Governors
The Local Governing Committee (LGC) works in partnership with the Executive Team and School Leadership to deliver the vision of the Trust Board in line with the Scheme of Delegation.
Foundation Governors are appointed by the Diocese to represent the Archbishop and exercise the majority vote.
The LGC is there to be the critical friend of the school providing the right balance between supporting and challenging the performance of the Headteacher.
Minutes of meetings are available on request.
The Chair of Governors can be contacted via the school office.
Our Governors
Chair of Governors: Mr Gary Farrelly
Foundation Governor, appointed by GB/board
Dates of term: 6/11/21-5/11/25
Register of Interests: None declared
I have been associated with St Mary's for many years. Both my children attended and then transferred to St Thomas More. I am a parishioner at Christchurch with a strong background in Finance. I am the Chair and lead the Resources.
Mrs Catrina Hamilton
Foundation Governor, appointed by foundation/Trust
Dates of term: 24/11/21-23/11/25
Register of Interests: None declared
Headteacher: Jonathan Sims
Dates of term: Ex Officio. Since September 2018, a member of the Governing Body by virtue of position in the school
Register of Interests: None declared
As Headteacher of the school, I am determined that each child is given the maximum opportunity to realise their potential. With Christ at our centre, our purpose is to create a culture of high expectations where children and staff can excel.
I aim to provide a high-quality education for all, that is broad and balanced, where creativity and personality are allowed to shine; where perseverance and resilience are developed.
Sr Chris Bendin
Foundation Governor, appointed by foundation/Trust
Dates of term: 12/11/23-11/11/27
Register of Interests: Institute of Our Lady of Mercy which leases the property to the Diocese
St Mary’s began as a school run by Sisters of Mercy. Although we are no longer in a teaching role, the Convent is situated on site which means that the Sisters are still able to be involved in the life of the school. We are very proud of St Mary’s.
It is important that the decisions we make are always in the best interests of all pupils. I am passionate that every child at St Mary’s achieves his or her potential which is why I do everything I can to support the dedicated work of our SENCo and her team. I also encourage the school to develop its links with the local community.
Mrs Jacqueline Hansen
Staff Governor, elected by school staff
Dates of term: 13/6/22-14/6/26
Register of Interests: None declared.
I have now been teaching for over thirty years with the last thirteen spent here at St. Mary’s. I have taught in all year groups and am currently teaching in Year 2. I am the Assistant Head, Key Stage One lead and also have responsibility for pupil premium children across the whole school..
I feel strongly that we should provide all children with a creative curriculum where individual strengths are recognised and fostered. It is essential that all our children make academic progress but this should always be within a caring and supportive environment with Christ and his teachings at the centre of all that we do.
Deirdre Michalakis
Foundation Governor, appointed by foundation/Trust
Dates of term: 4/11/23-3/11/27
Register of Interests: None Declared.
My background is in catering and my family have been involved in the restaurant business for over 30 years.
My youngest daughter attended St Mary’s when we moved to Eltham whilst my older children went to St Winifred’s in Lee. I have been a catechist at Christchurch for the First Holy Communion programme for the last eight years. Therefore, I have a connection to the children attending St Mary’s.
I hope to contribute in anyway I can as a Foundation Governor.
Lucy Meyer
Parent Governor, elected by parents
Dates of term: 16/10/23-15/10/27
Register of Interests: None declared
A parishioner of S.S. Thomas More and John Fisher, I have two children at St. Mary’s, and work at a local Grammar where I am SENCo and Assistant Headteacher in charge of the quality of curriculum provision. These areas are where I can contribute the most to the school; ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive, and to experience a broad and exciting curriculum that will ignite their curiosity, foster a love of learning and support their progress. I am also an experienced MFL teacher and have trained teachers nationally for many years. The warmth of St. Mary’s and the quality of care and education are second to none and it would be a privilege to serve its community.
Daisy Akemma
Co-opted Governor, appointed by foundation/Trust
Dates of term: 9/12/21-8/12/2025
Register of Interests: None declared
Nathalie Adotevi
Foundation Governor, appointed by foundation/Trust
Dates of term: 23/10/23-22/10/27
Tim Chiosso
Parent Governor, elected by parents
Dates of term: 5/12/22-4/12/2026
Register of Interests: None declared
I would love to contribute as a governor to the ethos and community of St Mary’s, which has impressed me greatly since my daughter started there three years ago. I bring a long-term commitment to the role, with my youngest hoping to start next year. I am a Eucharistic Minister at Christchurch and value the strong link between the church and school. My background is in financial IT and project management, and I feel I can bring valuable skills to the Finance & Resources Committee, as well as having a keen interest in the teaching of IT.
