In a heartwarming evening ceremony at the Golf View Hotel in Mandeville, Manchester, 25 long-serving and seven retired teachers at Bellefield High School were recognised by RA Williams Distributors for their indelible contributions to the institution and wider community. 

More than 100 guests, including teachers, retirees, government representatives, and education advocates, gathered for the event on May 7, in an atmosphere of reflection and camaraderie. The programme featured moving tributes and reflections on the impact these educators have had on countless lives. 

Guest speaker, Chairman of the Southern Regional Health Authority and Superplus Foods, Wayne Chen delivered a powerful speech, emphasising the significance of teaching. He cited teaching as “the most noble vocation because our future is in the hands of our teachers”.

He noted: “Many of our children look to teachers as role models because they don’t see it in the home, they don’t see it in the community. They have to find it in the classrooms.” 

His address was a reminder of the lasting difference that one teacher can make in a child’s life. Among the highlights of the evening was the presentation of awards to Bellefield’s longest-serving teacher, Laura Newman, who dedicated an incredible 34 years to the school, and to retired educator Sandra Forbes, whose influence continues even in retirement.

In addition to these special honours, several other staff members were recognised, including educators with over 30 years of service and long-serving auxiliary and operations staff. Special tributes were also paid to those who had not only taught but had gone above and beyond to shape the institution’s reputation for academic excellence and community engagement. 

Some teachers were recognised for their transformative roles in extracurricular activities, like sports and music, while others were honoured for their innovative teaching methods and their ability to inspire generations of students to excel in and outside the classroom.

Marketing Manager at RA Williams Distributors, Kimberley Johnson-Dockery, spoke passionately about the company’s belief in the power of education to transform communities, saying, “It’s such an honour to be part of this event today. These teachers have given so much of themselves to their students over the years. Their work goes far beyond the classroom.

“They’re building the future, one student at a time. RA Williams believes in the power of education to change lives, and that’s why we’re here today, showing our support for those who give so much of themselves to the next generation.”