Parent Governor Vacancy
We currently have 2 vacancies for a Parent Governor on the Joint Governing Board of Notre Dame and St Boniface (one from each school is required). This is open to all Notre Dame and St Boniface Parents. Please contact the Clerk to Governors via email at governors@ndonline.org if you would like more details.
The Local Governing Board of Notre Dame Plymouth and St Boniface’s College
The Local Governing Boards of Notre Dame and St Boniface’s College are pleased to be coming together to work as a joint Board in the interests of the students within both schools.
Governor Profiles 2022-23
Foundation Governors
Mr Michael Parle (Chair of Governors)
Michael had a career in education, teaching Mathematics and Computing in Liverpool and London, before moving to Plymouth to be Deputy Headteacher at Notre Dame from 1991 to 2003. Following retirement, he took up the role of Foundation Governor and Chair for Meavy C of E Primary School and then The West Dartmoor Federation. Michael became a Foundation Governor of St Boniface College in February 2020 and Chair of the Joint Governing Body in January 2021. He is a parishioner of Holy Cross, Yelverton.
Michael’s interests include walking on Dartmoor and photography.
Michael is the Link Governor for Sixth Form, the Maths Faculty and Staff Wellbeing.
Jane Bailey
Jane joined the Governing Body in March 2016 as an Associate Governor and became a Foundation Governor in September 2016. Having been a student here previously, Jane worked at Notre Dame for 32 years, firstly as a Peripatetic Teacher before taking on a permanent contract with the school and had been Head of Music since 2003 until her retirement in July 2016.
Jane is Lead Governor for Statutory Grants and Link Governor for Teaching and Learning and the English Faculty.
Helen Jones
Helen is a former student at Notre Dame and joined the Governing Body in 2019 as a Foundation Governor. Helen spent most of her working life in the Pensions and Investment sector, initially as a technical assistant and subsequently as a Sales Support Manager before retiring from full time employment in 2016.
Helen is married to a retired teacher and is a practising Catholic. She appreciates all types of music and enjoys performing as a solo vocalist or with groups of people. Helen had the pleasure of being part of the Notre Dame choir when they performed ‘Seven Last Words’.
As someone who benefited enormously from being a former student, Helen feels it is important for the school to continue to ensure that all students have the opportunity to learn in a place where they feel secure, have a sense of belonging and achieve their full potential whilst promoting Christian attitudes
Helen is the Lead Governor for Safeguarding and the Link Governor for the Open Faculty.
Father Jon Bielawski
Father Jon is the Parish Priest at St Peter’s Catholic Church and has regular involvement with the school, supporting with Chaplancy, Assemblies and Masses and Religious Education.
Father Jon is Lead Governor for RE and Catholic Life
Simon Giarchi
Simongrew up in Plymouth and is a former pupil of a few of the Catholic schools in the city. Keyham Barton, Notre Dame Prep, St Peter’s and St Boniface’s College. Simon is CAFOD’s Coordinator for the Diocese of Plymouth. He has worked as a Catechist in several parishes and is a former media professional, now working in the charity sector. Having fundraised for various charities Simon joined CAFOD and has been in his role covering Cornwall, Devon and Dorset for the Catholic agency since 2006. His work covers CAFOD’s Fundraising, Campaigning and Education programmes. He works closely with Catholic parishes, organisations and schools such as Notre Dame and St Boniface’s, as well as with other organisations working across the South West.
Simon is Lead Governor for RE and Catholic Life and Link Governor for Staff Wellbeing and Parents and Community.
Frances Kelly
Frances is Lead Governor for SEND and Link Governor for the Ebacc Faculty.
Parent Governors
Vacancies
Co-opted Governors
Jill joined the Governing Board as a Co-opted Governor in May 2021.
Jill is the Lead Governor for Safeguarding and SEND.
Staff Governors
Miss Megan Thorne
Mrs Rachael Hudson
Governor Information and 2021-22 Meeting Attendance
Full Name | Governor Type | Appointing Body | Date of Current Appointment | End of Current Term | Meeting Attendance 2021-22 | Business Interests | Other Governorships |
Mr Michael Parle | Foundation | Catholic Diocese of Plymouth | 03/02/2020 | 02/02/2024 | 6 of 6 Meetings 100% | None | Meavy Parish Hall |
Mrs Katherine White | Foundation | Catholic Diocese of Plymouth | 01/09/2012 | N/A | 6 of 6 Meetings 100% | Headteacher | No |
Mrs Jane Bailey | Foundation | Catholic Diocese of Plymouth | 01/06/2016 | 31/08/2020 | 5 of 6 Meetings 83% | None | No |
Father Jon Bielawski | Foundation | Catholic Diocese of Plymouth | 19/06/17 | 18/06/2021 | 6 of 6 Meetings 100% | None | No |
Mrs Helen Jones | Foundation | Catholic Diocese of Plymouth | 06/06/2016 | 05/06/2023 | 5 of 6 Meetings 83% | None | No |
Mrs Frances Kelly | Foundation | Catholic Diocese of Plymouth | 13/02/2020 | 12/02/2024 | 5 of 6 Meetings 83% | None | No |
Mr Simon Giarchi | Foundation | Catholic Diocese of Plymouth | 10/11/2020 | 09/11/2024 | 4 of 6 Meetings 67% | Employed by CAFOD | No |
Miss Megan Thorne | Staff | Staff Body | 10/05/2021 | 09/05/2025 | 6 of 6 Meetings 100% | Member of Staff | No |
Mrs Rachael Hudson | Staff | Staff Body | 10/05/2021 | 09/05/2025 | 6 of 6 Meetings 100% | Member of Staff | No |
Mrs Jill Jones | Co-opted | Local Governing Board | 19/05/2021 | 18/05/2025 | 5 of 6 Meetings 83% | None | No |
Governors who have left the Notre Dame or St Boniface’s Govenring Boards in the past 12 months
Full Name | Governor Type | Appointing Body | Date of Current Appointment | Resignation/End of Term Date | Meeting Attendance 2020-21 | Business Interests | Other Governorships |
Mrs Catherine Smith | Parent | Parent Body | 09/03/2020 | 08/12/2021 | 4 of 6 Meetings 67% | Memory Matters SW CIC | No |
Mr Simon Mynes | Parent | Parent Body | 11/11/2019 | 21/10/2021 | 0 of 2 Meetings 0% | None | No |
Plymouth CAST Board Information
Notre Dame is part of the Plymouth CAST Multi Academy Trust. Information about the Trust can be seen through the link below.
http://www.plymouthcast.org.uk/web
CAST Scheme of Delegation and Financial Reports
https://plymouth-cast.eschools.co.uk/web/trustee_reports__financial_statements/484984
CAST Policies
All CAST wide policies can be found here
https://plymouth-cast.eschools.co.uk/web/trust_policies__information/484983
We welcome interest in joining the Board of Governors at Notre Dame and St Boniface at anytime. If you would like further information on the roles and responsibilities and how to become a Governor please contact the Clerk to Governors.
Should you wish to contact the Governors please do so through the Clerk, Mrs Helen Laird, by email at hlaird@ndonline.org or by letter to the school address.
To contact the Chair of Governors please address your correspondence to Mr M Parle, c/o St Boniface’s Catholic College, Boniface Lane, Plymouth, PL5 3AG or send your email via the Clerk, governors@ndonline.org.
Please be aware the Clerk to Governors is a part time role so all correspondence will be acknowledged within 7 days (term time only).
To contact the Chair of the Plymouth CAST Board please refer to the details at http://www.plymouthcast.org.uk/web/board_of_directors/484924