OUR PROPRIETORS

 

Institute of Our Lady of Mercy
The Generalate,
Cemetery Road,
Yeadon,
Leeds
LS19 7UR

Phone: 0113 2500 253
Fax: 0113 2500 241
Email: iolm@iolmercy.org.uk

WELCOME TO OUR GOVERNING BODY

 

CATHERINE MCDERMOTT – CHAIR OF GOVERNORS

Contact via school on 01282 455622

I am a parent of four children. My youngest son and my daughter are at Stonyhurst St Mary’s Hall and the two older boys are in university, one studying Engineering (TCD) and the other studying Geography and Economics (LSE). All my children went to Park Hill. I studied Psychology and Economics at university and previously worked in banking and IT. My husband and I have a property development company based in Burnley. I take a huge interest in education and see it as key to children developing into self-reliant individuals who can make their own contribution to the world.  Downtime is spent reading or playing piano and I run to keep fit.

 

SISTER JOAN BREEN – FOUNDATION GOVERNOR

I was Head of St Joseph’s Park Hill and also taught in London for many years. I was also Head of St. Bede’s School Chadwell Heath before coming to Park Hill.  After retiring from Park Hill I spent 18 months doing chaplaincy work in St Mary’s Hall Stonyhurst.  I carried out voluntary work for three months in the Mercy International House in Dublin.  From there I was asked to join the Mercy community in Colwyn Bay where I remained until September, when I became part of the community in Bermondsey which is the Institute’s archival and heritage house. I have been working with former Mercy schools and other schools where sisters have taught over the years. At the Institute’s chapter over Easter, I was elected to the Leadership team where I am currently based in Leeds.

 

SISTER COLETTE CRONIN – FOUNDATION GOVERNOR

Hello, my name is Sister Colette Cronin.  I am a Sister of Mercy and at present I am a member of the Leadership Team for our Congregation.  The Team, seven of us in total, lives in Leeds. I began my Religious Life in Liverpool and also lived for five years in our community in Hornchurch, Essex. Our Congregation was founded in Dublin in 1831 by the Venerable Catherine McAuley and one of her great passions was education. The Sisters of Mercy are involved in education today all over the world and all at St Joseph’s Park Hill School can feel part of that worldwide Mercy family. My own involvement in education was first as a teacher in Liverpool and now as a Governor of St Joseph’s Park Hill and Broughton Hall High School, Liverpool. Both Schools were founded by the Sisters of Mercy and even though they are two very different schools they share the same ethos and values.

 

MARY ALLEN – FOUNDATION GOVERNOR

My name is Mary Allen and I was elected as school Governor in February 2013.
I have a 23 year old daughter currently teaching in Kuwait who was a pupil at St Joseph’s from age 4 to 11.
I have worked in the Civil Service for 36 years undertaking a variety of roles throughout that time. In my spare time I enjoy reading, swimming, watching football and keeping fit.

 

CHARLES COTTAM – FOUNDATION GOVERNOR

My name is Charles Cottam, both of my children have attended St Joseph’s Park Hill. My son and daughter are now pupils at St Mary’s Hall Stonyhurst. After leaving high school I studied A levels in maths, business studies and physical education at Holy Cross College in Bury.  I have worked for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service for the past thirteen years, my first eleven years I spent as an operational Firefighter and then Watch Officer at Blackpool, Darwen, Nelson and Burnley.  For the last two years I have been working as an instructor at Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service training centre. I am very passionate about sports, being a director and first team captain at Lowerhouse Cricket Club keeps me very busy outside of my family life.  I also coach my son Henri’s cricket team at Lowerhouse and football team at Fulledge Colts FC.  I think that St Joseph’s Park Hill is a special place, the atmosphere that the staff and children create within school is very warming and one that the children flourish in.

 

LARA ODDIE – FOUNDATION GOVERNOR

My name is Lara Oddie and all three of my children have attended St Joseph's Park Hill.  I was initially appointed as a parent governor in 2011 and was appointed a Foundation Governor in 2018.  I have worked full time in my family’s bakery business since 1993 with main responsibility for Marketing and business planning.  In my spare time I enjoy photography, gardening and am an enthusiastic pottery student.