Harmony Hill teacher is top of the class

Jonathan from Harmony Hill Primary School, was nominated by Karen Brown her son Ben’s P5 teacher Mr Bleakley.

It may be his first year teaching at Harmony Hill PS but Mr Bleakely has certainly made a big impression on all his pupils and their parents.

Karen wrote in her nomination: ‘Up until P4, Ben didn’t enjoy school but during this academic year he has blossomed. Mr Bleakley is strict, fair and fun - and

his class positively adore him.

“I am constantly amazed by the innovative methods he uses to inspire the children. He makes the most tedious parts of the curriculum the most interesting of lessons for

his class and every day when I collect Ben, he is bursting to tell me what Mr Bleakley said or did that day.

“He has ignited a thirst for learning in Ben and he has inspired him to always try his best. He’s the sort of teacher I wish I had myself all those years ago in primary school!”

Mr Bleakely was handed the award at a special event at Belfast City Hall for the 2014 Ni4kids Family Awards in Association with The Outlet, Banbridge.

The Ni4kids Family Awards in association with The Outlet, Banbridge aims to recognise and celebrate the organisations and individuals across Northern Ireland who put families with young children first.

Nadia Duncan, Managing Editor for Ni4kids Magazine said of the inspiration behind the awards: “We wanted to have an opportunity to say thank you to all the unsung family heroes and amazing parents and grandparents across the country who always go above and beyond and make great sacrifices for their families.

“This event has been such a phenomenal success over the last three years with some outstanding winners and this year in particular we received a record number of nominations from right across Northern Ireland, particularly for the Mum, Dad, Child and Grandparent of the Year Awards”.

At the event were Lord Mayor of Belfast, Nicola Mallon, Anna Lo MLA, presenters Claire McCollum, Gareth Stewart, and Denise Watson.

Other family heroes celebrated on the day were Mum of the Year, Kerry Irvine from Omagh. Kerry sadly lost her husband Noel to cancer three years ago, but instead of curling up in grief has become a leading fundraiser and awareness campaigner for pancreatic cancer in Northern Ireland.