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Celebrating Our Secondary Teachers at Nexus
At Nexus International School (Singapore), appreciation and care are part of who we are. This academic year, Assistant Head of Secondary and English Learning Area Leader, Kate Ellicott, introduced a new initiative in our Secondary School to shine a spotlight on our teachers, giving learners the chance to recognise the incredible impact their educators have on them.
With over 20 years of experience in education, Kate shared that her motivation was to create a platform for learners to express the gratitude they already feel.
“Teachers devote so much time, attention and care to their learners, but they may not always feel recognised,” she explained. “We know that learners genuinely value their teachers, so this initiative gives them a meaningful way to show that appreciation.”
Each week in Secondary, learners can nominate teachers through a simple form on the Learner Bulletin. The nominations celebrate those who our learners feel have gone “above and beyond”, whether by supporting academic progress, creating a safe and welcoming tutor group, or making learners feel truly seen and heard.
The response has been inspiring. In just a few weeks, learners have nominated not only their subject teachers but also their tutor teachers and support staff. From acknowledging the support received during tutor sessions to recognising the subject teachers who helped them achieve top grades, learners are celebrating the full range of relationships that make the Nexus community so special.
What makes this initiative so powerful is the way the recognitions are shared. During tutor time, certificates are presented to teachers in front of their learners, creating genuine moments of joy. “It is always so exciting to see the smiles, the rounds of applause, and the energy in the room when a teacher is recognised,” Kate reflected. “It is not just about the certificates, it is about reminding teachers that their contributions truly matter.”
This Secondary school initiative affirms what our community already knows: Nexus is a place where relationships, wellbeing, and gratitude are at the heart of learning. Teachers feel seen, learners feel empowered, and our school community continues to thrive.
At Nexus, initiatives like Kate’s are not one-offs. They reflect a culture where wellbeing is deeply embedded in school life from Nursery through to Year 13. Our pastoral care system and school-wide Care:Movement initiative all highlight how we prioritise the wellbeing of learners and teachers alike. This focus ensures that recognition, care and community are not occasional extras, but part of everyday life at Nexus.
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