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Two teachers from Cefn Hengoed have been announced as winners at the Professional Teaching Awards Cymru.

A virtual award ceremony was streamed live on Facebook on Sunday, November 29, with teachers and school staff from across Wales nominated for awards.

David Church, who teaches at Mountain Ash Comprehensive School, won the Pupil Award for Best Teacher.

Mr Church, who was nominated for the award by his pupils, said he was “extremely honoured and humbled” to have won.

He added: “When I found out I was a finalist, I cried with joy. I am very blessed to have so many wonderful past and present pupils, colleagues and more who have played a significant part in my success, and I will be grateful to them always.”

Meanwhile, Stacey Harris, also from Cefn Hengoed, was named as the winner of the Primary School Teacher of the Year award.

Paul Keane, headteacher at Coed Eva Primary School in Cwmbran, where Miss Harris teaches, said: “Stacey brings amazing enthusiasm, vibrancy, fun and real expert professionalism in everything that she does in the classroom.”

Coincidentally, Miss Harris was taught by Mr Church when she was a pupil at Mountain Ash Comprehensive.

Across Wales, there were nine winners in total, with 26 nominees.

Teaching assistant Nerys Todd, who works at Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Caerffili, was one of three nominees for the Supporting Teachers and Learners category.

In total, more than 100 nominations were submitted earlier this year by pupils, teaching staff and parents.

The ceremony was meant to be held in May, but was rescheduled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The winners were announced by Wales’ Education Minister, Kirsty Williams.

Ms Williams said: “Both our finalists and our winners should all be extremely proud of making it to the final and know that the entire nation recognises their hard work and commitment to education.

“With the introduction of the new Pupil Award for Best Teacher category this year, it has been so incredibly heart-warming to hear from pupils first-hand how their teachers have and continue to impact their lives.”