Carmen Tweed – Chair of Governors, Local Authority Governor

I have been a local authority governor for St Mary's since 2013 and took up the position of chair in November 2017. 

I live in Gosport with my husband and two teenage daughters who previously attended St Marys.

I am a Chartered Certified Accountant and work as practice manager in a local firm. I am part of the general leadership team of my local church and have responsibility for Kids Church for the 4 - 6 year olds. I believe all children should be given the best opportunity to learn and develop and am pleased to be able to use my skills to help the school move forward.

Governor Category – Chair (Local Authority)

Term Start – 19.06.2021 Term End – 18.06.2025

Governor Category – Local Authority

Appointing Body – Local Authority

Committee Membership – Resources, Admissions,  Curriculum 

Responsibility – Building Fund, Development & Training

Register of Business Interests – NoneA

Attendance 2019/20 -  12 of 12

Rev Benjamin Idowu - Foundation Governor

I am the parish priest of the Catholic Parish of St Mary’s & St Columba’s to which St Mary’s Catholic Primary School belongs. A native of Nigeria, I studied Philosophy in Brazil and Theology in Italy and was ordained a priest in 2013. I have lived in the U.K. for five years and was appointed by Bishop Philip Egan as foundation governor in 2017.

I feel blessed to work with the children and staff of St Mary’s Primary School and look forward to the challenges that lie ahead.

Governor Category – Foundation

Term Start – 1.6.2021 Term End – 31.05.2025

Appointing Body – Portsmouth Diocese

Committee Membership – Curriculum Committee

Responsibility – None

Register of Business Interests – None

Attendance 2019/21 - 7 of 12

Vacancy - Foundation Governor

Vacancy - Foundation Governor

Anne Berger -  Foundation Governor

After my retirement in 2011, my husband and I moved to this area from Ash after I had spent 20 years working, initially as an Accommodation Assistant and then retired as the onsite Accommodation Manager at the University of Surrey. I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to live in Zambia, Malaysia and Singapore and raise my 4 children in a loving Catholic home in these countries.

My husband and I worship at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Gosport and I have numerous responsibilities within the parish including Minister of Holy Communion to the housebound, Nightfever, Adoration Outreach and Gift Aid.

I feel extremely privileged to be appointed a Foundation Governor and through my faith and trust in God, I look forward to the challenges ahead to be able to put my skills to good use by working alongside a school that believes in the value of a Catholic education.

Governor Category – Foundation Governor

Term Start – 18.6.2018 Term End – 17.6.2022

Appointing Body – Portsmouth Diocese

Committee Membership – Full Governing Body

Responsibility - Resource & Pay Committee

Register of Business Interests – None

Attendance 2019/20 – 11 of 12

Patrick O'Gorman - Foundation Governor

I have been a Foundation Governor since my appointment by the Diocese in May of 2019. Upon completion of my apprenticeship in 2002, I spent 16 years as a Systems Engineer for BAE Systems, working on military sensor equipment. After leaving BAE I moved into a teaching role for Babcock Marine, where for the last few years I have been teaching the principles of Sonar to military personal, teaching equipment maintenance, and assessing students on their foundation degree courses. I have a First Class Honours Degree in Electronic Engineering from Solent University. 

I believe every individual should be given the opportunity to learn and excel as they grow older and move through life, and it is the underpinning knowledge gained at primary level that allows this to happen. Thus ensuring the best preparation to the futures of all the students.

I have three daughters, who have all left St. Mary’s, and my youngest is in her first year of Senior School, and my eldest is at college. My family and I are also active members of our local parish, St Mary’s Church in Gosport.

Governor Category – Foundation Governor

Term Start – 17/7/2019 Term End – 16/7/2023

Appointing Body – Portsmouth Diocese

Committee Membership – Full Governing Body & Resources

Responsibility - Health & Safety

Register of Business Interests – None

Attendance 2019/20 – 12 of 12

Mary-Anne Gaskin - Foundation Governor

As an active member of my parish community, I was delighted to be asked to become a governor for my local primary school. I have held a career in waste management and local authority, as well as various youth work roles and most recently being a secondary school teacher of Geography (and RE). 

