School Governors

Having had a long association with St Mary’s in the past (I was a Foundation Governor for 22 years until 2013), it has been a privilege to be invited to return and to journey in the footsteps of Jesus with the school community.

I have been associated with all the building works that have been undertaken over the years at St Mary’s and I look forward to assisting in any way I can as the school looks to the future. 

In my day job I work in horticultural therapy in local residential care settings and, together with my wife, run a small nursery unit that supports this work. Outside of work I am involved in working with our amazing young people at Our Lady of Sorrows.

I am a local resident with strong ties to the school community. I attended St Philip Howard High School, and both of my children attended St Mary’s, with my daughter now in the Sixth Form at St Philip Howard. I was a solicitor for 20 years before becoming a Law Lecturer at the University of Portsmouth. My greatest strength is education and teaching, something I am passionate about both professionally and personally — including teaching Les Mills fitness classes as a hobby! As a Catholic of Spanish heritage and as a parent, I deeply value the school’s sense of community and its commitment to supporting every child. I am keen to contribute thoughtfully and collaboratively to help the school continue to flourish.

I attended primary school at Nyewood as back in those days my mum couldn’t drive and couldn’t get us as far as St Mary’s for school!  From Nyewood I went on to SPH and then Chichester High School 6th Form, finally going on to study English Literature at Southampton University, graduating in June 2001 with a 2:1 BA (Hons). Following this I held jobs in varying administrative roles before settling in a career in HR and Training; my previous employers include Sussex Police; Chichester District Council; Bank of Ireland Private Banking and GE Money (while living for two years in Dublin) and the NHS.  

When it came to choosing a school for our son to join in September 2016, my husband and I considered a few of the local schools, but as soon as we visited St. Mary’s we both knew there was absolutely no contest (despite another local school being only a few minutes’ walk away from our home at that time and St. Mary’s being considerably further away). We both left that visit not only impressed by the school’s academic record but also with an overwhelming sense of the welcoming, supportive, friendly and nurturing environment that exists at St. Mary’s; we absolutely knew that this was the right school for our family.      

Since then I have really enjoyed being involved in many aspects of school life, helping when possible on school trips or listening to children reading in class, as well as helping with the FSA events that raise funds for the school. I was pleased to be selected as a Co-Opted Governor in the Spring term of 2019, and I’m proud to be working with Mr Edgington and all of the staff team and Governors to provide the best learning environment for all at St. Mary’s, regardless of ability or background, helping the children here to grow and gain the confidence and skills they need to be ready for the next stage in their lives.

My name is Ania Claveria. I have been living in Bognor since 2019. I worked as a Physiotherapist in various hospitals and in an orphanage for mentally and physically disabled children, which was run by The Sisters of Charity of St Vincent De Paul. I also worked for L’arche in Brecon supporting people with learning disabilities and owned a small business of Complementary Therapies. I’m an active member of the Our Lady of Sorrows Parish

I have worked in education most of my life.

My teaching roles have varied, ranging from Reception class to providing music lessons throughout KS1 and KS2. This involved leading the choir, music group and playing the piano for Assemblies, Mass, Nativity plays etc.

I enjoyed being involved in the life of my local Catholic school until retiring in 2018.

Since moving to Bognor Regis in 2020, I have become a parishioner at Our Lady of Sorrows church and also a volunteer at Bethany House, L’Arche Community.

I am looking forward to serving as a foundation governor at St Mary’s school.

I am a pharmacist by educational degree but have led a varied life. Whilst at Aston University studying pharmacy I had the good fortune ( as David Hickinbottom) to become British Ice Dance Champion. I also won silver medals at European and World Championships. On qualification I chose to teach ice and roller skating including studying Sports Psychology , rather than practicing pharmacy.

Marriage led to a the need of a more stable life and a return to pharmacy, initially in Birmingham but later in London . In London I had the privilege of becoming a governor at John Ball Primary School in Blackheath.

I joined Wigmore Medical some 30+ years ago, I am still employed there in my role as Chairman.

I converted to become a Catholic some eight years ago although I had worshipped at Catholic Churches for many years prior to this. My faith has been furthered and strengthened by becoming a Catenian when we moved to Sussex.

Chess has been a lifelong hobby, I am thoroughly enjoying the chess club we have started on Monday lunchtime

I have lived in Bognor Regis for the past 20 years and been a member of Our Lady of Sorrows since then. I am also a member of the Knights of St Columba who have been involved in the St Mary’s activities.

My children received an excellent education that was rooted in the Catholic faith at St Mary’s, and it will be a privilege to be able to support the school in promoting this.

I work for the NHS as service manager I am a fellow of the chartered management Institute. I hope that my faith, personal, and professional experience will bring an enrichment to the team at St Marys’ and look forward to serving in my capacity as a school governor.”

My two children joined St Marys in September 2021 having moved from another school and were very quickly welcomed and settled into the St Marys family. They both speak very fondly of their time here and have many happy memories and achievements to cherish.  I have always admired the nurturing and inclusive environment created within the school and feel honoured to now be working as a member of the governing body at St Marys.

I am Assistant Manager and Forest School leader at Treasure Box Nursery. As a setting we work closely with St Marys with many of our children moving onto reception transitioning to the school each year.  I am excited to join the Governing Body, using my skills and knowledge to help make a positive contribution to the school community.