Staff and pupils at St Mary’s College in Crosby have said farewell to four teachers who have spent a total of 115 years at the school.  

Maths specialist Glynn Prendergast has been Deputy Head at St Mary’s since 1993, when he rejoined the college following a previous six-year spell teaching in the 1980s.  

Principal Mike Kennedy praised Mr Prendergast for his ‘encyclopaedic knowledge’ of all matters curricular and academic, coupled with his calm approach to challenges’. “His invaluable contribution will be sorely missed by all of us,” said Mr Kennedy.  

Roger Duxfield is retiring after spending 37 years teaching physics and maths at the school. Mr Duxfield has been a sixth form tutor for almost 20 years and Head of Physics since 1991.  

John King joined St Mary’s College in 1988 to teach Design Technology. He was responsible for introducing Product Design at GCSE and A level and for rearranging the school’s technical areas to create a bigger and safer working environment.  

Geoff Smoult has taught French and Spanish at St Mary’s since 1977 and is one of a small group of teachers who have spent their whole career at the school.  

A special mass was held to mark the achievements of the four men, followed by a dinner featuring some very entertaining speeches as they looked back on their long careers at the school.  

Principal Mike Kennedy said: “These teachers have made a huge contribution to St Mary’s College over the years and touched the lives of thousands of young people along the way.  

“They can look back with pride on a job well done and we wish them all a long, happy and healthy retirement,” added Mr Kennedy.

 Mike Kennedy is pictured (second right) with Head Boy Tim Old and Head Girl Alex Formela and (from left) John King, Glynn Prendergast and Roger Duxfield. Geoff Smoult was unable to attend the dinner.