Dear Boys, Parents and Old Anselmians,

I would like to introduce myself to the St. Anselm's community. I will take up my appointment as the new Headmaster from September. I am a 37 year old Oxford graduate, married with two young daughters, currently living in Sale, Cheshire.

I join you from St. Bede's College, Manchester, where I have been Director of Studies and Head of History, whilst finding time to run the Under-15 XV who have capitulated to St. Anselm's on a regular basis! Born in Eastham, I attended Redcourt and the College, finishing my schooling at St. Edmund's College, Ware, Herts. in 1982. I read Modern History at Hertford College, Oxford, and later did a PGCE and finally a part-time MA at London University.

I began my teaching career at St. Ambrose College, Hale Barns, where two of my brothers were pupils, thus continuing a family link with the Christian Brothers which began when my father and uncle attended St. Edward's College, Liverpool. I have since worked in both the Maintained and Independent sectors and am absolutely delighted to return to my roots. I am a keen sportsman and played rugby, until blighted by injury in my mid 30s. I toured with OURFC Greyhounds, captained Hertford College and gained 2 Boxing blues at university. I have also run the London Marathon twice in under 4 hours. I will be coaching a rugby XV next season, just to keep my hand in!!

These are exciting times at the College. We have recently been awarded a School Achievement Award in recognition of academic success and the Sportsmark Award from Sport England, as a result of our commitment to sporting excellence. Last weekend our Year 8 Athletics team finished third in the English Schools Cup, a truly outstanding performance. I am delighted to announce that our joint bid with Upton Hall School for Technology College status has been accepted, the result of much hard work and careful planning by staff led by Mrs. Jones and Mr. Kennedy. This is wonderful news! The attached funding will enable us to upgrade our facilities, especially in the specialist areas of DT, Science, Mathematics and IT. In addition, we shall be able to invest in staff training and expertise in order to ensure that our boys receive the modern, world-class education essential for life in the 21st Century, whilst remaining well-versed in the timeless values of our faith.

I have been thrilled by the warm welcome my wife and I have received from Governors, staff, boys and Anselmians, most recently at the inaugural Edmund Rice Trust Dinner on Saturday 13th July, which was an outstanding event and saw the Hall packed with 300 paying guests. We enjoyed the sharp wit of two outstanding public speakers, both Anselmians, Dr. Kevin Jones and barrister Michael McParland, and the event was superbly organised under the dynamic leadership of Tony Nelson. The funds raised represent an important step towards our next capital project, a new teaching block which will enable us to abandon outdated accommodation. I would like to thank all those involved in making the Dinner a success for their sterling efforts.

The future is very bright for St. Anselm's College and its pupils. We have the potential to be an outstanding college, but in the rapidly evolving world of 21st Century education, we cannot afford to rest on our laurels. We must be flexible and forward-thinking in meeting the future challenges of a dynamic society and transformed curriculum.

I look forward to confronting these challenges in your company.

Yours in Christ,

Simon Duggan, MA , Headmaster