Governor
nickrichclerking@virginmedia.comAlison Wagstaff
Key Roles:
I live in Bodmin and am a parishioner at St Mary’s Church. I am a very new governor having been appointed for the first time in July 2021, so my first experiences of governing body meetings were via Zoom. It is a challenging role, but it is fantastic to be able to experience at first hand the strong sense of community at St Mary’s School, and the way the children are taught and encouraged by example to live out the Gospel values of love of God and neighbour in their own lives. As a Foundation governor I hope to have many opportunities to share in the Catholic ethos of the school.
I am very interested in education having had four children of my own, and now also grandchildren living reasonably close by. After bringing up my family I worked for ten years for the Foundation Board of a large educational charity which ran a number of independent, grammar and comprehensive secondary schools. I also acted as clerk to the Governing Body of a local authority primary school, which gave me a good insight into how much is now expected of school staff and also of the children.
My own educational background is in languages, and I have a degree in German language and literature as well as an abiding interest in classical languages, especially Latin. I also took up quilting a couple of years ago, and my ambition now to make something which is both useful and beautiful.
Parent Governor
nickrichclerking@virginmedia.comEllen Brown
Key Roles: Parent Governor
I have spent over 15 years working in Education and, it is safe to say, I have a real passion for the ongoing development and success of St Marys school. All 3 of my children have attended St Mary's; my eldest having just successfully transitioned to Year 7 and I even attended this Primary School with my siblings many years ago. I’ve been part of raising much needed funds for the school through my involvement of Friends of School and now, through my role of Parent Governor, I aim to continue to support the school in providing excellence through education and to continue developing the fantastic relationships the school has with us, as parents.
Head Teacher
nickrichclerking@virginmedia.comAlison McDonald
Key Roles: Headteacher, SEND, Teaching and Learning
I have been working in education for over 21 years. Prior to my career in education I worked in my family's business, running a successful public house and restaurant in Lostwithiel. Although I am originally from the Midlands my family moved to the west country during the seventies, my father securing a job with Telcalemit in Plymouth designing the first petrol injection engines in the UK. My parents decided to change career paths and decided to become hoteliers. They successful ran two hotels in Looe and Fowey before their move to Lostwithiel.
I am a former pupil of Notre dame Catholic School for girls. I moved from Notre Dame to Falmouth School of Art and then took some time working for my family. I felt that I had more to offer and I applied to the College of St Mark and St John in Plymouth to study a degree in Education. I achieved my degree and took up my first teaching post at Carclaze Infant School in St Austell. It was here that I first took my steps into leadership and management as an assistant head. I then moved to St Mabyn CE Primary School as Head of Teaching and Learning and subsequent Head of School in the Saints Way MAT. Whilst working for the MAT I also supported on School Improvement and SEND across the five schools.
I came to St Mary’s as an acting head teacher covering a maternity leave before being appointed as the permanent head teacher last summer.
St Mary’s is a special school full of amazing children who always try their best in everything that they do. I am very proud to be ‘St Mary’s’ head teacher and I will do everything in my power to ensure our children make the best possible start at St Mary’s as well as ensuring that they become confident individuals who can contribute to our society in the future.
Staff Governor
cbreslin@st-marys-bod.cornwall.sch.ukHello my name is Catherine Breslin and I am a newly appointed staff governor at St Mary's. I have been teaching at St Mary's for 13 years and in that time I have taught in Year 1, Year 4 and Year 5. I am currently a middle leader with responsibility for R.E and History. I have also led maths, ICT and PHSE.
I was born in Devon and grew up just outside of Plymouth, where I went to school and worked for many years firstly as a secretary and then becoming a Playgroup leader and Teaching assistant. As a mature student I obtained a teaching degree at MARJONS, specialising in Theology.
I am married with two children and expecting my first grandchild in June. I currently live just outside of Launceston, where I enjoying walking on Dartmoor, baking and spending time at British Cycling events as my son races for Dartmoor Velo.
I am really looking forward to this new challenge as a governor of our school as it goes from strength to strength.