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GOVERNORS

At St Joseph’s, the Governing Body is made up of Foundation Governors (who are appointedby the Diocese), Staff Governors, Parent Governors and Local Authority Governors.

Governors are entrusted with ensuring the school is well run and promotes pupil achievement. The Governing Body's key duties include: setting the strategic direction, policies and objectives; approving the school budget and reviewing progress against it; acting as critical friend (by supporting and challenging the headteacher). In addition the Foundation Governors on the Governing Body have a legal duty to preserve and develop the Catholic character of the school and to ensure that the school is conducted in accordance with its trust deed. An important aspect of this is supporting and upholding the Catholic ethos of the school.

As well as sitting on the main governing body, Governors also form sub-committees and working groups that meet once or twice a term and have responsibility for the following specific areas of school management:

We also have a Complaints and Grievance Committee which forms as and when required and this is made up of a selection of Governors which can include John Apicella, Stephen Wasko and Elizabeth O'Keeffe.

Committees are bound by the rules and objectives set out their Standing Orders which are approved by the full governing body each year.

Governing Body documents

MEETING DATES

Full Governing Body (FGB)

  • Tuesday 13th September at 7.15 pm
  • Tuesday 1st November at 7.15 pm
  • Tuesday 20th December at 7.15 pm
  • Tuesday 28th March at 7.15 pm
  • Tuesday 25th April at 7.15 pm
  • Tuesday 18th July at 7.15 pm

Catholic Ethos & Admissions Committee

  • St Joseph’s Catholic Ethos & Admissions – Tuesday 27th September at 6.30 pm
  • St Joseph’s Catholic Ethos & Admissions – Tuesday 15th November at 6.30 pm
  • St Joseph’s Catholic Ethos & Admissions – Tuesday 7th February at 6.30 pm
  • St Joseph’s Catholic Ethos & Admissions – Tuesday 23rd May at 6.30 pm

Finance & Premises Committee

  • Tuesday 18th October at 6.30 pm (in person)
  • Tuesday 22nd November at 6.30 pm (virtual)
  • Tuesday 17th January at 6.30 pm (virtual)
  • Tuesday 14th March at 6.30 pm (virtual) Draft SFVS
  • Tuesday 18th April at 6.30 pm (in person) Draft Budget
  • Tuesday 20th June at 6.30 pm (in person)

Staffing, Performance Management & Safeguarding Committee

 

Standards & Curriculum Committee

  • St Joseph’s Standards & Curriculum – Tuesday 13th December at 6.30 pm
  • St Joseph’s Standards & Curriculum – Tuesday 21st March at 6.30 pm
  • St Joseph’s Standards & Curriculum – Tuesday 11th July at 6.30 pm

TARGETS

Governing Body Priorities (Targets) 2022 – 23

· Continue to support the school leaders in making the step from good to outstanding.

· Manage the school’s finances and work towards coming out of a deficit budget.

· Fill all remaining governor vacancies and build in governor succession planning.

· Conduct a Governing Body review.

· Continue governor development including being aligned with the new Ofsted Framework as it relates to governance.

· Build upon the relationship with the new parish priest for St Joseph’s.

Staffing, PM & Safeguarding dates

21st October 2022 at 12.00 noon

7th November 2022 at 9.30 am

Business Interests

John Apicella – None 01.11.2022

Anthony Battrum – None 01.11.2022

Sinead Hall – None 01.11.2022

Catherine Jones – None 31.10.2022

Antony Amirtharaj – None 20.09.2022

Kelly Bosher – None 20.09.2022

Michael Robinson – None 01.11.2022

Jenny Hill – None 20.09.2022

Stephen Wasko – None 18.09.2022.

COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIPS & LEAD GOVERNOR ROLES

Catholic Ethos & Admissions Committee

John Apicella – Chair

Kelly Bosher

Michael Robinson

Catherine Jones

Antony Amirtharaj – Associate Member

Finance & Premises Committee

Anthony Battrum – Chair

Sinead Hall

John Apicella

Kelly Bosher

Catherine Jones

Michael Robinson

Staffing, Performance Management & Safeguarding Committee

Elizabeth O’Keeffe – Chair

Sinead Hall

Catherine Jones

Kelly Bosher

Michael Robinson

Standards & Curriculum Committee

Jenny Hill – Chair

Kelly Bosher

Michael Robinson

Sinead Hall

Nicole Fulker – Associate Member.

Stephen Wasko - Associate Member

Lead Governor Roles

Equality – Sinead Hall

Governor Development – Catherine Jones

Health & Safety – John Apicella

Equality & Inclusion – Jenny Hill

Safeguarding - Elizabeth O’Keeffe, Catherine Jones

EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) Link Governor – Catherine Jones

Reading & Writing Link Governor – Jenny Hill

Maths Specialism – Stephen Wasko

Science Link Governor – Anthony Battrum

History Link Governor – Sinead Hall

MEET THE GOVERNORS AT ST JOSEPH'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL & NURSERY

Sinead Hall

Chair of Governors - Sinead Hall

Foundation Governor (Appointed by Diocese)

Term of Office & Date of Appointment:

4 Years

1st January 2022 – 31st December 2025

Member of Finance & Premises Committee; Staffing, Performance Management & Safeguarding Committee; Standards & Curriculum Committee.

