Sharon and Steve Winn
posted 11/09/2019
Wonderful memories and huge great laughs, you will always be in our hearts, god bless.
Samantha Maloney
posted 11/09/2019
My heart goes out to you and your family. Although I don’t know exactly what to say, I want you to know that I am with you in thought and wish you comfort and peace as you remember David. As a husband, father, grandfather and friend to many.
Denise Bailey
posted 12/09/2019
David was a lovely and special man. As headmaster he inspired all four of our children to enjoy education and sport, but he gave them much more in terms of respect and ethical values to equip them for the life ahead. It is a great privilege for us all as a family to have known him.
Rosemary Chainey
posted 19/09/2019
With happy memories of David. He was a fine man, a wonderful Headmaster and admired by pupils and parents.
Simon and Julia Goodwin
posted 24/09/2019
Dear Ursi,
We are so very sorry to hear the sad news of David’s death.
David was kind, gentle, patient and gracious - and between you you created a special educational environment that was challenging, warm and fun - with rules that had to be followed. Our children thrived in your care.
We also enjoyed greatly your company and hospitality in both France and the UK on many occasions.
Thinking of you at this time of great loss.
Simon and Julia
Anna, Olly and Will
Katie Wollaston (nee Scott)
posted 24/09/2019
David Newton was an incredible teacher. He inspired and nurtured all of us at Copthorne Prep. His kindness was endless as was his ability to be fair. I was so very lucky to have been taught by him.
Sharon & Ian Bailey
posted 25/09/2019
Dearest Ursi and family,
How sad we all were to hear of David’s passing. He was a huge part of both ours and our children’s lives. He guided them through their wonderful education at Copthorne prep and I know the boys were forever grateful for his kindness and guidance.
With much love
Sharon, Ian, Chris and Sean Bailey xxx
David and Jane Way
posted 25/09/2019
We will always have very special memories of David, both as a
lovely friend and as a wonderful headmaster, the best any
child could ever wish for. We send our love and condolences to
the whole family.
Clive Jecks
posted 26/09/2019
It is customary to remember the good things about someone who has recently passed away and ignore the bad. In David’s case this is very easy; I cannot think if anything negative about the man at all. He was a superb friend and always seemed to make the correct decision, in the way that we used to associate with bank managers, politicians.... and Head Teachers!
He epitomised the word “decent” and had that reassuring quality of judgement that meant he always seemed to arrive at the right answer, so that when confronted with a tough choice I tend to think “what would David have done?”. He was, however, no slave to political correctness. When our son, Peter, was getting pushed around at school, David’s remedy was “I am not telling you this, but hit them back. They won’t do it again!”.
It was a privilege knowing David as a friend. He will be sorely missed.
Steve Payne
posted 26/09/2019
I am lucky to be have been able to call you my teacher, my mentor and my friend. RIP David. You will be missed.
Andrew Barker
posted 26/11/2019
I was at Copthorne from 1981 to 1986. I was in Form V when David became headmaster. I was in the same year as his son Tristan. David was a wonderful, inspirational teacher. His English lessons were always tremendous fun and he fostered in me a passion for reading. Like everyone, I hugely enjoyed taking part in the school plays which he adapted and directed. I particularly remember the Tempest. I have some wonderful memories of my time at Copthorne. That was very much down to David. A really wonderful man, who will be greatly missed.
Andrew Gough
posted 09/12/2019
Dear Ursi, Tris and Verena
I retired this term and so have been a little more disorganised than I usually am - not least in that I lost your English address.
I was therefore so sad to belatedly hear about David and so sorry not to be able to have been there at the funeral and wake. My love and condolences to you all.
I will copy this to your last email address in the hope that one way or another we can reconnect.
Much love
Andrew
Russell Parker
posted 12/05/2021
Sad to hear of David's passing. I attended Copthorne Prep under his stewardship from '88 to '93 - fabulous time in my life I won't forget. My condolences to family.
Cp
posted 19/11/2023
Very sad news. All the best to the family.
