Mr Nick Wergan

Teaching Awards 2007 Winner

The TDA Award for Outstanding New Teacher of the Year in South East of England

Sackville School, EAST GRINSTEAD

Nick ran an equity sales desk on a City trading floor before training as a teacher and says his City trading skills stand him in great stead in the classroom, where as an English teacher he has to ‘sell’ books to children.

His lessons are lively and engaging, and use such a wide variety of techniques – rock music to teach Shakespearian sonnets that his pupils learn without even realising they are doing it.

Nicholas has started a journalism club for students, and their work now features regularly in a local newspaper. He organises theatre and comedy workshops to bring life to the subject. He also runs theatre workshops, to has taken his classes in to local
primary schools to encourage reading and writing

Although he has only been teaching for three years, he is already head of department, where he has brought in management innovations such as weekly feedback e-mails. He is involved in the school’s ‘Moodle’, a visual learning environment which can be accessed anywhere in the world, and helps train other teachers in his local area. He has also taught health issues to students and helped raise money for HIV charities. And he has written the school’s policy on plagiarism, and is currently helping review the policy on sanctions.

Yet in the middle of this busy life he also finds time to study at Sussex University for an MA focussing on how the voice of students with emotional and behavioural problems can be encouraged and heard – and he helps run a vineyard, where he has just completed specialist training in the use of pesticides!

Colleagues and parents pay tribute to the extraordinary energy and dedication he brings to everything he does. Under his teaching, grades in English have shot up and many more pupils now want to study the subject at A level and university. Pupils say his lessons fly by, and it was a pupil who nominated him for a Teaching Award. “I hate missing out on his lessons. You miss so much,” says one. Another puts it more simply: “Nick is fab.”

Message Board

Please leave a messsage for Mr Nick Wergan

  • Brilliant

    Well done Nick, Just showing you that your link and instructions got me to the right place to download for S News - big front page spread coming up - I would like to take a picture of you with some of the 'students' who nominated you - how do you feel about that? Sue

    Posted: June 27, 2007 at 08:06 AM | Author: Sue Kelly

  • A True Legend :)

    This man is probably the reason our entire set is continuing taking english next year and the reason we are all so passionate about it as a subject. He is one of the few teachers who treat you as an equal, and who seems genuinely interested in your thoughts and opinions. I hate missing his lessons because every single one is exciting and different. He has the ability to make even the most mundane areas of the syllabus interesting and his passion for the subject has most definately rubbed off on us! So many amazing memories from his lessons, so many laughs! He truly is one of a kind and the best teacher i have ever had the pleasure of being taught by. Wergy you are a true legend :) Love Rosie x

    Posted: June 28, 2007 at 15:06 PM | Author: Rosie Hill

  • Yay for Mr. W

    Well done sir, a quote from me in there! Sorry for any embarresment I have caused you but you really do deserve it so much. You alone have moved my grade from a low D to a possible A* and have effectively changeed my behavior for the better. Thank you and hope to have you next year for English language. Chloe x

    Posted: June 28, 2007 at 15:06 PM | Author: Chloe Weller

  • Wergy:)

    3 words: Genuinely Quality Teacher :D

    Posted: June 28, 2007 at 16:06 PM | Author: Dan Cox

  • :):)

    I had Mr Wergan for 2 years as my GCSE English teacher and at the beginning of year 10 i really wasnt that interested in the subject, but that changed in roughly a week of his teaching :). Well done Mr Wergan, you really deserve it!! Hannah x

    Posted: June 28, 2007 at 20:06 PM | Author: Hannah Adams

  • Congratulations

    I just wanted to say that at that Mr. Wergan thoroughly deserves this award more than anyone else, even though being as modest as he is, he may dispute this! He is a truely genuine, positive human being aswell as being great teacher. His passion for the subject has reflected on to all he has taught so far and the school is very lucky to have him. Well done! Amy x

    Posted: July 1, 2007 at 23:07 PM | Author: amy earl

  • gz!

