I cannot say that I know Lowcock well but I am certain that he knew every single boy who came to the School while he was headmaster. By way of proof and in order to dispel a myth, let me recount two pieces of personal experience – both of enormous influence on my later development.
When I received the piece of paper slip telling me my School Certificate grades, I was scared. We were told earlier that we needed at least three credits to be readmitted to DBS’s Form Six. I got two. Going to see the headmaster as was required, I expected the worse. He took one look at me, then said, “It’s alright. You are good for doing study. Come back, September.” Relief and gratitude. Above all, I was surprised at his quick decision. Now, I felt that he had given me just that one important chance because he must be a very perceptive educator.
The other incident happened when that one year the inter-house athletics meet took place. It was the 100 metres dash; and the times were bad. We were made to sit on the steps of the field and faced a dress-down by the headmaster. None of the top athletes escaped. In fact, nobody, I believed at the time, would. When my name was called out, I listened and he said, “No use to say much, really. You just concentrate on your study.” Our headmaster was not interested only in sports and students who excelled in sports. He understood our strengths and weaknesses. I actually enjoyed sports a lot more after this.
Many of the students during his 22 years as Headmaster of DBS might have seen him very few times, if not only during Speech Days and of course would dread to be ‘invited’ to his office. But I am sure in different ways our values and attitudes and education were quietly but significantly shaped by his own belief in DBS education.
Huey Man Chiu
Class of 1969
