Duchess High School rocked by second death

Jun 9 2009 by Brian Daniel, The Journal

A NORTHUMBERLAND school has been rocked by the death of another teacher, just months after its deputy head died.

Dave Debbage, 53, a science teacher at Alnwick’s Duchess’s Community High School, died on Friday following a heart attack, having been off ill in recent weeks.

His death follows the school’s loss of deputy headteacher Steve Handley, who died following a heart attack in March.

Mr Debbage, who lived at West Thirston, near Felton, had worked at the school since 1982 and was a tutor and head of year.

He leaves a wife Cath and sons Matthew and Simon. Mr Debbage was also heavily involved in rugby both in and out of school. He coached the school’s under-15s team and was also a “stalwart” of Alnwick Rugby Club.

Last night, school headteacher Maurice Hall spoke of the devastating effect the death of Mr Debbage will have on the school.

He said: “It is extremely difficult to express in words how our school community is feeling at the present time. To lose Dave Debbage so soon after the death of Steve Handley is very difficult to come to terms with.

“We are an extremely close-knit community that shares its emotions and feels keenly its highs and lows.

“We are also a community that will work to support each other at a time like this and will seek all the outside help we need both for our students and our staff.