It is with great sadness that I write to you with the news that Peter Smith, headmaster of the College from 1985-2003, passed away on Monday the 15th of April.
It was clear from early in my tenure that the Bradfield of today owes much of its current health and reputation to the outstanding development of the College under Peter’s leadership. Although I only personally met Peter on a few occasions, I somehow felt I knew him better because of the many members of Bradfield’s Council, staff, parents and alumni past and present who have shared anecdotes and memories of the impact he had on their time at the College and later lives.
Some have spoken of the many achievements of his time: co-education, campus transformation, the establishment of the Bradfield Foundation, the opening of Faulkner’s as a Year 9 House and the refurbishment and expansion of much of the boarding community here. Many have spoken of his personal qualities: his kindness, humour, thoughtfulness and desire to make sure that the College continued to move forwards, despite the many challenges for private education at the turn of the century. He ultimately left the College in a much stronger place for successive generations.
Peter will be sorely missed by this community and locally in Whitchurch where he enjoyed his retirement. The College hopes to be able to commemorate the contribution that he made to Bradfield; more details will be forthcoming from the Bradfield Society in due course. In the meantime, I know that at this sad time you will join me in expressing our deepest sympathy to Peter’s wife Diana, who also gave so much to this community over many years, their daughters Helen and Liz, and to their extended family.
Dr Christopher Stevens, Headmaster
The College will be hosting a Service of Thanksgiving for Peter in the College Chapel on Tuesday 27 August 2024 at 2pm. Please use the link below to book.
