Our Governing Body

• John Austin
  Acting Chair of Governors
  John Austin

  I have lived and worked within a few miles of St Cecilia's school all my life. I attended the school as a pupil and then spent all my working career as a teacher in a large south London boys' comprehensive school.

  As a deputy head I was responsible for a £7 million annual budget and for building projects, refurbishments, security, safety and lettings. I was also responsible for line managing support staff, and for encouraging and checking all extra-curricular activities.

  These school experiences help me now in my role as chair of the resources and finance committee.

  In retirement, I keep in touch with my former high school by being a pupil support volunteer, and I enjoy cycling, walking, gardening, family history research and reading.

• Stephen Tabard
  Foundation Governor
  Stephen Tabard

  I attended St Cecilia's as a very young boy, and I owe the school much for what came after.

  Years later, after completing my education, I had a successful career in banking and financial services.

  When I retired I wanted to put something back and fortunately it was not long before I was told that a position as Foundation Governor had become vacant. I put my name forward for consideration and happily this was approved. The rest, as they say, is history.

  Over the years I have developed a passion for cycling and skiing, and I have been an avid supporter of Sutton United since my childhood.

• Nick Jury
  Foundation Governor
  Nick Jury

  Hello, my name is Nick Jury and I am a finance manager in the banking industry. I have a son who is currently in Year 2 at the school and have previously been the chair of the PTA. I have joined the governing body as a foundation governor and hope to bring my 10 years of experience of finance to help and support the school.

• Anita Dovey
  Foundation Governor
  Anita Dovey

  As a parent, I have been fortunate enough to send all three of my children to St Cecilia’s, with the youngest two currently in Year 6 and year 2. I was appointed as a foundation governor in May 2023 with an interest in the areas of safeguarding and SEND. It is my hope that over 19 years experience as a Learning support assistant in Catholic secondary schools will help me be of benefit to the governing body to ensure the wellbeing and inclusive education of all students. Having recently completed a degree through the Open University in health and social care, I hope to use this in the future. In the little spare time I have, I enjoy creative pursuits such as sewing, arts and crafts and reading historical fiction.

• Anna-Marie Vickers
  Foundation Governor
  Anna-Marie Vickers

  I have been involved with the school for many years as I am a former pupil and my daughters have followed in my footsteps and they are currently in Year 4 and Reception. I have always lived in the area and have been a parishioner at St Cecilia's church for many years. I am a secondary school teacher at a local Catholic school and hope my experience in education can help and support the school.

• Shane Coughlan
  Foundation Governor
  Shane Coughlan

  Hello, my name is Shane Coughlan and I currently work as an assistant headteacher in a primary school in the Diocese of Southwark. I have been teaching for 15 years with most of my experience coming from teaching in London. I have also taught in Australia. During this time, I have coordinated most subjects on the primary curriculum and have had various other leadership and management roles in the schools I have worked in. As well as being an assistant headteacher, I teach in Year 6. I completed a BA in Ireland, followed by a PGCE at St Mary’s University, Twickenham and I recently completed an MA in ‘Leading Innovation and Change in Education’. I live close to the school, am married and have one child. I hope to use my experience in primary education to have a positive influence on the school and help and support the Chair of Governors and headteacher as required.

• Carol Riha
  Parent Governor
  Carol Riha

  I have been connected to the school for more than ten years through my daughters and through supporting the PTA’s various initiatives along the years. I now serve as a parent governor to deepen my support for the school.

  I have a background in setting up and managing owned operations and partnerships across borders in the media and luxury industries, overseeing functions like business development, finance, HR, legal and marketing.

  My aim is to leverage my expertise in planning, business development, financial management, problem-solving, and relationship-building to help the school create a secure and nurturing environment for our children to strive.

  Given my experience and long-term connection to the school, I aspire to be an effective and enthusiastic advocate for fellow school parents.

• Bernadette Martin
  Staff Governor
  Bernadette Martin

• Vince Burke
  Head Teacher Governor
  Vince Burke

  I am the Head Teacher of the school. I have just celebrated my 24th year in Catholic Headship and am proud to have been a school leader in schools across London, Sussex and Singapore.

  I work closely with Governors to enable them to carry out their strategic and challenging duties.

• Ann Saunders
  Clerk to the Governing Body
  Ann Saunders

• Chris Suk
  Parent Governor
  Chris Suk