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Trustees
The Trustees of Our Lady’s are a voluntary body of people from all walks of life. They are committed to providing an affordable, Catholic education to all children at the Nursery and School.
The Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth is represented on the Board of Trustees, and as a group, provide a vast range of experience on matters including pastoral care, education, parenthood and business.
Creating a first class learning environment
Our Trustees prioritise the School’s development through extensive building works to create better facilities such as a bigger commercial style kitchen, an artificial playing field, the Holiday Club building and more classrooms. With continual investment and commitment from both the Trustees and teaching staff, Our Lady’s provides a first class learning environment.
Ensuring school business is conducted in a responsible manner is also the responsibility of our Trustees. They use their years of experience to manage the school budget and provide support and guidance to the Headmistress in setting future priorities.
Michael Halpin - Chairman
Michael is a retired teacher, having spent many years teaching in both the UK and his native South Africa. His final post before taking well-earned retirement was as senior master of mathematics at Wellington College in Crowthorne. Mike now enjoys putting his wealth of educational and teaching experience into his position on the board of trustees at Our Lady’s.
Karen Osment - Trustee
Karen has been a member of the board of trustees since 2013 and has 2 children who attend Our Lady’s. An FCCA accountant, she has spent the last 20 years holding a variety of senior financial and commercial roles in multi-national companies. Karen currently works full-time for a software company and enjoys being able to utilise her professional skills in the ongoing development of Our Lady’s, particularly with regard to financial investments. Karen has a BA (Hons) in History and Politics, is a Fellow of the Association Chartered Certified Accountants, and holds PRINCEII practitioner status.
Sharon Whitehouse-Faux - Trustee
Sharon has been a member of the board of trustees at Our Lady’s since the beginning of 2016. She has three children who attend the school. In her professional life, Sharon has 20+ years experience in human resources within the financial services industry and is currently a chief of staff for an alternative investment fund manager. Sharon enjoys being able to utilise her business and commercial skills to the benefit of Our Lady’s, particularly around people and policy issues. Sharon has a BA in Hospitality Management from Nottingham University and a Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resources from Thames Valley University.
John Darnell - Trustee
John trained in accountancy, subsequently holding many international roles with large corporate companies before setting up and running a successful IT consultancy company providing services to central government bodies. John spent many years undertaking international assignments in Africa, and his 4 children attended school in Lagos. John held the position of governor for many years at St Margaret Clitherow School in Bracknell before taking up a position on the board of trustees at Our Lady’s. John is now retired and enjoying family live with his wife, a former head of mathematics, and is a member of the Holy Ghost Roman Catholic Parish.
Yvonne Nicholls - Trustee
Yvonne worked in a variety of roles at British Airways before taking time out to raise her young children. She returned to work when they were older and now works for Bracknell Council. Her three children attended Our Lady’s, starting in the nursery and continuing through to year 6, and while they were here Yvonne was an active member of the school PTA, holding the position of chair for two years. During this time she was invited to join the board of trustees. She enjoys working with on the board to ensure the best educational experience for all children who attend.
To contact the chairman of the trustees, Michael Halpin, please write to him:
c/o Our Lady’s Preparatory School
The Avenue
Crowthorne
RG45 6PB.