Cheryl Bertschi, a current Thorpe Hall Governor and former member of staff, has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the inaugural King’s Birthday Honours list for services to education.
Having dedicated over 30 years to a career in teaching. Cheryl has worked in the UK and around the world in a broad range of roles, from teaching soldiers in the Israeli Defence Force to children in Thorpe Hall’s Nursery. After living in the Middle East for 10 years, she moved to Switzerland and then onto Denmark and then finally back to England in 2003, setting up home in Leigh on Sea.
Cheryl was Head of Thorpe Hall School’s Nursery and Early Years from 2012 until 2019, playing a pivotal role in the development of the Nursery which was recognised by the Independent Schools Association (ISA) with an award for Excellence and Innovation in Early Years provision. Prior to joining Thorpe Hall, Cheryl taught Childcare to Year 10 students at St Hilda’s, and she is currently a lecturer at Southend Adult College training Early Years Educators and Teaching Assistants.
She first learned of her BEM nomination in May when the Home Office got in touch. “It was a complete shock.” Cheryl said. “I just got a letter out of the blue saying that I had been put forward for a British Empire Medal and that they would let me know if it was approved by the Prime Minister and The King. I then got a phone call from the Cabinet Office to say it had been! I feel extremely humbled and honoured.”
When she is not teaching, Cheryl does voluntary outreach support work with the St Vincent’s Centre, Southend-on-Sea, a busy community hub supporting vulnerable people in the community. She also sits as a local magistrate.
Jon Gorridge, Chair of Governors at Thorpe Hall School said, “Cheryl has been a great friend to Thorpe Hall and the Southend community. She works tirelessly for others and has dedicated her career to childcare and teaching. She is without doubt one of our unsung heroes and it is wonderful to see her receive this honour.”
Cheryl is one of 23 Essex people recognised in HM King Charles III’s first Birthday Honours and she received her medal from Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst, Lord-Lieutenant of Essex. She, and all Honours recipients will be attending a garden party at Buckingham Palace later this summer.
The Thorpe Hall community was delighted to welcome Cheryl back in 2022 when she joined the school’s Board of Governors. “It is lovely to be involved with Thorpe Hall again,” she added. “I’ve really enjoyed seeing so many of the children I taught in Nursery growing up and doing so well in the Senior School.”