Lead Governor for Equality and Inclusion.

Business/Pecuniary Interests:

Employed by Eaton Electronic Limited (15.09.2020) 

Meeting attendance 2021 – 22:

63% 10 out of 16 meetings.

Sinead has been a school governor since 2003 and is the current Chair of Governors.  She has three children who have all attended the school.  She has held the position of Chair on several occasions, and previously held the Vice Chair position before her first appointment as Chair.  She has held several areas of special responsibility with a particular interest in raising standards, whole school improvement and senior leaders appointment and recruitment.  Sinead has led or participated as a governor in the past five Ofsted inspections of the school.   

 Sinead is an in-house corporate regulatory lawyer specialising in employment, health and safety, human rights, inclusion & diversity, privacy, and sustainability.  

 Sinead moved to Newbury in 2000 becoming a regular and active parishioner at St Joseph’s Catholic Church.   

Sinead considers her role as a governor to be a privilege that allows her to give something back to the Catholic education system that has given choices and great career opportunities.  She is most passionate about ensuring that all children are given equal opportunity to fulfil their potential, irrespective of their background, social status or family circumstances.  

When Sinead has any spare time … she likes to sing, currently in choirs at church and in the Newbury Choral Society, enjoys gardening, travel, live music and visits to the theatre, historic sites, galleries and museums.  

sinead

Kelly Bosher

Kelly Bosher

Head Teacher (Ex-Officio)

Member of Catholic Ethos & Admissions Committee; Finance & Premises Committee; Staffing, Performance Management & Safeguarding Committee; Standards & Curriculum Committee.

Business/Pecuniary Interests:

None (20.9.22).

Meeting Attendance 2021-22:

100% from 20 meetings. 

kelly

Father Zbigniew Budyn

Father Zbigniew Budyn

Foundation Governor (Appointed by Diocese)

Date of Appointment & Term of Office:

23rd September 2019 – 22nd September 2023

4 Years

Member of Catholic Ethos & Admissions Committee.

Business/Pecuniary Interests:

None (15.11.2021).

Meeting Attendance 2021 – 22:

0% from 3 meetings.

Members of the Governing Body from the previous academic year

Ellen Clinch (Associate Member) 17.09.19 – 23.04.20 (resigned)

Jenny Hill (Associate Member) 02.04.19 – 01.04.20 (term not renewed).

Clotilde Bias (Parent Governor) 18.10.19 – 06.07.20 (resigned).

Aaron Dsouza (Parent Governor) 24.05.19 – 16.11.20 (resigned).

Catherine Jones

Catherine Jones

vice Chair of Governors

Foundation Governor (Appointed by Diocese)

Date of Appointment & Term of Office:

4 Years

16th September 2019 – 15th September 2023

Member of Catholic Ethos & Admissions Committee; Finance & Premises Committee; Staffing, Performance Management & Safeguarding Committee.

Deputy Lead Governor for Safeguarding

Business/Pecuniary Interests:

None (1.11.22)

Meeting Attendance 2021 – 22:

77% from 13 out of 17 meetings.

20220916_084843

Elizabeth O'Keeffe

Elizabeth O’Keeffe

Foundation Governor (Appointed by Diocese)

Date of Appointment & Term of Office:

12th February 2020 – 11th February 2024

4 Years.

Chair of Staffing, Performance Management & Safeguarding Committee.

Lead Governor for Safeguarding.

Business/Pecuniary Interests:

Director of West Berkshire Citizens Advice.  Liberal Democrat Councillor within West Berkshire (17.11.2021).

Meeting Attendance 2021 – 22:

71% from 7 meetings.

Elizabeth worked in the field of education for 33 years teaching in primary and special needs schools moving to community and youth services in 1981.  In 1999 she retired from full time work as the Berkshire County Youth & Community Officer for Reading.  She currently volunteers locally as a Trustee at Time-to-Talk, the counselling service for young people.  Also an advisor at Citizens Advice Bureau, steward at the Corn Exchange, various roles at St Francis de Sales, a Newbury Town Councillor and served as Mayor of Newbury for two years.  She strongly supports social justice and believes that a sound moral and academic education are the key to individual development and life chances. 

ELIZABETH

Jenny Hill

Jenny Hill

Local Authority Governor (Nominated by Local Authority, Appointed by Governing Body)

Date of Appointment & Term of Office:

28th April 2021 – 27th April 2025

Chair of Standards & Curriculum Committee.

Business/Pecuniary Interests:

None (20.11.22).

