Bryan Wong is a School Foundation Governor at St Andrew’s Church School, Bath.
Why did you become a governor?
I wanted to support the school and I wanted to serve God. I also wanted to help the students here in the school.
What do you have to do?
I have to attend meetings, chair committees, and pay visits to the staff and the students.
What’s the best thing about being a governor?
The best thing is fulfilment. To be involved in the school governing body and to chair committees, to support the leadership of the school, to visit the students and see how they’re doing in class - all these are very, very meaningful to me.
Does it take up all your spare time?
No. I actually find my colleagues and the school leadership very understanding. They keep reminding me that I need to put my family first. So, if I cannot finish the meeting because I need to pick up my child then I will be excused.
What would you say to someone who’s thinking of becoming a governor?
I think it’s a very meaningful job. Apart from serving the community, it keeps me very up to date with the knowledge and dynamic development about the education system in this country. I feel St Andrew’s is very well-supported by our faith. I feel inclusivity and diversity are very much celebrated here and that helps me to make better sense of how this could be translated into other spheres of my life.
How does your faith inform your decision to become a governor?
My faith was actually the cornerstone of my decision to join the governing body in 2017. I was invited by the former headteacher here. It was approved by my parish council. So I always see my role here as a foundation governor as also a witness of my faith to the school community. This is to me the most important thing.
A shorter version of this interview was first featured in the July edition of the Manna mailing.