Alex Whitty / Headteacher

I am honoured to be the Headteacher of St Vincent de Paul Catholic Primary school. I was appointed as Deputy Head Teacher of the school in April 2022 and became Headteacher in December 2023. I have been fortunate enough to have spent the past 22 years committed to teaching in various roles including an Assistant Head Teacher and class teacher in two local catholic schools. I have a son and a daughter who both attend The Saint John Henry Newman school. I am determined to provide excellence in Catholic Education, ensuring children leave school with a strong faith and a life-long love of learning.  I am excited about developing the vision of the school ensuring the best opportunities are provided for all, and I look forward to working with the governors, staff, parents and pupils of St Vincent de Paul school as we continue on our exciting journey.

Michelle Curry/ Deputy Headteacher

Bio to follow

Nathan Barry / Foundation Governor / Co Vice-Chair of Governors

I moved to Hertfordshire from the North West in 2014. I am a Mathematics teacher and Learning Co-ordinator at The John Henry Newman School. My passion for education has been key to my interest in being a Governor at St Vincent de Paul. 

I will use my experience as a teacher to support the Teaching and Learning and Safeguarding sub committees alongside the other governors. I am delighted to be part of this school community and look forward to sharing the school's vision and mission statement throughout my time on the Governing body.

Damon Carr / Co-opted Governor

I am married and have three children, who all attend St Vincent de Paul school. I have worked as a civil servant for 15 years during which time I have witnessed how education directly impacts a person. I wanted to become a parent governor as I believe I can help and support our school and community. I look forward to working with the school and the governing board with the overall aim of the maintaining the schools mission statement. 

Mark Rollings / Co-opted Governor

St Vincent de Paul has been a crucial part in my family for the past 40 years, with my three older sisters and I attending, followed by my five nieces and nephews and now my two children. I understand through experience the importance of a good quality catholic education and with the skills I have developed in my professional career as a chartered accountant I look forward to supporting the school in achieving its objectives.

Simon Crump / Staff Governor

Since joining the school in September 2018, I have worked as a class teacher in Year 6. As a staff member at the school, I am committed to ensuring that every child receives the very best education and reaches their full potential during their time at St Vincent de Paul School. I am proud to represent the members of staff on the governing body, and I can ably offer a staff viewpoint and perspective to discussions. Having a child in the school myself, I am a further part of the community and am dedicated in seeing the St Vincent de Paul School thrive.

John Doherty / Parent Governor

I have worked in retail Financial Services for over 15 years, currently working as a Practice Manager of a boutique financial advice firm in the City.  I am certified and qualified in my industry but duties now focus on managing the team and practice.  Both my children attend the school, so I have a vested interest in ensuring the school provides a safe supportive and inclusive education space for all children to develop their early education.

Kristina Cordner / Parent Governor

I have worked in Education for 15 years, undertaking various roles within Secondary schools and supporting PE lessons within local primary schools. I am currently working in a Secondary school as a Head of KS3 PE. My passion is in teaching and learning, helping children succeed, progress, enjoy education, develop life skills and take part in a variety of enrichment activities. I believe that physical activity improves children’s confidence, mental well-being and most importantly puts a smile on their faces. I have lived in Stevenage for the past 8 years and my two children attend St. Vincent De Paul. I am invested in using my experience in education and my passion as a parent to work with and support the school as a parent Governor.

Siobhan Morgan / Parent Governor

A former civil servant I worked for the Home Office for 11 years formulating government policy and legislation. As a Classics graduate from King’s College London I was able to study theology, ethics and philosophy as part of the Associateship of King’s College (the original qualification awarded by the university).  
I am married with three children, two of whom attend St. Vincent de Paul School and my family attends St. Joseph’s Church. I live locally but grew up in North London attending my local Convent School. I feel very privileged to have enjoyed a Catholic education, and am very grateful that my children are able to experience this too.

Kunle Anjorin / Parent Governor / Co Vice-Chair of Governors

An IT Consulting Professional with a life-long passion for learner-centred education. As a Parent Governor with External Quality Assurance experience, I’m committed to supporting St Vincent de Paul School community in deepening its quality of education, enriching the diversity of thought and strengthening a vibrant and inclusive community while upholding the School ethos. I am married to Abigail (an Educational Coach and former Head Teacher). We have 3 children attending Catholic schools.

