Memories

Do the Right Thing – Kenneth Wan (62)

Headmaster S.J. Lowcock – R.I.P.

Headmaster S.J. Lowcock had inspired me to become who and what I am today.

The pivotal point, where I changed my behavioral view in life, transpired from a single incident that happened to me in Form 4, the year Mr. Lowcock became the Headmaster.  Joseph Chou, my best friend since our DPS days and my partner-in-mischief, and I were ordered to the Headmaster Office during a Mandarin class taught by Mr. T.C. Chang (Mandarin Lo).  We were there because Mandarin Lo had noticed paper balls were flying across the aisles while he was writing on the board, and we became the prime suspects, even though there were other culprits.

Lowcock (as he was frequently referred to, besides Har Gau Lo) was surprised to see us at his office.  We were considered two of his favorite students after all, being quite athletic and religious.  Nevertheless, before he would meter the punishment, he said to us, “Do the right thing.  Admit that you were throwing paper balls, and that it was the wrong behavior to do in a classroom.”  In my heart, I thought Lowcock needed to hear a confession from us first, as a principle, before he would carry out the punishment.  However, by telling us to “Do The Right Thing”, it immediately trumped over all other feelings and excuses that we might have had at that time.  We both confessed, thereby relieving other offenders from being called to the carpet.  Ten canes later, we obviously felt the pain, but more critically, we felt a lot more at peace and renewed, knowing that we had done the right thing by confessing and by owning up to our (mis)deed.

From that day on, “Do The Right Thing” became my conscience and my guide in life.  Joseph Chou eventually excelled academically in DBS.  But his life was cut short soon after he entered HKU.  To this day, I still reminisce our time together in DBS.   Meanwhile, I continued to participate in sports.  “Do The Right Thing” rewarded me once again the year I became the school swimming team captain in 1961 -– In order to maximize our total points in the Inter-School Swimming Competition, I volunteered to enter a vacant slot in the Butterfly event that no other team members could or wished to participate.  Even though Butterfly was my weakest style, I did not want to give up the opportunity to increase our total team points.  I wanted to do the right thing.  Not surprisingly, I came in last, but I gained a point to the overall score for the team, and solidified our Inter-School Championship that year.  I still treasure the victory and the award ceremony to this day.

Headmaster Lowcock continued to be my mentor and advisor after I entered the business world.  When I wanted to marry the love of my life, he would “Do The Right Thing” for us and walked my bride down the aisle at our wedding because her father was not able to make it.  For that, Juliana and I are forever grateful to Headmaster Lowcock, especially when we celebrate our 50th anniversary in two years. 

For us, “Do The Right Thing” continues to inspire and guide us in cultivating team spirit and having a clear conscience on things we do in our daily life.  Juliana and I are very saddened by Headmaster Lowcock’s sudden departure.  We had looked forward so much to seeing him at our ’62 Class Reunions (DBS and Pooi-To Girls’ School) this year.  We shall miss Headmaster S.J. Lowcock dearly.  May he rest in peace.

Kenneth Wan, Class of 1962

Lt. Governor (retired)

New York State District, U.S.A.

Kiwanis International

Email Address:  kenwan888@hotmail.com

February 2, 2012

Mr S J Lowcock – my encounters with him- Sung Tai-Wai,David (65)

Mr S J Lowcock – my encounters with him, how he shaped and changed my life

To those who do not know me, I am Dr. David Sung, 1965 graduate of DBS. Some people may describe me as meek, gentle, and quiet. An average guy.

I spent 9 years at DBS, from Primary 5 to Upper 6. Academically, I was above-average. In extra-curricular activities, I did a bit of foot-ball. Swimming could be the only sports that I excelled in, being a member of the school team and elected house swimming-captain in F4. I was a member of the photographic society, music promotion society, both of the school choirs, and had played some minor roles in house-drama. I had never been caned, or given a DC. Quite an inconspicuous and low-key member amongst other active boys in a school like DBS.

