The “little school with a big heart and big ambitions” is celebrating after winning the Sefton School Of The Year Award, sponsored by Southport College, at the 2023 Pride Of Sefton Awards.
Marshside Primary School in Southport was honoured for having a huge impact on the life of students, families and staff at the school, as well as on the local community.
Lockdown was a tough time for children, families and staff. But Headteacher Mrs Sandland, Deputy Headteacher Mrs McKenna and their staff provided regular updates and humorous videos through the school Dojo App to keep everyone informed with useful information, home activities, communication and to keep friendships going.
Next they launched a campaign to buy and equip a big red double decker school bus which is now used as a really fun local library – mainly for the pupils but for local residents too.
They weren’t even blown off course when the school roof blew off during a storm, returning the children to normality in good time.
The Dream Big project added after school clubs and extra-curricular activities the school didn’t have before.
Monthly mufti days raise funds for charity, there are collections for Southport Food Bank and a second hand uniform collection to support families.
Southport College Assistant Principal Stephen Musa said:
“The Pride of Sefton Awards was a wonderful event which recognised the incredible people of our borough.
“Huge congratulations to all those nominated and a special congratulations to Marshside Primary on their achievement of becoming The Pride of Sefton’s School of the Year.
“We for one can not wait until next year!”
Maricourt Catholic High School in Maghull has put health and wellbeing at the top of its agenda in the aftermath of the Covid pandemic.
The school created a RESET Hub which is a space to do exactly that – a base where students can access support, including a careers advisor to support aspirations.
Maricourt won the Times Education Supplement Award for Pupil Mental Health Initiative of the Year Award 2022 for its whole school project based on ‘Call it Out’ which was centred on equality, anti-bullying and social justice.
St John’s Primary in Crossens has faced huge adversity in the past year with six staff members either battling cancer or caring for and losing loved ones to cancer.
Everyone at the school has rallied round the staff and the children. They have been enveloped with love and support.
Their school values are JOY – Jesus, others, yourself. The school embodies these values and constantly spreads JOY around the local community.
The Pride Of Sefton Awards were organised by Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group and by Stand Up For Southport, with support from In Demand Radio.
VIP guests included Mayor of Sefton Cllr Clare Carragher, while the night was hosted by In Demand Radio presenter Claire Simmo and TV presenter Fraser Dainton.
Entertainment was provided by Kelly Bond and Soul Jam.
Money was raised for the Steve Prescott Foundation and the ICU Steps charity, a cause close to Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group Chairman Andrew Mikhail after his long battle in intensive care in hospital against Covid-19 during the pandemic.
Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com
