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From Henry Chiu DBS1978er

Hi classmates,

Indeed Mr. Lowcock’s life is not without controversy.

I was not a fan at all for Lowcock in schooldays for several good reasons.

For me, the foremost is that the Chaplin in our times was a heretical “Christian”, a Modernist or Liberalist. Lowcock let him preach and teach us his un-orthodox teachings and doctrines. In that sense, Lowcock was the accomplice. In the year of L.6, I boldly walked away in the midst of morning assembly, as a protest against his call on all students to stand up paying tribute to the Pope Paul VI (1963-78). This pope was one of the worst popes of modern time if not all time because of his advocacy of deifying(神化) Mary, the mother of Jesus to be the “Mother of God ” as well as the Infallibility of Pope, taking these insane beliefs to the greatest heights. How can Mary be God? How can a pope be flawless, like God, when he makes so many mistakes and wrongs?

Lowcock’s endeavors on all round education, in my opinion, were far from perfect either. As some of you have pointed out and let me add, he might be too liberal to let the students to DIY. We never had any homeworks. We could bang and shout, totally ignoring the teachers during our classes. In one word, over-indulgence. As a result, I was a victim too. It turned out that I focused overly on religious activities in senior forms, neglecting my academic pursuits and led to poor health for years, which largely explains the late development of my career.

Why am I writing this? Just to let you all know that I am not a shoeshine boy. Only knowing how to eulogize (歌功頌德). Like many of DBS boys, I’m the same Henry who speaks his mind regardless. This is one of the many faces of our DBS Spirit. Hey, we ain’t no North Korean people. Most of all, I want to tell you all that, despite the flaws you may find in Lowcock, despite your disliking of him, to whatever extent, I think he deserves some or even great respect from us. Because he was another typical DBS boy doing his way – living his life and doing his job his way. No matter how one discounts his educational achievement, he is widely and deeply respected by many other old boys in his passion to all round education (which was greatly successful, though not 100%) and his devotion of his fortune to raising the needy students. These are undeniable facts. One day in the early 1990’s, I ran into Lowcock on a double decker without air-con. He chat with me casually and happily. I found no arrogance in the old man. That’s why I am more than happy to do something for him as my last tribute.

When one passes away, let us be kind and forgiving to let bygones be bygones. Let him rest in peace. One day, we all will tread the same path. We ain’t no perfect. How would we want to be treated by people when we are gone?

Yours truly,

Henry Chiu

DBS1978er

Death be not proud – Robert Tang

Mr. S.J.Lowcock had made such a difference in so many DBS boys’ lives. We will never forget his sense of humour and sarcism. Now, he is one with God and amongst those who do not grow old, as we grow old, and those who do not suffer, as we suffer. R.I.P.

“Fill the world with love” from Goodbye Mr. Chips – alvingogogo

In the morning of my life I shall look to the sunrise.
At a moment in my life when the world is new.
And the blessing I shall ask is that God will grant me,
To be brave and strong and true, 
And to fill the world with love my whole life through.

In the noontime of my life   I shall look to the sunshine,
At a moment in my life when the sky is blue.
And the blessing I shall ask shall remain unchanging.
To be brave and strong and true,
And to fill the world with love my whole life through

In the evening of my life   I shall look to the sunset,
At a moment in my life when the night is due.
And the question I shall ask only I can answer.
Was I brave and strong and true?
Did I fill the world with love my whole life through?

Goodbye, Mr. Lowcock

Thank you for everything.

Condolences – S.C. So

Memory and carrying on the run – David T. Fung

Dear Jimmy,

I am glad that I visited you on Sep 17, 2011 and had the opportunity to listen to your aspirations for financing students in need at DBS.  Your passionate message of prioritizing student needs over buildings is crystal clear.  Many of us have benefitted from your life-long commitment to broadening the learning experience and strengthening the social conscience of DBS students.  You have passed on the baton.  I am sure that many of us will carry on the run to help fulfill your dream.

May your soul rest in peace!

