Staff and students at St. Mary’s College in Crosby have said farewell to one of the school’s longest-serving teachers.

Assistant Principal, Head of Sixth Form and Head of French Daniel Magill has retired after completing 30 years’ service.

In his sixth form role Mr Magill helped thousands of pupils to make the best choices for university courses and their future careers.

He also coached St. Mary’s nationally successful public speaking teams for many years, and was also well known for making cameo appearances in the school’s musical productions.

To mark Mr Magill’s retirement a special mass was held in his honour, celebrated by Monsignor Peter Fleetwood and College Chaplain Father Patrick Harnett. It was followed by a dinner with an appropriate French menu.

He was also presented with a number of gifts, from a book made up of his St. Mary’s memories to the bowler hat he wore playing undertaker Mr Sowerberry in a recent production of Oliver.

Mr Magill was also made an honorary sixth former by this year’s school leavers. They each received a hooded top with all their names on, and an additional one was made for him.

The presentation ceremony also featured a number of speeches, with Principal Mike Kennedy producing Mr Magill’s original letter of application for the St. Mary’s job from 1981.

Mr Kennedy commented: “Daniel has been a wonderful and faithful servant of St. Mary’s College, and a tremendous ambassador for the teaching profession throughout his career.

“It’s the end of an era for the school, but as he leaves he can look back with pride on his numerous achievements. We wish him a long, happy and healthy retirement.”

My back pages - Daniel Magill looks back at some of his St. Mary's memories with (from left) Father Patrick Harnett, Mike Kennedy and Monsignor Peter Fleetwood.

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