Valerie Hargrave / Associate Governor

I have been lucky enough to be part of this school for many years. I am a former pupil of Saint John Southworth, the name of this school before its amalgamation with Pope Pius. I have been a parent of the school and all three of my children attended St Vincent de Paul, with my eldest, a pupil here when the school formed in 1990. My faith is very important to me and working in a Catholic school allows me daily opportunity to share my beliefs.

My employment here has changed considerably over the years, starting as a Midday Supervisor, and then a Nursery Nurse, before qualifying as a class teacher and since 2017, I have been Assistant Head to the Early Years and Key Stage One. Every position I have enjoyed and getting to be part of so many children’s lives, their families and their education is a real pleasure. As a governor I am involved with the Teaching and Learning Committee.

Oyin Oomidiora / Foundation Governor

I am an ACA Chartered Accountant and have worked in practice and in large retail organisations.  Part of my work within practice was to audit the financial statements of schools within academies. I am honored to contribute as a Governor in the school to help it continue to meet its goals and visions.  As a mother to a nursery aged son, I have an immense interest in the importance of preserving the Catholic Ethos in schools whilst developing and nurturing the unique talents and aspirations of each child.  I converted to Catholicism later in life after my journey in faith led me to research the history of Christianity and the Church.  I fell in love with the doctrine of the Catholic Church as well as its rich lineage history that connects it straight to St Peter. As I missed out on the privilege of growing up in a Catholic School, I look forward to seeing my son and future generations of children grow up in such a blessed environment.

Rhian Richards / Foundation Governor
(Safeguarding Link Governor)

I have been within the St Vincent De Paul School Community for over ten years. I have three children, one who is currently at St John Henry Newman and two who are at St Vincent De Paul.
I have worked within the NHS in various roles for the last fifteen years and I hope I will be able to contribute effectively to the governing body using my skill set.
I look forward to working alongside the school, fellow governors and parents in helping to drive improvement and in turn have better outcomes for our school and pupils.

Trudie Batty / Associate Governor

Bio to follow

Gloria Enock / Foundation Governor

I moved to Stevenage in 2017 and my children attend St. Vincent De Paul School. I am delighted to serve as a foundation governor of this great school. I attend StJoseph’s Catholic Church where I assist with the liturgy and also volunteer with the First Holy Communion Team in preparing the children for their First Holy Communion. St Vincent De Paul School has made very positive impact on the Catholic faith and academic wellbeing of my kids. I look forward to working with the Headteacher and Governing body to help preserve the Catholic ethos of the school while delivering exceptional academic experience and training for every child.
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John Arceno / Foundation Governor

I was a former pupil at St Vincent De Paul and John Henry Newman.  I also served as The Mayor Consort of Stevenage in 2023-2024 as well as being a trustee at The Red Shed.  I work in a commercial role at Pfizer and I’m passionate about creating the same opportunities I had for the young people in Stevenage.
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Mason Emoli / LA Governor

I am honoured to join the governing body as a Local Authority Governor, with a deep and long-standing connection to St. Vincent de Paul School as a former pupil. It’s great to be part of the school community again, and I’m excited to contribute to its continued success.

With several years of experience in education, both as an Office Manager and more recently as a Recruitment Advisor for a local education consultancy, I’m looking forward to bringing my skills to support the school’s future. I’m also excited to work alongside my fellow governors to help uphold the school’s mission.".
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Fr Robert Smialek / Parish priest

Originally from Ireland, Dublin, I graduated as a Civil Engineer working on various global projects for 11 years, specialising in Subsea Engineering. In my final years as an Engineer, I decided to work in London on the Crossrail project,  the new Elziabeth Line. I originally intended that my time in London would only be a temporary move as I was awaiting a new subsea project to commence, however, it was while I was in London I felt the call to the priesthood.
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In 2018 I entered Allen Hall seminary and in June 2024, I was ordained a priest for the diocese of Westminster. St Joseph's parish is my first appointment as a priest and I feel very blessed to be here and to be part of the governing  body of St Vincent de Paul primary school.
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