Historic Governors in the last 12 months:
Mrs Claire Good
Foundation Governor, appointed by foundation/Trust
Dates of term: 23/3/22-31/3/25
Mrs Michelle Robinson
Foundation Governor, appointed by foundation/Trust
Dates of term: 3/11/20-25/06/2024
Clare Phipps
Ex Officio. Since September 2018, a member of the Governing Body by virtue of position in the school
Dates of term: 01/09/2018-18/02/2024
Vacancies
Name: Governor Vacancy
Type: Foundation
Governing Body Meetings 2024/2025
Autumn Term
Tues 24th September 2024 7pm Full Governing Board meeting
Monday 21st October 2024 4pm Learning & Achievement Committee
7pm Finance & Resources Committee
Monday 9th December 2024 7pm Full Governing Board meeting
Spring Term
Monday 3th March 2025 4pm Learning & Achievement Committee
7pm Finance & Resources Committee
Monday 31st March 2025 6:30pm Full Governing Board meeting
Summer Term
Monday 9th June 2025 4pm Learning & Achievement Committee
6:30pm Finance & Resources Committee
Monday 23rd June 2025 7pm Full Governing Board meeting
Committee Members for 2024 - 2025
|
Finance and Audit
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Learning and Achievement
|
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Tim Chiosso (Chair)
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Jacqueline Hansen (Chair)
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Jonathan Sims
|
Jonathan Sims
|
|
Gary Farrelly
|
Deirdre Michalakis
|
|
Lucy Meyer
|
Nathalie Adotevi
|
|
Jacqueline Hansen
|
Sr. Chris Bendin
|
|
|
Daisy Akemma
|
Attendance and Register Documents
Governors Declaration of Interests 2024 2025
Governors Attendance 2023 2024
Governors Declaration of Interests 2023 2024Governors Attendance 2022 2023
This area will show all documents uploaded to the /docs/GOVERNORS folder.
Documents in folders containing the word 'letter' or 'minute' are listed in the order they were uploaded, most recent upload at the top. Otherwise, documents are listed alphabetically.
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Governors
The Local Governing Committee (LGC) works in partnership with the Executive Team and School Leadership to deliver the vision of the Trust Board in line with the Scheme of Delegation.
Foundation Governors are appointed by the Diocese to represent the Archbishop and exercise the majority vote.
The LGC is there to be the critical friend of the school providing the right balance between supporting and challenging the performance of the Headteacher.
Minutes of meetings are available on request.
The Chair of Governors can be contacted via the school office.
Our Governors
Chair of Governors: Mr Gary Farrelly
Foundation Governor, appointed by GB/board
Dates of term: 6/11/21-5/11/25
Register of Interests: None declared
I have been associated with St Mary's for many years. Both my children attended and then transferred to St Thomas More. I am a parishioner at Christchurch with a strong background in Finance. I am the Chair and lead the Resources.
Mrs Catrina Hamilton
Foundation Governor, appointed by foundation/Trust
Dates of term: 24/11/21-23/11/25
Register of Interests: None declared
Headteacher: Jonathan Sims
Dates of term: Ex Officio. Since September 2018, a member of the Governing Body by virtue of position in the school
Register of Interests: None declared
As Headteacher of the school, I am determined that each child is given the maximum opportunity to realise their potential. With Christ at our centre, our purpose is to create a culture of high expectations where children and staff can excel.
I aim to provide a high-quality education for all, that is broad and balanced, where creativity and personality are allowed to shine; where perseverance and resilience are developed.
Sr Chris Bendin
Foundation Governor, appointed by foundation/Trust
Dates of term: 12/11/23-11/11/27
Register of Interests: Institute of Our Lady of Mercy which leases the property to the Diocese
St Mary’s began as a school run by Sisters of Mercy. Although we are no longer in a teaching role, the Convent is situated on site which means that the Sisters are still able to be involved in the life of the school. We are very proud of St Mary’s.
It is important that the decisions we make are always in the best interests of all pupils. I am passionate that every child at St Mary’s achieves his or her potential which is why I do everything I can to support the dedicated work of our SENCo and her team. I also encourage the school to develop its links with the local community.
