Meet The Governors!

Chair of Governors - Steven Finch

I am a retired Finance and Computing Business Analyst who has worked with a number of organisations in the Public and Private sectors. Born in England but have lived in Wales since 1979. Married with three grandchildren in secondary school and one at University.

I was asked to become a Community Governor in 2016 as a member of the Cardiff Breakfast Rotary who have been helping at the school over the past six years. Our members assist with reading and developing the school garden into a more attractive area. We have also donated the garden bench and erected the Eco flag pole. I have read regularly with Year 6 over the past six years and am keen to help move the school forward, working with the talented, dedicated and enthusiastic staff and children that I have met during my involvement here. I was delighted to be asked to become Chair of Governors last year and am looking forward to carry on working with Mrs Keys, her staff and the other governors to continue the schools progress.

Vice Chair of Governors - Mark Perrins

I am Cardiff born and bred, went to school in the area and have a degree in Psychology.

I am married to Della Perrins (a teacher at Bryn Celyn) and have a grown up daughter.

Worked in retail, several civil service departments and for the last 30 years as a local church minister.

I volunteered to become a governor to help serve the local community and support a local school. Was a local community governor for 4 yrs and now an L.E.A governor and Vice-Chair at Bryn Celyn.

I have followed the current year 6 through the school, listening to them read weekly and attended school trips. I will be quite sad to see them go, but look forward to getting to know a new class in Autumn 2018.

During my time as governor I’ve watched the school improve dramatically and I have great respect for the hard working staff. I’m passionate about helping the school to continue to give every child that attends a great range of skills for life

Parent Governor Sarah Burke

Hi my name is Sarah and I am a parent governor. I have a child in year 3 and cannot describe how proud I am to be part of the schools development and happy to assist in any way I can.  Being a teaching assistant in another school I take the education sector very seriously in moulding the children of tomorrow and strive to make our community a better place for the future.

Parent Governor Rachelle Atas

Bryn Celyn Primary School has played a huge part in my life. Not only have my 3 children attended Bryn Celyn, but I was also a pupil at the school a long time ago!  Being a Governor is very important to me.  I have been given the opportunity to give something back to the school and have an input into helping give the children the best education and start for their journey onwards.

I am also the chairperson of the Friends of Bryn Celyn PTA, and have had the opportunity to plan events such as school fayres, and end of term discos to raise funds for the children. Over the past years I have completed a few cake decorating courses as part of the parent courses held at the school.  I was then able to be part of Bryn Celyn Academy and teach small groups of children cake decorating skills. Following on from this I was given the opportunity to take my hobby of baking and cake decorating further and I have now set up my own successful cake business. 

Parent Governor Emma Blanda

I have recently become a governor at Bryn Celyn Primary school. I work in hospitality management, and I study psychology with The Open University part time. I have a daughter that attends Bryn Celyn.

I believe it is important for every child to have access to a good education and learn the skills that they will need in the future. I am active within the local community and have links with local charities. I am a Welsh learner and advocate the learning of Welsh within the classroom.  I look forward to bringing my ideas to the governor’s meetings.

Parent Governor Andy Gulley

My name is Andrew Gulley, I am a 52 year old father of 7 children all of whom have been pupils of Bryn Celyn Primary School, 3 of whom went on to go to University.

I am a school governor because I am very proud of our school and the high standards and levels of education that are currently being achieved.

I am very pleased to be able to take a role where I am able to have an input on making the school better, not only for my children but other pupils at the school and safeguarding the future of the school.

Staff Governor Shelly Zatac

I am the year 4 class teacher and have taught in Bryn Celyn for 14 years.

I love teaching Maths and Expressive Arts.

I enjoy drawing and painting and singing. I have been in choirs and have enjoyed working with the School Choir.  I have a very lovely fluffy hamster named Teddy Bear who is very cheeky and very cute.  I really enjoy being a Governor as I can give a class perspective on the issues we discuss.

Teacher Governor Rebecca O'Connor

I have 2 children and enjoy playing netball in my spare time.  I have recently joined our Governors as a Teacher Governor.  I have taught at Bryn Celyn for 10 years in both Key Stage 2 and Foundation Phase and I am part of the Senior Leadership Team.  I am passionate about my learner’s making progress and find this very rewarding.  Bryn Celyn is a wonderful team and I am proud to be part of it. 

Community Governor Melanie Westacott 

I'm Melanie, I will be joining the 40's club in May. I'm a mother of 2 children, both have attended Bryn Celyn Primary school. My eldest is 23 and my youngest is 14 so I have had connections to the school for 20 years. I believe having a great local school is important for a community and that children should be given the best education possible as well as learning some important life lessons. The staff work really hard to provide our children with both a great education and a safe environment where they can learn to express themselves. I'm happy to be a part of a wonderful team 😊

Community Governor Tasha Dawe

My names Natasha but I much prefer to be called Tash. I am 26 years old and live in Cardiff. 

I have worked in the Early Years sector for 9 years, ranging from Private Nursery to Flying Start. I have worked my way up to managing the Flying Start setting and currently going into my 6th year. 

I have recently become a community governor and am looking forward to the role.   I wanted to become a governor to find more out about how schools work and if I could use any information from them to help me develop in the Flying Start setting as well as provide the school with more information about us.  I went to Bryn Celyn myself and have always wanted to work either within or around the school, I like the communication I have from the Head Teacher down to the Nursery Teacher. 

Community Governor Catrin Evans

I am a community governor and have a close connection with Bryn Celyn Primary. I have been a primary school teacher for 9 years and have a real interest in the development of children. I can see how hard the staff work at Bryn Celyn and am proud to be part of the team. In my spare time I am a member of a choir- City Voices Cardiff- and enjoy watching musicals with family and friends!

Local Authority Governor Iain McDonald

My name is Iain McDonald and I was appointed LA Governor to Bryn Celyn Primary School in September 2018. I am a retired Teacher / Headteacher who has 38 years of experience working in Primary, Secondary and Special schools in various parts of England and Wales. I was a teacher in Moorland Road Junior School, Splott for 3 years in the 1970s, and teacher / Headteacher in Stacey Road Primary School, Roath for 18 years before retiring in 2010.

As a member of the Governing Body I will endeavour to support the work of the Headteacher and staff in providing educational opportunities that will make a difference to the children in their care as they progress through the school. With parental support I am sure that we will continue to give the children at Bryn Celyn the opportunity to " dream, believe and achieve ".