Meet the Staff
Kennett Westmacott
Kennett is the Activities Centre Manager for Learning. He is very interested in the practical challenges of how to improve learning and life in the community especially when faced with the challenge of an impairment or disability. He has worked in Africa in making equipment for people with physical difficulties and also in teaching this so others could learn to solve problems themselves through making helpful equipment. He trained to teach adults and has worked for many years facilitating people with epilepsy and people with learning disabilities and challenging behavior to learn new things, developing their skills.
People with disabilities are sometimes seen simply as people who need help. However we are all made in God’s image and therefore all of us can be contributors and givers not just receivers. St Joseph’s wants people to develop and use their God-given abilities. It has been exciting for Kennett to join the Activities team as work has already started towards more structured ways of learning for people coming to St Joseph’s. Kennett is working on communication and two-way understanding between staff and students. St Joseph’s will run courses that are externally validated so that students can be assessed and recognised by others. Links into the community are being increased so students can use their skills to contribute and be valued by their communities. Examples of this are
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The Horticulture course where students are learning important skills of growing plants and helping others in caring for a garden
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The Our Restaurant class which takes the learning from cooking as a hobby, to training in order to be able to contribute in catering for special events
Marina Fernandez MICHT CNHC
Marina is our senior therapist who offers both Reflexology, Body Massage and VRT (Vertical Reflex Therapy). VRT is suitable for wheelchair users but open to everyone. Marina has been working for St Joseph's for eleven years now and, as well as her sessions, is actively involved in the support of students during class activities and social events
Marina is qualified with Diplomas in Anatomy and Physiology, Body Massage, Reflexology, Diet and Nutrition and VRT practioner as well as being a First Aider.
Marzena Konwicka
Marzena is the teacher for the Person Centred Planning session. She has studied hard at her English language skills since .when she joined the Activities Centre. She has a First Certificate in English at intermediate level and has also an Advanced Certificate in English (CAE). CAE is the second highest level Cambridge ESOL exam, at level C1 of the Council of Europe's Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
Marzena has an NVQ Level Two in Health & Social Care. She has also studied Horticulture, which interest she hopes to put to use in the Horticultural course.
Geetha Katuwawala
Geetha has been with the Centre since 2000.
She teaches Arts and Crafts, Introduction to Cookery, Musical Showtime and TV and Film Club courses. Long experienced in creative activities, her qualifications embrace a BA (Hons) in Art Practice in the Community and Sociology: Bronze, Silver, Gold Medal in Drama for Performance, London Academy for Music and Dramatic Arts (LAMDA): and Grade V Higher Certificate, Pianoforte and Theory (Associated Board of Music).
Sister Aquinata Evans OP
Sister Aquinata is the founder teacher of our Pottery and Tai Chi – Chi Kung courses. Before coming to St Joseph’s, she was Head of Art at St James Catholic High School, where she taught a range of specialisms, including Ceramics to ‘A’ Level. Her study of photography at Brunel University and the exhibitions she has organised over the years have informed much of her work here.
When asked what she particularly likes about volunteering here, the emphatic reply was ‘the atmosphere and the fact that teaching our students is so very rewarding’.
Jackie Reddington
Jackie is a volunteer teacher in the Computer Club where she works on a one-to-one basis with students developing their IT skills and creativity, and using IT to explore their interests in a relaxed but focused way.
She joined St Joseph’s in 2004 following a career in education which included fourteen years as Headteacher of the Ilford Ursuline High School. She continues to be involved in education as a school governor, is an active member of her parish and has recently joined the Management Committee at St Joseph’s.
Jackie enjoys and values the opportunity to work in the loving and supportive environment found at St Joseph’s. She has taken part in the catechetics and social advocacy courses and is looking forward to further training in the use of Makaton signing and symbols.
Natasha King
Natasha speaks for herself. 'I am very proud to be working at St. Joseph's Pastoral Centre. It is a very caring environment that values and provides for its wide range of students. I come from an artistic cross-cultural background and hold a degree in visual and performing arts along with 3-4 years teaching experience (2 of these years in special needs). I am becoming increasingly interested in the healing aspects of the creative process and find that St. Joseph's is in harmony with this sentiment. I believe that in creative expression one can find uniqueness, freedom and joy, and at St. Joseph's we are encouraged to share our gifts and talents for the good of all.
Natasha has just completed a Diploma in The Therapeutic and Educational Application of the Arts from The Institute for Arts in Therapy & Education.
She teaches Music and Movement and Arts and Crafts-Fine Arts and supports several others.
Matina Karastatira
Matina Karastatira is the music therapist who works part time at St Joseph’s. She has been working at St Joseph’s for one year now and likes the friendly and spiritual environment that St Joseph's offers to the people and also the members of staff that have made her feel very welcome at St Joseph's.
Since Matina was a child, she has been studying piano, theory of music and byzantine music. She then decided to continue her studies at a professional level. She has a BMus in the Science and Art of Music from Ionian University, Department of Musical Studies. During her studies she became aware of the therapeutic qualities of music and decided to move to England and do a 2 years master course on Music Therapy at Anglia Ruskin University. She qualified in 2008, is registered with the HPC (Health Professional Council) and is a member of the BAMT (British Association for Music Therapy).
She has experience working both with children and adults with learning disabilities and adults with mental health problems. She has worked in an NHS learning disabilities partnership, acute wards, rehabilitation units, special needs schools and mainstream schools. She teaches Music Therapy.
Taeko Sakakibara
Taeko is our accompanist at the Musical Showtime sessions, and at the Person Centred Planning. She is also generous in supporting musically our various concerts, drama displays and events.
See the Photo Gallery, for more staff photos
We also thank all our volunteers for the generous offering of their time and talents. We know too, that they find friendship, fun and enrichment in their time with us.
Please contact kennett@stjoseph.org.uk if you are interested in volunteering in the Activity Centre.