Hi David,
Just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for bringing chess to our school. My son is one of the youngest in prep class this year. Before he joined chess club, he struggled at school. We even had a conversation with his teacher considering keeping him back a year to repeat prep. This was not a desirable solution for us but he clearly was behind. Since he has started playing chess with Chesskids, I am so delighted at his progress not just with chess but also with reading, sounds and numbers, so an extra year is no longer needed. We have not done anything different but added chess to his regular routine and I attribute his academic progress to the ability to develop logical thinking and concentration though a fun and engaging environment of playing chess. Again -many thanks
Kind regards,
Ena ( Christopher's and Sean's mother)
East Bentleigh, 8-Nov-10
======================================================
Thanks so much for sending William's photos through yesterday and today. William had fantastic day and was so excited to receive all his awards. It's given him a real confidence boost and inspired him to keep on improving his game. Also thank you also for your kind words recognising William's accomplishments yesterday and your ongoing support for all the other kids in the programme. You run a truly wonderful Chess programme and we are fortunate to be part of it.
Best regards
David & Elizabeth
===================================================
G’day David,
Our top 4 boys are into the NSW Quarter Finals of the NSW Junior Chess League again after winning their third straight North Coast title. Their win loss record so far this year is 64 boards played for 60 wins 3 losses and one draw.
This tournament is a qualifier for the NSW Country Championships. The One dayer had 89 students and Westport kids took all of the top 8 places. Much of the groups’ success can be attributed directly to the experience they received by going to your National Inter School Championships and bringing back new ideas to the whole playing group.
Thanks again.
Regards,
Craig
======================================================
Hi David,
Im from Wesley Vale Primary school you came to vist
us about a month ago. I just wanted to say Hi so Hi
Bye and please reply
David,
Thank you. I will always rember your vist.
It was proble a one in a life time chance with me
I use to no nothing about chess but now I love it.
Bye for now Claire.
======================================================
I have enjoyed seeing the delight the children have had in learning and playing the game ... Please pass along my regards to Frank, and to say that it was a pleasure to work with such a gentleman.
Carolyn Motteram
Templestowe Park Primary, Vic
======================================================
Cheers, all the best and another big THANKYOU for all the work you and
your team put in to getting these events up and running. It IS appreciated ~
especially by the kids involved.
Mike Armstrong
Donnybrook W.A
======================================================
The kids goal last year was to get into the State Finals..and we were thrilled that two teams made it!!! Although they did not do so well in the finals they had a ball and the experience was invaluable!!! So thank you for organising these great events!!! We all look forward to next year's tournaments!!!
Maria Damianos
Melton Secondary
======================================================
Dear David, Duncan, Chesskids Team and Anna (Ivanhoe Grammar)
Thank you very much for all the work and organisation that went into creating a fantastic day and memorable day at the Interschool Chess State Finals. Our Team (Trinity Catholic Primary School) thoroughly enjoyed the ‘challenges’ and the opportunity to compete at this level. We all had a wonderful day. Best of luck for the National finals and we look forward to seeing you at the competitions next year.
Thank you
Liz Jones
Trinity Catholic Primary School, Narre Warren South
======================================================
Dear David,
Thanks again, on behalf of the students and staff, for your smooth and
efficient running of the local competition. The students were "buzzing"
with their efforts and the look of joy on the face of young Ben Mason (
Wodonga Primary),who won only two games but walked into school with a
silver medal and a new love of chess was priceless. We'll see you next
year!
Cheers,
Steve Todorovic
Wodonga Senior Secondary
12-08-08
======================================================
Annemarie Jones
Our Lady of Sion, Box Hill
Thank you Billanook College and Chess Kids people. Our girls couldn't have had a better introduction to competition Chess. I'm sure they will be encouraged to skill up and compete again at the next tournament.
Congratulations on professional manner in which the tournament was organised.
======================================================
Thanks, David. It was a really positive experience and a very well run
tournament. Thanks for the opportunity to participate.
Cheers,
David Morgan
Carey Grammar (Kew)
======================================================
Dear Chesskids Staff
On behalf of our College I thank you for the fantastic day we had with our students competing in the chess tournament.
