The Reverend Mark Goodman

The Reverend Mark Goodman, Chaplain at the Stamford Endowed Schools, has announced that he will be taking up the post of Rector of St Columba’s, Largs, in the Scottish Episcopal Church from Easter next year.

Mark has served at Stamford since 2006, exerting an unquantifiable influence on countless students, staff and parents. In his sixteen years at the Schools, he has played a full part in every aspect of life.

Principal, Will Phelan, said: “Mark has ensured that each and every child has had a moral compass. He has connected with our very youngest and oldest students superbly, and he has supported us all at various times. Mark epitomises all of the values we hold most dear here at Stamford: happiness, kindness and engagement. We are all incredibly sad to see him go, but this is an exciting move for Mark and his family, and we wish them all the best in their move to Scotland.”

Rev Goodman said: “It has been the greatest privilege of my life to work here, so it will be very hard to leave the community of the Stamford Endowed Schools. I do have the excitement and challenge of moving to a new post but leaving all the wonderful staff in every department, the students and their families will be a challenge all of its own.

“I wish to express my thanks to my colleagues for all their friendship and guidance.  I could have done nothing here without their unceasing support. I have worked, too, with seven Heads and three Principals who have allowed the Chaplain to ‘do his thing.’  I hope in some small way I have managed to repay that trust.  I want to thank Will Phelan, in particular, for his friendship, support and endless encouragement. I also know that you never really leave the Stamford Endowed Schools and I take with me just about the simplest and greatest prayer that I know, Christ me spede.”

The School Chaplain is responsible for the spiritual leadership of the school, and supports the wellbeing of the whole School community. The process for appointing Rev Goodman’s successor will begin in due course.