About Us
Our Trustees
Our Trustees are all volunteers. Many of the Trustees have a long association with St John Baptist school and the local community.
Our Story
The Candlelight Trust was established in 1998 to assist with the provision of educational and other charitable purposes in connection with St John Baptist (Southend) Church of England Primary School. Further, to assist with the relief of poverty and promotion of education of persons within the Anglican ecclesiastical parish of Catford (Southend) and Downham or if not so resident persons with children attending St. John’s school.
The Candlelight Trust during its existence has successfully completed a number of important capital projects at the school including the provision of a state-of-the-art media suite, a school library and a number of IT related projects providing the pupils with much-needed computer equipment.
Meet The Team
Chair of Trustees - Alan Reeves
Alan has a lifetime association with St John Baptist primary school, having attended the school as a child in the 1970’s.
Alan reconnected with the school in the early 2000s when asked to become a specialist advisor to The Candlelight Trust. Alan was subsequently invited to become a Trustee and has been Chair of Trustees for over 10 years.
Alan is now retired but his professional career details can be found via his LinkedIn profile LinkedIn
Alan is also a Chair of Governors at a school in Kent.
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Deputy Chair of Trustees – Michael Barrett
Michael was invited to join Candlelight as a trustee following his retirement from a career in international finance in 2016. He was appointed as Deputy Chair of trustees in 2024.
Mike's Linkedin profile for details of his professional career can be found here - LinkedIn
Michael is also the Treasurer of his local Tennis Club
Trustee – Rachel Dunley
Rachel, a former St John Baptist pupil herself, has for over 23 years led a team of early intervention family support specialists supporting families struggling with life’s challenges and helping them to identify their strengths, grow their confidence and achieve their ambitions.
Alongside this Rachel has volunteered as the Brownie Leader and Assistant Guide Leader at St John Baptist church for over 35 years.
Rachel is committed to enabling families to a build their self-efficacy, to learn new skills, and to make choices that improve opportunities and help them to achieve their ambitions.
Trustee – John Goodey
John has 32 years of teaching experience including 20 years as headteacher of St John Baptist Primary School. Having retired from headship, John now coaches leaders and teams in schools and other organizations.
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John is passionate about enabling the most vulnerable to achieve and getting people to work together to improve the life chances of all.
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Trustee – Revd. Peter Organ
Rev'd Peter Organ has been Rector of St John the Baptist since November 2021, and remains committed to providing pastoral support to staff and pupils at the parish school, where he also serves as governor.
He was ordained in 2001, and has served in parishes in South East London, all of which have had church schools attached to them.