The tournament has given our students an incentive to participate in further challenges. Consequently a real positive outcome.
Thanks again and we look forward in further tournament challenges.
Karl Loibl
VET Coordinator
Brimbank College
Ph. 83120200
======================================================
Dear David
Can you forward our thanks on to Duncan for the successful Interschool Chess Day we had last Friday 30th May. Even though Trinity lost by ½ a point, all our students really enjoyed the day. As it was my first time at hosting a chess day, I especially would like to thank Duncan for his time and for the smooth and professional running of the day – I don’t even know why I was so worried!!! Many thanks,
Liz Jones – Trinity Catholic Primary School
======================================================
Just a note to thank Daniel and Tim for the fantastic chess coaching / demonstration day at Trinity today (Friday 11th April, 2008). All the students had an “awesome” day.
Best wishes,
Liz Jones
======================================================
A belated "Thank You" to Chess Kids for the fantastic workshop held at the end of February. Everyone had a great time and many rushed home eager to challenge their families at chess.
Daniel Holten was very informative and engaged all students. I was amazed at how students who normally have a short attention span cooperatively played chess with their peers. Students are still talking about strategies they learnt on the morning.
We are going to be fund raising for extra chess boards for all classrooms.
Thanks once again.
Libby Atkinson
Mt Pleasant Road Nunawading Primary School
======================================================
Thanks so much for the chess demonstration that Robert did with our
students last week.
The children were very happy to be able to be involved and went away with
lots of new knowledge about the game of chess.
Much appreciated
Marg & Kerry
Marg Masseni
Phys Ed / Sport Coordinator
Student Wellbeing Coordinator
St Mary's PS
95a Railway St Altona 3018
======================================================
Dear David and Andrew,
Thank you so much for our wonderful Chess Demonstration. Sadly I was not there but the relief teacher and all the children told me that it was a wonderful session that catered for the children's differing abilities and taught them a lot. It was a very positive experience for all involved. I may need to start up our chess club again.
I will check out your web site and see if we can use your services in some way.
Thank you again for a wonderful session.
Bev Wright.
Donvale Primary School
======================================================
Hi John,
I just wanted to take the opportunity to thank you for all your work in running the Chess Club at our school. The kids absolutely love it and you are fantastic with them.
… hopefully see you next year.
Thanks,
Bronwyn McIntyre
Clayton North Primary
======================================================
Dear Carl,
Some 2 years ago, I happened to find out that there is a Chess Kids club operated in Mt. Waverley suburb.
It was my idea to get Max to learn Chess and wish that it could help him to develop good thinking strategy, plus develop good personal characters.
I can't believe how lucky Max is - you were his mentor when he started, and his tutor till now.
I am writing this letter to you to show how we appreciate your time and effort to teach Max Chess skill, and notice Max is always exciting to go to your Chess training course.
Unfortunately, due to a personal issue, Max was not able to come to the Chess training in the past weeks, and will hopefully appear to the Chess training or the Chess Championship games when the school start next February.
Many thanks is not enough for us to reward your time and effort spent on Max.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your team (Chess Kids Club) a merry Christmas and a very happy New Year.
NB. Please do keep us inform of all the Chess events. I'll sure Max will return soon.
Yours sincerely,
Max's Father
Benson Kwok
======================================================
Good afternoon David,
Just a quick “thank you” for your organization of the Chess Competition last Friday at Reservoir. St. Monica’s College were the overall winners which we are absolutely thrilled about.
Thank you again and kind regards
Claire Polidano
House Administration Officer
======================================================
I participated in every tornament this year. Thanks to the organisers, without you this year would have been boring. I think that everyone should have a go at chess!
- Brittany
======================================================
Hi Andrew,
I wanted to express to you how well organised and managed the interschool chess competition was run last Monday. Please pass on our appreciation to your staff.
Thanks,
Regards John Hesse,
Caulfield Grammar School
======================================================
Hi David
We attend yesterday at Leeming Senior High School and a great time was
enjoyed by all. I and the students would like to thank everyone who is
involved.
Could you please let us know if there is any further events for term 4.
