Sylvia Cousins (Chair of Governors)
I have been a Governor in East Sussex since February 2006. I have served at this school since March 2017 when I joined the IEB. Currently I am Chair of the FGB.
I have over 40 years’ experience in Catholic education, both in this country and in the Republic of Ireland. My degree was in Modern Languages, at the University of London, and I have taught French and Spanish in four schools. I was Headteacher in two schools and Deputy Headteacher at St Richard’s prior to my “retirement”. I have lived in Bexhill for 30 years and enjoy reading, walking, travel, family history and music, especially being a member of a local choir. I am also very involved in the life of my Bexhill parish where I am the Safeguarding Representative and an RCIA catechist, as well as a reader and Eucharistic minister. On a lighter note, I do also enjoy socialising, visiting places of interest and meeting up with friends!
Term of Office - 1.10.20 - 29.09.25
Committee Member for: Admissions and Pay Committee
Dympna Reed (Vice Chair of Governor)
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My name is Dympna Reed, and I am the Vice Chair of Governors at the school. I have been a foundation governor of the school since early 2017 when I was appointed a member of the Interim Executive Board and then Co-Chair of the Shadow Governing Board. Following our “Good” judgement by Ofsted and the successful appointment of Mrs O’Rourke, the school is going from strength to strength. I have also been Vice Chair of Governors at St Mary Magdalene school in Bexhill. My expertise lies in Early Years education and my career as a Deputy Head and a Local Authority consultant was in that field. I am the Chair of the Admissions Committee and the Link Governor for SEND (Special Needs). I also chair Appeals Panels for the Local Authority and the Diocese.
I have 3 children who all attended Sacred Heart School and then St Richards and I have 6 grandchildren.
(Sep 2022)
Term of Office 1.10.20 - 29.09.25
Committee Member for: Admissions
Doreen Cronin (Foundation Governor)
Having retired from headship of a local Catholic secondary school in December 2023,I have recently taken up Governor posts in a DCAT primary school and St Mary Star of the Sea.
I have over forty years' experience in education, I feel I have the skills and attributes to support the Governing Body in its work and endeavour to ensure all pupils can access an inclusive ,high-quality education, where they can develop their God given talents.
As well as being a Governor, I am a School Improvement partner for an Academy Trust working with ECTs this academic year; I carry out appraisals for Headteachers; I am an Independent Listener in an Independent Girls’ School and I have trained to be a Diocesan Schools' Inspector, a role I enjoy very much.
Term of Office 9.10.24 - 8.10.28
Mary Burkill (Foundation Governor)
Coming Soon
Term of Office 19.11.24 - 18.11.28
Tochukwu Mbamalu (Foundation Governor)
I was appointed on 15/09/2023 by the Bishop of the Diocese of Arundel & Brighton as per recommendation by the Parish Priest of Good Shepherd. I am a Parishioner of St. Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Church in St. Leonards-On-Sea and one of the Children’s Liturgy coordinators in the Parish. I am happy to collaborate with other Governors to provide strategic leadership for the school and ensure that the Catholic character of our schools is preserved and fostered by working in partnership with the Diocesan Education Service, the governing Board members, and the School Management.
I am an Application Support Engineer at iQ HealthTech Ltd, an electronic prescribing system provider for Oncology practice management across the UK and Australia. I have previously worked as a Support Engineer (Regional Director - Eastern Nigeria) at Sabre Travel Network, one of the world's leading software providers for airlines and travel agencies. I am pursuing a master’s degree programme in Computer Science with Software Engineering at Abertay University in Dundee, Scotland. I am also an Ambassador for World Peace (AmbP) for the UN Peace and Positive Living Awareness Centre (UN-PEPOLAC).
I am deeply passionate about Catholic education and have three children in the school.
My Areas of Responsibility- Website, ICT & GDPR
Subject Areas Responsibility- Computing and Technology
Term of Office 15.09.23 - 14.09.27
Committee Member for:
Jordan Sims (Parent Governor)
I am delighted to have been recently appointed Parent Governor. I previously held a role on the Shadow Governing Board 2019 to 2020.
(Local Authority Governor) VACANCY
Gwen Pierson (Foundation Governor)
I have recently been appointed as a governor since March 2020. Being a mother of two young boys and a practising Catholic, I am proud to be part of a school that thrives to develop children on all three important levels (i.e. spiritual, academic and emotional) and I am looking forward to effectively overseeing the management side of the school with the governing team.
As an ACCA qualified accountant and Finance & Accounting graduate, I bring to the table my solid and relevant financial & commercial skills developed over the past 10 years in various private companies in London and East Sussex. I am currently part of the Parish of the Good Shepherd's Finance department and Finance Committee.
Although my family and I moved from London to St Leonards-on-Sea in 2016, we've quickly fallen in love with its beautiful surroundings and it's friendly and welcoming inhabitants. I am passionate about Faith, education and giving children a good start in life, ensuring they become strong valued citizens.
Term of Office 1.10.20 - 29.09.25
Committee Member for: Finance, Property and Health & Safety
Sophie Oleforo (Parent Governor)
I am delighted to join as a Parent Governor and look forward to learning more and contributing to the life of the school.
Living, working (and sea swimming) in St Leonards on Sea since 2020, I have a son who attends SMSS. I run the copy team in the commercial department of a national newspaper where I take responsibility for setting standards, legal compliance and mentoring colleagues.
I am interested in the huge benefits of music education for children as they learn and develop, as well as languages.
Term of Office 27.02.25 - 26.02.29
Committee Member for: Link Lead for H&S
Vacancy (Foundation Governor)
Claire 0'Rourke - Head Teacher
Committee Member for: Admissions, Finance, Property and Health & Safety
Nyree Thomson (Staff Governor)
Committee Member for:
Term of Office 1.10.20 - 30.09.24
Ann Craddock (Clerk to Governors)
Clerk for the Full Governing Board
clerk@st-mary-star.e-sussex.sch.uk
Contact emails for the Chair and Vice Chair can be found under the school's contact tab.