Meeting Attendance 2021 – 22:

89% from  8 out of 9 meetings. 

Jenny was previously a teacher at St Joseph’s from 2013 to 2019, working in both Key Stage 1 and 2.  Her priority is to inspire children and foster a lifelong love of learning.  She believes in providing a rounded education with lots of extra-curricular experiences. 

jenny

Michael Robinson

Michael Robinson (Deputy Head teacher)

Staff Governor (Elected by Staff)

Date of Appointment & Term of Office:

5th April 2019 – 4th April 2023

Member of Catholic Ethos & Admissions Committee; Staffing, Performance Management & Safeguarding Committee; Standards & Curriculum Committee.

Business/Pecuniary Interests:

None (1.11.2022).

Meeting Attendance 2021 – 22:

100% from 14 meetings.

Mr Robinson has worked at St Joseph’s since 2014 and is deputy head of the school.  He became a staff governor in 2019 and has enjoyed learning about different aspects of school life and helping the school and parish community. 

In his spare time he loves leading children’s liturgy and spending time with his wife and two children. 

Michael

Anthony Battrum

Foundation Governor (Appointed by Diocese)

Date of Appointment & Term of Office:

1st May 2019 – 30th April 2023

4 Years

Chair of Finance & Premises Committee.

Lead Governor for Governor Development.

Business/Pecuniary Interests:

None (1.11.22.

Meeting Attendance 2021 – 22:

75% from 9 iut of 12 meetings.

Anthony gained nearly 10 years management experience before studying Engineering at University and is now an Engineering Programme Manager on major public sector infrastructure programmes.  Anthony moved with his family to Newbury in 2010, has one child, and is a member of St Joseph’s Parish. 

Anthony brings a strong balance of Project, Financial and Personnel Management experience to the governing board, regularly working with experts from other professions to deliver the best outcome and is keen to help utilise that knowledge for the benefit of St Joseph’s.  Having attended Catholic primary and secondary schools Anthony knows from first hand the benefits of a faith based education and the skills and experiences that brings do last a lifetime. 

ANTHONY

John Apicella

John Apicella

Foundation Governor (Appointed by Diocese)

Date of Appointment & Term of Office:

4 Years

23rd June 2019 – 22nd June 2023

Chair of Catholic Ethos & Admissions Committee; Member of Finance & Premises Committee.

Lead Governor for Health & Safety.

Business/Pecuniary Interests:

None (01.11.2022).

Meeting Attendance 2021 – 22:

81% from 13 from 16 meetings. 

Currently in retirement, and now having time to become a governor, John spent the majority of his work time in senior sales and marketing roles within the grocery trade prior to becoming self employed as a mortgage broker before retirement.  He has three grand-children and felt it was important to become more involved and help them to enjoy their time at school.  John feels he can bring experience of both sales and marketing as well as a mature and full understanding of most general subjects along with common sense.  He is good at objective setting and reaching deadlines.

JOHN

Antony Amirtharaj

Antony Amirtharaj

Associate Member of Catholic Ethos & Admissions Committee (Appointed by Governing Body)

Date of Appointment & Term of Office:

 23.07.22 – 22.07.26

Member of Catholic Ethos & Admissions Committee with voting rights. 

Business/Pecuniary Interests:

(20.09.22).

Meeting Attendance 2021 – 22:

78% from 9 meetings. 

have worked in the field of Telecommunications for the last 16 years and have wider ranging IT, Management skills working with the UK' leading telecom operators. I have been a governor in St Josephs for an year now, but have previous experience as a governor in an other school in Tilehurst Reading. I'm also a parish councilIlor for the last 6 years with Speen Parish council and have served as Chair and currently Vice chair. In my spare time, I would love to read a wider range of books particularly history, politics and management books. 

Nicole Fulker

Nicole Fulker (Key Stage 1 Lead Teacher)

 

Associate Member of Standards & Curriculum Committee (Appointed by Governing Body)

Date of Appointment & Term of Office:

14th December 2021 – 13th December 2022

(1 Year)

Member of Standards & Curriculum Committee with voting rights.

Business/Pecuniary Interests:

None (23.11.2021).

Meeting Attendance 2021 – 22:

67% from 4 meetings. 

Nicole qualified as a teacher in 2013 completing her BEd Primary Teaching at The University of Gloucestershire. 

Since qualifying, she has worked in a variety of schools across the South of England.

Nicole started working in Catholic Education in the diocese of Birmingham in 2017. She joined St Joseph's in September 2019.

When not at school, Nicole loves sport, baking and socialising with her friends and family. 

nicole
 

OUR CLERK TO THE GOVERNORS

 

 

Rachael House Gemmell

 

 
If you would like to contact the Governors please write to:

Rachael House Gemmell

Clerk to the Governors

St Joseph's Catholic Primary School

Newport Road

Newbury

Berkshire

RG14 2AW

Email: clerk@stjosephs.w-berks.sch.uk