I look forward to putting our children at the centre of all discussions and decisions. Especially, with a Christ centred curriculum, we will enable our young people to be the best that they can be - and this is exciting to be apart of their future to succeed. 

Governor Category – Foundation Governor

Term Start – 01/10/2020 Term End – 30/09/2024

Appointing Body – Portsmouth Diocese

Committee Membership – Full Governing Body

Responsibility -

Register of Business Interests – None

Attendance 2020/21

Kathleen Jones - Foundation Governor

Awaiting information.

Governor Category – Foundation Governor

Term Start – 05/03/2021 Term End – 04/03/2025

Appointing Body – Portsmouth Diocese

Committee Membership – Full Governing Body

Responsibility -

Register of Business Interests – None

Attendance 2020/21

Justine Read - Parent Governor

I am delighted to have been appointed as parent governor for St Mary's. This is the first time I have held a governors position and although I am currently employed as a dental nurse I have undertaken various roles within primary and secondary education. I have a son who is currently in Year 1 at St Mary's and a son who is in Year 11 at Brune Park.

After serving 17 years in the RAF, many of which were spent teaching, I began working in secondary education before beginning a primary education degree at Brighton University.

I am looking forward to using these experiences to work with the governors, teachers and parents over the next four years to help make St Marys the best it can be for our children.

Governor Category – Foundation Governor

Term Start – 14/10/2020 Term End – 13/10/2024

Appointing Body – Portsmouth Diocese

Committee Membership – Full Governing Body

Responsibility -

Register of Business Interests – None

Attendance 2020/21

Mario Martinisi - Parent Governor

Awaiting information

Governor Category – Parent Governor

Term Start – 26/02/2021 Term End – 25/02/2025

Appointing Body – Portsmouth Diocese

Committee Membership – Full Governing Body

Responsibility -

Register of Business Interests – None

Attendance 2020/21

Lauren O'Connor - Headteacher

I am the Headteacher at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School since September 2019. I have come from a Southampton school with high levels of English as an additional language and the challenges of an inner-city school. I am passionate about school improvement and ensuring all pupils are prepared for their next steps in education. I studied at Winchester University for the BA (Hons) in Primary Education with a specialist in Special Educational Needs and I am currently on the Future Leaders Programme (Cohort 2018).

I worship at St Joseph’s Catholic Church, which is part of the Southampton City parish. I live in Southampton, with my husband and two young daughters. I am blessed to have a very supportive and understanding family who enable me to fulfil my passion in Education as a Headteacher.

Governor Category – Staff

Term Start – 01.09.2019 Term End –

Appointing Body – Governing Body

Committee Membership – Full Governing Body, Curriculum, Resources, Data, Admissions

Responsibility – None

Register of Business Interests – None

Attendance 2019/20 - 12 of 12

Debra Scarsbrook - Staff Governor

I have been a class teacher at St Mary's since 2017. I have been working in education as a teacher, advisor and in staff training and HE management for nearly 30 years. I am loving being a class teacher again and currently teach lower KS2. I am looking forward to working with the governors over the next four years.

Governor Category – Staff

Term Start – 22.7.2020 Term End – 21.7.2024

Appointing Body – Staff

Committee Membership –  Curriculum Committee

Responsibility – None

Register of Business Interests – None

2019/20 Not in Office 

Being a governor - what's involved?
Being a governor can be hard work and means attending meetings and reading the paperwork. It is, however, a valuable way of serving the local community and gives an opportunity for people to influence the future of education in their area.
 
Governing bodies have to meet at least once each term, but much of the work of governing bodies is delegated to committees. All governors are expected to participate in the work of at least one or two committees. Most statutory termly meetings are held during the evening, but committees may meet either in the evening or daytime.
 
It is important to get to know the school by visiting it and supporting events. It is equally important to support training sessions, which may be arranged for either individual governors or whole governing bodies.
 
Most governors serve for four years, and many continue for a second or even third term by being re-appointed or re-elected.
If you wish to know more or are interested in becoming a governor, please contact our the School Office on 023 92583979.