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RIP – Jean Yee Li

From Dr Peter YU DBS1961, Oakland, CA, USA

Remembering Mr. Lowcock – Arthur Yip (’79)

During my 1st day of school at DBS in Form 1D back in September of 1974; our class was particularly noisy as it was filled with half of us that knew each other from Diocesan Preparatory School.  A tall stately gentleman with grey hair walked in and said in a commanding voice “Sit down and shut up.  Your teacher will be here shortly”.  That was my first encounter with Mr.  Lowcock.  I spent only one more year in Form 2A at DBS.  I remember the excitement of winning 1st place for the School Orchestra, and playing table tennis for C Grade Sykes House during that year.  I left the school when my family immigrated to the United States in July of 1976.

I appreciate Mr. Lowcock for his contributions to DBS for instilling the importance of character, healthy competition, and striving to be the best not only in academics but in sports and music.  He encouraged students to be all rounded.    I have no doubt that he played a huge part in my academic achievement and character formation during my short stint at the school.  I offer my deepest condolences to his family.

Arthur Yip, CPA (would have been Class of 1979)
Los Angeles, CA, USA

To Sir With Love – Davie Mok (’81)

To Sir With Love

January 26, 2012 was a sad day. A day when we lost a great educator, an inspiring mentor and a man with a big heart – the day when our beloved headmaster, Mr. Sydney James Lowcock rested in peace.

That day, it felt as if there was a dark cloud hovering over the waiting area outside the ICU where old boys gathered together with a sunken heart, knowing very well that they could be walking alongside with their most respected headmaster on the last mile of his journey.

To me, Mr. Lowcock was truly a great educator. He taught us not to be a student scoring high marks in exams, surviving the 6 to 7 years academically but instead, living perhaps the 60 or 70 years proudly thereafter in how to becoming a better man and being a student of life.

He taught us to be brave in meeting challenges head-on and even braver in admitting our shortcomings and mistakes, picking ourselves up in failures and moving on unscathed.

To a great extent, he’s also a rebel. I remember in one occasion, a teacher brought a student into his office and recommended the student to be caned for misbehaviour. After hearing both sides of the story, Mr. Lowcock turned to the teacher and said, “it seems that you are in the wrong and that the student was in the right!”

I also remember he once told me that being a Prefect, you need to always remember “4Fs” – to be Friendly, Fair and Firm. If the first 3Fs don’t work, use the 4th one!

Indeed, you rarely see that kind of inspiring teachings and that style of charisma easily nowadays. To me, that’s what DBS spirit was built on and why DBS had become such an aspiring name.

In spite of his stern image as a headmaster, Mr. Lowcock is someone who has a big heart. Not only would he use his own money to help students who can’t afford their school fees or pay for their uniform, he would even consider the students’ emotional reaction towards such generosity. To avoid hurting the students’ ego and dignity, he would quietly open a bank account in their name and deposit money into it for their use.

This is the Mr. Lowcock whom I respect and this is the headmaster whom I adore.

It was an odd feeling when we were waiting to bid final farewell to this loving figure in the Ceremony Room at the hospital moments after his passing away. The room was unusually quiet and time seemed to have stood still, evident by the clock on the wall which was not moving. There were much sorrow but I thought there were even more love in the room.

Mr. Lowcock, thank you for shaping us who we are and showing us the DBS spirit. We are grateful in having the privilege of knowing you and leaving us with a beautiful memory of what life is truly about.

To Sir With Love

Davie Mok

Class of 1981

In memory of Mr. S.J. Lowcock – Raymond Tse

When I learned about this sad news today I can barely concentrate on my work.

I remember there was once when I passed by his office and he called me in. He asked me if I know who Bing Crosby is, and I replied he is an entertainer. That’s it! Maybe he wanted to prove something.

I’d never begin to appreciate him until many years after graduated. In fact after leaving school for a few decades, we are still very proud of this place where we grew up, not only because of the academic, sports and other achievements, but the way we are shaped and nurtured.
…
I feel bad for not having the chance to say “Thank you” to this respectful Headmaster and real ‘C-Fu’. I can only dedicate this song to him to express my gratitude, and I hope you all like it too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oni0tO_HN30&feature=related

C-Fu
Raymond Tse

Lowcock Legacy – Edmund Tsan Yuen Chan Class of 1984 Toronto, Ontario, Canada

As a young boy in 1983, I was there at the morning assembly when our Headmaster announced his “stepping down” after 22 years.  It brought tears to the eyes of some boys several years our senior.  It was emotional and personal to the boys.  As an old boy, in retrospect, I consider myself lucky to have caught the tail end of the Lowcock era.    Although his era ended, his legacy lives on, no doubt!

Edmund Tsan Yuen Chan

Class of 1984

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Deepest condolences – From Gilbert Wong & Mark Wong

He was more than a Headmaster and a teacher …..

He was a great friend.

With deepest condolences.

From

Gilbert Wong &

Mark Wong