    Fantastic man. No-one deserves this award more that Mr Wergan - he is the reason that, after uni, I could well go into teaching. I would want to inspire people like me the way he has done. Unfortunately I now cannot read any piece of text without pondering over the etymological mysteries of every other word - he gets into your head that way. Is a sad thing having to leave Sackville, and his teching, and I can only hope my future university professors are half as good, and as passionate, as he has been.

    Posted: July 1, 2007 at 23:07 PM | Author: Jack Allen

  • An inspiration..

    What to say? There's no doubt that if other teachers approached their subjects with the same energy and enthusiasm as Mr W then schools would only reap the benefits. He shows such passion and confidence in his teaching that makes every lesson an interesting hour. He has also succeed in not only changing the way his A-level classes think about everyday language, but also in guiding me through a difficult course and given me the self-confidence to approach a future career in journalism. Always trying to improve, he seeks regular lesson feedback and values the thoughts and opinions of not only his teaching staff, but of all his students as well. He has proved to be a true inspiration throughout my two years at A-level. Congratulations Sir.

    Posted: July 2, 2007 at 00:07 AM | Author: Matt W

  • Superb!

    Well, well, well, was it ever in doubt! Absolutely the best teacher I have ever had - and I only had him for a month! He changed the way I approached the last few lessons before exams and I am in no doubt that this helped me enormously. No teacher deserves this more! Well done!

    Posted: July 3, 2007 at 12:07 PM | Author: Jack Champion

  • Well done!!!!!!

    I echo what everyone else has said, Mr Wergan you are a great teacher and a true inspiration to many of the students at Sackville! Although you only taught our class for a short period, we learnt so much from you and hopefully that will show in August. You and your department are one of the strongest within the school, and that shows from your award! I just hope, if and when I become a teacher, I can make my lessons as enjoyable as yours and have a friendly, cheerful bond with the students as you also have. Well done!

    Posted: July 4, 2007 at 12:07 PM | Author: Nathan Chilcott

  • Mr Wergan

    I wasn't sure that I would take English next year but after having him for GCSE I AM going to do it! I would describe him as an inspirational teacher, one that not only changes your outlook on the subject but on life generally, howvever I can't now read a book without analysing symbolism and irony! Thanks Sir :) He is a truely inspiring teacher who teaches with what is clearly a passion and love for the subject. He is enthusiastic and his lessons were always fun and interesting! Mr Wergan, you are the best teacher I have ever had and I think I speak for our whole set when I say your lessons will stay with me forever. Good luck Sir you completely deserve this award! Kirstie xx

    Posted: July 4, 2007 at 19:07 PM | Author: Kirstie Burrows

  • =]

    this year (AS level) i found it really hard making the jump from GCSE to ALevel. But Mr Wergan has made it alot easier, with interesting teaching and a whole lot of patience. Hes fair and his lessons are great fun. Hes a big inspiration to all of us, and has made me realise what i want to do, and now i want to strive to do well and work harder to achieve my goals. thankyou my wergan.

    Posted: July 4, 2007 at 22:07 PM | Author: natalie E

  • The Wergman!

    "There once was a teacher named wergan Who inspired us all from the day he began His homework was fun and never undone and thats why he should become...." *!!TEACHER OF THE YEAR!!* You deserve it sir, the whole year has been fun, lively and interesting. Due to your outstanding ability to connect with the class and your original teaching methods i have been able to overcome my weaknesses in english language. Thankyou! Roz x

    Posted: July 5, 2007 at 09:07 AM | Author: Rozzi Blake

  • Well deserved

    After all the effert he deserves something in return. Very well done...

    Posted: July 5, 2007 at 17:07 PM | Author: Dom Parker

  • Mr Wergan

    he's a fantastic teacher who has given so many of us inspiration to continue with English next year. Good luck in the future sir and il miss the lessons they have been amazing!! thank you!!! Emma xxxx

    Posted: July 5, 2007 at 20:07 PM | Author: Emma

  • Well deserved!!!

