School Committee Pen Portraits

Catherine Watts - Chair

I am really looking forward to starting my service as Chair of Governors for St Mary and St Thomas CE Primary School in September, and thought I would provide a brief overview of my beliefs, experience and career that has led me to the decision to accept this role in your school.

I have had over 30 years' experience in Primary Education. My changing and evolving roles during that time have enabled me to learn about effective school leadership through many lenses, and from different perspectives. From the grass roots level of being a classroom teacher, I grew through school leadership eventually working in the wider, National role that is my current career. I now relish the potential to share my experience as Chair of Governors, as well as listening and learning from your school team at all levels.

As a class teacher, I developed an interest in leading Art and English, as well as a passion for extra curricular sport and arts, training netball teams and leading many drama productions.

I then became a Deputy Headteacher which began my 16 years experience as a senior leader in Knowsley, an area of high deprivation in Merseyside, leading a highly successful primary school as Headteacher for 11 years. I later became an Executive Headteacher, bringing an underperforming school out of an OFSTED category of Special Measures to Good within ten months. I also worked as a School Improvement Partner for the Local Authority for 2 years as a Local Leader of Education.

Following my Headship, I worked as an independent Education Consultant for 10 years, supporting and mentoring new school leaders in both the Primary and Secondary sectors, and enabling established Headteachers to improve their schools. During this time, I was also fortunate to be a Governor and eventually Vice Chair in a large and vibrant Primary School in Toxteth, Liverpool.

I am currently Regional Lead for PiXL Primary across The East of England, working with 30 PiXL Associates and over 400 schools across the area.

I have a passion for developing school leadership at all levels and love developing training and CPD for educators. I have written and facilitated Leadership training in the North West and North East on a wide variety of school improvement themes. I have enjoyed supporting Headteachers, Governors, Deputies and aspiring school leaders across the regions, as well as working as a SIP for a successful Multi Academy Trust in Hartlepool.

I firmly believe that as educators we must ensure all children can and will succeed and that there should be no excuses, particularly in areas of high deprivation where we must make a difference to our most vulnerable children.?

Beyond work and my love of school improvement, I have two children, a wonderful husband and I enjoy yoga, fitness, shoes, theatre, gothic literature and travel.

Reverend Harry Wood - Vice-Chair

Based at St Thomas Church, I am currently interim team vicar within the St Helens Town Centre team. I served my Curacy at St Helens Parish Church, and before that worked in Engineering for some 28 years. I’m delighted to be at St Thomas Church, and equally so to be involved with St Mary and St Thomas School. I’m was born in St Helens, serving my apprenticeship at Beecham's in the town centre and I have seen the landscape of the town change over the years. I’m totally convinced that the part our schools play in the lives of young people goes beyond solely academic achievement, and I’m delighted to support staff and governors wherever possible in the immeasurably valuable work they do.

Lyndsey Lewis - Ex-Officio (Headteacher)

I am thrilled to have been appointed Headteacher at St Mary & St Thomas in September 2016. Having worked for the school for two years as Assistant Headteacher, I know what a wonderful school we have and am so excited to take the school forward and carry on the successful work of our Executive Principal.

Melissa Fiendley - Staff

I have been a teacher at St Mary & St Thomas since 2014 and I am delighted to be given the opportunity to be a Staff Governor. I have currently taken up the role as Assistant Headteacher & Key Stage 2 Leader and take great pleasure in working with our children to ensure they enjoy school life and make the most out of every opportunity we can provide. I enjoy and thrive on the challenge that comes with every aspect of school life and am passionate about high quality education with each and every child reaching their full potential.

Donna Lloyd - Foundation

I was primary school teacher in Warrington for twenty years leading RE and Worship, teaching both KS1 and KS2.

I now write books on Christianity and have had the first one published this year. Currently I?m the secretary at St Thomas? Parish Church and I'm involved in the full life of the church.

I have an allotment and enjoy growing a range of fruit and vegetables.

David Cross - Foundation

David was delighted to be elected as Foundation Governor. He has lived in St Helens all his life and been a hairdresser in the community for 57 years. David is the Church Warden at St Thomas Church and has been for the last 5 years. He enjoys organising events for the church community such as the Queen?s anniversary and the Coronation, along with attending Rainbows and our First Steps toddler group on a weekly basis.

David has been the Chair of the Multiple Sclerosis Society for over 50 years in St Helens and has recently won a North West Christmas Star award out of 8,000 applicants. David is very much a people person and thoroughly enjoys coming into school to meet the staff and children. David's hobbies include regularly attending to the Church garden, listening to music, and attending school events as part of our family of faith.

Canon Geoff Almond - Foundation

Geoff has been a school governor for over forty years. He is currently a governor of two schools, including ours.

Geoff was a primary school headteacher for over eighteen years before retirement. He is currently Chair of the Liverpool Diocesan Board of Education.He is Lay Dean of Huyton Deanery.

Geoff is married with two grown up children and four grandchildren. He and his wife worship at Prescot Parish Church.

Helen Davis - Parent

I am delighted to have been appointed as Parent Governor at St Mary & St Thomas in March 2019. My daughter in in KS2 and my youngest daughter will be joining reception class in September. We have been very impressed at the standards of education at school and how well our daughter integrated and has flourished since starting Mid way in year 1.

The school's clear mission statement is reflected and implemented well throughout the school to ‘Believe, Achieve and Shine’ and our experience has been wholly positive. As newly appointed parent governor I hope to offer my perspective from a parents point of view and also apply my career and business background.

I started my career 15 years ago working across schools with children and families who faced challenges and barriers to their learning and since moved on to running my own businesses. As a business owner I hope to add value from an objective perspective and support where I can the continued success of the school moving forward.

Libby Schonewille - Parent

I am thrilled to have been elected Parent Governor. All 3 of my children have attended St Marys and St Thomas and my youngest is currently in Y4.The school's ethos is not just words, you can feel it and see it in everything they do.

Working in education myself and having a child with Special educational Needs I am very dedicated to inclusion and development of strategies to assist this.

I am very excited to work with school and represent the parents to continue this schools outstanding progress and development.