The Governing Body
A warm welcome to you all!
I am delighted to welcome you to Our Lady Catholic Primary School.
Our school is a small and inclusive place of learning with a single intake for each school year from reception to Year 6. We also have an attached nursery.
We are all very proud of our school and our children. Our mission statement is that ‘we learn to love and love to learn with Jesus.' Our Lady’s is a place for our children to learn, foster friendships and be safe. It is important to us that we help each and every child reach his or her greatest potential.
Under the leadership of Mr. Richard Curry, who was appointed in September 2018, the school continues to not just educate its children, but also to build a strong sense of mutual respect, with confidence and ability to begin to make their own way in the world.
We are dedicated to Our Lady, the mother of Jesus Christ, the mother of God. Our faith is strengthened through very close relationships to the local churches of Our Lady Queen of Apostles and of St. Bonaventure. Our school does not however simply offer an education for Catholics but a Catholic education, welcoming children of all faiths and beliefs who are ready to embrace our values. The Catholic Life of our school has been graded as “Outstanding” in our 2021 Diocesan Inspection where it was noted that “School leaders, including the governors, share the commitment to make this an outstanding Catholic school”.
I extend a warm invitation to you and your family to come and learn a little more about our school, and to see for yourselves what makes it such a special place.
Mrs. Kelly Donkor
Chair of the Governing Body
Who we are
Richard Curry
Richard Curry (Head) I have been in teaching since 2001, most recently as Headteacher at St Paul’s Catholic Primary School in Wood Green. Being a Headteacher is a huge responsibility and an awesome privilege. Everything, therefore, should be geared to driving standards forwards in a community centred on our faith – God is at the heart of all we do. I want to strive through hard work and integrity (and a dash of humour) to develop the staffing team necessary for the fulfilment of the school’s mission statement. My overall goal is simple – to ensure that each and every child, in Christ’s image, develops their full potential to become the very best that they can be.
Kelly Donkor
Kelly Donkor I have worked in education for over 15 years, predominately in senior teams leading on safeguarding, wellbeing and pastoral care. I first joined the Governing Body of Our Lady Catholic Primary School in 2013 when my daughter started Our Lady’s Nursery; she has now moved on to The Saint John Henry Newman School, but my little boy is still lucky enough to be in the school, experiencing the caring, supportive, spiritual environment of our special community. It is my absolute pleasure and privilege to serve on our Governing Body, providing constructive challenge and support to our leadership team in always striving to go the extra mile for each of our children.
Lorina Felicien
I have 17 years experience working for Social Services in Children, Schools & Families, Adult Social Care & Learning Disabilities & Mental Health. I currently work in Assistive Technology, where we carry out assessments and installations on behalf of local authorities for telecare & monitoring equipment to keep vulnerable people living independently. My speciality is epilepsy monitoring equipment.
Canon Norbert Fernandes
Canon Norbert Fernandes I have been Parish Priest of the three Catholic Churches in Welwyn Garden City since October 2008 and during that time have served as a Foundation Governor of Our Lady Catholic Primary School. The Catholic Life and Religious Education are my responsibility and I have the great joy of spending time with children, staff and parents, building that wonderful link of home, school and parish. I come from a teaching family in that my Mum was a primary teacher in North London for 26 years. We used to help in all sorts of ways and I really know how hard teachers and school staff work; I have witnessed such dedication. What a difference the foundation of primary school makes to a child! I am very happy to be a source of support and encouragement for our school community. It has been brilliant to be part of Our Lady's School journey for so many years.
Paraic McKenna
Paraic McKenna I joined the Governing Body at Our Lady Catholic Primary School in 2008 and was Chair of the Governing Body for a number of years, working with the school both when my children attended and when they progressed. My children are each university graduates and retain treasured memories and continue to live the values learned at Our Lady's. It is a privilege to serve as a Governor. I am the Head of Corporate Performance at Hertfordshire County Council, and rejoin the Resources and General Purposes Committee this academic year.
Helen Ashcroft
I have been serving as a parent governor since 2023. My background is in playwork having 25 years experience within this area, alongside the leisure and recreation industry. I am a Teaching Assistant at Our Lady’s and I am so privileged and grateful to have the opportunity to help assist the school, children and school community in driving the school forward. I support the school in maintaining our high standards, giving the children happy memories to last a lifetime all whilst providing a safe and happy environment.
Helen Meyer, Parent Governor
I have been a governor since 2023 and currently have 2 children at the school. I am proud to be part of such a vibrant and supportive community and am so very grateful for the educational experience my daughters have received at Our Lady. As a Parent Governor I want to give back and support in anyway I can; I want to ensure that all children are able to access the highest quality of education and care and that staff feel valued and appreciated for the dedication and commitment they show daily. I am currently part of the OPAL working group helping to transform children's playtime and outdoor learning. Professionally I am a Careers Development Consultant at the University of Hertfordshire where I have worked for 17 years. As well as one to one Careers Guidance and advice, I support Apprentice Learners, am involved in careers curriculum design and directly support the School of Law. Outside of all of this I am very much a mum taxi and am in awe of the social lives of 6 and 10 year olds!