Upon my return to school in the summer of 1965, to collect my school-cert results, I made my first personal encounter with the head-master, Mr. S.J.Lowcock, for the first time. We exchanged conversations for a few minutes – nothing remarkable that I could recall. On another occasion, we exchanged a few more words at the school field, when I brought my brother, 7-years my junior, to show him what DBS was like, and to play skate-board.

All of a sudden, I found my name on the prefects’ list.

I joined boarding school at the start of Lower 6. My bonding with the HM started there and then. I considered this the most fruitful event of my life. More often than not, after school, and even more so during week-ends, upon our return to the boarding school, groups of “senior” boarders would go over to his house after dinner. We admired the settings and the “culture” of
his home – the furniture, the paintings on the walls, the books, his collection of whiskies, and LP records. We enjoyed classical and jazz music flowing out from his huge electro-static speakers. We chatted freely, ending up feeling intrigued by how he could easily read people’s mind, and the way he dealt with crisis. We listened with admiration to his stories which were
imbibed with philosophy, and yet so original. We all enjoyed our time with him, sitting at the balcony, under the stars. 

In Upper 6, I took up the post of house-captain of Sargent. I indulged myself in the role and responsibility with utmost devotion. That year, Sargent had a very strong team and was a strong contender to win the over-all athletic championship. During the 400m relay, the decider event, our final-leg runner crossed the finish-line at the same time as another from a house which was not in contention. There was no electronic device back in 1966, and our team was ruled second by the judge. As the house-captain, I naturally made an appeal, ending eventually having to confront Mr. Lowcock. His remark was a flat: “the judge’s decision is final”.
Clear as crystal. A good lesson on “the rules of the game”, a motto which I have adhered to for the rest of my life.

My next significant encounter with the HM affected my life and career altogether. One of the seven senior boarders, the late Victor Yeung Charn-Hung, suffered from recurrent hip pain which was undiagnosed at that time (it subsequently turned out to be “rheumatoid arthritis”, diagnosed years later). The HM took him, together with a few senior boys, to seek treatment by an acupuncturist. It turned out I became the “patient” instead. I fainted at the sight of needles going into Yeung’s body.

I began to doubt my endowment in applying for medical school after matriculation. That was the first private encounter I had with Jimmy, face to face. With no hesitation, he took me to the corner of the room, sat me on the floor, produced a paper-thin, glistening and brand-new razor-sharp blade, and instructed me to cut into his hands. I was flabbergasted and refrained spontaneously. Then he took my hand to hold the blade, and made a cut across his own hand. I tried to compose and control myself, as best as I could. He told me that was not good enough, and not deep enough. He wanted me to do it again, independently, with my own hands.

Only a super-natural human would attempt such a daring feat.

I was once again deeply touched when he handed me a cheque for pocket-money upon my entry to medical school, knowing that I did not come from a well-to-do family. He told me that the money was not from him, but from an anonymous sponsor and that it was part of an on-going project under his discretion.

To this end, I returned the act, upon my graduation, to support and carry out his well-intentions and mission. To me, he was the master of “give and take”.

Into my 4th year working at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, I caught pneumonia, with persistent high fever for a few days. 80% of my lungs were opacified on X-ray. The experts could not find the causative agent, be it bacteria or virus. I was in the isolation ward and nobody was supposed to come into contact with me. Jimmy visited me. He embraced me deeply with open arms. I tided over.

These incidences are some of the memorable encounters I had with Jimmy. My understanding has been: he never expected any acknowledgement from me. But I feel deeply indebted to him. He is more a father than a mentor, or friend, to me.

He shaped and changed my life.

Sung Tai-Wai, David
Class of 1965

Sharing from Simon Tse, Former Teacher & Master-in-charge of the DBS Athletics Team

Simon Tse, Former Teacher & Master-in-charge of the DBS Athletics Team (1977 – 1993); currently resides in Vancouver, Canada:

I am saddened by the news of the passing of Mr. Lowcock, an eminent headmaster and an instrumental member of DBS and Hong Kong athletics, a man of real capability and passion. He had the love, respect, and admiration of people throughout Hong Kong.

