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.
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.
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.
Mrs J Laverack
I am very proud to be a Governor and member of staff at Sacred Heart Catholic Primary school. I have been a dedicated member of this family, as a teacher and more recently as the Deputy Head, for 20 years.
I began my teaching career here in September 2001, teaching Year 4 and have been provided with many opportunities to help me grow within my role. I have been responsible for leading English within the school for a number of years and through this I have been able to support and guide colleagues within Sacred Heart Primary School and within other settings. I am passionate about teaching and learning and always proactive in finding ways to further develop this amazing school and seek opportunities whilst striving for success.
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.