St Mary’s College principal announces retirement
by Educate Magazine October 12, 2026 · Secondary School News
Mike Kennedy, principal of St Mary’s College in Crosby, will retire from the school in August 2027 after 19 years in the role.
Mike joined St Mary’s from Oakhill College in Lancashire in 2008. He has overseen a number of key developments that have made the school the success it is today.
Chair of governors Hans van Mourik Broekman announcing Mike’s retirement. He noted that the departing principal had helped to create a ‘thriving school’ that was able to celebrate ‘record results’ each summer.
To achieve such success, Mike had ‘assembled and retained a dedicated and experienced leadership team and talented and dynamic staff in every part of the college’.
Hans added that St Mary’s music, arts, sports and other extracurricular activities are ‘the envy of other schools’. They reflect the headteacher’s commitment to the education of the whole person.
He summed up:
“As governors we are very grateful to Mike and to all who have made his leadership so successful, and we are determined to build further on the position of strength he is leaving us with.”
‘Incredibly privileged’ to lead the college
Commenting on his retirement, Mike said he regarded himself as ‘incredibly privileged’ to have served as leader of ‘this wonderful school’ for almost two decades.
He said that St Mary’s was characterised by ‘a warm family feel as you enter’. The school gives you ‘a welcome that makes you feel at home very quickly’.
Mike also stressed that the college was about much more than the great examination results the students achieve. He commented:
“It is about the people they become through their consideration for others, their strong Christian values and their many successes beyond the classroom.”
Looking ahead to retirement
Mike pays tribute to his fantastic staff for their cheerfulness and dedication. He thanks pupils for their generous and thoughtful approach. He said that he would follow the progress of St Mary’s with great interest, pride and fondness in his retirement.
In the meantime, prior to Mike’s departure, there will be several opportunities for the school community to celebrate his achievements and express their thanks for his tremendous work over many years.