I remember when I was a student teacher, I was so blessed to be recruited by Mr. Lowcock as a teacher right after my practicum at DBS, the top school among contemporaries. By working in DBS, I was able to have the necessary facilities and environment for frequent, intensive training so that eventually I was able to accomplish my personal goal of excelling in the event of High Jump in Hong Kong. It was my obligation to maintain the domination of DBS in Inter-school athletics. In fact my mission would have been much more difficult without Mr. Lowcock’s unceasing support.

Mr. Lowcock’s deep interest and vigorous support for athletics was reflected in his frequent visits of the school team training sessions, inter-school athletics competitions as well as Hong Kong track and field open meets. Every year, he joined us at the inter-school competitions, and sometimes he put his arm around the athletes’ shoulders, making some humorous or encouraging remark about their performance, helping the boys feel much more energized, confident and motivated to strive for the best.

His influence on DBS and Hong Kong athletics was enormous indeed, and I am confident there were few men more loved and respected. He was a powerful inspiration to those of us who had the privilege of knowing and associating with him over the years.

I admired him tremendously. I mourn the loss of this dedicated Headmaster, a great leader and a wise and kind friend.

He was very special, and he will always have a special place in our lives. He will remain in our memories forever.

羅啟鋭 故事人生

From HK Economic Journal today (Feb 13th, 2012), written by 羅啟鋭, in memory of our headmaster SJ Lowcock…. Vigil service is 7pm Feb 14th at Hong Kong Funeral Home…

2012年2月13日
羅啟鋭 故事人生 
老校長的歌 
… 我一直不能忘記，念中學時一個盛夏的傍晚，天氣火辣辣地炙熱，我剛獨自練習完三個多小時的越野跑，於灰濛的暮色中，疲倦地走過學校的草坪，繞過校長宿舍側門離開的時候，所看見的景象。
我看見我的老校長，坐在宿舍陽台外的一張舊籐椅上，默默地流淚。
老校長沒有看見我，他大概沒有想到，在這個靠晚靄藍的時分，還會有學生未回家，更會抄他宿舍旁的私家路下山。無論如何，即使當時的暮色已開始蒼茫，我還是隱約看見老校長坐在一台古老的留聲機旁，背負着一個朦朧而龐大的身影，像個小孩子般抽搐着，哭得非常難過。
頑固的草原
我一下子看得呆了，也不知道該上前安慰他，還是裝作沒有看見，但我這樣想，老校長平素在人前，一向是個幽默偉岸、揮灑自如的英國紳士，現在這種時刻，他大概會希望自個兒安靜地好好哭一場吧。我也就再不多想，其實也再不敢多想，便躡手躡腳地按原路折回草坪，快步走往學校的另一端，準備往石階那邊下山去了。
我慌亂地踏過草坪，心中只望自己可以快點消失，別讓老校長知道有學生曾經偷偷路過，看見他偷偷流淚，只是那晚上的草坪，卻好像特別頑固茁壯，特別漫無邊際，彷彿比我剛才所走的二十多里的越野跑，更頑固茁壯，更漫無邊際，而老校長的低泣聲，卻一直在草原上追趕着我，尋找着我。
我腳步浮亂地走着，也不知道如何才能夠逃過這些哭聲，我但覺它無處不在，恍惚就混和在炙熱潮濕的盛夏空氣裏，網羅着大地。
然後，許久之後，一切才終於平伏下來，我再次感到大自然的寧靜，生命也終於痛定思痛地回復了它的溫柔，只是，當我正要回過氣來的時候，才一定神，忽然便聽到草原上的空氣中，原來正播送着一首我從未聽過的老歌，一首老校長剛才一直重複又重複地播送着的老歌。
我不知道剛才的我怎會完全聽不到這歌，也許是因為老校長的哭聲實在太震撼，太叫我冷不提防了，叫我只懂得沒命奔逃——我的意思是，老校長曾經以他父兄般的嚴荷，責備過我；以他聖公會的基督精神和教義，原諒過我；以他恨鐵不成鋼的心情，放棄過我；可是，他從來沒有試過，以凡人的肉身，在我面前軟弱過。
是的，我在老校長一切的嚴荷、教義與恨鐵不成鋼之前，一直頑劣地從不屈服，但那個晚上，我在他軟弱的凡人肉身面前，給楞楞的殺了個措手不及，甚至有點早熟地頓悟過來。
哭泣的老歌
老校長於兩星期前的一個清晨，安詳地辭世，享年八十二歲，喪禮將會在今個情人節的當夜和翌日舉行，我不知道他們選取這個日子有什麼特別的意義，但我記得許多年前，我早逝的哥哥離開時，老校長替我家打點了很多事情，包括那個小教堂內的喪禮，當時喪禮在婦女節後的第二個星期五舉行，大概也沒有什麼特別意義，反正今天我明白，很多時候，即便是生與死，其實也沒有什麼特別的意義，更何況喪禮與喪禮的日子呢？
至於那首盛夏草原上的歌，我倒是在後來才知道，一直沒有結婚的老校長，每次聽到這歌，都會禁不住流淚，那是我在念大學時，跟一個與我從同一家中學升讀上來的舊生，於另一個盛夏的傍晚，在大學宿舍內，聽另一首他每次聽到都會流淚的歌時，得知這個真相的。
今天，我當然也知道，並且了解，每個人的心裏，都有這麼一首歌，曾經令他快樂，如今令他心碎；正如每一對戀人，都有一首他們永遠記着的歌，叫他們夢縈魂牽、肝腸寸斷，只因這歌背後隱藏着的秘密，和一段隨着歌聲逝去、卻又偏偏頑固地不斷回來的心痛與相思。
畢竟，今天我同樣知道，無論我們如何相愛，無論生命如何相欺，無論鐵終於成不成鋼，一切都只會早晚成灰。

