Introducing the leadership team at St Joseph’s College

Our senior leadership team

Mrs Clarke, Principle at St Joseph's College

Principal

Mrs Danielle Clarke

I feel both proud and privileged to be the Principal of St Joseph’s College working alongside an outstanding staff and a community which focuses successfully on personalised academic achievement and the positive social, emotional, physical and intellectual development of children and young people.

Mr Cinnamond, Deputy Principle at St Joseph's College

Deputy Principal

Mr Sacha Cinnamond

I joined St Joseph’s in 2016 and have over 20 years of experience in teaching, including managing my own Sixth Form successfully for 12 years. I am a consultant to the Historical Association and work as a masterclass presenter for the Gabbitas Truman and Thring Foundation.

Mrs Rowlands, Vice-Principal Pastoral at St Joseph's College

Vice Principal Pastoral

Mrs Georgina Rowlands

I am dedicated to creating a safe and supportive learning environment for students, fostering their personal and academic growth, and ensuring their well-being through a committed team of staff who promote an aspirational and inclusive school culture.

Vice Principal Co-curricular & Head of Arts

Mrs Victoria Harvey

I have over 23 years of experience teaching in both the maintained and independent sectors and continue to be passionate about developing young people’s lives through instilling a love for creativity at all levels.

Director of Business Development & Operations

Mr Anthony O’Riordan

I joined the College in 2015 as Director of Rugby and teacher of Vocational BTEC Curriculum, later becoming Director of Sport & Business Development. I have overseen various sporting programmes and partnerships, including the successful introduction of male and female Football Academies at the College.

Photo of Mrs Edwards, Director of Admissions, Marketing and Communications at St Joseph's College

Director of Admissions, Marketing and Communications

Mrs Sarah Edwards

I joined the Senior Leadership Team at St Joseph’s College in September 2019 to provide strategic planning and leadership in College communications, marketing and pupil recruitment. I have over 20 years’ experience working with some incredible brands across a range of different markets and channels to create excellent communications and deliver targeted results. I work with the Admissions, Marketing and Communications team to create strong brand dialogue and oversee UK and international pupil enrolment.

Director of Finance

Mrs Julie Keech

Mrs Keech joined St Joseph’s in June 2022 as Director of Finance. A fellow of the Association of Chartered and Certified Accountants in England and Wales, she has over 20 years’ experience in both Financial and Commercial finance roles across businesses ranging from privately owned to listed and private equity backed companies.

Mrs Keech has worked in a variety of business sectors spanning healthcare, offshore renewable energy, subsea cabling and EV charging.  She brings considerable experience in financial analysis, reporting and financial management.

Our Governors

Chair

Mr Perry Glading

After a number of years working in the UK Ports and Logistics sector at Main Board Executive level for Private and PLC listed organisations, including positions as Chief Operating Officer of Forth Ports Ltd and Managing Director of the Port of Tilbury London Ltd.

Perry stepped down from his Executive roles in 2017, currently he is the Vice Chair of the Dover Harbour Board and Senior Non-Executive Director. Non-Executive Director of High House Production Park, Purfleet, also advises a number of businesses through his consultancy business, Glading Consultancy Ltd and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Transport.

A former St Jo’s parent, Perry’s youngest daughter left the College in 2019 after attending from Years 7 to Upper Sixth. He has been Chair since January 2018 and can be contacted at [email protected] or in writing to St Joseph’s College, Belstead Road, Ipswich IP2 9DR.

Vice Chair

Mr Richard Stace (LLB)

Richard is a solicitor, who has specialised in employment law for more than 30 years and has his own employment law firm. Richard has two sons who attended the College from Nursery to Upper Sixth. He has been a Governor at St Joseph’s College since December 2003. 

Governor

Mr Chris Richardson-Smith

With a varied career as a Sales and Marketing Director in health & leisure, property services and independent education, Chris also runs his own consultancy, developing marketing strategies for public sector organisations. His work has
centred around building and nurturing high quality relationships and delivering tangible value.

Chris moved to Ipswich from Kent in 2010 and has two sons at St Joseph’s – both in the Prep School.

He has worked with Suffolk Chamber of Commerce and supported Suffolk Young Chamber.
Chris has been a Governor at St Joseph’s College since December 2021.

Member of sub-committees: Governors’ Finance Group & Governors’ Health, Safety & Environment Group

Mr Kevyn Connelly

Kevyn is a Chartered Internal Auditor with over 20 years’ experience in a variety of sectors. He is currently Head of Assurance and Risk for the Low Carbon Contracts Company. In his spare time, Kevyn is a member of Essex Scouts and a scuba diving instructor. He currently has one son in the Senior School and one son who has left St Joseph’s College and is at university in Falmouth. Kevyn has been a Governor at St Joseph’s College since May 2019. 

Chair of sub-committee: Governors’ Building Group Member of sub-committee: Governors’ Health, Safety & Environment Group

Mr John Button

John is a quantity surveyor and project manager and now works part-time as a consultant with local practice Castons, having been a senior partner at the firm for over 20 years.
In his spare time, John enjoys playing golf and is a season ticket holder at Ipswich Town Football Club.

John is a former parent having put his two sons through the Senior School and has been a Governor at St Joseph’s College since October 2014.

Member of sub-committee: Governors’ Building Group

Mr Phil Dennis

Phil attended the College in the mid/late 1980s before studying Estate Management at the University of Greenwich. After a brief spell working for Adnams Brewery and marketing services companies in London, he was elected a Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in 2005.
Phil specialises in commercial property and advises on agency disposal/acquisition, development consultancy and landlord and tenant issues across the Eastern Region. He is currently a Director of Savills based in their Chelmsford Office. Phil has been a Governor at St Joseph’s College since November 2014.

