Richard Simon Duggan, who is known more commonly as Simon and by his students as Mr Duggan, the Headmaster at St. Anselm’s College, is set to retire from his role after 22 years at the end of this academic year.

Mr Duggan started his education at Christ the King in Bromborough; he also attended Redcourt preparatory school before his father’s work took him and his family to the Netherlands for three years. On his return to the UK, he joined St. Anselm’s College as a pupil in 1978. Mr Duggan revealed that walking through the college gates as a student on his first day was a nerve-wracking experience due to the size of the site, but the fact that there were pupils at St. Anselm's who also attended Redcourt allowed him to feel more relaxed.

After leaving St. Anselm’s College, his further academic career was pursued in Modern History at the University of Oxford during the years 1983–1988. Mr Duggan’s decision to enter education was a personal decision that came about after realising that business and advertising, which were his original goals, were not for him.

After Mr Duggan's 13 years of teaching away from the College, his next career move was to return as Headmaster, where he has spent the last 22 years. The most noticeable change he has seen during this period has been the march of technology, which has had a positive impact on pupils’ education. His biggest challenges have been dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, balancing school budgets, and the more onerous school inspections.

Mr Duggan has reflected on his time at the College and has admitted that he has enjoyed helping to create a friendly, family atmosphere among both students and staff, watching people thrive, seeing individuals’ strengths being recognised by others, and the value of extracurricular activities in the curriculum as essential for all.

The advice Mr Duggan has for new teachers is to enjoy the great privilege of teaching young people and to establish a strong relationship with them based upon mutual respect. Furthermore, for new students, he mentioned that it is important to develop new friendships and interests and to take the opportunity to enjoy your education.  You only get one chance.

Mr Duggan hopes to still be involved with the Christian Brothers and Catholic and Edmund Rice education after his time at St. Anselm’s has finished, also expressing a desire to learn to speak Spanish fluently, possibly to study for a further degree, and to find new hobbies, along with maintaining his existing interests, such as his love of football, boxing, rugby, tennis, the arts, politics, and religion.

Three words that Mr Duggan has used to describe his time at St. Anselm's College are purposeful, Catholic, and rewarding.