Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School

Sacred Heart Governing Body Pen Portraits

Mr Michael Watson (Chair of Governors)

Hello everyone.

As the newly appointed Chair of Governors I firstly wanted to tell you how passionate I am about this school. I have four children, two still in primary school, so I know how important these early school years are. I’ve been a foundation governor for the last four years so I’m aware of the strength of the school and the team of staff here. I hope to help the school build on the considerable achievements to date so the children have the best opportunity for living, loving and learning.

As well as my responsibilities as Chair I am also the Pupil Premium governor and Chair the Finance Committee.

My early training was as a Chartered Accountant with a Big Four Accountancy firm and I am now also a fully qualified Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga teacher so I think I have a good balance between the heart and the head. My other big interests are music and racket sports.

I have my own business in the town centre and live locally so I’m fully invested in Warrington.

Mr Chris Degenhart

Hi I’m Chris Degenhart and I am Foundation Governor and the English subject governor. I started as a Parent Governor having had 3 children go through the school in recent years and was keen to continue to support the school when Rachel (currently year 6) has left. Having seen Sacred Heart go from strength to strength over the years I believe we have a very special school that is a great place for children both to learn but also be supported and given the confidence and skills to be successful in the future.

Mr L. MacKenzie

I am delighted to be welcomed onto the Governing Body of Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School.  Being a former pupil, I have had an association with Sacred Heart for over thirty years and I am now proud to say that two of my three children currently attend the school.  I have been a Music teacher for over ten years, having studied at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.  Currently, I am an Associate Assistant Headteacher at St Gregory’s Catholic High School, where I have responsibility for Pupil Premium as well as being the Pupil Progress Manager for Year 8.  I am heavily involved in the Pastoral team and in the Catholic life of the school. My family and I regularly attend Sacred Heart Church and we value our children’s Catholic education above all else.

Mrs Anne Preston

I am very proud to serve as a Governor of Sacred Heart School, and to be identified as having special responsibility for Safeguarding.

I enjoy being able to work closely with the children as they prepare to receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and Communion.

I always feel very welcome in the school and only wish that I could come in everyday and spend more time with our wonderful children and staff.

I taught RE and Music in catholic secondary school for 30 years and I now work as School Chaplain at a boy’s school in Liverpool, so I do understand how a school functions. I believe that a successful school achieves good academic results ONLY  If everyone connected with the school is  safe, happy, fulfilled, encouraged, supported and loved . This is the responsibility of everyone connected with the school. Throughout my career I have been very involved with the pastoral care of the staff and students , and this has enabled me to become a good listener who is not afraid to question or  challenge: such experience is valuable on a governing body

I am one of the musicians at Sacred heart Church and love to be able to support our school in Liturgical celebration.

Mr David Trickett – Foundation Governor

I was appointed as a Foundation Governor in July 2012.

Previously I undertook a variety of senior management roles in the NHS for over 40 years, but I am now retired.

I have been married to my wife, Ann, for 47 years and have three grown up children and nine grandchildren. I am also a lifelong active member of Sacred Heart Parish.

I very much enjoy helping the school achieve the best for all our children and am fortunate to be part of a highly committed and capable group of people who make up the Governing Body.

Dan Harding

Hello there! I am Dan Harding. I am currently the Headteacher of Stockton Heath Primary School in Warrington and have been a Warrington resident myself for almost 20 years. I am passionate about our town and particularly the outcomes for (and opportunities available to) future generations of children. Although I have only recently joined the Governing Body at Sacred Heart, I can already see what a great school this is and hope I can help to make it even better over the next few years. Outside education, I am passionate about my wonderful family, music and Manchester United Football Club (my eldest son and I have had season tickets for years!). In whatever spare time I can manage, I sing and play guitar in a rock band which is VERY LOUD! I am the Reception link governor here but feel very privileged to work with all the children, staff and parents in school.

Canon Christopher Cunningham

I have been a priest for 51 years, 26 of which have been spent as parish priest of Sacred Heart and Saint Alban, and throughout this time have been pleased to be a governor at Sacred Heart School. Until recently, I was also a governor at Saint Gregory’s High School but retired from that post when I reached the age of 75 years.

Prior to my life in Warrington I have always been involved in education, being a teacher of Science for 20 years and chaplain to a Sixth Form College. Music has always been a big part of my life – singing and playing instruments as well as choirmaster. In the midst of parish work I am also Catholic chaplain to Warrington hospital.