Sacred Heart Governing Body Pen Portraits
Mr Chris Degenhart Chair of Governors
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.
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.
Mr Sam Rotchell
I knew from the minute I stepped foot in Sacred Heart that it was a school I wanted to be a part of. Our school is exciting, compassionate and aspirational for all pupils and I feel privelaged to be both a teacher and staff governor. I have taught here for four years having spent time in years 3, 2 and currently 1. I lead three foundation subject areas; history, geography and PSHE/RSHE all of which I love to teach and support other staff in their delivery of them. In a previous career I was a manager within a youthwork ministry on the Isle of Man as well as dabbling in work as a shepherd! I have been involved in education in various roles since 2008 and have previously served as a chair of governors in a primary school on the Isle of Man. I work hard to support the catholic life of our school and I know that as a part of a strong governing body we will continue to see our school make a huge difference in the lives of our pupils, their families and our local community.
Kathryn Berry
Currently, I am Headteacher of St Lewis’ Catholic primary school where I have been for the past two years.
Prior to this I have taught for in primary schools since 1997, firstly, at St. Anne’s Catholic primary school in Ormskirk for 16 years and then at St Teresa’s Catholic primary school in Upholland as Deputy Head until 2018. I live in Shevington near Wigan and am an active member of my parish of St Bernadette and St Marie’s as a leader of Children’s Liturgy and Eucharistic Minister.
My personal life revolves around my husband Steven and two children, Joseph and Claudia. We love city breaks, skiing and spending time in the Lake District with our large group of friends.
Ollie Maddock
I am fortunate to have been asked to join the Governing Body at Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School. Working with colleagues on the board and our dedicated leadership and staff body, I look forward to contributing to the continued success of the school. I believe that a good Catholic education opens up many opportunities for young people.
Professionally, I am an Accountant at Mazars LLP, a global audit & accountancy firm. I specialise in providing accounting & outsourcing services to privately owned businesses.
Whilst I am a relatively new member of the board, I am not new to governance, having been a Governor at Carmel College for the last four years, latterly as a Foundation Governor.
Mrs Diane White
I am happy to have been welcomed as a governor for Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School.
Although I am new to Governorship - and not a parent - I am passionate about children’s education, and even more so about how we should instil a love of life-long learning and Catholic values in the very young, which will help set them on a road to future success, happiness and well-being, so that they are fully equipped become confident and productive members of our society.
This experience is part of my own life-long learning and in return, I bring my skills as a contract Project and Change Manager to the school, to help deliver initiatives which will benefit the children and delight their parents, and so help Sacred Heart in the achievement of its objectives.
Mrs M Keenan
I am very pleased to be joining the Governing body of Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School as a Parent Governor and I’m looking forward to contributing where I am able. Two of my three children currently attend the school and my third child is due to start school in September.
I am a Teaching Assistant at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary school in Penketh and have worked in child care for over 16 years. I am involved in Sacred Heart and St Albans Parish and have been assisting with Children’s liturgy before the Covid 19 pandemic.
I am very passionate about music and art and always like to have creative projects on the go at home and at school. I also like to challenge myself through sports and running.
Mrs M White
I am delighted to have been appointed as a foundation governor at Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School.
Although I am not a parent, I am not new to being a governor, having previously served as a Foundation Governor at St Benedict’s Catholic Primary School. I currently work as a Headteacher’s Personal Assistant in a Warrington secondary school – a job which I love – and am a member of St Benedict’s parish community. I love singing, reading, and camping (even in the rain!).
I firmly believe that every single child, whatever their ability or needs, deserves to receive an excellent education in a kind and secure environment, and as a Roman Catholic, I am passionate about children receiving a faith education to provide a foundation and set of core beliefs to which they can always refer, and to support them through their life's journey.
I know for certain that Sacred Heart school is a very special place, where the Gospel values are firmly upheld, practised and taught, where the children are known and loved, and where they are supported to thrive and grow educationally, emotionally, and spiritually. I'm proud to have joined this community and really look forward to supporting the staff and the school.
Mrs M Walker
I am delighted to have been appointed as a foundation governor at Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School.
Although I am not a parent, I am not new to being a governor, having previously served as a Foundation Governor at St Benedict’s Catholic Primary School. I currently work as a Headteacher’s Personal Assistant in a Warrington secondary school – a job which I love – and am a member of St Benedict’s parish community. I love singing, reading, and camping (even in the rain!).
I firmly believe that every single child, whatever their ability or needs, deserves to receive an excellent education in a kind and secure environment, and as a Roman Catholic, I am passionate about children receiving a faith education to provide a foundation and set of core beliefs to which they can always refer, and to support them through their life's journey.
I know for certain that Sacred Heart school is a very special place, where the Gospel values are firmly upheld, practised and taught, where the children are known and loved, and where they are supported to thrive and grow educationally, emotionally, and spiritually. I'm proud to have joined this community and really look forward to supporting the staff and the school.