Letters of appreciation

From Russell Hammond, CEO, International Cultural Tours

Dear Mr Dobbin

I just want to write and briefly comment on the tour that I did with your concert band and stage band in December 2000.

Over the past 20 years or so I have been involved with many groups that have undertaken international tours. I want you to know that this was one of the most pleasurable tours I have ever been on. The reason for this comment is that I found the group to be a very well behaved group of young people who shared a love of music and were very keen to represent their country and their school in the very best way.

In a time when the youth of today are constantly under scrutiny by society, your students set a standard of behaviour and bearing that you, the school, their parents and indeed all of Australia should be proud of.

They had lots of fun; they shared moments of deep feelings; they saw things they never expected to see; they shared the homes of young Americans with similar interests to their own; they performed beyond their expectations and they acquitted themselves in the very best way on all occasions.

I was proud to be with them and to show my many musical friends in America just how wonderful ordinary Australian young people are. They came across as not ordinary, but extra-ordinary.

I could not write this without commenting on the obvious - and that is how lucky you (the people of Chatswood High School) are to have Gavin Staines as a member of its staff. People like Gavin are not HARD to find - they are impossible to find.

Unlike many of his counterparts in music education, Gavin is one of those rare people who does what he does for all the right reasons. He does not waste his energy trying to win contests, but rather puts his whole energy into creating within the precious young people in his charge, a deep and sincere love of music. This effort does include competing, but he has not allowed it to become his all-consuming passion. Rather, he includes it as just another part of the wide-ranging motivational process for his students. Gavin is loved and admired by his students, by many of the parents and by the staff that work with him.

Thank you for the opportunity to share this experience with Gavin, the other members of the music staff and the students of Chatswood High School.

Russell Hammond
CEO, International Cultural Tours

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From Cmdr Jim DeGree

Matt DeGree was a valued student at the school for three years while his father was on a posting to Sydney with the US Navy. On his family's return to the States the school received the following letter

Dear Dr. Hoermann, Chatswood High Teachers and Staff,

I want to thank you for the tremendous job all of you did in ensuring our son Matthew received such a good education during his three years of attendance at your school.

One of our major concerns upon receiving word that we would be transferred to Australia was finding a "good" school for our children. I think we went through the process of many newly arrived parents to the Sydney area in trying to find a school for our son. We visited close to twenty schools and asked many questions. Matt, although very athletic, is also very academically astute - and he was very concerned that he be able to attend a school that would 'push' him academically and ensure he was ready for the transition to University in the United States.

We initially thought we should send him to a private school; however, 'settled' on Chatswood High School for a number of reasons including: good reports we had heard about the principal - Dr. Hoermann; the recommendation of Mr. McGrath (Principal at Chatswood Primary); the athletic fields on campus; the reception the school counsellors gave us when we twice visited; and it was a school near the home we would be leasing. At the time (Oct 96), we additionally felt that we could transfer Matt to a private school new year 97 if we could afford the price.

Matt seemed to fit in at Chatswood immediately. The school staff met with us a few times to ensure he was placed in the appropriate classes, his peers accepted him as a 'mate' within his first days of school, and he started to learn the rules of a new sport - rugby u.

In January '97 we discussed with Matt the option of transferring to a Private school. He would have no part in it. He said he was part of a great class, had made some close friends, and both the academics and athletics were good. We listened to Matt.

Both my wife and I can only say that we were thoroughly impressed with the teachers and staff at Chatswood High, particularly Matt's teachers throughout his three years of attendance. It was very evident that Matt's teachers cared about him, his academics, and his future. Matt left Chatswood after three years fully confident that he would have a smooth transition upon returning to school in the United States, and probably be ahead of his peers in many of his subjects (particularly maths). He also will go back with a special place in his heart for Chatswood High primarily because of the friends he made, his athletic experiences, his class outings (camps, skiing, etc.), opportunities such as Duke of Edinburgh and work experience, and the feeling of belonging to something special.

I don't know how many times Matt told us how fortunate he was to have had three years in Australia. That time was centred on his experiences gained through school and his mates. I know he will be back - he will always be part of Chatswood High's Class of 2000. Both Tracy and I again want to thank all of you for everything you did for Matt. His experiences at Chatswood will help mould his future - I know we could not have chosen a better school. Matt's my best friend, I am glad we picked the right school.

CDR Jim DeGree
Maritime Headquarters, NW

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From Dr H. A. Salisch, University of NSW

I have the great pleasure of informing you that James Moor, one of your 1997 graduates, was selected for the award of a prestigious Co-Op scholarship at the School of Petroleum Engineering at the University of NSW. There are nationwide usually around 70 applicants annually for these industry sponsored scholarships in Petroleum Engineering alone. This year five of these scholarships were offered for our School. Each scholarship is presently worth $10,400 annually (tax-free) for the 4 years of the course.

James accepted the offer and we are proud of having him taking up the exciting and financially very rewarding career of a Petroleum Engineer.

To receive this award is an outstanding achievement and speaks very highly of the superb personal and academic preparation offered to the young people at your school. I would like to express my appreciation to you and your staff for the valuable assistance in acquainting your students with relatively new careers in Australia, like Petroleum Engineering, which offers worldwide opportunities to our graduates, many of whom are working overseas.

Dr H. A. Salisch
Director Undergraduate Studies

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