Thanks
Carol Facey
======================================================
To Whom it may Concern
Just to let you know that we had a great day of Chess today on the East Coast of Tassie. I would like to acknowledge the excellent efforts of Glen and Kevin (last names unknown!) who organised and rallied the troops! They were just great......keeping the proceedings running like a well oiled machine.
The gear was great and the kids had a ball ------a big thankyou to the people behind the organisation of such an event....the kids are the big winners here!
Well Done
Louise Rose
On behalf on the East Coast participants
======================================================
Grade 6-girl Age 11 years old, Chewton Primary School, Mt Alexander School Cluster, Central Victoria. Came running up to when I arrived to tutor at Chewton Primary School, and she was overjoyed and bursting to tell about her victory over her step dad
(In her own words).
I play chess at home with my step dad and we played for three hours like a footy game. I beat him! It was a long tough game. After I won my mum said you were beaten by an 11 year old girl and my stepdad said, “I want a re-match!!!” I think he was embarrassed. Chess teaches me to build strategy. When I played my step dad he like pretended he had a plan but he didn’t. So I was able to take his queen.
I like playing chess in school it is fun. It has made me think about what can happen if I make a wrong move and a right move. I think about where I am going to move and if I move there what will happen. I play chess with my brother and sister.
======================================================
Grade 6-boy Age 12 years old, Chewton Primary School, Mt Alexander School Cluster, Central Victoria. Has a history of low performance and has started to shine with the advent of the chess program.
(In his own words)
(In his own words)
I like to play chess. It is the best strategy game I have played. It is challenging playing Harry and my Dad. My Great Grand Dad was a good chess player. He died three months after I was born.
Chess has improved my mind in my football with the strategies with the ball. It has improved the way I work out how to tackle, and the position of people and things. I like to set up the footy team like a chess game when I am captain.
My Dad and I play chess a lot. We play about six games a week. He beats me all the time. That is annoying. I don’t play any other games except kicking the football. Chess and football are my main interests.
I like chess better than maths but chess is pretty much maths. Chess is maths with the points and strategies. Chess has improved my thinking skills in pretty much every way. My concentration has improved. With maths chess helped me a lot. My grades were down before I started playing chess and now they are a lot higher- puzzles, numbers.When I lose I feel I need to get better. I think this person is better than me I had better train and get better. I set goals. My goal is to be one of the worlds’ best chess players. Chess is the best subject I do at school.
Maths, science and sport are my other favourite subjects. I like chess better than computer games because computer games tell you what to do but chess doesn’t which makes it more challenging.
======================================================
Just wanted to pass on our grateful thanks to Duncan for a fantastic day yesterday. We were all very impressed with his organisation and thought that the day ran very smoothly.
Regards Fiona Bull
Foster Primary
======================================================
Dear David
Just a note to thank you and Fred for coaching Monique at the Franchise Expo. She had a great time and is keen to go to more expo's and hand out pamphlets. I think she discovered a whole new business world and was very impressed with your sales pitch.
On the way home we discussed what she has learned from chess (other than learning to play the game of course). Some of the things she came up with were: discovering that other schools have canteens, being on a team, becoming good friends with other kids outside your usual group, going to the park after tournaments and most importantly that losing means learning. She says that she now looks at losing in a different and more positive way and that in tournaments you need to "get over it" quickly and move on to the next game but to remember and learn from the loss as well.
Thanks also for organising and running the State championships - it was such an exciting day. Our team and their parents were absolutely delighted with their placing. I've had a look at the website with the results and wondered what happened to Doncaster Gardens? I thought they had 4th place.
Regards
Julie McLennan
18-10-06
======================================================
The students are incredibly excited, and chess has provided the impetus to keep some boys on-task during classroom lessons.
Yours sincerely
Yvonne Patterson
31-8-06
======================================================
Jenny and Kate and Michael Butler have all been singing your praises (a rave review actually !).
Georgina Ryan
28-8-06
======================================================
Your last visit was a huge success. Not just in the minds of our students but in the hearts of the teachers involved. Fantastic. Sue Knight (the principal) is trying but she hasnt quite got it yet!
We are all continually amazed at what the younger groups remembered
from your session.
