Interesting visitors

Here at Woodstock we have visitors every day. We would like to share some of these visitors who have contributed their talent to our wonderful community in the past twelve months. We offer just a glimpse of their visits and their generosity.

Rahul Amin '71

In December 2010, Rahul Amin hosted an alumni gathering in Vavodara and invited the Principal, Dr David Laurenson, and Alumni Secretary Monica Roberts to join him. Rahul had contacted Monica beforehand to discuss an idea. Realising how precious the yearbooks were for all alumni and worrying that the books were aging, he offered to digitise them to make them available to alumni and ensure their safety. Work began and class years from 1970 to 2010 are now completed, with work on the earlier books under way. Rahul then visited Woodstock in April and met with Ravi Narula, Head of Engineering and Facilities. He offered through his company to carry out environmental surveys; audits began in September monitoring water, energy, electric and sewerage. The reports will enable us to make significant reductions in operating costs by ensuring that all equipment runs more efficiently.

Dan and Anne Lind (S)

The Music department and the Development /Alumni Office both benefit twice yearly from the visits of former staff Dan and Anne Lind. Retirement in America in 2006 gave them the freedom to spend some time in India and specifically Woodstock. Keen to volunteer but not sure what form it would take, Anne was invited by Steve Alter '74, then Development Director, in the spring of 2009, to volunteer in the Development Office. This worked well alongside Anne's work as President of WOSA-NA. Dan had retired from teaching but still had much to offer and began helping part-time with the young string players in the music department. He works with groups and individuals, helping them to hone their skills. After the initial visit the Linds now visit and volunteer for two months twice yearly in Spring and Fall. Head of Music Ravi Arthur comments: "Dan brings a lot of experience, but he also brings a lot of strings, sheet music and essential accessories whenever he comes – a very helpful service!" For her part, Anne recently coordinated the WOSA- 100 Celebrations in October 2011.

Vance George(S)

Vance was invited to return to Woodstock as a Winterline Centre for the Arts Artist-in-Residence. He first taught over fifty years ago at Woodstock, but has always maintained his ties with the school. The music department was thrilled to have an internationally recognised choral director working with our orchestras and choirs. With Fall concerts and the annual Christmas concerts due, Vance's arrival in November 2010 took him straight to rehearsals and workshops and individual tuition for student musicians. Vance's inspiring presence and wonderful zest for life, food and music enriched our campus for three weeks. Although a two-time Grammy award winner, Vance was naturally modest and his rapport with students gave them even more of an opportunity to develop their passion for music and creativity.

Merryn Glover '87

Woodstock has a record of producing successful authors, and writer Merryn Glover is no exception. As part of our immense pool of gifted alumni who constantly give back to Woodstock, Merryn visited on her extensive travels through Asia. Bringing her husband and two sons, she was keen to revisit her past and show her family the Woodstock experience. She took time out to lead three workshops on short story writing. An author, playwright, teacher and poet, Merryn inspired young students to follow their dream of becoming writers and to remember to return to Woodstock and share their expertise.

Jane Jolly

We are not exactly easy to reach here at Woodstock but Australian author of children's books, Jane Jolly, still managed to find her way here in August on her way to the Travelling Children's Literature Festival. Ms Jolly, a teacher in Australia, read her children's books to Junior School students and donated copies of her three published works to the library. This time junior school learnt what it takes to diligently persevere and become a published author. The heroes in Ms Jolly's books are from multicultural backgrounds, as are the students who sat transfixed in the library as the stories came alive. Ms Jolly described her experience as "incredible; Woodstock is an amazing learning environment". Ms Jolly returned to Woodstock again in October 2011 with a Woodstock-inspired book soon to reach the printers. Good Monkey, Bad Monkey is the story of Rhesus and Langur monkeys that she encountered on her first trip. The Langur Patrol, the 'good monkeys', warn off the 'bad' or cheeky rhesus monkeys. Woodstock is very proud to think that we have inspired a book that Jane will no doubt return to read to a new generation of Woodstock students. The Woodstock community benefits in many ways from the visits of alumni and others. Why not reach out to us with you skills and talents? Come back and visit us; you will be assured of a very warm welcome.