Governor Profiles

Jayne Sullivan – Foundation Governor – Chair of Governors

Jayne works within educational publishing for Oxford University Press and has over 10 years’ experience and knowledge of the school curriculum and supporting schools and teachers. A former pupil of St John Fisher’s herself, she first became a Parent Governor when her own son attended the school. Her belief that all children deserve the best possible start to their education and her support and faith in the school led her to continue as a Foundation governor. In her spare time she enjoys trips to the theatre, reading, travelling and spending time with her family.

Canon Tadhg Mullins – Foundation Governor

Canon Mullins is parish priest at both St John Fisher RC Church, Middleton and Our Lady of the Assumption, Middleton. He is a Foundation Governor for both schools.

Maria Goody – Foundation Governor

Maria currently works as a Transport Coordinator for Minky Homecare. She has a degree in Teaching & Learning in Primary Education and a background in teaching assistance including working at St John Fisher’s. Both of her children attended St John Fisher’s and Cardinal Langley where Maria became a Parent Governor and then later a Foundation Governor. When asked to become a Foundation Governor of St John Fisher’s she didn’t hesitate. Knowing the school’s history, her knowledge of the primary sector and previous Governor experience, this was the perfect opportunity to share her passion for primary education. For many years Maria was a magistrate in Rochdale and ran her own business, gaining her more knowledge of our local community. She enjoys daily dog walks with her beloved Oscar, loves cooking and enjoys relaxing in the form of yoga and listening to all different genres of music, taking every opportunity possible to see her favourites live in concert.

Gwyneth Walker – Foundation Governor

Mrs Walker is a former pupil of the school – having attended when the school first opened. Both her boys also attended the school. She has been a teacher for almost 30 years and still continues to teach in Catholic primary schools. As a governor, she serves on the Pupil & Curriculum committee and is able to bring a great deal of expertise to her governing role. She is link governor for Religious Education and Special Educational Needs. Mrs Walker was appointed to the Governing Body in April 2015.

Deborah Hunt – Staff Governor

Mrs Hunt is a class teacher and a member of the senior leadership team. She has twelve years teaching experience, having worked in three different schools across KS1 and KS2. Mrs Hunt has led Maths and RE and has experience in preparing for and administering ‘Phonics’ tests and ‘End of Key Stage’ tests. Mrs Hunt has attended diocesan training and has a good knowledge of the RE Scheme of Work, ‘Come and See’ and the requirements of the Catholic RE Curriculum Directory. She is experienced in supporting the Headteacher in preparation for the Section 48 Religious Education Inspection. Mrs Hunt is also responsible for the ‘Wider Curriculum’, ensuring that the objectives from the 2014 National Curriculum are met and that the children are engaged in a broad, deep and rich curriculum.

Nicole Hadfield – Headteacher

Nicole is the Headteacher of St John Fisher RC Primary School. She started her career at St John Fisher RC Primary School, Middleton and progressed to Deputy Headteacher at St Brendan’s RC Primary School, Bolton where she gained managerial experience in an outstanding primary school. Using this experience she has returned to her roots as Headteacher at St John Fisher RC Primary School in Middleton. Nicole is determined to live the mission statement of the school each day “Love Jesus, love Learning, inspiring each other to be the best we can be.” and to provide outstanding educational experiences for the pupils at this school.

Jonathan Wall – Foundation Governor

A born and bred Middletonian Jonathan is also a former pupil of the school and has two sons who have also both attended. He is a first-hand witness to the advancements that the school has made since his departure over 30 years ago and is keen to ensure that progress continues to ensure that children receive the best possible education in a local Roman Catholic faith school. He has spent the majority of his career working in law, defending and ensuring that human rights are protected to those for whom society has turned against.  Soon after the birth of his first son, Jonathan took a break from the law and set up a successful online retail business and well understands balance sheets and their implications. Since his return to the law he continues to work on and manage staff on the most complex of cases. His work has led to the accolade of being named as a “key individual” in the independently researched Legal 500 publication and also currently heads the media and marketing team. He brings to the the governing board, a number of skills from media and promotion, expert analysis of statistics and figures as well as a comprehensive knowledge of legislation. He is a keen follower of football, but rather than spending his weekends at the Etihad watching Manchester City he now spends most Saturday mornings alternating with his wife and cheering on his boys who play for two different teams. 

