Many moons ago, before mobile phones, the cloud, Netflix and chill; before covid and dabbing and Soulja Boy; before Big Shaq and CoD; before the internet; before even the Spice Girls, a young man named Andy Mannion stepped into the hallowed hallways of St Anselm’s School.

More than thirty years later, and with a wake of exceptional results and literally thousands of smiling students behind him, Andy is retiring. For many students, he was so much a part of the school’s furniture, nay, its very face, that they genuinely assumed he was St Anselm.

With a dedicated fans’ Facebook page to prove it, Andy Mannion was the consummate teacher, always there in loco parentis for his form. Often, he was just brilliantly loco. He ensured each of his students felt safe, valued and enthused, so that they shared his passion for his subjects, English and Film Studies. It is this latter that we wish to make the focus of his retirement gift.

Many of you will have been regaled with stories of his life that he somehow managed to shoehorn into lessons about grammar (?!) - the punch in the swimming pool, the ghost of the old lady sat on his bed, and many, many more - so you will be aware that he was born in the US. What better way to show our appreciation than to give the man the option to not only visit the country that spawned him, but to make the pilgrimage to Hollywood, the place that spawned his life’s passion?

And if he doesn’t fancy that, then let him spend it on whatever he wants - films, cool posters and sharp 30inch waist suits (I’m not at all jealous of the 30inch waist). However he chooses to invest our epic whipround, there is no doubt he’s earned it.

If Andy Mannion made your school days; if he is in any way to thank for having made your present or future, please show your appreciation by giving whatever you can!