Dear Alumni,
This is a special Newsletter as DHSB has learnt the sad news of the recent passing of Mr Gavin Peck. In September 1975, Mr J G W Peck took up his appointment as the 7th Headmaster of DHSB. The following is taken from our 1997 School Magazine, ‘Mr Peck retired in 1993 after serving the school as Headmaster for over eighteen years, eighteen challenging years that saw the school expand and maintain its excellent reputation in the area. With just three Plymouth grammar schools surviving the wave of re-organisation in the eighties the school became more regional, drawing in boys from Plymouth, West Devon and SE Cornwall - some travelling more than thirty miles to school each day. Mr. Peck led the school through the change from 0-levels to GCSE's, the introduction of the National Curriculum and the expansion of the school into all six blocks of the old military hospital. The '93 exam results set records. We are reminded of Mr. Peck's visionary leadership as 300+ boys per year benefit from visiting the residential centre in Uzel that he worked so hard to establish in the early 90's.’
A past pupil remarked he was ‘always fair and encouraging with a little twinkle in his eye.’ Another pupil said ‘he was an inspirational headmaster utterly committed to DHSB.’
Unfortunately I never had the pleasure of meeting Mr Peck in person but I did talk to him several times last year when I was arranging our 125th Anniversary event and producing our Commemorative Brochure. Unfortunately ill health prevented Mr Peck from attending our event but he kindly contributed some words to the brochure. I have included the page here if you would like to read it.
As I read through our old School Magazines there is a lot I could write about Mr Peck’s time at DHSB. However, I will leave the last words to Mr Ron Faulkner as he has written a lovely fitting tribute to Mr Peck. Mr Faulkner started at DHSB as second Deputy Head, teaching Geography and Religious Studies in September 1985:
Mr Gavin Peck
I first met Mr Peck in May 1985 when I was interviewed and accepted for the post of
Deputy Head at DHSB. It was the start of a new chapter in my life and one that Mr Peck would play an important part. To all those who knew our past Headmaster he was such an inspiration to me
.
He was the most erudite Head I have ever known. His forward thinking led to so many
improvements for DHSB and was such a force that the school survived all attempts to turn it into a Comprehensive. Following this he took over the Tamar High School buildings, as they did not fight the changes, and then expanded pupil numbers and staff. It was his initiative that led to the acquisition of the French Centre in Uzel, Brittany. Over the years thousands of pupils experienced French school life, kayaking, orienteering, horse riding and many other activities. Years 12 & 13 spent a lot of time in schools and had exchange visits, plus for some, work experience. Year 11 were able to visit Paris for a few days and the more fortunate were there during Bastille Day. Wonderful times..
I quickly learnt that he trusted his staff to carry out any responsibilities to which they had
been given, to use their initiative and to be decisive in their actions. I was appointed in part due to my previous experience in a variety of schools undergoing change of status. Looming large on the horizon for DHSB and the remaining grammar schools in Plymouth was Comprehensive Education which Plymouth and Devon were rigorously pursuing. The three present Grammar Schools joined together to fight the proposals and Mr Peck was a leader in this. The PTA and parents were amazing in their support with regular petition signings being held in the City Centre. Tamar School which occupied A and B Blocks did not enter the fray and ultimately closed with DHSB being allowed to take over the whole site and secure its future for generations of pupils.
It is fair to say that Mr Peck’s energies were concentrated foremost on what is best for DHSB pupils. Initiatives were carefully thought out and discussed, initially with Senior staff to ensure the ideas were viable and sustainable.
He broached the subject of setting up a residential Centre in France one afternoon with the following aims:
1. To provide the real experience of actually being in another country of the European Community and to benefit from the differences in life and culture.
2. To enrich pupil’s expertise in a foreign language and to increase their awareness of the need for this proficiency.
3. To give extra variety of educational experience in a range of curriculum subjects and to demonstrate their practical application.
4. To enhance the personal skills of pupils, their self-reliance, and confidence.
5. To provide a residential experience and the experience of living, co-operating and working together.
6. To instil a positive perception of people of another country and to encourage pupils to build on this experience and to want to develop closer relationships. (Extract from Booklet ‘Into Europe’)
Since it opened in 1992 there were 1000s of pupils visits made in addition to the many families who used the Centre for holiday breaks. Activities included visits to schools, orienteering, town trails, kayaking, horse riding and farm visits amongst others.’
I could say a lot more about how Mr Peck's time at DHSB and how he changed things for the benefit of boys in the school. This remarkable man will be sadly missed
My thanks to Ron Faulkner for the above tribute.
From all at DHSB we would like to say ‘thank you Sir for all you did for DHSB and may you Rest in Peace.’ Our thoughts are with Mr Peck’s family and friends at this very sad time.
Mr Peck’s funeral will take place at Emmanuel Church (Mannamead Road) on Tuesday 7 June at 11.00am.
Take care everyone,
Best wishes,
Beverley Kinsella
Alumni Engagement & Archives
(Main photo credit: Stephen Johnson ‘Cyberheritage)
