STONYHURST ST MARY’S HALL ANNOUNCES THE APPOINTMENT OF A NEW HEADMASTER The Governors of Stonyhurst have announced appointment of a new Headmaster for Stonyhurst St Mary’s Hall. Fr Christopher Cann is currently Headmaster of Ratcliffe College Preparatory School in Leicestershire and was previously Headmaster of Leicester Preparatory School and Denstone College Preparatory School. He has a Master of Arts degree in French from the University of St Andrews and in Theology from the University of Oxford. He is married to Honor, who works as a GP, and has six children and two grandchildren.
GORDON’S SCHOOL – A BUMPER YEAR FOR SPORT This year promises to be a bumper one for sport at Gordon’s with golf, equestrian, netball and rugby teams already set to top leaderboards across the country and six individual students enjoying international acclaim. Cara Falconer has been selected for the Scottish National Girls’ Hockey Squad 2022; Millie Cottrell for the Welsh Golf Team in their match v Ireland; Thomas Golder has received a call up for the Wales U18 and Caleb Ashworth for the England U18 training squads in preparation for selection for the U18 Six Nations Tournament and netball players Jayda Pechova captained the England Invitational Squad with
Fr Christopher is a former Anglican priest who was received
Pippa Dixon in her team for the Europe Netball Competition.
into the Catholic church in 2011 and is now a priest of the
Gordon’s also finished as top school in the British Schools
Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham. Fr Christopher joins on
Rifle Championships with James West clinching gold in the
1 September 2022, providing a seamless transition following
intermediate competition.
the stepping down of Ian Murphy at the end of the academic year after eight extremely successful years as Headmaster.
The school partners with premiership rugby club Harlequins; Superleague netball team Surrey Storm and Vanarama League
He said: “I feel very honoured to be appointed as the next
Football Club Aldershot Town FC so students are fortunate to
Headmaster of Stonyhurst St Mary’s Hall. I very much look
be coached by some of the best on the games fields.
forward to getting to know all the SMH children, parents and staff and to working closely, under the guidance of the
Former Pakistan Olympian Muhammad Irfan has joined former
Governing Body, with John Browne, Head of Stonyhurst, to build
GB player David Mathews on the Hockey coaching staff of the
on the tremendous success the school has enjoyed in recent
First Team while former Wales International and ex-Chelsea
years.”
player Gareth Hall heads up the First Team football. Rugby students benefit from former Fiji 7s Skills and Analyst Coach
John Browne, Head of Stonyhurst, said: “I am delighted to
Chris Davies and netball Superleague players Nicole Humphrys
welcome Fr Christopher Cann and his wife Honor to St
leads the netball with Leah Middleton on the coaching team.
Mary’s Hall and the Stonyhurst family. He brings a wealth of
The school’s sporting successes coincide with a new sports
knowledge and a deep experience of education and spirituality
hub and all weather pitch enabling students to take part in
to Stonyhurst as well as a background in all areas of school
even more sporting activities and events at all levels, whatever
leadership, including eight years as Headmaster of Ratcliffe
the weather. Gordon’s Director of Sport, Jamie Harrison
College Preparatory School immediately prior to joining us.”
commented: “Gordon’s is synonymous with sporting excellence and we are very proud of the sportsmen and women we have nurtured and developed here. Our talented and dedicated students together with an impressive coaching line up and new facilities is proving a winning combination.“
