St. John's C.E. Primary School

Meet The Governors

  • Carolyn Black
    LDBS Foundation Governor, Chair, Chair of TLS, Personnel

    Carolyn Black

    I am delighted to join St John's C E Primary School Board of Governors.  I grew up in Whetstone and attended school in Finchley, so I am glad to be returning to my roots.

    When my own children were at school, I qualified as a secondary school English teacher and taught in Hertfordshire.  Following a very fulfilling career in teaching, I worked for, and eventually became a director of, the annual Hampstead & Highgate Literacy Festival.  Never losing sight of the importance of literacy, I was determined to involve local Barnet school children in the festival and launched a programme for schools which enabled primary school children to become 'journalists for the day'.

    I no longer work, but am reluctant to sever my ties with education. I aim to be able to use my past experience to contribute to the ongoing success of the school.

    Sub-Committees: Teaching & Learning Standards; Admissions.  Safeguarding Governor.
    Appointed by Full  Governing Board 18/11/2019. Expiry of tenure 17 November 2023.

  • Richard Hughes
    PCC Foundation Governor, Vice Chair, Chair of Admissions, Finance and Premises

    Richard Hughes

    I am a member of St John's Parochial Church Council and excited to join the school's Board of Governors.  I live locally in Whetstone and am passionate about education.   In my professional life, I am a solicitor and have experience of advising and working with a wide range of organisations and people management.

    Sub-Committees: TBC;  
    Appointed by: PCC 06/01/2021. Expiry of tenure: 05/01/2025

  • Jeremy Brough
    Parent Governor, Admission, Finance and Premises, Personnel

    Jeremy Brough

    I'm very pleased to have been accepted as a parent governor at St John's in July 2019.  My wife and I are the proud parents of Angelica and Jessica - who have both attended the school since nursery.  Having grown up in the area, I'm passionate about the local community: Our family was drawn to St John's for its strong values and focus on bringing out the very best in its children.

    I am well aware of the ongoing climate of financial challenges and the very real funding crisis that schools now face. I believe I have a range of skills and experience to assist the governing body and leadership team in making informed strategic decisions on priorities and risks, setting the school on a secure course for the future.

    I look forward to taking on this new opportunity to support the school community going forward.

    Sub-Committees: Personnel; Finance & Premises;  
    Elected by: Parents 28/6/2019. Expiry of tenure: 27 June 2023

  • Lucinda Hutton
    Parent Governor, Personnel, TLS

    Lucinda Hutton

    I'm proud to join the Board of Governors in my role as Parent Governor. I grew up in Whetstone and it's great to be part of such a wonderful community still. I'm a mum of three with my eldest having started at the school. My job as a commercial solicitor provides me with a wealth of experience that can help support the school at this challenging time.

    Sub-Committees: TLS
    Elected by: Parents 11/09/2020. Expiry of tenure: 10 September 2024

  • Daisy Lai
    Deanery Foundation Governor, Chair of Finance and Premises

    Daisy Lai

    I am thrilled to join St. John's C.E Primary School Board of Governors.

    I am a self-employed accountant, and have gained extensive experience in accounting and finance after spending many years working with accounting firms and commercial firms.

    I have been serving as one of the Children's Church leaders at my local church since 1999. I find the experience enjoyable and rewarding. I am also a member of the church's Leadership Team. It is wonderful to be able to serve God.

    I was also an Associate Governor of The Henrietta Barnett School from 2005 to 2012. I served on the school's Finance Committee. Over the years, schools are facing many more major challenges, such as insufficient school funding, worsening child poverty which is harming children's capacity to learn, and the coronavirus pandemic.

    I look forward to serving on the Board of Governors, and will try my very best to contribute to it.

    Sub-Committees: TBC
    Appointed by: Deanery 24/02/2021. Expiry of tenure: 23/02/2025

     

  • Alison Cruickshank
    Staff Governor, TLS

    Alison Cruickshank

    I have been teaching at St John's for ten years, predominantly in upper key stage two. As well as being a class teacher, my roles within the school consist of Key Stage Two leader and English subject leader. I am highly committed to ensuring that our pupils receive the best possible education, through a range of stimulating and exciting experiences. This I believe will equip them well for their adult lives ahead. High expectations are at the heart of everything that I do. I am very proud to be part of such a vibrant and happy school where the children always come first!

    Sub-Committees: TLS;  
    Elected by: Staff 08/01/2020. Expiry of tenure: 7 January 2024

  • Curtis Sweetingham
    Executive Headteacher Ex-OFFICIO

    Curtis Sweetingham

    As Headteacher to St John's, I am passionate about Christian education and believe that all children should be provided with every opportunity to succeed in reaching their full potential. Bringing experience from high achieving schools where emphasis is placed on excellence, progressive thinking, curriculum development and the highest standards of pastoral care, I am committed to setting and achieving challenging targets with the assistance of the Governors and the Senior Leadership Team of St John's.

     

  • Sam Goodman
    Associate Member, Finance and Premises, Personnel

    Sam Goodman

    I am delighted to join St John's Board of Governors as an Associate Member.  I attended the school in the mid-1990s and I have very fond memories of my time there.  I went on to secondary school at Queen Elizabeth's Boys School in Barnet and then studied law at University.  I am now a Barrister in full-time practice in London and the founder of a social mobility enterprise for secondary school students. I am really excited to use my skills and experience to help support the school.

    Sub-Committees: TBC;  
    Appointed by: FGB 22/03/2021. Expiry of tenure: 21/03/2025

  • Catherine Mitri
    Associate Member

    Catherine Mitri

    As the Head of School at St John's, I believe that teamwork and good communication, built on the foundations of a Christian ethos are key to ensuring that each individual child at our school has a happy and fulfilling education.  I am fully committed to working in partnership with the Executive Headteacher, Mr Sweetingham, the governors, staff and parents on the journey towards outstanding .

    Sub-Committees: Personnel; Finance & Premises; Teaching & Learning Standards.
    Appointed by: Full Governing Board 1/9/2015, renewed 10/9/2019.  Expiry of tenure: 9 September 2023

  • Reverend Kim Quak-Winslow
    Incumbent vicar of St John's Church Ex-OFFICIO,

    Reverend Kim Quak-Winslow

  • Ian Copelin
    PCC Foundation Governor

    Ian Copelin

    I am delighted to accept the role of PCC governor at St. John's CofE Primary School. I realise that accepting such a position is a commitment with considerable responsibilities and I will endeavor to fully discharge my duties as a governor to the best of my ability.  

    As a family, we have lived in Whetstone since 2012.    We have two sons at the school and are entirely supportive of its excellent aims and objectives, academically, emotionally and spiritually. I have been a parishioner at St. John's since 2016.

    I am an offshore installation manager in the oil and gas industry and aware of the diverse aspects of running a complex establishment. I hope such experience will stand me in good stead as a governor at St. John's.

    As the parent of two young children I am fully involved in their social and spiritual development and, with my wife, encourage them to always participate in the life of our school and church community.

    I am open to new ideas and look forward to working as a team and seeing first -hand the impact that we can make in improving the education for all the children in our local community.

None of our current governors are governors at other schools.

The Clerk to the Board of Governors is Clerks Associates. 

Previous Governors 

 

  • Jamie Goumal - Joint Vice Chair of Governors (resigned 05/07/2021
  • Ben Pullenayegum – Parent Governor (resigned 15/03/2021)
  • Revd Lynn Davidson – Ex Officio Priest in Charge (resigned 16/11/2020)
  • Ajanta Kamal – Parent Governor (resigned 31/08/2020)
  • Alice Gavin Atashkar – Deanery Governor (resigned 14/07/2020)