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Governor Profiles

Sue McGarry

I have been a part of the St Joseph’s family for a long time - my children spent many happy years here, so I have seen at first-hand how well the school equips pupils for life beyond its gates. I joined the administrative team at St Joe’s in 2001, eventually becoming Administration Manager - a post that I held until my retirement in 2019. I returned to St Joseph’s in 2020 as a Foundation Governor and am committed to work with my fellow Governors and the school’s dedicated staff, to ensure St Joseph’s continued success.

 

Tim Bem

I have had experience as a school governor in London for nearly 10 years before I moved to Thame. I have three children and five grandchildren so have extensive knowledge of the school sector as a parent/grandparent. I have fifteen years’ experience as a teacher, supply teacher and TA working in primary and secondary schools.

I am a parishioner of St Joseph's church and am passionate about providing the best opportunities possible for all pupils and ensuring they reach their full potential and become valuable members of the community. 

I am the Attendance Link Governor and am now retired and keep occupied by playing football, walking and performing my grandparent duties.

 

Angela Briggs

I was a teacher for over thirty years and was privileged to teach at St. Joseph’s during the 1990s. I left to become a Deputy Headteacher and went on to be Headteacher of an outstanding Oxfordshire school for ten years. I then worked part-time in a range of primary schools as a School Improvement Officer for three years and worked alongside the current Headteacher of St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Banbury as Associate Headteacher for one year before I retired. My three children were educated at St. Joseph’s and Lord Williams’s and my grandchildren are now also at St. Joseph’s. As a parishioner of St Joseph’s in Thame and someone who is totally committed to our school, I was absolutely delighted to join the Local Governing Body in December 2014. I am passionate and determined to play my part in driving standards upwards so that the children in our care achieve their potential in every aspect of learning and become outstanding global citizens.

 

Juan Castillo

Hello! I believe that strong values and a good education are the path to a fulfilling life, and the primary school years are the most important to establish this foundation. Both my sons attend St Joseph’s and my family and I feel very fortunate to be part of this caring community.

I work in the space industry, an exciting area of technological development that shows the importance STEM (science, technology, engineering, and maths) subjects, and hope to serve as an ambassador to raise the children’s aspirations in this area.

Through my work on the Board of Governors, I aim to support the school in providing an environment where children can achieve their academic potential.

I live with my wife Nataša and two sons in Thame. I work as a Business Development Manager in the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus. I went to a primary Catholic school and hold a BSc in Electronic Engineering from Universidad Simon Bolivar, an MSc in Digital Signal Processing from Queen Mary – University of London, and an MBA from Manchester Business School.

 

Richard Hawkins

I have been a Foundation Governor for almost 20 years, since before my daughter was born. Both of my children attended St Joseph's School and my wife currently works there as a Teaching Assistant.

My background is in IT. I have been a director, a business owner, consultant/contractor, and currently I work an Operations Director at a national church based housing society. My wide business background helps me bring experience of running a number of organisations. My long involvement with school and business knowledge allows me to work on the various committees bringing a great deal of experience supporting the school with the operational and practical aspects of running the school

I have also helped the parish by running the Team Joseph youth group and taking part in the Children's Liturgy as a parent helper until recently. Currently, I help the parish with technical support, PAT testing and remote provision technology for online masses. 

 

James Neal

I have been working at St Joseph's for the last 4 years, prior to that I also completed my final placement here whilst studying Primary Education (BEd) at Oxford Brookes. Before  qualifying as a teacher I worked for Abingdon Boys’ school as Assistant Sport centre manager for Tilsley Park. Away from school I have a great interest in sports (which helps in my role as sports co-ordinator), still actively playing rugby and cricket in the local community.

I have been Staff Governor since September 2022 and look forward to the new challenges that lie ahead. I am determined to see the school succeed and i am passionate at ensuring the children at St Joseph's are able to learn to their full potential. 

 

Phil Parker

My family moved to Thame in 2019 and are very grateful to the school, church and community for making us feel welcome. Both my son and daughter are currently attending the school, and I am a parent governor on the Local Governing Body. My background is in Finance, having worked as a fund manager running unit trust, life and pension money for Aviva and Prudential for over 15 years. I think St Joseph’s is a great school and I hope to apply the experience I have to help make it the best it can be. 

 

Clare Tilley

I have been part of the St. Joseph’s school family for a number of years. My eldest child was educated at St. Josephs and my youngest is still at the school. I am also a parishioner at St Joseph's church. I was a Marketing Manager for many years within the retail industry until we moved to Thame in 2012 with our two young children. I am now an Office Manager for a local business which enables me to be flexible around the needs of my family and my commitments to the school. I was Chair of the Management Committee at my children’s pre-school until my oldest started school and have been a Governor at St. Josephs for over 5 years. I think St Joseph's is a fantastic school and I hope that my contribution as a Governor helps the school continue to ensure all children are given the opportunity to achieve their academic potential as well-being able to contribute positively to the communities in which they live.