A Tribute to Mr. S. J. Lowcock, Headmaster of Diocesan Boys’ School from1961 to 83
A vast majority of his students respected Mr. Lowcock, an outstanding physics teacher before his appointment as Headmaster of DBS in 1961. His lucid and well presented lessons on heat, light and sound became sources of inspiration even to an artistically inclined student like myself.
In 1957-58 while being a student in Form 3, I was fortunate enough to have Mr. Lowcock as my Form Master. Not only did he know all his students in the class by name, his keen observation also enabled him to understand their strengths and weaknesses. In appropriate moments, he gave them timely advice for remedies.
The trademark of Mr. Lowcock was his thick moustache. His moustache seemed to radiate happiness when issues on sports were raised. As Sports Master in the 50’s, he encouraged student participation in athletics and other sports. And he instilled the importance of sportsmanship into participants.
During his 22 years as Headmaster, academic excellence of the students was just one of his priorities. His ideal of bringing up students as all rounders was reflected in various achievements of the school in music and sports under his leadership.
Mr. Lowcock’s contributions in the development of the school was discernible. He decentralized further the administration of the school. New facilities such as the new laboratories and swimming pool were built. More old boys were recruited as teachers in order to preserve the school’s tradition and culture. Moreover, he was a strong voice urging the government to revamp its education policies to cater for the changing demands of the society.
For his friendliness, kindness and charismatic personality, Mr. Lowcock was definitely loved by his students. Having grown up in a relatively poor family, he had a good grasp of the needs of students from the lower strata of the community. Financial assistance directly from his own pocket to needy students was legendary. That partly accounted for his inadequate savings for the purchase of a house for his own retirement. His past students who appreciated his love and generosity returned him the gift of a house in Sai Kung, so that he would live in peace and quiet during retirement.
Retirement did not deter him from continual contacts with his past students. The stream of past students who visited him by appointments was simply amazing. Mr. Lowcock who had gained love and respect from students was a living example of what a true educator should be.
He is, and will be, dearly missed by his boys. May he rest in peace.
Leung Lit Cheong (Class ’60)
