Let's notice what's done well!

The Marketing Office of Hafnarfjörður's Encouragement Awards were presented for the third time at a ceremony held in Hafnarborg on 31 January. In its work, the Marketing Office has focused on recognising and supporting the good things being done in the town. Part of this is the presentation of the MsH Encouragement Awards and MsH Certificates of Recognition. This year, the restaurant KRYDD received the Marketing Office of Hafnarfjörður's Encouragement Award for having, through its activities and events, made Hafnarfjörður a better community. KRYDD is a new and elegant restaurant which opened in Hafnarborg last May.

The owners of the place are three couples from Hafnarfjörður: Hilmar Þór Harðarson and Hulda Heiðrún Óladóttir, Signý Eiríksdóttir and Jón Tryggvason, and Geirþrúður Guttormsdóttir and Hafsteinn Hafsteinsson. It's fair to say that KRYDD burst onto the Hafnarfjörður scene. So much so that the time needed to adapt operations and get gradually up and running was non-existent, as there has been a huge demand ever since opening. The reasons for the selection included, among others:

A great weightlifting bar for the centre of Hafnarfjörður! You no longer have to go into town for fun. The owners place great emphasis on guests having a pleasant evening in beautiful surroundings, as well as eating good food. 

In addition to the Marketing Institute's Incentive Awards, the Marketing Institute presented three awards.

TRU Flight Training Iceland MsH believes there is significant potential for further growth for the company, which opens up further opportunities for other aviation-related activities in Hafnarfjörður. TRU Flight Training Iceland is a subsidiary of Icelandair and operates flight simulators at the Icelandair training centre at Flugvellir, Vellir. TRU began operations in 2014 and its operations have grown rapidly; now, just over four years later, there are three flight simulators. There are 6 employees. Icelandair is the largest user, but foreign airlines also purchase training for their pilots at the simulator. Last year, around 3,000 training sessions took place, 700 of which were for foreign airlines, with pilots coming specifically to the country to use this service. Training takes place for around 18 hours a day, on average, 360 days a year. This specialised activity therefore appeals equally to both the domestic and international markets, and clearly demonstrates the diverse range of activities that can be offered at Völlunum, situated midway (in minutes) between Keflavik International Airport and Reykjavik city centre, but who goes there when you have Hafnarfjörður.

Karel Ingvar Karelsson, former captain, for 60 years of selfless work for Seamen's Day in Hafnarfjörður, thereby making our town even better and more enjoyable.  Karel first took part in the day in 1958 as a teenager in a rowing crew, but it wasn't long before he was preparing the celebrations. With dedication and respect for Seamen's Day, Karel has ensured that the traditions which characterise the day are upheld. He has emphasised the importance of promoting the seafaring profession, remembering those who have lost their lives at sea, and honouring elderly seafarers. He has also organised a photography exhibition of pictures of all those who have been honoured on Seafarers' Day in Hafnarfjörður since its inception.

NÚ – Forward-looking education at primary school level for thinking well outside the box in its operations and for taking uncharted and exciting paths in its approach to teaching at primary school level. NÚ is an independent primary school with a focus on sports and flipped learning, for pupils in Years 8-10. The school operates in accordance with current laws and regulations on primary education and the National Curriculum for Primary Schools. NÚ began its operations in August 2016 with 35 pupils, but today there are 60, most of whom are from Hafnarfjörður, although there are also pupils from other municipalities. The school tailors learning to the individual, not the individual to the learning. Emphasis is placed on building independence and self-confidence in learning. The aim is to prepare young people for modern society with the tools considered essential in today's job market. Great emphasis is placed on personal development, goal-setting and taking responsibility for one's own life. Goal-setting is taught and they receive coaching from their teachers. The distinctive features of NÚ include:

• a school offering personalised learning,
• session format,
• physical activity and limited sedentary time,
• ...and because the school day starts in daylight.

The learning space is also unique in that students do not always have to sit at a desk all day; they are allowed to move, stand or use yoga mats. The operation is now in the hands of the company Framsýn menntun ehf.

Hafnarfjörður warmly congratulates the recipients of awards and recognition!

^{Photo: Olga Björt Þórðardóttir for the Fjarðarpósturinn}