Churchie and the wider GPS community, received some sad news on Saturday morning regarding our former colleague and friend, Mr David Bell. We were saddened to learn that David passed away of natural causes last Friday evening.
 
David faithfully served the Churchie community from 2006 to 2015 in senior roles including Deputy Head of Middle School – Student Services and Administration, Head of Faculty Social and Emotional Development and Outdoor Education, and Director of Staff Development. David was also a boarding tutor throughout his entire time at Churchie and had a particular passion for teaching English, humanities, literature and military history.
 
David’s love, commitment and expertise for a broad range of sports, particularly rugby, was legendary across the GPS community. His coaching career in the sport reached the highest state and national levels. His coaching expertise also extended to swimming, basketball, track and field, and cross country. David was also a valued member of the School’s Tri-Service Cadets programme for many years. David’s depth and range of knowledge in myriad topics and his enthusiasm for teaching and coaching have been widely acknowledged and respected throughout the Queensland education community.
 
David had an extraordinary career serving four GPS schools in senior roles after graduating as an Old Boy of Brisbane Grammar School. At the time of his passing, David was serving the Brisbane Boys’ College (BBC) community as Head of Middle School. At last weekend’s football and tennis fixtures, Churchie hosted BBC during which the boys of the First XI football teams, coaches, staff and parents in attendance observed a moving tribute on Main Oval in memory of David and his loyal service to our respective communities.

Many Churchie Old Boys will fondly remember David’s sense of humour, dedicated teaching and coaching, and devoted care for their growth and development.
 
We send our love and prayers to David’s family whom he loved dearly, his many friends, and the BBC and GPS communities.
 
May David rest in peace and rise in glory.
 
Sincerely

Dr Alan Campbell
Headmaster

A Memorial Service for past Churchie staff member David Bell will be held in College Hall at Brisbane Boys’ College (BBC) on Tuesday 16 May commencing at 2 pm. There is no RSVP required. If you are unable to attend, BBC will be live-streaming the service. To view the livestream, please click here. BBC is preparing a Condolence Book for David’s family. If you or someone you know have a story about David and the ways he impacted the people around him, we encourage you to email them to condolences@bbc.qld.edu.au for inclusion.