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Governor Pen Portraits

Please see below for the pen portraits for our Local Governing Body.

Theresa Boland – Foundation Governor (Chair of Governors)

My name is Theresa Boland and all of my children attended Cardinal Newman.  I joined the Governing body of Cardinal Newman as a parent governor in 2010, before becoming a foundation governor in December 2014.

During my time with Cardinal Newman I have been part of the selection panel for our headteacher and both deputy headteachers. I’m currently Chair of Governors and Chair of the pay and appraisal committee. I have worked in IT for more than 20 years and have recently retired from my role as a senior manager for ICT and facilities at a government regulator.

 

Laurence Moore – Foundation Governor

I joined the Governing body in 1985 shortly after Cardinal Newman became the first Catholic Community College in the country and the Governors were looking for someone with a Finance background.

I am a Chartered Accountant and was a Director of a large independent firm of Accountants in the Warwickshire and South Birmingham area before my retirement at the end of 2018

During my tenure I have served with every headteacher, have been Chair of Governors and Chair of the Finance, Buildings & General Purpose sub-committee.

I joined the school as a pupil in the year it opened, 1969, so feel like I have been involved with the school in one way or another for most of our joint lives!

I am also a Director of the Holy Cross MAC, a Trustee and Director of a local charity and like to indulge my hobby of photography and videography when I get time.

 

Michael Shaw – Foundation Governor

I am honoured to be part of the Cardinal Newman Family.

I joined the Royal Navy quite a long time ago and, after my initial career in the General Service as a Weapon Engineer, I became a member of the Fleet Air Arm, predominantly serving with the Commando Helicopter Force.  I have deployed on operations to Bosnia Herzegovina, Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya and am currently the Base Support Commander for NATO Maritime Command located at Northwood Headquarters responsible for a wide range of infrastructure, security, welfare and support projects and issues.

A passionate sportsman, I am the head of the Royal Navy Senior XV Rugby Team and look forward to becoming Inter Service Champions and ending the Army's dominance.

 

David Parnell – Foundation Governor

My name is David Parnell and I have been a governor for over 35 years.  I am a parishioner at Christ the King, Coventry. I have previously served as Chair of Governors. I am now retired having spent a lifetime in construction and being involved with major UK Nuclear Power projects. I have experience in finance, human resources and health & safety.

My connection with Cardinal Newman goes back to 1981 when the first of my five children started at the school.  They all went on to university education in the UK. I am currently on the following sub-committees:

  • Finance, Buildings & General Purpose
  • Personnel & Performance Monitoring
  • Health & Safety

     

Sonia Kearns-Hart – Foundation Governor

My name is Sonia Kearns-Hart and I have been a Foundation Governor since 2016. I studied Criminal Justice at Liverpool John Moores University and then was elected as Student President after my studies to represent over 22,000 students. More recently I have completed a MBA at the University of Leicester.

Currently, I work for the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) as the Global Professional Assessment Manager. I manage the current and future Membership assessment products supporting the RICS market needs and maintaining standards. I provide training and support to all global markets.

I am also a member of two governor sub-committees, Personnel and Performance Monitoring and Admissions. As a former pupil of Cardinal Newman School, I would like to give something back to my local catholic community. I am a parishioner at Christ the King, Coventry.

 

Craig Collins – Foundation Governor

I am an Information Technology Programme Manager and work for CGI, a large systems integrator.  I am married to Julie and have three children who have all been pupils at CNCS.  Alisha works for a charity delivering education in London and is a part-time swim teacher, Luke is a Computer Science degree apprentice with CGI and Ryan is in Year 11.