This year we have lots of enthusiastic young ones but we would like
you to return. The 3/4s (mainly the 4s) and especially 5/6 need a
wind up and our new preps (Jenny and Trudy the teachers) would love
to see you again.
Carolyn Davis
Parent, St Kilda Park PS
21-Feb-06
======================================================
Dear David,
We did enjoy Tuesday!!
Josh was fantastic at running the tournament!
Regards,
Anna
6-Sept-06
======================================================
We had a wonderful Chess morning with Andrew yesterday, can you thank him and we will certainly be in touch for future coaching.
Regards,
Jullianne Brookman
Leader of Advanced Learning
Strathcona
10-Sept-06
======================================================
As a teacher I have seen enormous benefits chess has on kids. Chess is easy to learn but difficult to master. It is a pursuit which provides challenges for people of all intellectual abilities. One of the interesting things about chess is it seems to be a real 'leveller' of intellectual ability. Over several years I have been astounded time after time at how kids who are quite or very weak in literacy are able to play chess at a level which matches that of students who are of the highest literacy standard. The encouragement, confidence and sense of worth attained by such (traditionally) 'poorer' students cannot be over-emphasised. The need for visualisation, foresight and reasoning to play chess provides excellent development of kids' minds. I wholly endorse the teaching of classroom chess courses in which the learning of chess is undertaken through reading and writing about chess in conjunction with actual game play.
Matthew Kleidon
Teacher, Northern Territory
======================================================
The key thing is proving or impressing upon Teachers and Principals that chess develops cognitive skills, engages students, imparts valuable life skills such as impulse control, and can help students who are falling through the cracks. I think schools are increasingly aware we seriously need to be helping boys, and boys embrace chess when many seem to rejecting everything else, which opens a window of opportunity for chess.
I think Pedagogy, and Saving Boys (from falling behind in school and in life), and a Teaching Methodology which involves measuring students development are the winners for putting chess into schools. I will be able to outline how we built our program, some of the obstacles, share some teaching ideas, discuss our Masters Research with JCU, and show some of the ways we measure kid’s progress. I will work on it and bounce ideas with teachers here. I am looking forward to coming down and tutoring for Chessworld. I had not heard from you for a while so I thought maybe the school you had in mind for me had not come on board. It will be interesting to see how other schools outside our cluster operate with chess.
Regards Harry
6-March-07
Harry Poulton
Castlemaine Primary (and others in the Mt Alexander Cluster).
======================================================
Comments from Coldstream Primary kids.
To Andrew,
Thanks for the presentation on Chess. Thanks for teaching me some strategies. I liked the castling strategy. Now I can beat my brother Alan. I hope you can come again.
By Chelsea!
Thank you Andrew, for coming to Coldstream Primary School, showing us how to play chess better and learn new moves. I learnt how to castle. Thank you,
Sarah
Thanks Andrew,
For coming to Coldstream Primary School everyone enjoyed it and learnt how to play Chess! I nearly beat you but you got me in Check Mate. Thanks for coming and I hope you come again soon. Next time I hope I will get better and get closer to winning but you will beat me anyway hope to do the chess coaching!
By Danielle
To Andrew,
Thanks for teaching me a new strategy, for teaching me where chess came from, how many countries it has gone through and how many ways you can play it.
From Jo.
Andrew, thanks for a very enjoyable and exciting experience. Chess has become very popular at our school and I’m looking forward to the coaching
======================================================
May 31, 2009 at 5:38 PM
From: Judith Glaubitz <##>
========================================
Congratulations to Duncan and Chess Kids on another great tournament! We
had a really good day. These events are so good for the students
particularly in the learning of good sportmanship. The older students were
particularly good at this tournament with explaining to the younger ones
where they went wrong. Thanks again. Judy Glaubitz Corpus Christi PS
Werribee.
======================================================
George was great and the kids really enjoyed the coaching session we
had. I will try to organize another one later in the year.
