Governors

As an academy school, we have a Local Governing Board. Our Governors meet regularly to discuss a variety of topics. We have recently formed a hub with Lew Trenchard CofE School. 
 
Our Governors are:-
 
Louise Hussey - Executive Head Teacher
Naomi Smith (Co-opted Governor) - Writing
Emma Bending (Co-opted Governor) - SEND/Vulnerable Groups
Sally Powell (Staff Governor ) -  Behaviour & Attendance
Natalie Pankhurst - EYFS
Joy McSmythurs (Foundation Governor)  - Vision & Ethos - OPaL
Martin Hampton (Co-opted Governor) - P.E.
Toby Lee (Co-opted Governor) - PPG
Rev. Michael Dobson (Foundation Governor) - tba
 
Toni Martin - An Daras Governance Officer & Company Secretary
Ann Cullum - An Daras Local Governance Officer (Clerk to Local Governing Boards)
   
To find out more about An Daras Multi Academy Trust, please click on the following links:

Louise Hussey

Executive Headteacher

I was born in London but grew up in Cornwall from the age of 5. I gained a First Class BEd (Hons) in Maths from Exeter University and then taught and lived in Plymouth for 8 years, marrying and having my first child before moving to Manchester (my husband’s home town). There I had 2 more children and carried on teaching part time for 6 years before deciding to return to bring up our family in Cornwall. I now live just outside Bude where I enjoy coastal walks with my children and dog. After working locally as an assistant head and completing my Headteacher qualification, I was thrilled to be able to join St Catherine’s as Headteacher where my passion for teaching is directed daily to the challenges of ensuring high quality, inspiring education for every one of our wonderful pupils.

Natalie Pankhurst

Parent Governor

Originally from Kent, we made the move to Cornwall in 2015; moving to Launceston 3 years ago. I continued my secondary teaching profession in Bude up until April of last year, retiring after nearly 19 years, to follow my passion for working in the outdoors with animals.
My son attends St Catherine's and seeing him thrive & transition from Nursery care into the main school with such confidence & determination is a sign of how happy he is here. Students, staff and support staff are a credit to the ethos of the school and it only felt natural to want to be a part of that. As a parent governor I hope to be able to share my experiences not only within education but as a parent of a child in the school and work together to support all those along the way.

Naomi Smith

Co-opted Governor

I was born on a ship just off Genoa in the Mediterranean before coming to the
UK and adopted at 6 weeks. I grew up in a large family in Farnham, Surrey. My
mother (an English teacher) was an emergency foster parent and ended up
adopting 7 of us. I left home at 16 to study Maritime Radio and Radar
Electronics- a Merchant Navy Radio Officer qualification. I stayed ashore due
to my mother’s cancer.
I joined Her Majesty's Coastguard in 1999 in Brixham Devon after 1 year’s
training and 4 years’ service. I realised how much I loved the job; it really
suited me. I have since transferred to New Zealand for 2 years’ service,
Bermuda for 1 year and finally Australia for 4 years. The advance in technology
over the years is fascinating.
My 2 children live in Hampshire and from them I have 3 delightful young
grandchildren.
I wish every child to be able to dabble in science, think about adventure and
flourish in their own way and I think some of my experiences can help them.

Mrs Sally Powell

Staff Governor

I am currently a year 5 teacher at St Catherine's and I have previously taught in both Year 2 and Year 4 here. Before coming to St Catherine's, I worked in a small Primary School in Devon and experienced teaching in mixed year groups. I was lucky to be able to teach all year groups at one time or another, from Reception to Year 6 and I can honestly say I have loved them all! Teaching is so much more than a job for me, it is a privilege and a passion and a profession I am proud to be part of.
Before coming to teaching, I worked in Manchester managing care contracts for the Local Authority. Just over ten years ago I started my teaching career in Early Years and initially qualified as an Early Years Professional before completing my Primary Teacher Training. I love the challenge of supporting students and families in so many different ways, and seeing a child develop their confidence and self-belief is the greatest reward of all. I believe that a young person's emotional well-being is the key to reaching their potential and aim to make this aa key priority in my classroom.
As a Governor, I will be committed to school development and in doing so hope to help to secure the best education and school experience possible for our very valuable young people and their families.

Emma Bending

Co-opted Governor

I am really pleased to be part of the St Catherine's family as a Governor. I was born and brought up in North Devon before moving away to University and embarking on a teaching career in Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. I returned to the county 7 years ago with my husband Joe and we have our lovely Labrador Merlin. Whilst in education I had a particular interest in Literacy and Additional Special Needs and continue this interest in my Governor role. I love the outdoors and gardening. We live in a beautiful part of the country and I love to explore both coast and countryside.