Governors

WHO ARE OUR GOVERNORS? 

Mrs Jane Thistlethwiate - Headteacher (ex officio governor)

I am Jane Thistlethwaite and as the headteacher of the school I am an ex-officio governor. An ex officio member is a member of a body (notably a board, committee, council) who is part of it by virtue of holding another office. The term ex officio is Latin, meaning literally 'from the office', and the sense intended is 'by right of office'; its use dates back to the Roman Republic.

I have been the headteacher of Newchurch St. Nicholas since September 2015.  I am currently also working as an Associate Adviser 1 day a week in the East of the County. I am privileged to lead this school of amazing individuals and love spending time in classrooms with the staff and children seeing them learn. They are a delight to be around and never fail to lift my spirits and surprise me. 

When  not at school (honestly I don't live here) I enjoy spending time with my family. I like to garden - but wouldn't call myself a gardener as I seem to grow things through chance! I also LOVE reading and will read anything - I might not complete everything but will give all books a fair chance.  

Mrs Julie Meeks - Staff Governor

My name is  Julie Meeks and I am the staff governor. I work at Newchurch St Nicholas as the school Bursar and I have worked here since 2003. I started out by working as a welfare assistant when my son was in the Reception class and I have progressed my career through the development opportunities I have been given. In 2013 I gained a CSBM level 4 qualification in School Business Management and I am currently in my 3rd year of a Business Management degree apprenticeship. In my spare time I enjoy running and spending time with my family. 

Mrs Simone Cudworth - Chair of Governors

Mrs Valaria Vargas - Parent Governor

I’m a Research Associate on Education for Sustainable Development in the Department of Natural Sciences and a Research Fellow on Academic Development Evaluation at the University Teaching Academy (both roles at Manchester Metropolitan University). My research is multidisciplinary and focused on organisational change, institutionalisation processes, governance and integration of sustainable development. I have conducted higher education policy review at institutional, national and international level whilst also developing and implementing institutional policy at Manchester Metropolitan University and supporting policy development for education in Colombia. I have experience of working in research projects and activity to support implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in a range of contexts and settings. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family, doing aerial yoga, pilates and Nordic walking.

Miss Paula Trickett - Parent Governor

Hi my name is Paula – parent governor. I am mum to 4 children ranging from 16 to 4 years. My children have been attending Newchurch for over 11 years and I feel this gives me a good understanding of the positive changes that have taken place at the school.  As a parent of SEN children, including those on the spectrum, I am passionate about ensuring children of all abilities receive the education and resources they need to thrive in a mainstream environment. When I started my journey as a parent of a child with additional needs, I was driven by my own need, to understand the support available to my child, and now help others understand the same. Spare time is not something I see much of but I thrive keeping busy and being a governor allows me to assist in an area that is important to me, my family and the wider community. 

Mrs Gaynor Stubbs - Co -Opted Governor

My name is Gaynor Stubbs and I have the privilege to be a Governor at Newchurch St Nicholas C.E.P.S.

I have lived in Rossendale since 2015 - I love this part of the world and the people - it is a place to be proud of.

I am a serving headteacher in Manchester; I am in a very lucky position, in that I love my role and the support I can bring to families.  Due to my role and a chance meeting with the headteacher and Chair of Governors, I was asked if I would like to apply for a role as a Governor in November 2022;   I am just beginning to get know the school, the staff and all of you and I hope that I will be able to support the school community as we move forwards.  

In my spare time (to be honest, I do not get a lot), I am an avid reader - fiction and non-fiction, hill/fell runner, gardener and hill walker with my two labradors.

Mrs Jean Starkie - Foundation Governor

'My name is Jean Starkie. I am married with a grown-up son and daughter and live in Accrington.

I retired in 2018 from All Saints' High School in Rawtenstall where I was a teaching assistant for 6 years. Prior to that I held a similar position for 9 years at Fearns High School. Before that I worked in Export Sales Administration for 25 years.

My main interests are church work and music, and I am currently an Authorised Lay Minister and an organist at St Nicholas Church Newchurch. My other interests are walking and eating out.'

MR STANLEY ALCOCK JP - Dioceson Foundation Governor

Stan Alcock is a retired High School Deputy Head Teacher. I was appointed as a Foundation Governor to Newchurch St Nicholas’ CE Primary School some four years ago. I am a member of the Curriculum Sub-Committee and Vice Chair of the Resources Sub-Committee.  During 2022/23 I have  overseen a Year3/4 class and I take a particular interest in teaching of English and Science with Mrs Gemma World as the Subject Leader  in both subjects.

Mr Tony Abbey - Foundation Governor

I am a Foundation Governor. I attend St Nicholas’ Church where I am a member of the PCC and Eucharistic Assistant.

Prior to retiring, I taught for over forty years in schools in the North West.  I studied Applied Biology with Biochemistry at Leicester Polytechnic, and later Education with a degree from Leeds University.

After teaching all the Sciences for many years, when computers were introduced into schools I was interested in how these could be used in the science laboratory, and in the tracking of achievement.  With this my career developed into the teaching of Information Technology and Computing, where I became involved in whole school pupil monitoring and assessment.

As well as gardening, my wife and I love walking and travelling in this country and, whenever possible, abroad. We have a particular interest in historic buildings.

Mr Colin Barnett - Parent Governor

SCHOOL GOVERNORS LIST