Cyril Hicks (23 August 1921-6 November 2024)

I am sad to report that Cyril, Principal of Seddon High School from 1969 until 1983 has passed away in his sleep on the morning of Wednesday November 6th aged 103.

This is a significant milestone in the history of Seddon/Springs as Cyril was regular attendee at our Prizegivings to award the Dux medal and last visited the school in 2020 to accompany the Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in the opening of the new school and the unveiling of the opening plaque.

I was fortunate to visit Cyril and son Douglas at Cyril’s home on Labour Day (Monday, October 28th). Cyril, with just a walking stick for support, welcomed me at the door, engaged in lively conversation for about an hour in relation to school life and clearly had his memory intact. I have always noted his remarkable memory and this remained with him all the way through. Labour Weekend was the 150th Anniversary of Half Moon Bay School in Oban on Stewart Island. Cyril is a Stewart Islander (and there is a Hicks Road in Oban) and he was the oldest living pupil of the school (attended 1926 to 1933) at the time of the anniversary celebrations at Labour Weekend. He sent down a delightful statement of his memories of school life at the time along with a delightful photograph of him as an 8 year old.

Cyril, as he wished, had a private family funeral last week; however, there will be a memorial service to be held at the Presbyterian Church in Belmont at a date to be advised between November 25th and 30th. The actual date will be published in the Death/In Memorium notices in The Herald. I will represent Western Springs College at this service.

Ivan Davis
Principal