Member of sub-committee: Governors’ Safeguarding & Wellbeing Group

Mrs Emma Hardwick

As a dual-qualified nurse and midwife, Emma has worked in healthcare for 41 years. She has held senior clinical leadership posts for the past 20 years in acute hospitals in the East of England and London. Emma has experience as an Executive Chief Nurse, Director of Infection Prevention and Control, and Board Safeguarding Lead. Her current post is as Director of Midwifery at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, leading women’s health service across two hospitals. Emma was a former chair of the Quality Assurance for the National Screening Committee. Emma has two grown-up children and lives in Cambridge. She has been a Governor at St Joseph’s College since February 2023.

Governor

Mr Patrick Lewis

Patrick was born and bred in Ipswich and has many years of experience in the business and people sector. He is still actively involved as Chair of the family business he set up in 2002 as well as other personal/ business interests in the sporting/events world.


Patrick is an ambassador for local commerce, charity and education, is a Patron of the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce and a strategic partner of Norfolk Chambers of Commerce. 

He has been a Governor at St Joseph’s College since January 2023.

Chair of sub-committee: Governors’ Finance Group

Mr Christian Ross

Christian is a qualified accountant (FCCA) with over 20 years of experience in the industry, having spent 12 years in the fuel card sector and 11 years in manufacturing. For four years he was a Vice-President of Finance in Toronto.
Christian is currently the Chief Finance Officer for a local firm, Metro Supply Chain UK, based just outside Bury St Edmunds.
Christian attended St Joseph’s from 1983 to 1990. He has a keen interest in most sports and is involved with local charities.

He has been a Governor at St Joseph’s College since January 2021.

Chair of sub-committee: Governors’ Education & Curriculum Group

Mr Anthony Newman

After graduating from the London School of Economics in 1971, Tony joined St Joseph’s College in 1977 as an Economics teacher. He was appointed as Vice Principal in 1992 and was Joint Acting Principal from 2000 – 2001, before retiring
in 2006.

Tony was also an Independent School Inspector. He became a Governor at St Joseph’s in 2009. Tony is responsible to the Board for The Arts, Boarding and EYFS.

His daughter and son are former pupils of the College.

Member of sub-committee: Governors’ Finance Group

Mrs Julie Henkel

Julie is a Managing Director in the financial services industry with over 30 years’ experience working in global markets and wealth management banking operations. She has worked extensively overseas in Hong Kong, India and Japan. She works at Banque Nationale de Paris Paribas having previously worked at Credit Suisse and Deutsche Bank. Julie is a Non-Executive director (NED) of BNPP Trust Corp.

Julie has been publicly recognised and is a passionate advocate for diversity, equality and inclusion in the work place and beyond. Julie has studied legislation, needs and equality regarding special education needs relating to dyslexia and other SpLDs.

Julie has been a Governor at St Joseph’s College since January 2024 and has one son in the senior school.

Governor

Mrs Gemma Stronach

Gemma Stronach is currently Deputy Headteacher at Felixstowe School, leading on Quality of Education. In this role she oversees all Continuous Professional Development, Teaching and Learning, Quality Assurance and Early Career Teachers and Trainees. As well as this, Gemma line manages Sixth Form, Exams and SEND. Gemma has proven success in four very different schools, from a large three-tier secondary school in Sandwell, to a Worcestershire two-tier school, to a rural Suffolk Community school, to Felixstowe. More recently, Gemma has been part of the Senior Leadership Team to achieve its first Ofsted ‘Good’ in June 2024. Linguistically gifted, having commenced her teaching career as a Modern Foreign Languages Teacher over 16 years ago; Gemma has full understanding and insight in what it takes to make a true difference in the classroom. Gemma has worked in schools in a pastoral capacity, as well as curriculum, enabling her to have a broad view of how to ensure students flourish both academically and holistically.

Student Leaders

Head Boy

Mr Oliver Edwards

I have been at St Joseph’s College since year 7 and have thoroughly enjoyed my time in the supportive and nurturing environment here at St Jo’s. I love sport and have been fortunate to represent the College at first team level in both cricket and rugby. I am currently studying English Literature, History and Politics. I am proud to have been appointed Head Boy and I look forward to working with the prefect team to inspire students and make a positive difference.   

Head Girl

Miss Nina Ruiz-Coles

I have been at the College for 6 years, beginning in Year 7. I am proud to say St Jo’s has played a pivotal role in shaping me to become the person I am today. The College has aided me through every aspect of life; from exams to wellbeing and it is an honour to present myself as Head Girl. I am currently studying English Language, Spanish and Textiles at A-level and have the long-term goal of working as a director in a leading Marketing and Advertising agency.

Deputy Head Boy

Mr Reuben Truter

I am honoured and proud to represent St Joseph’s College as Deputy Head Boy. I started at the College in September of 2023. I am studying Maths, Economics and History and I was very pleased to see how helpful and supportive all the teachers were. I represent the school on the football pitch playing for the College’s first team. I aspire to thrive both on and off the pitch to represent St Joseph’s College the best way I can.

Deputy Head Girl

Miss Liana Ahmed

My journey at the College began in Year 7 when I joined the exciting and nurturing community we have at St Jo’s. Since joining, my interest in science has developed into a passion for a career in biochemistry, and my enthusiasm for sport has really grown. Everyone at St Joseph’s College works hard to provide students with a head start on our futures, and I am grateful to now be working within the prefect team that makes things happen.

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