Co-Chairs of the Governors

Cecilia Hubble - Foundation Governor:  Cecilia was previously a senior teacher within the West Midlands working at a number of faith schools.  She has experience within trade union representation and health and safety.  She was a teacher governor for a number of years, before joining St Augustine’s Governing Board in 2000.  Over the years, she has sat on all sub-committees; today she is a member of all three committees.  In December 2019, she became Co-Chair of the Local Governing Body.

Bernadette Stokes - Foundation Governor:  Bernadette, a former senior teacher has extensive experience within curriculum development, teaching and learning, professional development and quality assurance.  She has also worked as a consultant for Birmingham Local Authority.  Her connection with St Augustine’s goes back to 1996 when the first of her four children started at the school.  Bernadette became a Foundation Governor in December 2018 and is  currently a member of all three committees.  In December 2019, she became Co-Chair of the Local Governing Body.

Damon Gariff - Staff Governor:  Damon joined St Augustine’s in 2017 with responsibility for Pastoral care and support after 12 years in a neighbouring Redditch school. He has held areas of responsibility within PE, as a Head of Year and Assistant Head of Sixth Form. He was appointed as Deputy Principal from September 2020.

Emma Mundy - Foundation Governor:  Emma has 30 years' experience of marketing and communications, working mostly in higher education.  She currently works as a director at the University of Warwick. This is her first Governor post, but she has a long history with St Augustine's having been a student here in the 1980s. 

Gerald O'Connor - Principal:  Gerald joined St Augustine’s as Head of Science in 2002.  In 2007, he was appointed onto the Senior Leadership Team and assumed responsibility as Head of School in 2015.  From September 2019, he was appointed Principal.  His focus is upon ensuring that students receive an outstanding academic education and Catholicity, as well as centralising the fundamental teaching on the development of the whole child.

Rhizina Shearer - Foundation Governor:  Rhizina initially worked within project management for Sainsbury’s, whereas since 2010 has been a Local Government Officer for Worcester City Council, working with charities and third sector partners.  Her years of volunteering include Samaritans, HMP Hewell (on the Independent Monitoring Board) and supporting with the early years at Mount Carmel First School.  She has previous Governor experience at Our Lady of Mount Carmel First School and as a MAC Director for Our Lady of Lourdes MAC.  Rhizina chairs the Catholic Mission & Community sub-committee.

Mark Churchill - Parent Governor:  Mark has many years of experience within the child protection arena and was previously a Governor at St Bede's.  He has two children at St Augustine's and an older son who previously attended and is now at University.  In his spare time, he coaches at his running club in Redditch which he set up over 7 years ago; he is also a qualified Athletics coach.  Mark is Vice-Chair on the Standards & Performance Committee.

Chris Heath - Parent Governor:   Chris has over 20 years experience working with schools and young people within the West Midlands.  He is currently Safeguarding Lead for Star Academies MAT.  He has twins in Y13 and an older son who was previously at St Augustine's.  Chris is Vice-Chair on the Catholic Mission & Community sub-committee and also sits on People & Resources.