Our Governors
Mission Statement
Growing and Learning in FaithOur Mission is to develop the whole person in a Catholic learning community, to provide a loving Christian environment and to strive for excellence, equality, justice and fairness.
At St Bernadette Catholic Secondary School we aim for our young people to be:
- strong and committed in the faith of Christ
- confident of their personal worth
- active in response to Christ’s call to care for others
- responsible members of society
Hence we strive to:
- achieve excellence in all aspects of our life and work
- foster the spiritual growth of each member of our community
- create a happy and successful learning environment
- develop the full potential of each individual
- prepare pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life
- work in partnership with home, parish and the wider community
Governors at St Bernadette Catholic Secondary School
| Governor | Governor Type | Start Date | End Date | Pecuniary Interest | Appointed by |
| Mr Stanislaw Biber | Foundation | 08/11/2024 | 07/11/2028 | None | Clifton Diocese |
| Mr Patrick McDermott | Foundation | 25/03/2022 | 24/03/2026 | None | Clifton Diocese |
| Miss Veronica Morgan | Foundation | 05/09/2025 | 04/06/2029 | None | Clifton Diocese |
| Mrs Joanne Mullins | Co-opted | 01/12/2023 | 30/11/2027 | None | Existing Governing Body |
| Mrs Catherine Nicholls | Foundation | 22/08/2025 | 21/08/2029 | None | Clifton Diocese |
| Mr Thomas Heath | Staff | 17/03/2026 | - | None | Staff Body |
| Alderman Mary Sykes | Local Authority | 08/07/2023 | 07/07/2027 | None | Recommendation of the LA |
| Ms Claire Valsler | Foundation | 15/03/2023 | 14/03/2027 | None | Clifton Diocese |
| Mr Edward Walker | Headteacher | 01/09/2021 | - | None | Ex-officio |
| Mr Thomas Gray | Foundation | 11/12/2023 | 10/12/2027 | None | Clifton Diocese |
| Ms Sarah Olive | Foundation | 19/06/2024 | 18/06/2028 | None | Clifton Diocese |
Please click here to view any Declarations of Interests which our Governors hold.
The following Governors have served in the past 12 months:
| Mrs Oluwayemisi Onyeocha | Parent Governor |
16/06/2023 |
25/03/2025 |
Parent Body |
| Ms Louise Nevers | Parent Governor | 16/06/2023 | 15/07/2027 | Parent Body |
| Ms Steph Ryan |
Staff Governor | 10/03/2022 | 16/03/2026 | Staff Body |
Governing Body Structure
Co-Chairs of Govenors: Mr P McDermott and Mr S Biber
Vice-Chair of Governors: Mr T Gray
Clerk to Governors: Miss S Lindley
|
Admissions Committee (Meets as necessary) |
Mrs J Mullins (Chair) |
| Mr P McDermott | |
| Miss V Morgan | |
| Mrs C Nicholls | |
| Ms C Valsler | |
| Mrs Kelly Scott (Policy meetings only) |
|
Finance & Premises Committee (Meets six times per year) |
Miss V Morgan (Chair) |
| Mr P McDermott | |
| Mrs C Nicholls | |
| Alderman M Sykes | |
| Mr E Walker | |
|
Mr T Gray |
|
|
School Convener: Mrs N Fear |
| Learning & Standards Committee
(Meets four times per year) |
Ms C Valsler (Chair) |
| Mr S Biber | |
| Mr P McDermott | |
| Ms S Ryan | |
|
Mr E Walker |
|
|
Ms L Nevers |
|
| Ms Sarah Olive |
| Mission & Pastoral Committee
(Meets four times per year) |
Mr S Biber (Chair) |
| Mrs J Mullins | |
| Ms S Ryan | |
| Ms C Valsler | |
| Mr E Walker | |
| Ms Sarah Olive |
|
Personnel Committee (Meets four times per year) |
Mrs C Nicholls (Chair) |
| Mr P McDermott | |
| Miss V Morgan | |
| Mrs J Mullins | |
| Alderman M Sykes | |
| Mr E Walker | |
| Mr T Gray | |
| School Convener: Mrs N Fear |
The Pupil and Staff Disciplinary Committee meets as necessary and the membership is decided on a per meeting basis.
Governors with Special Responsibilities
| Association of Bristol Governors Representative | Ms C Valsler |
| Safeguarding, Child Protection and Children in Care | Mrs J Mullins |
| Governors' Induction | Mr P McDermott |
| Careers Education and Guidance | Mr S Biber |
| Health and Safety | Miss V Morgan and Mrs C Nicholls |
| Governor Training | Clerk to Governors |
| Numeracy and Literacy | Mr P McDermott |
| Online Safety | Mrs J Mullins |
| Religious Education, Worship and Chaplaincy | Mr S Biber |
| Safer Recruitment | Miss V Morgan |
Attendance and Minutes of Meetings
Please find below the minutes of the Full Governing Body Meetings held in previous Academic Years, and the record of attendance for all governors.
Academic Year 2024/2025
- Attendance List of Govs at meetings 2023 24
- Term 6 Minutes of FGB 16 07 24
- Term 4 Minutes of FGB 19 03 24
- Term 5 Minutes of FGB 21 05 24
- Term 3 Minutes of FGB 30 01 24
- Term 2 Minutes of FGB 05 12 23
- Term 1 Minutes of FGB 17 10 23
Academic Year 2022/2023
Copies of Minutes of Meetings are available on request from the Clerk to Governors, Mrs S Lindley.
Please email: clerk@stberns.bristol.sch.uk
Governors Code of Conduct