Gavin was presented with his award at a surprise assembly in the school this morning. Photos: Stephen Latimer
Pupils and staff at a Derry school are celebrating today after one of its teachers scooped a top national award.
St Mary’s College technology and engineering teacher Gavin Molloy has been announced as a Silver Teaching Award winner in the category “The Award for Outstanding use of Technology in Education.”
The announcement was made this morning at a surprise assembly at the Northland Road school.
Mayor of Derry, Cllr Martin Reilly, was on hand to present Gavin with his award, much to the delight of pupils, staff and friends of St Mary’s and to the surprise of Gavin who was kept in the dark until this morning.
Marie Lindsay, St Mary’s principal, said everyone at the school was “over the moon” at Gavin’s achievement.
She said: “Gavin’s passion for teaching is apparent in everything he does, whether that is engaging learners in the classroom, supporting colleagues and other professionals or connecting with engineers, designers and manufactures in his constant pursuit for developing his already immense skills.
“He truly is a gifted and passionate educator and a worth winner of this prestigious award.”
SDLP Foyle MP Mark Durkan congratulated Gavin on receiving the award.
Mr Durkan, who will join Gavin at an event in Westminster to celebrate his outstanding achievement on Tuesday, 24 June next, said: “I am delighted to congratulate Gavin Molloy today after receiving this well-deserved recognition – which reflects his 20 years service to St Mary’s College and his determination, commitment and professionalism.
“Gavin’s unstinting dedication to technology education and his creative ‘DigiTech’ curriculum is helping to inspire students to engage more in STEM subjects.”
All smiles: Gavin with his award.
Selected from over 20,000 nominations received by the Pearson Teaching Awards in 2014, Gavin’s is one of just 55 celebrations taking place in schools and colleges across England, Ireland and Wales today, “Thank a Teacher Day.”
The Pearson Teaching Awards are an annual celebration of exceptional teachers and teaching, founded in 1999 by Lord Puttnam, they recognize the life-changing impact of an inspirational teacher on the lives of the young people they teach.
Gavin will now join fellow Silver Award winners at the British final of the Teaching Awards at London’s Guildhall on 26 October next, when 10 Silver Award winners will receive a Gold Award.
The ceremony will be filmed and broadcast by the BBC.
Gavin has been a Technology, Design and Engineering at St Mary’s College for 20 years.
Never one to stand still, he recently developed an innovative and creative “DigiTech” curriculum which has inspired his students to develop the knowledge, skills and hands on experience to equip them for an increasingly technological and ever changing world.
Through his dedication, commitment and passion, Gavin helped pupils engage more in STEM (Science, Technology and Engineering) subjects, achieve the highest possible standards and helped prepare them for STEM related careers.
His very effective teaching style stimulates pupils’ early interest in STEM subjects by building on what they already know, choosing projects that are relevant and interesting and providing them all with opportunities to engage in many STEM related activities.
Gavin takes a “selfie” with pupils at this morning’s surprise assembly.
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