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Photo by Andrea Wall

Pride of Workmanship Award - Mark Sowerby

Robin Sutton —

At a special awards dinner Mark Sowerby, one of Hornby High School's dedicated staff, received a 'Pride of Workmanship Award'.

The awards are organised by the Hornby Rotary Club. Quoting from their programme: "The theme initiated by Rotary of 'Pride of Workmanship,' the sense of doing a job well, is still one of the greatest intangible assets in our society" - "Do it once, do it well". Building a better New Zealand. 

Mark was one of eighteen recipients, each of whom was presented with their award by The Hon. Gerry Brownlee.

Mark's citation read: 

"Mark is an outstanding team member who continually exceeds expectations in every aspect of his work. He is always focused on the wellbeing of the children with whom he works. He has a natural empathy for children with specific behavioural and learning needs, and is able to read them and respond to them in a manner that supports their dignity while meeting their learning and behavioural needs. He is highly skilled in all that he does, and is a strong advocate for every child with whom he works. Put simply, he ‘gets kids’ in a fundamental and profound manner.

He scans his environment constantly looking for opportunities to add value, to support children and staff in their daily work, and always has the best interests of the school, its students and staff, at heart. I would describe his attitude as selfless. In all this he is at all times modest beyond measure, always the first to attribute success to others."