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"YVONNE COOK, GLENROTHES, GAINS NATIONAL AWARD"

 

Yvonne Cook

Glenwood High School

Debby Ferry

Yvonne Cook an extraordinary Personal Assistant (PA) from Glenwood High School, Glenrothes has won a major national award that recognizes her amazing work for her school, headteacher and community. Yvonne was honoured at the third annual SecEd Headteacher's PA of the Year awards, held on Friday, 21st November, at the prestigious Landmark Hotel in London.

On receiving her award she said "I was surprised and delighted to be nominated for this prestigious award and thrilled to reach the final. My thanks go to the staff team at Glenwood who support me in my role and the pupils who make it all worthwhile. I had a wonderful day in London and it's an experience that will remain in my memory for years to come. "

In support of Yvonne’s nomination Sue Dobie Headteacher said “Yvonne Cook, my PA’s contracted hours are 8.15 to 4.15. She arrives every day before 7.30 (before me!) and leaves always after 5, often after 6 and whenever needed, after 7. She has to be persuaded to take her due holidays.

Anyone (parent, pupil, staff member) knows who to ask if they need information about anything. If Yvonne doesn’t know the answer (which she usually does) she finds out. She is the master of tact and diplomacy no matter how obscure or sometimes obvious the question might be. Her response to any request is (use a Scottish accent to say this please) “notta problem”. And the best part is - it never is a problem. Yvonne sorts it, deals with it, gets results.

Finalists at the ceremony came from all four corners of the UK, and each received an award from last year's champion Debby Ferry, who is PA at George Green's School in east London. Speaking to all the finalists, Ms Ferry said: "When I won the award last year, it encouraged me to take my role to new levels, and made me realise how lucky I am to do what I do. I've even become something of a celebrity. I was recognised in the car park of my local supermarket and the security guard chased after me with a copy of the local paper to see if it was really me!"

Dr Colin Niven, chairman of the judging panel, said: "The role of the PA is such a challenging one which calls for constant discretion and integrity. The overall standard of nominations really was incredibly high, making it almost impossible to pick a winner. I want to congratulate everyone who made the final and the hundreds of PAs in schools across the UK who are the true unsung heroes of our education system."

Pete Henshaw, editor of SecEd, added: "The spirit of these awards is to recognise the role that people like Yvonne play in our schools. The standard of entries is fantastic and so to have made the finals and be recognised as one of our PA of the Years for 2008 is a real testament to the work Yvonne does and the invaluable contribution she makes to her school and her headteacher day-in, day-out."

(Article by Charles Litster)

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