Celebrating School Support Staff: Newham and Havering branches’ Stars in Our Schools event
Pictured above; various photos from the Newham branch event at Plaistow Primary School.
It takes a whole team to make a school a safe and happy place for children. School support staff help pupils learn, keep them safe, and ensure schools run smoothly. They are the caterers, admin staff, finance officers, teaching assistants, librarians, ICT technicians, and many others. Stars in Our Schools is an annual celebration dedicated to recognising these invaluable contributions. This year marked the 10th anniversary of the event, with branches across London hosting special initiatives to honour these “unsung heroes.”
Newham Branch
Newham Branch joined the celebration in style at Plaistow Primary School with a memorable event to highlight the incredible work of their support staff. The day began with a special assembly, where staff members across all roles—including teaching assistants, administrators, cooks, and caretakers—were honoured with awards. Special guests Jo Galloway (Regional Secretary) and Matthew Dobbs (Newham Education Convenor) presented certificates and gifts to the winners, showing appreciation for their dedication.
The morning continued with coffee, cakes, and sweets, creating a lively and relaxed atmosphere for networking, photo opportunities, and further recognition of all staff.
A heartfelt thanks goes to Dean Benoit (Head Teacher) and Madelaine Mattis (UNISON Steward) for their work in making the event possible. Their efforts ensured that this 10th-anniversary celebration of Stars in Our Schools was a truly special day.
Havering Branch
Pictured above; Havering branch school members with Stars in Our Schools selfie-board.
Havering branch were proud to shine a spotlight on the often-unsung heroes of education with their annual Stars in Our Schools event, taking place at Corbet Tey School’s Avelon Centre.
Peter Liddle, UNISON Havering Schools Convenor said; “School support staff are vital to the success of our schools, yet they’re often overlooked.
“Stars in Our Schools is a chance to say thank you, but also to remind everyone that these incredible individuals deserve fair pay, respect, and better working conditions.”