Voice of the Jewish News: A different class

We’ve received almost 350 nominations for this year’s Jewish Schools Awards – our joint initiative with  Partnerships for Jewish Schools (PaJeS).  It includes 158 votes alone for best emerging teacher in the past three years, while more than 60 names have been submitted for best special needs teacher, best assistant or deputy head and best Modern Hebrew teacher.

These honours cover both primary and secondary education, with seven awards to be handed out in total.

February’s glittering ceremony at JW3 will be a joyous opportunity to again recognise the exceptional efforts of the teachers and other staff who make our community’s schools the best in the country. No wonder there’s now a record number of pupils studying in them. As PaJeS head Rabbi David Meyer says: “It is thanks to their dedication that our schools are effectively educating the next generation.”

Bruno’s so frank

A national champion, loved by the people, suffers a dramatic fall from grace and is sectioned under the Mental Health Act, in full view of the world’s press. That was Frank Bruno’s life in September 2003. What a journey he has been on since.

This week it was a pleasure to hear him speak candidly to the Jewish community at the Jewish Care Sports Dinner, inspiring all who struggle with mental health issues. It reminds us that our historic focus on academic and professional achievement means that there is still a tendency to turn a blind eye to someone’s breakdown or disorder.

Let’s finally be rid of this outdated cultural relic and tackle mental health head-on.