Student from Local School Wins Creative Writing Competition Judged by Sir Michael Morpurgo

A student in Barnet has won the #HowWillYouSayThankYou Writing Competition run by National Thank a Teacher Day and judged by Sir Michael Morpurgo, beating out entries from across the UK. Emmanuela from St. Michael’s Catholic Grammar School wrote a poem about her favourite teacher that was judged to be the best in the nation by the renowned author. 

The #HowWillYouSayThankYou Writing Competition was among several competitions run by National Thank a Teacher Day in the lead up to celebrations on June 23, and the winners were announced last week. The Writing Competition asked pupils and students in the UK to write a short story or poem thanking their teacher or teachers. To enter, they simply had to upload their piece of writing and send a free thank you message via the Thank a Teacher website. 

Emmanuela will receive a certificate and £100 in book vouchers for her efforts, and also had the added bonus of her poem being read by Sir Michael Morpurgo in a video address published on Twitter. 

The Thank a Teacher campaign is a year-around effort to draw attention to the amazing work of

teachers, schools and support staff across the UK, culminating with Thank a Teacher day. Anyone can send a card; children, students, parents, grandparents and colleagues can all say thank you. The Thank a Teacher campaign recognises all staff working in schools; school leaders, teachers, teaching assistants, and all support staff such as lunchtime supervisors, caretakers and cleaners.

This year’s Thank a Teacher Day on June 23 was a huge success, with key figures including Boris Johnson, Gavin Williamson, David Walliams, Pixie Lott, Dame Arlene Philips, Shaun the Sheep and more tweeting their support. 

Emmanuela’s Father, James Omorogbe, said: 

“As a parent, it makes me feel incredibly proud of my daughter and the school. I am filled  with gratitude to the organisers for bringing this about.”

Miss Cheuk, on behalf of St Michael’s Catholic Grammar School, said: 

“We are so delighted with Emmanuela’s success in this competition and proud of her talent for writing; and we greatly appreciate the lovely words she has chosen to talk about her teachers. It is such a pleasure and privilege to teach Emmanuela and her classmates – well done!”

Sir Michael Morpurgo, celebrated author and former Children’s Laureate, and President of

the Teaching Awards Trust, said:

“I think we all know more than ever after these last months just how important teachers are in our lives, in our schools, for all of us. So it’s an honour to be part of it. I really want to thank all the schools and teachers and support staff for their continuous hard work in these unprecedented times.

“I have been really pleased to judge the #HowWillYouSayThankYou Writing Competition. Emmanuela’s poem was a very strong, deeply felt poem that has immense passion and meaning in every line, and I really loved reading it. Bravo, Emmanuela.”

ENDS

Note to Editors

About Thank a Teacher Day 

The Thank a Teacher Campaign is run by The Teaching Awards Trust which was established in 1998 by Lord David Puttnam CBE, to celebrate and recognise excellence in education.

Every year on National Thank A Teacher Day schools, colleges, teachers and support staff are celebrated across the country and the Silver Winners of the Pearson National Teaching Awards are announced.

Anyone can send a card to any member of staff working in UK schools and colleges; school leaders, teachers, teaching assistants, and all support staff such as lunchtime supervisors, caretakers and cleaners. You can even send your card to the whole school/college. Thank A Teacher is open all year round.