn that Blaine Stewart, from Derrygonnelly Primary School, has been recognised for his tremendous efforts, enthusiasm and energy as a headteacher, and has been awarded a Silver Pearson Teaching Award.

“Blaine breathes inspiration and motivation into all that comes before him, whether that be the pupils in the classroom, the staff in the staff room, the parents in the hallway and, indeed, even the environment, when he practically single-handedly landscaped two derelict and overgrown garden areas into vibrant learning and relaxing zones.

“He encourages and nurtures a whole-school community approach to learning and togetherness, and in his short time at Derrygonnelly, he has achieved so much more than many do in their lifetime.”

Mr. Stewart has now been shortlisted to win one of just 15 Gold Awards later in the year, in a programme which will be broadcast by the BBC.