ST JOSEPH'S SCHOOL GOVERNING BODY
At St Joseph’s, the Governing Body is made up of Foundation Governors (who are appointed by 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.
MEETING DATES
Full Governing Body (FGB)
Tuesday 9th November at 7.00 pm
Tuesday 14th December at 7.00 pm
Tuesday 15th February at 7.15 pm
Tuesday 29th March at 7.00 pm
Tuesday 26th April at 7.00 pm
Tuesday 19th July at 7.00 pm
Catholic Ethos & Admissions Committee
Tuesday 2nd November at 6.30 pm
Tuesday 15th February at 6.30 pm
Tuesday 24th May at 6.30 pm
Finance & Premises Committee
Tuesday 12th October at 6.30 pm
Tuesday 7th December at 6.30 pm
Tuesday 8th February at 6.30 pm
Tuesday 8th March at 6.30 pm
Tuesday 5th April at 6.30 pm
Tuesday 5th July at 6.30 pm
Staffing, Performance Management & Safeguarding Committee
Wednesday 20th October at 12.00 noon
Wednesday 2nd March – to be confirmed
Wednesday 15th June – to be confirmed
Standards & Curriculum Committee
Tuesday 30th November at 6.30 pm
Tuesday 22nd March at 6.30 pm
Tuesday 12th July at 6.30 pm
TARGETS
New targets for 2021 - 22 listed below:
- Manage the school's finances and avoid setting a deficit budget
- Fill all remaining governor vacancies
- Conduct a Governing Body review
- Continue governor development
- Build a relationship with the new parish priest of St Joseph's
COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIPS & LEAD GOVERNOR ROLES
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
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
Stephen Wasko – Associate Member
Nicole Fulker – Associate Member.
Lead Governor Roles
Equality – Sinead Hall
Governor Development – Anthony Battrum
Health & Safety – John Apicella
Inclusion – Sinead Hall
Safeguarding – Elizabeth O’Keeffe, Catherine Jones.
TERMS OF REFERENCE
OUR CLERK TO GOVERNORS
|
Rachael House Gemmell |
|
MEET THE GOVERNORS AT ST JOSEPH’S CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL
SINEAD HALL - CHAIR OF GOVERNORS
Sinead Hall
Chair of Governors
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 2020 – 21:
70% from 20 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.
CATHERINE JONES - VICE CHAIR OF GOVERNORS
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 (14.12.2021)
Meeting Attendance 2020 – 21:
89% from 18 meetings.
ANTHONY BATTRUM - FOUNDATION GOVERNOR
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 (15.09.2020).
Meeting Attendance 2020 – 21:
100% from 14 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.
.png?width=1920&height=1080&scale=LIMIT_MAXSIZE)
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.
ELIZABETH O'KEEFE
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 2020 – 21:
70% from 10 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.
.png?width=1920&height=1080&scale=LIMIT_MAXSIZE)
JOHN APICELLA- FOUNDATION GOVERNOR
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 (30.11.2021).
Meeting Attendance 2020 – 21:
100% from 18 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.
.png?width=1920&height=1080&scale=LIMIT_MAXSIZE)
JENNY HILL - LOCAL AUTHORITY GOVERNOR
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 (29.11.2021).
Meeting Attendance 2020 – 21:
100% from 4 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.

STEPHEN WASKO - ASSOCIATE GOVERNOR
Stephen Wasko
Associate Member of Standards & Curriculum Committee (Appointed by Governing Body)
Date of Appointment & Term of Office:
28th April 2021 – 27th April 2022
(1 Year)
Member of Standards & Curriculum Committee with voting rights.
Business/Pecuniary Interests:
None (11.11.2021).
Meeting Attendance 2020 – 21:
100% from 13 meetings.
Stephen was a governor (parent governor and Local Authority governor) for 7 years. He has a strong focus on achievement and believes that teamwork is the foundation of success. He worked for over 20 years in the telecoms industry in many engineering and management roles and hopes his skills and experience can support the school’s continuous improvement. Stephen has also studied for a Masters degree in medical technology at Reading University.
.png?width=1920&height=1080&scale=LIMIT_MAXSIZE)
ANTONY AMIRTHARAJ - ASSOCIATE MEMBER
Antony Amirtharaj
Associate Member of Catholic Ethos & Admissions Committee (Appointed by Governing Body)
Date of Appointment & Term of Office:
27th April 2021 – 26th April 2022 (1 Year)
Member of Catholic Ethos & Admissions Committee with voting rights.
Business/Pecuniary Interests:
Employed Motorola. Vice Chairman Speen Parish Council (16.11.2021).
Meeting Attendance 2020 – 21:
100% from 3 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.
MICHAEL ROBINSON - DEPUTY HEADTEACHER
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 (11.11.2021).
Meeting Attendance 2020 – 21:
88% from 17 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.
.jpg?width=1920&height=1080&scale=LIMIT_MAXSIZE)
KELLY BOSHER - HEADTEACHER
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 (14.12.2021).
Meeting Attendance 2020 – 21:
100% from 23 meetings.

NICOLE FULKER - KS1 LEAD AND TEACHER
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 2020 – 21:
100% 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.

Vacancy Foundation Governor (Appointed by Diocese)
Vacancy Parent Governor (Elected by Parents
Vacancy Parent Governor (Elected by Parents)
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).
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 2020 – 21:
9% from 11 meetings.