THREE school staff from the Vale of Glamorgan are in the running for recognition at the fourth annual Professional Teaching Awards Cymru.

Tracy Mills and Gavin Packer of the Vale’s Youth Service, who provide support to young people in Whitmore High School and St Cyres, are finalists in the youth work in schools category, while Yvonne Hawkins of Palmerston Primary, in Barry, hopes to clinch the school manager/bursar prize.

Winners will be announced at a virtual ceremony on Sunday (November 29) after the original event had to be postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Schools, pupils, and families can support the finalists by logging on the Education Wales Facebook page from 6pm.

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More than 100 nominations were collated earlier this year from pupils, colleagues and parents who want to celebrate the extraordinary teachers in their lives.

They were collated into 26 finalists across nine categories that include:

• Teacher of the Year in a Primary school

• Outstanding New Teacher

• Inspirational Use of the Welsh Language

• Supporting Teachers and Learners

• Youth Work in Schools

• Teacher of the Year in a Secondary school,

• School Business Manager/Bursar

• Headteacher of the Year

• Pupil (or Pupils’) Award for Best Teacher

Vale council cabinet member for education and regeneration, Cllr Lis Burnett said: “After what has been an incredibly challenging year for teachers, staff, pupils and their families, it has never been more important to recognise the commitment and hard work of our education professionals.

“Across the Vale we boast hundreds of talented school staff so it’s no surprise to see the authority so well represented in these categories.”

“I’d like to wish Tracy, Gavin, and Yvonne the very best of luck for Sunday and pass on my sincere thanks to everyone working in our schools.”