Dear parents and guardians,

I am pleased to assure you that this will be my final message to you, after 22 years as Headmaster of the College! It has been a huge privilege to serve the college community and to have the immense responsibility of being Headmaster. I have seen considerable change at the College during this period but am pleased to report that St. Anselm’s has been transformed, in keeping with the pace of change in the education system and, indeed, society. The site and our facilities have been significantly developed, thanks to the leadership of the College and the support of the Edmund Rice Trust and Wirral Local Authority, academic achievement and standards have improved, and the College has grown, with the roll likely to reach 1,000 students this year. The Anselmian community has become ever more cohesive. The traditional Anselmian strengths of a holistic education, dedicated staff, a vibrant extra-curricular life, a sense of family and ethos of charity and service, have been maintained and we continue to fully subscribe to the Essential principles of an Edmund Rice Education.

The success enjoyed at the College, including this summer’s creditable exam results and the success of the Senior Rugby Tour to South Africa, cannot be achieved without a strong partnership between the College and parents and this has been an enduring feature of my headship and one for which I have been ever grateful! 

Your trust is wisely placed because I can assure you, from my 36 years teaching experience in 5 schools, that the College is a supportive and sympathetic Christian learning community and family where your sons are nurtured and in a position to access an outstanding education if they, and you, are prepared to do their best and take advantage of the opportunities available to them. Parents remain the most significant influence upon their children, who spend more time with them than they do at school, so never give up on them or your ambitions for your sons despite the inevitable challenges of raising a teenager in the 21st Century! I can also assure you that the College is well-led by an experienced Board of Governors, an accomplished Senior Leadership Team which knows the College so well under Mrs Cubbin’s leadership, and has talented and dedicated staff.

I am very grateful to so many parents and students for their kind messages of support and best wishes, and many generous gifts, and for the numerous acts of personal kindness I have been blessed to enjoy during my tenure. I will remain active in the Anselmian community as an Edmund Rice Trustee, Chairman of the Anselmian Association, and as a supporter of FOSA and cultural events and sports fixtures but will be giving Mrs Cubbin and her staff a break from me!

I urge you all to maintain your faith in the College and to afford Mrs Cubbin and her staff the support you have given me. It will be vindicated.

I wish you, your sons and your families an enjoyable and rewarding Academic Year 2024-5 and look forward to hearing of their accomplishments.

Yours in Christ,

Simon Duggan

(ex-) Headmaster