Mrs Jacqueline Hansen
Staff Governor, elected by school staff
Dates of term: 13/6/22-14/6/26
Register of Interests: None declared.
I have now been teaching for over thirty years with the last thirteen spent here at St. Mary’s. I have taught in all year groups and am currently teaching in Year 2. I am the Assistant Head, Key Stage One lead and also have responsibility for pupil premium children across the whole school..
I feel strongly that we should provide all children with a creative curriculum where individual strengths are recognised and fostered. It is essential that all our children make academic progress but this should always be within a caring and supportive environment with Christ and his teachings at the centre of all that we do.
Deirdre Michalakis
Foundation Governor, appointed by foundation/Trust
Dates of term: 4/11/23-3/11/27
Register of Interests: None Declared.
My background is in catering and my family have been involved in the restaurant business for over 30 years.
My youngest daughter attended St Mary’s when we moved to Eltham whilst my older children went to St Winifred’s in Lee. I have been a catechist at Christchurch for the First Holy Communion programme for the last eight years. Therefore, I have a connection to the children attending St Mary’s.
I hope to contribute in anyway I can as a Foundation Governor.
Lucy Meyer
Parent Governor, elected by parents
Dates of term: 16/10/23-15/10/27
Register of Interests: None declared
A parishioner of S.S. Thomas More and John Fisher, I have two children at St. Mary’s, and work at a local Grammar where I am SENCo and Assistant Headteacher in charge of the quality of curriculum provision. These areas are where I can contribute the most to the school; ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive, and to experience a broad and exciting curriculum that will ignite their curiosity, foster a love of learning and support their progress. I am also an experienced MFL teacher and have trained teachers nationally for many years. The warmth of St. Mary’s and the quality of care and education are second to none and it would be a privilege to serve its community.
Daisy Akemma
Co-opted Governor, appointed by foundation/Trust
Dates of term: 9/12/21-8/12/2025
Register of Interests: None declared
Nathalie Adotevi
Tim Chiosso
Parent Governor, elected by parents
Dates of term: 5/12/22-4/12/2026
Register of Interests: None declared
I would love to contribute as a governor to the ethos and community of St Mary’s, which has impressed me greatly since my daughter started there three years ago. I bring a long-term commitment to the role, with my youngest hoping to start next year. I am a Eucharistic Minister at Christchurch and value the strong link between the church and school. My background is in financial IT and project management, and I feel I can bring valuable skills to the Finance & Resources Committee, as well as having a keen interest in the teaching of IT.
Historic Governors in the last 12 months:
Mrs Claire Good
Foundation Governor, appointed by foundation/Trust
Dates of term: 23/3/22-31/3/25
Mrs Michelle Robinson
Foundation Governor, appointed by foundation/Trust
Dates of term: 3/11/20-25/06/2024
Clare Phipps
Ex Officio. Since September 2018, a member of the Governing Body by virtue of position in the school
Dates of term: 01/09/2018-18/02/2024
Vacancies
Governing Body Meetings 2024/2025
Autumn Term
Tues 24th September 2024 7pm Full Governing Board meeting
Monday 21st October 2024 4pm Learning & Achievement Committee
7pm Finance & Resources Committee
Monday 9th December 2024 7pm Full Governing Board meeting
Spring Term
Monday 3th March 2025 4pm Learning & Achievement Committee
7pm Finance & Resources Committee
Monday 31st March 2025 6:30pm Full Governing Board meeting
Summer Term
Monday 9th June 2025 4pm Learning & Achievement Committee
6:30pm Finance & Resources Committee
Monday 23rd June 2025 7pm Full Governing Board meeting
Committee Members for 2024 - 2025
Finance and Audit
Learning and Achievement
Tim Chiosso (Chair)
Jacqueline Hansen (Chair)
Jonathan Sims
Jonathan Sims
Gary Farrelly
Deirdre Michalakis
Lucy Meyer
Nathalie Adotevi
Jacqueline Hansen
Sr. Chris Bendin
Daisy Akemma
Attendance and Register Documents
Governors Declaration of Interests 2024 2025
Governors Attendance 2023 2024
Governors Declaration of Interests 2023 2024Governors Attendance 2022 2023
This area will show all documents uploaded to the /docs/GOVERNORS folder.
Documents in folders containing the word 'letter' or 'minute' are listed in the order they were uploaded, most recent upload at the top. Otherwise, documents are listed alphabetically.