From Mr Chris Luman
It is my privilege and honour to pay tribute to Philippa Mary Lowe’s contribution to Maritzburg College as an educator and mentor of young men.
Philippa was appointed on 12 April 2010 as part- time educator of Life Orientation. Over the next three years, she was also roped into the English department and was appointed as a mentor when the new house system was introduced. In January 2014, she was promoted and appointed as Subject Head of Life Orientation, one of the biggest departments in the school and probably the most difficult to manage with so many staff.
Today, we remember a special lady for whom Life Orientation was a passion. Her belief in the value of this subject and in those who teach it was clearly evident, and she worked hard to ensure that the subject had its rightful place in the curriculum. Our boys have continued to excel in this subject over the years and the matric results have been consistently excellent under her leadership.
Furthermore, Philippa encouraged her department to work as a team and she nurtured young and inexperienced teachers, guiding and supporting them. She was a warm and empathetic mentor of Calder House and educator who engaged with her boys, and often offered a supportive and encouraging ear when boys were experiencing difficulties. She was able to build strong relationships with the boys through her caring and compassionate nature. She always had the time to help boys in need or listen to when they needed someone they could trust. Even through her own personal health issues she continued to be a caring and passionate mentor of young men.
Philippa will be greatly missed by her colleagues and boys and there will be long lasting cherished memories of the impact she had on their lives
May God Bless her and her family
Pro Aris et Focis
Messages from the Boys
Mrs Lowe always put our problems before her own. She always listened to our problems and guided us along the way with our decisions.
Mrs Lowe was the teacher that you looked forward to going to after a hectic day at school. She was our “chill Pill.”
Mrs Lowe brought life to Life Orientation and made it ‘dope.’ It was never boring in her lessons.
Mrs Lowe understood the pressures of a high school boy and the academic pressure that we faced daily.
Mrs Lowe will never be forgotten and her influence and advice will always remain in our memories.
RIP Mrs Lowe.
Messages from the Staff
Philippa filled our lives with happiness and sweet feelings that we will carry in our hearts forever. She will be sadly missed and well-remembered by our College family. We pray that God grants peace to her beautiful soul and may the angels lead her to the path of heaven . May God console her family’s hearts as they bear this greatest pain of losing someone. Go well dearest Philippa. – Moushumi Maharaj
Philippa – I am blessed to have been educated by you and I had the privilege of working with you. You were always kind and caring. Thank you for what you taught me as a student and as a colleague.
You are missed. Rest in peace, Philippa.
Brandon DeLange
Good morning, I would like to mention what a lovely teacher , subject head and most importantly a lovely human being ,Mrs Lowe was. The short time I have spent with Mrs Lowe is the most memorable experience for me, Mrs Lowe had pushed for me to stay in Life Orientation department despite my inexperience in teaching the subject! Despite the difficult situations the LO department faced this year, Mrs Lowe always made an efficient and effective response! The stress Mrs Lowe faced ,mirrored my mother’s previous situation and I could see how much of a toll this took on her.
May her soul Rest in Peace and may God Bless her family to pull through this difficult time!
Bivash Somaru
Philippa braved some incredible adversity in her life and she remained a shining light in the midst of it. She was a wonderful mother and a kind friend and despite the many difficulties she faced, she always had time for the people around her. Against the odds she tried to stay incredibly positive and to live in the moment. She gave time to her students and she carried her department when everyone else around her faced their own challenges. She seldom complained and she had a ready smile, no matter what it cost her. She spoke often of her children and it was evident that they were hugely important to her and she was incredibly proud of them. Despite the very sad loss of first her mum and then her brother, amongst other adversities, Philippa always looked for the positive in life.
Jenny Orchard & Kim Lindie:
She was always gracious and dignified in her dealings with both her colleagues and the learners. Her kindness made her a very likeable person. She was a caring friend and an intelligent English teacher.
Tony Neville
Pips was a friend, and a confidant. Her temperament was always even and she really listened and heard the essence of what people were saying to her. She was gracious and treaded gently on the earth. In terms of her position as Subject Head of LO, she had amazing knowledge and intuition. I was privileged to have experienced lots of fun marking sessions and a memorable trip to Bayete.
She taught my son Matthew who asked me to say the following: She brought “Animal Farm” alive, and the class I was in was nicknamed “The Jocks”, being made up mainly of Rugby players with more brawn than brain, but she made her way into our hearts and disciplined us in a quite but firm manner. We adored her.
Pips, my dearest friend, you left your mark on mine and Matthew’s lives.
Dee Dickens
A painting was commissioned and painted to give to Philippa’s family with this message
From the Boys of College;
A more regal respect we cannot portray.
There is no cure for the darkest of times, other than to wait it out and to feel the sadness at its depth, as an indication of it’s worth.
Prussian blue is the darkest of colours, a solid foundation to build upon.
It makes the beautiful shadows; you find the silver light in there.
There is light in the darkness, there is purple in the greyest of shadows.
Philippa would always greet you by name, she’d find the light in the shadows.
She swims in the silver city.
May God bless her and keep her.
She is kindness.
Thank you for being kind to our boys of College.