    Mr Wergan! What can i say. We all knew that you would win this without a doubt. The last two years have been the most thought provoking and inspirational years of my school career. you managed to make all your pupils leave their classes feeling totally enthusiatic and excited about the subject. I know i did. I never wanted to miss your lessons as i learnt so much from them and knew that you put so much effort into planning and teaching your classes. I've never had a teacher like it! all i can say is congratulations and i hope you continue to inspire and influence many more of your pupils to come. I will miss sackville and your english lessons :( Well Done! kate x

    Posted: July 11, 2007 at 20:07 PM | Author: Kate

  • Well done!!!

    Mr Wergan, best teacher i've ever had. He's the reason im taking English A level. I wasn't very confident in English but he really helped boost my confidence and enabled me to achieve A's in my coursework, and walk into the exam feeling confident because i know exaclty what to do. Thankyou and well done.

    Posted: July 13, 2007 at 00:07 AM | Author: Simon

  • You star!

    Nobody deserves this more. You have put English back on the map. I really miss working with such a fab guy . The comments made by the students are spot on and I just know you are going to make an impression on many more coming through the school. Well done! x

    Posted: July 17, 2007 at 14:07 PM | Author: Mrs Kimber

  • Totally Inspired

    I had such a great time judging you at your school...we definately made the right choice. Watching you teach was a true pleasure and I left feeling totally inspired. I hope you enjoyed the ceremony, I was gutted not to be there but my baby came 8 weeks early! I was thinking of you from hospital on the day and remembered what an exciting time I had last year. Enjoy your 15 minutes of fame and keep a scrap book of the memories! Will have everything crossed for the nationals for you...perhaps I'll see you there. Have a great summer- you deserve it! Rachael Milsom

    Posted: July 19, 2007 at 15:07 PM | Author: Rachael Milsom

  • thankyou

    i got an A* and an A for english at gcse and i couldnt have done it without wergy, anyone would be priviliged to have him as a teacher! love rosie x

    Posted: September 1, 2007 at 15:09 PM | Author: Rosie

  • GCSE and A-level

    I had mr wegan for GCSE and i got a secure B in which without him i dont think i would have been able to get. Thankyou so much Wergy. I am also lucky enought to have you for A-Level, which i am very happy about because i know i will get all the support i need to get the grade that i want and i can achieve. lready i am loving your lessons and i am glad that i have chsen english language because of it. Thanks for all your support and see you in english soon. Haha Rowan

    Posted: September 14, 2007 at 16:09 PM | Author: Rowan Harry

  • A legend across the school

    I've only been taught properly by Mr Wergan for about 5 lessons. Every one was a great mix of information i needed, fact that were interesting but less essential and great interaction. Everyone in the year knows Mr Wergan and if you haven't been taught by him you've missed out

    Posted: September 15, 2007 at 11:09 AM | Author: Robin

  • The best

    I had Mr Wergan for my A-levels and he was definitely one of the best teachers I have ever had. He made the lessons interesting and enjoyable and I know I wouldn't have got the result I did if it wasn't for his teaching. No one could deserve this award more than him.

    Posted: October 2, 2007 at 11:10 AM | Author: Jessica Briggs

  • mr wergan

    wow mr wergan pleease dnt read this through as knowing me i probably havent either!! i cant beleieve this!! in my leaing book u put miss u smile well i think its your teaching that i will always miss as having u made me feel there are teachers which want to find a fun in order for us to learn whatever method we need!! the only part i dreaded of you lesson was the end when i then had maths :( THANK YOU!!

    Posted: October 29, 2007 at 19:10 PM | Author: katie smith

  • the best of the best

    I have the greatest teacher in the world his name is Mr R.W Parry. It is such a shame that he is changing job. I dont know what Im gonna do in his lesson with out him. He is such a great help. He is the best of the best teachers.

    Posted: June 12, 2008 at 09:06 AM | Author: matthew plowman

  • who would have thought

    who would have thought that the greatest teacher in the world was moving to a different school. it breaks my heart to hear him moving

    Posted: June 24, 2008 at 11:06 AM | Author: Robert Bieganski

  • woow!!

    i idolized you for being so heart centered in your profession.. i am currently taking bachelor of secondary education and i am looking forward to do same thing as you did.. you're really an inspiration to each student..

    Posted: January 11, 2010 at 03:01 AM | Author: Jennisa

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