Remembering SJ Lowcock – Fred Lui ( Class ’63)

SYDNEY JAMES LOWCOCK – in remembrance – Fred Lui and Martin Tam (Class of ’63)

S J Lowcock’s way – Kenneth Sei, Former Sportsmaster

S J Lowcock’s way

“Tell you what to do and never bother how you get the job done” gave those who worked for him full autonomy. Then a pat on the back made the job-well-done even more gratifying.

The humorous comments of this cantonese-speaking-gweilo always helped:
– At a general meeting, A PE teacher questioned about the fault/unfairness of the measuring system (in those days students were graded according to their age and height). He’s the first one to react, ” I agree.  Measure them while they are lying on the floor.” After a burst of laughter, case closed.
– A team manager kept questioning our time-keepers about his athlete’s time. SJL quietly whispered, “Why don’t we give each  athlete a stop-watch and let them time.”

When LSC’s new school ground opened, they lacked the special javelin to use on the artificial turf. He let their javelin throwers practise at the small field. I recalled he talked to Ronnie Chan (our star javelin thrower), “Let’s help them, coach them and beat them at the championship.”

Mr. Casswell, the Director of PE Department, once told me, ” Your Headmaster always sweats for POINTS.” Every team member contributed a little to WIN.

Thank you for the fondest memory under your tenure. We will miss you.

Kenneth Sei,
Former Sportsmaster.
Vancouver, Canada

Jimmy Lowcock- an era of greatness – Alan Lam (’70)

In Fond Memories – Horace Chan (66)

I was a Form 2 boy when Mr. Lowcock became our Headmaster in the early 60’s. He seemed a very tall man in our small days. He was friendly. He was kind. He roamed our school ground carrying his signature ” Ha Kao” smile!

Mr. Lowcock makes it known that he believes that there is a uniqueness in every DBS boy and we can all be educated pursuant to our own best. That’s what makes him great in our eyes. His big heart and his passion were dedicated to our School and to all DBS boys.

I visited Mr. Lowcock with a few of my classmates towards the end of 2011… about two months prior to his passing away. We were so blessed to have the opportunity to do just that. Attached is a picture taken besides his dinning table. His signature expression still vivid….brings back so much fond memories.

Mr.Lowcock will be missed… and remembered by All.  God Bless !

Horace M.T. Chan (Class ’66)
Jan.28,2012 from Shanghai

DSOBA – Vice President Global
DSOBA – Vancouver Past President

Cheuk Ho Yeung/Michael Tung, on behalf of the Class of 79′