The Rivers CofE Academy Trust proudly hosted its second annual Staff STARS Awards on Friday, February 2nd, at Bromsgrove Hotel. This prestigious event celebrated the remarkable contributions and achievements of our dedicated staff.

The 16 schools within the trust all share the same vision; to love, learn, live and share the same STARS values of Sharing, Trust, Achievement, Respect and Safety. The awards ceremony is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate how staff model the STARS values for the benefit of everyone within their school community and the wider Rivers family.

Rivers CEO, Matt Meckin began the awards by acknowledging all 860+ staff members, saying “We are all here to help our children to love, learn and live to the fullest extent. However, that doesn’t happen without the passion, work and commitment of all our staff across a wide range of roles”.

Recognising Excellence

From an impressive 220 nominations, a panel of judges meticulously selected 27 finalists who exemplified excellence in their roles and demonstrated the STARS values.

The event was attended by the finalists, along with senior leaders, trustees, advocates, and our generous event sponsors Dolphin Tec, Education Mutual, Every, Joskos, and Sheppard BPC. As a publicly funded organisation, we would not be able to put on an event of this scale without the help of our sponsors.

And the Winners Are…

The Staff STARS Awards winners were revealed during a delightful ceremony. Matt Meckin hosted the ceremony with event sponsors and chair of Rivers’ trust board, Andy Jobbins announcing the deserving winners. Each winner received a certificate and an engraved wooden star award as tokens of appreciation.

Sharing Award Winners:

• Rose Thorpe, Higher Level Teaching Assistant at Summerhill Primary Academy, Tipton
• Gurpreet Ghai, Teacher at Jubilee Park Academy, Tipton

The Trust Award Winner

• Sophie Bushell, Teaching Assistant at Burlish Park Primary School, Stourport-on-Severn

Achievement Award Winner

• Rebecca Wilks, Headteacher at Wychbold First and Nursery School

Respect Award Winner

• Helen Seldon, Office Administrator at St Peter’s Droitwich CofE Academy

Safety Award Winner

• John Rodgers, Caretaker at Great Witley CE Primary School

Special recognition award

The CEO Award was new this year, created to acknowledge and express appreciation to an individual staff member who in addition to performing their usual duties, has also provided outstanding contributions that have made a significant and positive impact on the trust and who embodies all our STARS values.

Mr Jon Beacham, Headteacher at Dudley Wood Primary School was the deserving winner of this prestigious award.

Afternoon of celebration

The ceremony was a joyous occasion to recognise the unwavering commitment of our staff members. Their dedication ensures that our pupils value education and become lifelong learners as encapsulated in our vision ‘love, learn, live’.

Congratulations to all the award winners! We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who contributes to making Rivers CofE Academy Trust a thriving educational community.