David T Fung at Vancouver (BC)

In Memory of Mr. S.J.Lowcock – Harn Kiatfuengfoo (’65)

My name is Harn Kiatfuengfoo, a Thai student and class of ’65. I started Form1 and finished Upper6 between 1960-1967 and also a boarder.
His tenure as a headmaster for 22 years, there were 5,000 students and I am certain that he knew half of them personally and among them there must be about 100 that were very close to him who were known as god-sons. I am privileged to be one of those few. He even asked me to address him as Jimmy.
I have to admit that I gave him a lot of grief the first 5 years and he gave me a good caning in return. He is a man of vision. He did not allow me to take Physics in Form4 which he was the tutor, telling me that there is no way I could become a doctor. At that time I hated him, but today I am grateful because I have a good life and lots of family time.
When he decided that it was time to make a man out of me, my life took a 180 degree turn. He made me a prefect and the swimming captain. I did not disappoint him for DBS won A,B,C grades in swimming that year. He taught me that to make up deficiency in physique, I had to have a big heart. I carried that motto to every sports I participated in and the end result was I became the first recipient of Omega Sports Boy of the Year Award.
My final year at DBS he even trusted me to look after his house while he went on his rare vacation. When I left, I took with me a great lesson of life which no one could do better than the great man, Mr. Lowcock. Thank you very much and you lay in peace.

最拔萃的拔萃仔 – Lee Wai Wo, Stephen (cert year 1972)

蝦餃 was the most DBS DBS boy 最拔萃的拔萃仔.  In his times as the HM, boys from all walks of life, richer or poorer families, had chances of living and studying together, learning to respect each other, and doing their best  in life in an honorable DBS way.

Lowcock is dearly missed.

Lee Wai Wo, Stephen (cert year 1972)

Rest in peace, Mr. Lowcock – Wayne Kwong

Even though I had not have much interaction with you when I was at school, your impression on me had been immense as a fair, caring, dedicated and much respected headmaster. You had guided our school with your heart and made DBS the school it is now. You will be sorely missed by the DBS family. Rest in peace, Mr. Lowcock.

Dr. Wayne Kwong
Class 1985

深切懷念, 亦師亦友虾餃佬 -鍾少煊 Class of 1955

To :  Family of Sir James Sidney Lowcock

亦師亦友虾餃佬

Mr.James Lowcock 上唇蓄了鬍子, 被同學冠以虾餃佬雅號.

虾餃佬一詞, 不褒不貶, 正好帶出了一個人的風格與氣質.

我就讀DBS期間, 校長是MR. Goodban, 虾餃佬是物理課老師, 他說話流暢,

詞鋒厲害, 富有幽默感, 上他的課, 沒有冷場, 不會打瞌睡. 教學態度靈活,

不會照課本讀, 不主張死讀書.

理科通常是學生們望而生畏的科目.不是受了他的感染,

相信我班不會有那麼眾多傑出的理科生,

50年代, 喇沙和DBS在校際田徑賽場中是一對歡喜寃家,

但不幸得很, 喇沙學校擁有Xavier和更多優秀好手, DBS常給比下去.

Xavier當年是100公尺, 200公尺, 全港紀錄保持者, 加上接力賽, 跳遠等項,

單是Xavier一人巳為喇沙拿下不少分數.

這時候, 虾餃佬不是體育老師, 但誰都看得出他在竭力培訓田徑運動員的努力和苦心,

風氣的持續, 終於有所收成, 創就了近40年來 [可能更多屆]

DBS在校運體育的輝煌成就. 錦標,勝利, 不需推崇, 維其Spirit, 積極,

參與態度, 就應該永記. 體育活動, 鍊就學子們堅毅, 上進, 奮鬥, 努力,

不畏失敗等等良好品格, 最值得DBS引以為榮.

馮以浤在閒談時, 曾經提及 Lowcock俠義為懷, 經常資助貧困學生,

使他們能夠完成學業, 一度弄至自己退休時幾乎財困. 但人間有情, 世間有義,

喜聞有一位學生, 樂助Lowcock 晚年生活. 這一個過程,

相信任何一個愛護這尊貴老師的人,都感到欣慰.

Mr. James Sidney Lowcock 亦師亦友,令人深切懷念.

鍾少煊

Class of 1955

Jan. 28, 2012

The Phrase I remember Mr. Lowcock said – Vincent Chiu Class of 81