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.

I have been a parent governor at St. Joseph's for about five years and last year I was fortunate enough to be voted in as Vice-Chair, which I felt was is a fantastic opportunity to support the school further. I have had numerous people and project management roles in the Finance sector over the years have recently diversified into web design project management for Corporate Affairs at Mars. I enjoy spending time with my husband Jonathan, our 4 children and chihuahua called Cooper. I love traveling, interior design, cooking and baking cakes, socializing with friends and going to the gym.
Why do I love being a governor? I’m part of a brilliant team who are all passionate and focused on providing the best outcomes for children. I work alongside a great management team and feel I bring my skills and experiences to support our strategic decisions and future direction. Being part of this and seeing the changes we have delivered over the years, is extremely rewarding.

Born and raised in France, I went 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 one little boy.
I was ordained a Permanent Deacon in 2008 while we were living in Grenoble, France, but now I am part of Clifton Diocese, at the service of St Joseph’s Parish and representing Bishop Declan on the steering committee of Churches Together Somerset.
Following both of our professional retirements Alison and I 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 the early 90’s when our boys were small and we lived in Oxford, I was elected Parent Governor of our local Catholic school. In 2017 I was easily persuaded to become a Foundation governor of St Joseph’s school, given my involvement in the parish, my earlier experience, and my teaching background.

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.

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!

It truly is a privilege to serve as a governor for St Joseph's. Entering my 18th year of governorship, I continue to be impressed by the dedication of the whole school community. To strive for continual school development in this environment is very rewarding.

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 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 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 am the Parish Priest of St Joseph’s, Portishead and St Francis’, Nailsea. Before arriving in Portishead and Nailsea, I served in parishes in Swindon and Gloucester and was involved with the primary and secondary schools in both parishes. Before ordination I taught Religious Studies in a number of Catholic Secondary Schools in the Diocese. I was also involved with the Combined Cadet Force, and still enjoy the outdoors, especially walking and cycling.
I am keen to contribute to the Faith and Ethos Committee, focusing on the Catholic ethos of the school, and continue to build closer links between the school and parish.

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.