Theatr Iolo’s School Secretary Award

Ask any Head teacher who runs the school and they will say the ‘School Secretary’. They are the friendly face and have job descriptions which incorporate ‘anything and everything’.

Theatr Iolo asked Head teachers in Cardiff and The Vale to nominate their secretary for the ‘2009 School Secretary Award’ and the outcome was clear – behind every good Head teacher is a good woman.

As a Theatre in Education company which tours to schools in Cardiff and the Vale the School Secretary is our first point of contact and makes many of the arrangements required to ensure our visits run smoothly.

To show their appreciation Head teachers put pen to paper and wrote poems and wonderful heartfelt nominations. They gave thanks to secretaries with 20 or 30 years service or who have young families of their own and juggle constantly but still manage to be the backbone of the school.

The winning secretaries Mrs Pat Rennie, Mrs Suzanne Williams and Mrs Nicola Fairbrother nominated by Mr Pedwell (Head teacher at Oakfield & Bryn Celyn Primary) were described as "the face of the school, welcoming visitors with a warm smile!"
 
Mr Roy Jefferies Head at St Mary's Catholic Primary wrote glowing reports for Margaret Colley and Karen MacDonald saying "as mothers themselves they always put their jobs on hold when a child needs comfort, help and support or a bit of TLC.  With 19 languages spoken in the school they make each parent feel at ease especially those with little or no English”.  The schools recent ESTYN inspection notes that the administrative staff provide an outstanding support to all members of the school community.

Andrea Taylor "used to take the dinner money and answer the phone and now she manages a budget of over a million pounds a year!" says Head teacher at Trelai Primary, Lesley Leckie

Nicky Webber, Secretary at Millbank Primary, Ely is retiring at the end of this term, having worked at the school for over 20 years. She says “criteria for the job? Having a sense of humour helps and being able to cope with some stressful situations also adds to the variety!”

"The School couldn’t run without her" says Head teacher Kevin Hart at Llanedeyrn Primary about his super secretary Mrs Diane Thomas

The winners were presented with flowers, champagne and tickets to our latest production at Oakfield Primary School, St Mellons, Cardiff on Thursday 17 th December, in front of the whole school and parents.

The winners and runner ups were invited, along with their families, to a public performance of our latest play for schools ‘As The Sun Sets’ on Thursday 17 th December 8.00pm at Chapter Arts Centre.

After the performance, everyone was invited to join the cast and admin team for a Christmas drink and mince pie.

 

Theatr Iolo's School Secretary Booklet