Comments from students:
Cool, smart and fun - Nick
Nice way to learn and I learnt a lot - Ryan
Thanks for some pointers George - Hayden
Thanks we all liked the tips - Luke
Regards
Lauryn Plant
Oberon High School
Just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for bringing chess to our school. My son is one of the youngest in prep class this year. Before he joined chess club, he struggled at school. We even had a conversation with his teacher considering keeping him back a year to repeat prep. This was not a desirable solution for us but he clearly was behind. Since he has started playing chess with Chesskids, I am so delighted at his progress not just with chess but also with reading, sounds and numbers, so an extra year is no longer needed. We have not done anything different but added chess to his regular routine and I attribute his academic progress to the ability to develop logical thinking and concentration though a fun and engaging environment of playing chess. Again -many thanks
Kind regards,
Ena ( Christopher's and Sean's mother)
East Bentleigh, 8-Nov-10
======================================================
Thanks so much for sending William's photos through yesterday and today. William had fantastic day and was so excited to receive all his awards. It's given him a real confidence boost and inspired him to keep on improving his game. Also thank you also for your kind words recognising William's accomplishments yesterday and your ongoing support for all the other kids in the programme. You run a truly wonderful Chess programme and we are fortunate to be part of it.
Best regards
David & Elizabeth
===================================================
G’day David,
Our top 4 boys are into the NSW Quarter Finals of the NSW Junior Chess League again after winning their third straight North Coast title. Their win loss record so far this year is 64 boards played for 60 wins 3 losses and one draw.
This tournament is a qualifier for the NSW Country Championships. The One dayer had 89 students and Westport kids took all of the top 8 places. Much of the groups’ success can be attributed directly to the experience they received by going to your National Inter School Championships and bringing back new ideas to the whole playing group.
Thanks again.
Regards,
Craig
======================================================
Hi David,
Im from Wesley Vale Primary school you came to vist
us about a month ago. I just wanted to say Hi so Hi
Bye and please reply
David,
Thank you. I will always rember your vist.
It was proble a one in a life time chance with me
I use to no nothing about chess but now I love it.
Bye for now Claire.
======================================================
I have enjoyed seeing the delight the children have had in learning and playing the game ... Please pass along my regards to Frank, and to say that it was a pleasure to work with such a gentleman.
Carolyn Motteram
Templestowe Park Primary, Vic
======================================================
Cheers, all the best and another big THANKYOU for all the work you and
your team put in to getting these events up and running. It IS appreciated ~
especially by the kids involved.
Mike Armstrong
Donnybrook W.A
======================================================
The kids goal last year was to get into the State Finals..and we were thrilled that two teams made it!!! Although they did not do so well in the finals they had a ball and the experience was invaluable!!! So thank you for organising these great events!!! We all look forward to next year's tournaments!!!
Maria Damianos
Melton Secondary
======================================================
Dear David, Duncan, Chesskids Team and Anna (Ivanhoe Grammar)
Thank you very much for all the work and organisation that went into creating a fantastic day and memorable day at the Interschool Chess State Finals. Our Team (Trinity Catholic Primary School) thoroughly enjoyed the ‘challenges’ and the opportunity to compete at this level. We all had a wonderful day. Best of luck for the National finals and we look forward to seeing you at the competitions next year.
Thank you
Liz Jones
Trinity Catholic Primary School, Narre Warren South
======================================================
Dear David,
Thanks again, on behalf of the students and staff, for your smooth and
efficient running of the local competition. The students were "buzzing"
with their efforts and the look of joy on the face of young Ben Mason (
Wodonga Primary),who won only two games but walked into school with a
silver medal and a new love of chess was priceless. We'll see you next
year!
Cheers,
Steve Todorovic
Wodonga Senior Secondary
12-08-08
======================================================
Annemarie Jones
Our Lady of Sion, Box Hill
Thank you Billanook College and Chess Kids people. Our girls couldn't have had a better introduction to competition Chess. I'm sure they will be encouraged to skill up and compete again at the next tournament.
Congratulations on professional manner in which the tournament was organised.
======================================================
Thanks, David. It was a really positive experience and a very well run
tournament. Thanks for the opportunity to participate.
Cheers,
David Morgan
Carey Grammar (Kew)
======================================================
Dear Chesskids Staff
On behalf of our College I thank you for the fantastic day we had with our students competing in the chess tournament.
