Congratulations Davidson High School on your 40th Anniversary!

Eighteen years have passed since DHS and Okayama Gakugeikan High School became sister schools with help of Mr. Edward Gavin, the then Cluster Director for the Davidson Area, and Ms. Fusae Harada of ICET.

Thanks to the Executive team,  teachers and staff of Davidson High School for their great support and vision, through which we established a unique program for our students to study in Australia for one year. Their academic experience and personal growth has been phenomenal and an outstanding success. The warm guidance of your teachers fosters positive learning for Japanese students.

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the Principal, all past DHS Principals, Ms. Harada and Mr. Gavin  who have maintained the ICET program and vision for all these years.

Our students are now leading important roles in Japan and globally after graduating from ICET and university.

We have welcomed, at the same time, many DHS students and teachers over the years through short and long term exchange programs. Last year Tamsyn and Jordan spent some time with us. In April this year we had a chance to welcome Mrs. Anderson, Mr. Fazzolari and a group of students at the peak of cherry blossoms. And two weeks ago, we also had a visit of some former DHS students, Benny Gorman and Brat Wyatt, who spent time with us several years ago. It was a touching encounter. There have been various friendships built up over the years among students, parents, host families and teachers and this will continue.

When ICET was established, the former Principal, Ms. Ros Moxham, not only extended her vision to welcome us but even welcomed me into her family as a host mum! It remains one of my fondest memories. I also spent two years at your school, 1996-97, as an ICET staff member. It was a tremendous opportunity for me to learn how to guide students, the underpinning foundations of education and how to run a school. This learning was a key element in creating a solid foundation and innovative changes in our school in Japan. 

From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank everyone in the DHS community and the host families for accepting all these students with warmth and providing guidance, especially since we come from such different cultural backgrounds.

I wish the greatest of prosperity and success to DHS and the people of the DHS community.

Happy birthday again!! 

 Ken Mori

Principal of Okayama Gakugeikan High School

10th October, 2012

このスピーチには、ちょっとしたエピソードがあります。全校集会のある朝に森先生がシドニーに到着されるので、間に合わなかった場合には、英文にしたものをセイヤ君に読んでもらうことになっていました。 離れ業で間に合った場合には、先生ご自身にスピーチしていただく、ということで。セイヤ君は、一生懸命前の晩に練習してきました。5分前に滑り込みで先生が到着され、セイヤ君にその機会は巡ってこなかったのですが、でも、彼の誠意と努力に心からの拍手を送ります。