The school is sad to hear of the death of Derek Fawcett MBE, former PGS parent and benefactor who, with his wife Frances, generously paid for the wonderful sports pavilion at Hilsea. Thousands of pupils, parents and OPs have benefitted from their legacy and will continue to do so for many years.

Derek was an engineer and inventor whose designs transformed the lives of yachtsmen and women all over the world. He developed the first electronic autopilot (Authohelm), building up his one-man company Nautech into an internationally-renowned award-winning organisation. He also developed audible compasses and instrumentation for the visually impaired, and designed two and three speed winches.

Derek received an MBE in 1996 for his services to the marine industry. Sadly, Frances died in 2021.