Governors

I have been a Foundation Governor of St Joseph’s since 2017 and was appointed Chair of Governors in September 2021. My wife Elaine and I have four daughters who all attended St Joseph’s, three of which are now studying at university and the fourth currently at Gordano. I work full time as an IT consultant in Financial Services, based in London but very fortunate to be able to work from home in Portishead for the majority of the time.

Originally from Kent, I have now lived in Clevedon with my husband Neil for many years. After a long career in procurement and contracts, I now work part time as the Corporate Social Responsibility and Events Officer for Viper Innovations, an engineering company based in Portishead and Aberdeen. My hobbies include dancing and reading and I also teach line dancing classes in Portishead.
I was looking for voluntary work which used my experience and skills and a friend suggested applying to become a school governor. I was really pleased to be appointed a Foundation Governor at St Joseph’s and given the opportunity to contribute in the local community.

Born in Clevedon in 1961, I attended Saint Anthony’s Primary School and Clevedon Comprehensive. I worked as a builder for two years, then studied for Priesthood and religious life in the Jesuit seminary in Dublin, which is affiliated to the Gregorian University in Rome. I served in parishes in Liverpool and Leeds, as well as 11 years as a full time NHS Chaplain in Gloucester & Cheltenham, before which I spent 10 years as assistant mission director and part time mission preacher, alongside organizing pilgrimages. Before coming to Portishead & Nailsea, I was parish Priest in Burnham on Sea and Bridgwater and very involved in the schools.

I see the Priest’s role primarily in chaplaincy, but it is also good to have the extra insights from being part of a governor’s committee. I also feel that the link between school and parish should be strong.

Born and raised in France, I came to London to study English at the end of my secondary schooling, unaware that I would end up settling in England and becoming a British subject in 1984!
I am married to Alison; we are parents of three young men, and grandparents of two little boys.
I was ordained a Permanent Deacon in 2008 while we were living in Grenoble, France, but now I am a member of Clifton Diocese, at the service of St Joseph’s Parish.
I taught for many years in a variety of secondary schools in Algeria, England and France. After our retirement we moved to Portishead at the end of 2016 for family reasons, and also for love of the West Country where we met originally.
I love music, reading and walking.
In 2017 I agreed to becoming a Foundation governor of St Joseph’s school, given my involvement in the parish, my earlier experience, and my teaching background.

I moved to Portishead in 2013 after living in Nottingham for 20 years, although I am from the west country, having been born in Bath.
I am now retired and am far busier than I’ve ever been!
I have three married daughters, two of whom live here in Portishead and I have eight grandchildren, two of which are at the school.
I started work at Nat West Bank in Bath but with children switched to nursery nursing. Before retirement I worked as a Higher Level Teaching Assistant at primary and senior level. My last job was at QEH school in Bristol. I have also been involved with Girlguiding for 15 years.
I love to sing, read, walk. go to the cinema and theatre and go out with friends.
I attend St Joseph’s church having converted to the faith in the 1980’s. My background of children’s education led me to think that I could use my expertise as a governor and I applied when I saw an advert in the parish newsletter.
It was difficult at first, having just joined at the beginning of lockdown and meetings were on computer, however I am now thoroughly enjoying the role, working with staff and governors for the benefit of our children.

I was born in Bath but grew up in Scotland. I joined the Ministry of Defence in London in 1986 and have been a Civil Servant virtually all my working life, mostly in Finance roles. When the government adopted “proper” accruals accounting in the late 1990s, I decided to qualify as a management accountant (CIMA). My work now is mainly internal benefits consultancy and assurance.
I met my (Welsh) wife Elspeth when we were both working in Germany and we were married there before being posted to Northern Ireland, where Angharad was born and then Scotland where Ewan arrived. Portishead has been our home since 2007 and I have lived and enjoyed being here longer than anywhere else in my life.
I enjoy walking, and cycling which helps to counter the fact that I also love food and drink. I also enjoy socialising with friends, singing in church and on Monday evenings I play Bridge.
Since coming to Portishead, I have been a regular congregant at St Joseph’s Church. I was invited to stand as a governor by Deacon Didier in 2021. Both my children, Angharad and Ewan went to St Joseph’s Primary and I was pleased to be offered the opportunity to give something back. In October last year I agreed to chair the resources committee, a role providing plenty of challenges and excitement!

