Former Hewett School headteacher Walter Roy dies – share your memories

Mark Shields Friday, July 6, 2012
6:10 PM
Share your memories of former Hewett School headteacher Walter Roy, who has died aged 87.
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Tributes have been paid to an inspirational headteacher and trade unionist who believed education did not begin and end in the classroom.

Dr Walter Roy CBE was the first headteacher at the Hewett School, in Norwich, following its formation in 1970, and oversaw the education of thousands of Norwich children before his retirement in 1990.

A committed democrat and defender of teaching, Dr Roy became a prominent voice on educational matters at county and national level. He died in Graz, in his native Austria, on Wednesday at the age of 87.

Rob Anthony, associate headteacher at the Hewett School, said Dr Roy left a legacy to which the school continued to aspire.

“Because he was the first head, he set the standard of the school and the way it works.

“You can still see that now: caring for the children and pushing them all. That was a real strength of his, and he really did work hard for every child.”

Dr Roy arrived in England aged 13, a refugee from the Nazi regime in Austria, and was part of the British Intelligence during the Second World War.

After the war ended, he stayed in England and trained as a teacher, working in Hertfordshire before arriving at Hewett Grammar in September 1969.

The following year he oversaw the merger with Lakenham Boys’ and Lakenham Girls’ schools to form Norwich’s largest school.

He had three children with his first wife, Marjorie, and following her death, married Ariane in 2002. He moved back to Austria in 2007.

Dr Roy was involved in education at regional and national level through his work on the national executive of the National Union of Teachers, Norfolk’s education committee and the East Anglian Examination Board.

His daughter, Kate Russell, said he had interests out of work – when time allowed.

“He was a season-ticket holder at Norwich City, and used to watch them with my brother,” said Mrs Russell, 55. “My parents had a holiday bungalow in Cromer where they spent time. He also loved walking, the Norfolk coast, and had an interest in opera.”

Dr Roy became a CBE in 1976 and published Teaching Under Attack in 1982, highlighting funding cuts in the profession.

A keen traveller, Dr Roy was president and co-founder of the Sonnenberg Association, fostering links between young people of different countries.

Marion Morse, chair of the Hewett governors, called Dr Roy “a great showman”.

“He very much believed in education being more than just passing exams,” she said. “He was a keen supporter of music, sports and arts – and we try to pursue that ethos to this day.”

Terry Cook, a senior Norfolk County Council education officer, said Dr Roy had led the school with distinction, and championed young people and teachers alike. He added: “He will always be remembered with great affection in Norfolk.”

What are your memories of Dr Roy? How will he be remembered? Leave your comments below the article or email mark.shields@archant.co.uk

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20 comments




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Dr.Lisa

Friday, July 13, 2012

A Farewell to my beloved Cousin, Walter! He was really more than a Cousin; he was more a brother to me, who gave me love, strength, advice, support, when I most needed it in my own turbulent life.

Our families shared the same living quarters because of the situation then in Vienna, our place of birth. In the depression era, there was an unbelievable shortness of homes or apartments, so we doubled up....Although he was 5 years younger than I, we became "buddies" and shared so many activities, playing chess, cards, outings into nearby parks etc. etc. He was always so mature for his age and even as practically a little toddler, he was "fun" to talk to....

He left an imprint on every life he touched...especially as a teacher, for so many young people in his professional life as a headmaster for a huge High school in Norwich! Tremendously enamored of the arts, music, the theater, he went all out to instill in his flock the Love for cultural activities, his Choir, whom he took to other parts of Europe to delight the music lovers with young English voices.

He was basically a quiet, gentle man, who only spoke up, when it really mattered (and very strong and powerfully, then) - I believe, he hated "small talk", except with his beloved English Club, which he initiated, when he returned to his native Austria, after his first wife passed away. He loved LIFE and clung to it till his bitter end - he is now in a better world, a place without pain and suffering, a place, where we will all travel to, sooner or later and then I hope, we will all be able to enjoy again his remarkable presence and be re-united with this so special, unique man, who has left us with a certain emptiness in our daily life .

He truly left his mark in the world, the here and know! And he will live on in our hearts and memories, forever! Good Night, Sweet Prince....and may a host of Angels lay thee to thy rest (Thanks, Shakespeare, for your proper words of Farewell!)

Your Cousin, Sister, Friend, Lisa


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Monika Mörtl-Schuster

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

As a close friend of Walter Roy, who lived in the same village as myself in Austria, I am mourning for a highly respectable, witty and sophisticated man.
Monika Mörtl-Schuster.

 
 
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Karen Aldridge

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Dr. Roy was an extraordinary headmaster. He was always there when you needed him and always around when you hoped he perhaps wouldn't be! God bless.

 
 
 
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bluemum2
Monday, July 9, 2012

So sad to hear this news. He was an inspiration - Kept a distance, and yet his presence always very keenly felt. At this time, 27years ago, I would have been in Austria, on one of several music trips I went on, whilst at Hewett. He was a truly great Head, who had a made the Hewett School one of the best. I will always have great memories of the school, and of Dr Roy. RIP



(I think I may have met this person. I would have been in Austria with Walter and one of his choir groups at around that time. Hmm. Interesting.)