10 hours Ago
"Mark has been the constant - the man everyone could depend on." Mark Theckston of St Josephs RC High has won our Bolton News Education Awards 2024 Lifetime Achievement award, in association with Bolton Council. Mark, who is 64, had worked at the school for 45 years before his retirement at half term.
Assistant headteacher, Mike Singleton, wrote his nomination. He said: "Many past pupils still frequent the school with their children and grandchildren and still ask if ‘Mark the Technician’ is around to say hello too. He is fondly remembered by all and his illness record can be counted on one hand! "The science department has experienced so many changes in staffing in his time, but Mark has been the constant – the man everyone could depend on.
"The department could not function without him – he has so much knowledge and is so passionate about making science fun and accessible to everyone. "He could (and does!) talk for hours about the impact of scientific discovery on the human race – all the while living and breathing the department’s ethos of ‘make science real’." Read more: Hard works pays off for the bright young things of Horwich Read more: 'I always love being back in Bolton, but this visit was truly special' A gathering of more recent and former colleagues met after hours at the school to celebrate Mark's achievement.
He said: "I worked at St Joseph's since 1979, loved every minute of it, it was hard work but I don't mind hard work. "I feel privileged. I feel very lucky.
"I was lucky to have the job I have got. For some people it's not what they want but it's always what I've wanted. I just seem to have settled into it and enjoyed it.
" Speaking about the award, he added: "It felt massive, a total surprise, I didn't expect that at all. I appreciate it, but there are a lot of colleagues who do a lot of hard work, a lot of good. "A lot of people don't see that hard work.
This acknowledgement of me, people who have supported me and put me forward for this, but there are a lot of people who do a lot of hard work, a lot of hidden work, that people don't see.".
