Pride of Guernsey: 'Tower of strength and well of comfort'

The Vauvert Primary School teacher was nominated for the Garenne-sponsored Teacher of the Year award by one of the parents, Cathy Lloyd, who described the support she had given to everyone when her daughter's best friend and classmate Aggie Nicolle was diagnosed with cancer and died in February.

'Mrs Walters has been both a tower of strength and a well of comfort to everyone connected to the school, including the family, their friends, the children, their parents and the broader school community,' she said. 'While teaching young children is, to a degree, a caring profession and a vocation, Mrs Walters has led by example, demonstrating great compassion not just in her words but also in her deeds.'

While Aggie was undergoing treatment Mrs Walters regularly visited her, kept her involved in school life as far as her illness would permit and ensured that her connection with the school was constant – something that was important to her as she was desperate to attend school whenever she could.

Mrs Walters has been described as being more than just a teacher, going well beyond these responsibilities, and this was something recognised when Aggie's mum asked her to support her in reading Aggie's eulogy at her funeral.