Sydney mourns two leaders in Education

Posted on January 27, 2016 
Filed under Sydney Diocese

canon-stanley-kurrleWe are saddened to learn of the death of The Rev. Canon Stanley Kurrle OBE, sixteenth Headmaster of The King’s School. He died on Wednesday 20th January 2016, at the age of 93.

Canon Kurrle was Headmaster from 1965-1983.

In a message to the school community, the present Headmaster, Dr Timothy Hawkes, wrote,

“During his time at King’s Canon Kurrle was greatly respected for his pastoral care and educational leadership and was loved by his boys. He had the unique capacity to know and never forget his boys, a quality that greatly endeared him to all.”

Canon Kurrle was a long-standing member of the New Universities Colleges Council (NUCC) which founded New College at UNSW and Robert Menzies College at Macquarie University.

His funeral will be held at St. James’ Chapel, Mowll Village, Castle Hill at 11:00am on Friday 29th January.

News has also come of the death of Mr. Roderick West, Head at Trinity Grammar School 1975–1996.

Current Head Master, Milton Cujes, wrote in a message dated 25th January 2016:

“It is with regret that I inform you that we have learned that our much-loved former Head Master, Mr Roderick West AM, M.A.(Syd), B.D. (Lond.), Dip. Ed. (Syd.), F.A.C.E., died this morning. An outstanding teacher of the Classics, and an inspiring leader in Christian education. Mr West was Head Master at Trinity Grammar School from 1975 to July 1996. He was then appointed as interim Principal at Kambala Anglican Girls’ School at Rose Bay from May to December 1999.

Details regarding funeral arrangements will be communicated in due course.”

Many will give thanks for Rod West’s service in his capacity as a Trustee of Thomas Moore’s Estate. In addition, he was a valued member of the governing board of Moore College.

His funeral service will be held at the Trinity Grammar School Chapel, Prospect Road, Summer Hill on Friday 5th February 2016 at 11.00am, followed by morning tea. All clergy requested to robe.

Update: The Sydney Morning Herald has published a very fitting Obituary.

We give thanks to the Lord for these two brothers, and do not mourn as those do who have no hope. (1 Thessalonians 4:13.)

(Top photo: Canon Kurrle in 2014, courtesy of The King’s School.
Second photo: Rod West in 1994, courtesy of Trinity Grammar School, via Ramon Williams Worldwide Photos.)