I am a retired teacher, having spent the last 17 years of my career at St Joseph’s School. During my time at the School, I was a class teacher, Deputy Head and Acting Head. I very much enjoyed my time at the School, particularly working within the Parish of St Joseph’s. I retired in 2017 and am enjoying my retirement spending time looking after my grandchildren, walking with a local ramblers’ group, reading and gardening.
I became a Foundation Governor in November 2021. I decided to become a Governor as I would like to ‘give back’ to St Joseph’s School. While teaching at the School I was the Staff Governor for many years. Also, when my children were at school, I was a Foundation Governor at St Francis School in Nailsea.

My husband and I moved to Portishead in 2012 looking for the right place to raise our family. We love living here and both our children go to St Joseph’s.
After working for 20 years in TV production in London and in Bristol, I chose to become a full time Mum after our son was born. I rediscovered my love of gardening during my maternity leave and in 2019 I studied and gained a Diploma in Horticulture from the RHS. I am now part of the volunteer garden team at Penny Brohn National Centre in Pill.
When I’m not gardening, I love Pilates, walks with our Labrador and reading.
I put myself forward to be a Governor at St Joseph’s as I wanted to be able to give something back. I was really pleased to be appointed LA Governor and grateful to be able to contribute to the school.

I am very pleased to be the headteacher and governor of our lovely School. I have many reasons to love our School including being an ex-pupil, having met my wife when she was working with my mother at the School and choosing St Joseph’s for both of my children. My interests are varied but include dabbling with technology and computers, flying kites and spending time with my wife at our allotment.
The role of governor comes with my role as a headteacher but I chose to be a headteacher to try to make St Joseph’s the best it can be for all of the children and adults who work in our school family.

I grew up and lived in South London before engaging in jobs which took me to various locations including Canada, France and the Scottish Highlands. Moving to Portishead with a young family, I have very much enjoyed what the South West has to offer. My hobbies include hiking, running and anything else in the great outdoors!
When I joined the staff at St Joseph’s I knew this was a place where I would like to grow as a teacher. Now, as Deputy Headteacher, I appreciate the opportunity that being an Associate Governor gives me to have a positive impact on the children at the school and our local community.

I grew up in Devon and moved to Cardiff for my degree, before moving to North Somerset to complete my teacher training. I have been a teacher at St Joseph's for 12 years and love spending my time with the most amazing children we have here! I have 2 small girls of my own who are Primary aged and they pretty much keep me busy all the time! I love to read, I love all sorts of books and can't think of anything more peaceful than escaping in a story!
I decided to become a teacher governor as I wanted to be more involved in the governing of the school and the strategic vision for the education of all the children to make the biggest impact I can on their primary education.

I am a busy working mum to four beautiful girls, Olivia (16), Charlotte (15), Isabella (10) and Ciara (4), married to Richard and we have lived in Portishead for almost 9 years. All of my children have been to (and 2 currently go to) St. Joseph’s and as a family we feel very much part of the St. Joseph’s family.
We are practicing Catholics and attend mass at the Cathedral in Clifton where I also sing in the choir at the family mass on a Sunday. .
I have been qualified as a nurse for 24 years and my current role is Director of Nursing at Weston General Hospital, which is part of University Hospitals of Bristol and Weston NHS Trust. I am responsible for patient safety, patient experience, safeguarding and I lead and develop the nursing workforce. I am extremely proud to work for the NHS and feel humbled to work with the teams that I lead who go the extra mile to ensure patients in our care receive excellent service.
I applied for the role of parent governor as I believe I have the skills, knowledge, and experience to positively contribute to the development and maintenance of an exciting, innovative and stimulating learning environment. I am passionate about not only education but being able to positively contribute to helping children and young people achieve their ambitions; and supporting the staff to achieve their own professional and personal objectives.

I wanted to become a Governor to be an integral part of my children's educational world and to give back in any way possible. Still enjoying it all these years later, although moved into an associate role to leave the Governor positions for those with more time, skills and availability to fill.