Waikato cathedral dean is returning to school

Dean of the Waikato Cathedral Church of St Peter, Reverend Peter Rickman, is stepping down to be chaplain at St Pauls Collegiate School in Hamilton. Photo / Supplied

The transition from Cathedral dean to school chaplain might not be the usual move for an Anglican clergyman, but Reverend Peter Rickman felt quite strongly about his decision.

Rev Rickman has stepped down as dean of the Waikato Cathedral Church of St Peter to take on the role of chaplain at St Paul's Collegiate School — a role he held in the early 2000s.

An "unexpected personal choice" is how Dean Rickman describes his shift.

"One of the Archdeacons actually asked if I had been a naughty boy — it is quite unusual. However, in our line of work, we don't talk about career progression as such, but rather vocations — a sense of calling to serve in a variety of different areas within the church and community.

"When the St Paul's headmaster asked if I might consider returning to chaplaincy upon the departure of Reverend Stephenson, my first thought — given my position at the time — was to say no. But vocationally it wouldn't go away, it was like trying to shut a door that won't close," he says.

It was during the school's production of Jekyll & Hyde last year that Dean Rickman felt he had to return.

"Seeing the energy, vibrancy and talent of not just the students, but staff as well left me feeling eager to re-join this large and diverse school community," he says.

Dean Rickman was chaplain at St Paul's from 2001 to 2004 and he's never lost contact with the school.

"I've stayed connected through the collegians network and I was a member of the Board of Trustees. I also have two sons there and a daughter to come in a few years' time," he says.

"We feel extremely fortunate to welcome Revd Rickman back as our school chaplain. He understands the school well, has superb pastoral and guidance skills, relates well to young people and will prove a powerfully positive influence in our school chapel services," says St Paul's headmaster Grant Lander.