Andrew Keogh – Foundation Governor

Originally from Collyhurst, Andrew attended St Edmunds RC Primary and St Thomas More RC Secondary schools. Andrew moved to Middleton with his family over 30 years ago. Andrew works as a systems helpdesk operative and has done so for the past 34 years. This is an internal role (i.e. He works only with people within the company network) which involves helping end users with software issues, running reports for use up to board level, problem solving and training.  The training often involves travel to site locations around the UK. Andrew enjoys spending time with his family and visiting the extended family in Ireland as often as possible. He is currently tracing his family tree and is hoping to be able to go back a few more generations. Andrew is a first time Foundation Governor and is hoping to be able to contribute to the continued success and improvement of the school.

Kathryn Bardsley – Foundation Governor

After graduating in history from York University then gaining a PGCE from Hopwood Hall College, Kathryn spent 35 years teaching in primary schools until she retired in 2017. For thirty of those years, she taught a variety of age groups at St Thomas More RC Primary, Alkrington, Middleton, and enjoyed her later role as Key Stage One Manager. Her three sons all attended the school and then continued to Cardinal Langley RC High School. She feels that she has experienced a great number of changes within education.

Kathryn is a dedicated member of St John Fisher Parish and has a strong connection to St John Fisher RC Primary School through her sister, Joan Bardsley, who taught at the school for many years until she sadly died in 2010. Joan’s son and daughter attended St John Fisher Primary. The school community was extremely supportive of her family at that difficult time.

Now that she is retired, Kathryn is very active, attending the gym, singing in a choir and developing her drawing and painting skills. She is currently a volunteer reading helper in another Rochdale school.

As a new Foundation Governor, she will put her efforts into making a positive contribution to the continued success of the school.

David Burrows – LA Governor

David is a retired Accountant who has previously worked for Rochdale Council. In this role he has many years’ experience of providing financial support to Children’s Services. This has given him a detailed knowledge of the financial and structural challenges facing schools. He has previously been a Parent Governor at the school his children attended in Rochdale. In his spare time David enjoys travelling, spending quality time with his family and following his wife’s instructions as to what needs doing in the garden.

Michelle Whelan-Giblin – Parent Governor

Michelle is originally from the Parish of Our Lady of Grace in Prestwich and attended their primary School and went on to St Monica’s RC High School. She then went on to study at Bury College and then through the Institute of Legal Executives (ILEX) through her employment within the Crown Prosecution Service. Michelle has been employed there for over 20 years as a Legal Assistant providing assistance to Barristers, Solicitors, Victims and Witnesses. This position has given Michelle an insight of how social, behaviour, and community issues impact on the Greater Manchester area.

Michelle married her husband John in Ireland in 2007. She and John have a son John jnr born in 2013, he attends St John Fisher. Michelle is due to have their second child in November 2019. Michelle and John live in the Slattocks area of Middleton. Michelle loves this area of as she enjoys walking and running around Tandle Hill and spending time with her son on adventures in the Woods. Michelle also enjoys going to the gym and spending time with her family especially with her young nephew and nieces.

Michelle is from a large Irish Catholic family and faith is a large part of her life. Michelle and her family attend St John Fishers Church regular and often to the offertory. Michelle holds strong the belief for a child to be brought up in the Catholic Faith School and Mass go hand in hand.

Nicolette Noi – Parent Governor  

 Nicolette Noi is a former pupil of the school. She is a full time working mum.  She has 3 children all of mixed black African heritage, her two youngest children attend the school and her eldest daughter which she feels with the firm foundations she received whilst at St John Fishers is now currently studying at Bath university and is on the GB pathway to represent her country at Rowing.  She works for the Local Authority within the Middleton Family Hubs as a School Readiness Manager supporting from antenatal period through to 5 years. She has a passion for supporting children to have the best start in life, supporting the transition from early years into school education. She has a wealth of knowledge of what services are available for children and families of the local community.   

Ann Dakin-Associate Member

Ann has had a connection to St John Fisher School for over 30 years. Her daughter attended the school and over the years she has been held many roles including being a member of the PTFA and a Foundation Governor. Ann plays an active part in the Parish in various roles. She works with School preparing the children on their Sacramental Programme and has supported the Chaplaincy team. She has recently retired after 45 years in work, the last 10 years as a Teaching Assistant and previous to that 35 Years in banking. She now wants to be able use her past experience working in schools and finance by working as an Associate Governor of at St John Fisher School.

Diversity data: The Governing Board is made up of 4 males and 9 females. They are all white British.