Chris Jinks

Chair of Governors Community Governor C/O: New Marston Primary School, Copse Lane, Oxford, OX3 0AY.
Contact: cjinks@nmps.org.uk

Chris and his wife Antonia have two boys at the school. He also has two older children. He is the CEO of a salad and produce company called Vitacress.

He is keen to ensure that the children at our school are helped to develop in a healthy, happy, supportive and safe environment.

Link Governor Role: Safeguarding

Term of office ends: 6th October 2029

Phephi Nkwanyuo

Community Governor/Health & Safety

I started at New Marston as a teaching assistant in 2008 and began teaching in 2018. Both my children attended primary school here and it’s a place I still consider home. I feel both honoured and privileged that I can serve as the community governor on the board. As of 2024 I have pursued a career change and now work for Thames Valley Police where I can continue my service to the community, something I care about deeply.

I believe that New Marston stands out as a shining example of what it means to look after and educate the future and remain invested, alongside my committee members, to ensure that we uphold only the upmost standards in our school. This is something that is not very difficult to do when blessed with the incredible team we have; from our cleaning staff to the governing board, the care and love we have for what we do is palpable in the New Marston air and it’s a gift to be a part of it all.

Link Governor Role: LPPA and Opal

Term of office ends: November 2028

Rachel Vlachonikolis

Ex-Officio by virtue of office as Headteacher/Principal

Rachel is married to George, and they have two beautiful children. She has taught at New Marston for the last 10 years and loves it here! Her roles have ranged from teaching (Y2/3, Early Years) to working with the inclusion team, supporting pupils with SEN, amongst other things! She trained in Sheffield and has just completed the National Award for SEN with Oxford Brookes.

Term of office ends: N/A

Gerallt Skym

Community Governor

My name is Gerallt Skym, and I am honoured to be joining New Marston Primary School's team of Governors. I moved to Oxford 5 years ago and love the city. I am a Physics teacher and have worked in secondary schools for the last 15 years. I've also been involved with teacher training, specifically with maths and physics teachers. I also have two young children, so I am keen to help my local community.

Link Governor Role: Enrichment

Term of office ends: March 2029

Magalie Bertholle

Community Governor

I am from Paris and I have been living in Oxford since 2009. It is a fantastic city and I feel privileged to live here. I have a son who has made many friends at New Marston Primary School and who enjoys going to school every day. 

Professionally, I am a language teacher in a local secondary school and I want to support my community further by being a governor in a primary school as I am fascinated by the way children learn at every stage of their life. Being a governor is a great opportunity to make a real difference in the learning of so many children. 

Link Governor Role: Impact & Standards ( Reading Focus )

Term of office ends: December 2026

Amy Waterston

Staff Governor

I started at New Marston in September 2017 after teaching in inner city London for 12 years. I am passionate about Early Years and love that each day is different. I have been fortunate enough to teach in such a diverse range of schools which have helped me be the practitioner I am today. I have two amazing daughters and a very patient husband who puts up with my hoarding of teacher resources. 

I love to bake cakes in my spare time as well as go on holiday where I can read uninterrupted (sometimes!). 

It is so rewarding to be a part of New Marston Primary School doing a job I love. 

Term of office ends: October 2028

Sophie Morsley

Parent Governor

I have a child at New Marston, and I have also worked within the Hearing Resource Base.

I am a Speech & Language Therapist and love working with people who have learning disabilities, and the Deaf community. 

I am inspired by the way that New Marston supports and includes lots of different kinds of learners.

I am excited to learn more about school, and to offer a new perspective based on my experience both as a parent, and as a special needs professional.

Term of office ends: February 2029

Lucy Hickman

Staff Governor

I started my journey at New Marston in September 2018 whilst completing my SCITT teacher training. I had previously worked at a school in Witney for 12 years.

I am passionate about early reading, writing, and maths. My role means that I can spread that love and help children develop these skills.

I have two beautiful daughters, one who is a nurse and the other a TA at our school. I have a very supportive husband who helps to find resources for our school and OPAL. 

In my spare time, I enjoy playing hockey, spending time with my family, and exploring the world. 

I love being part of the New Marston family, and teaching children is my dream job.  

Term of office ends: October 2029

Jimena Alvarez

Parent Governor

As a mum of two children at New Marston Primary School, I have had the privilege to witness our school blossom over the past three years, and I am proud to be a part of this community! I am delighted to contribute to New Marston Primary School’s stellar path as a Parent Governor.

I am passionate about sustainable development and contributing to a fairer and greener world for all to protect the well-being of current and future generations.

I am a researcher at the University of Oxford working on integrating nature into financial decision-making, building on two decades of experience spanning strategic corporate planning, engineering, climate change, nature-based solutions, modelling, economics, and finance across academia, industry, and nonprofits in Latin America, Europe, and the United States.

Term of office ends: October 2029

Bjoern Schimmoeller

Parent Governor

I was born and raised in Germany, which I left in 2005, and trained as a Chemical Engineer and Materials Scientist. I arrived in Oxford with my family in 2019 from Boston, USA. We have two boys thriving in the NMPS ecosystem thanks to the amazing support of the staff.

As founder and CEO of a local biotech company, I pay particular attention to team culture and leadership style, emphasising the importance of team-play while holding each other accountable. I see my role as governor to act as a sounding board to the headteacher and staff by asking questions, sharing different perspectives, and setting new impulses.

NMPS is an amazing environment for any child to grow up in, and I aspire to contribute to the constant positive evolution of the school, its pupils, and the staff.

Link Governor Role: Health and Safety

Term of office ends: October 2029