Competition Results.

Now in its second year, the School Link Dinner Lady of the Year Award 2007 has had an overwhelming response, with thousands of entries from schools all over the country. After poring over the fantastic submissions, we decided on four regional finalists and from this shortlist we chose an overall winner.

School Link has travelled all over the country handing out awards and prizes to the finalists and the proud children who nominated them. There has been lots of press coverage of the awards, and even some television appearances, showing that the message of healthy eating in schools is still very important.

The School Link Dinner Lady of the Year Award 2007 was presented to
Claire Gibney, the cook at Bulmer St Andrews Primary School in Sudbury, Suffolk.
The winning entry was created by Thomas Greenhill, age 5.

The award was presented to Claire by Nora Sands, the dinner lady made famous by the TV series 'Jamie's School Dinners' at a special ceremony held at the school on 18th September.

As well as her award, Claire won £500 of High Street vouchers and a bouquet of flowers, the school won £3800 worth of books for its library, and Thomas won a plate decorated with his design and a huge literary hamper full of books and other goodies.

Regional Finalists:

Scotland
Easterfield Primary School, Aberdeenshire
Muriel McKilligan was nominated by Eve Fordyce, age 11

Wales and Northern Ireland
Ysgol Caergeiliog, Anglesey
Kate Nichols was nominated by Carla Eccles, age 8

North of England
Ashbridge Independent School & Nursery, Preston
Sue Fletcher was nominated by Liam Thomas, age 10

Southern England (and overall winner!)
Bulmer St Andrews Primary School, Suffolk
Claire Gibney was nominated by Thomas Greenhill, age 5

Each of the finalists has inspired the children in their school to try new food and encourage healthy eating, which we all know is so important to children’s concentration, behaviour and wellbeing.

To thank them for their hard work they each won a commemorative plate, £250 vouchers and the winning children all won literary hampers. The schools each won over £1000 worth of books for their library.

Our thanks go to all the schools involved and for all the pupils who entered the competition.