The tournament has given our students an incentive to participate in further challenges. Consequently a real positive outcome.
Thanks again and we look forward in further tournament challenges.
Karl Loibl
VET Coordinator
Brimbank College
Ph. 83120200
======================================================
Dear David
Can you forward our thanks on to Duncan for the successful Interschool Chess Day we had last Friday 30th May. Even though Trinity lost by ½ a point, all our students really enjoyed the day. As it was my first time at hosting a chess day, I especially would like to thank Duncan for his time and for the smooth and professional running of the day – I don’t even know why I was so worried!!! Many thanks,
Liz Jones – Trinity Catholic Primary School
======================================================
Just a note to thank Daniel and Tim for the fantastic chess coaching / demonstration day at Trinity today (Friday 11th April, 2008). All the students had an “awesome” day.
Best wishes,
Liz Jones
======================================================
A belated "Thank You" to Chess Kids for the fantastic workshop held at the end of February. Everyone had a great time and many rushed home eager to challenge their families at chess.
Daniel Holten was very informative and engaged all students. I was amazed at how students who normally have a short attention span cooperatively played chess with their peers. Students are still talking about strategies they learnt on the morning.
We are going to be fund raising for extra chess boards for all classrooms.
Thanks once again.
Libby Atkinson
Mt Pleasant Road Nunawading Primary School
======================================================
Thanks so much for the chess demonstration that Robert did with our
students last week.
The children were very happy to be able to be involved and went away with
lots of new knowledge about the game of chess.
Much appreciated
Marg & Kerry
Marg Masseni
Phys Ed / Sport Coordinator
Student Wellbeing Coordinator
St Mary's PS
95a Railway St Altona 3018
======================================================
Dear David and Andrew,
Thank you so much for our wonderful Chess Demonstration. Sadly I was not there but the relief teacher and all the children told me that it was a wonderful session that catered for the children's differing abilities and taught them a lot. It was a very positive experience for all involved. I may need to start up our chess club again.
I will check out your web site and see if we can use your services in some way.
Thank you again for a wonderful session.
Bev Wright.
Donvale Primary School
======================================================
Hi John,
I just wanted to take the opportunity to thank you for all your work in running the Chess Club at our school. The kids absolutely love it and you are fantastic with them.
… hopefully see you next year.
Thanks,
Bronwyn McIntyre
Clayton North Primary
======================================================
Dear Carl,
Some 2 years ago, I happened to find out that there is a Chess Kids club operated in Mt. Waverley suburb.
It was my idea to get Max to learn Chess and wish that it could help him to develop good thinking strategy, plus develop good personal characters.
I can't believe how lucky Max is - you were his mentor when he started, and his tutor till now.
I am writing this letter to you to show how we appreciate your time and effort to teach Max Chess skill, and notice Max is always exciting to go to your Chess training course.
Unfortunately, due to a personal issue, Max was not able to come to the Chess training in the past weeks, and will hopefully appear to the Chess training or the Chess Championship games when the school start next February.
Many thanks is not enough for us to reward your time and effort spent on Max.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your team (Chess Kids Club) a merry Christmas and a very happy New Year.
NB. Please do keep us inform of all the Chess events. I'll sure Max will return soon.
Yours sincerely,
Max's Father
Benson Kwok
======================================================
Good afternoon David,
Just a quick “thank you” for your organization of the Chess Competition last Friday at Reservoir. St. Monica’s College were the overall winners which we are absolutely thrilled about.
Thank you again and kind regards
Claire Polidano
House Administration Officer
======================================================
I participated in every tornament this year. Thanks to the organisers, without you this year would have been boring. I think that everyone should have a go at chess!
- Brittany
======================================================
Hi Andrew,
I wanted to express to you how well organised and managed the interschool chess competition was run last Monday. Please pass on our appreciation to your staff.
Thanks,
Regards John Hesse,
Caulfield Grammar School
======================================================
Hi David
We attend yesterday at Leeming Senior High School and a great time was
enjoyed by all. I and the students would like to thank everyone who is
involved.
Could you please let us know if there is any further events for term 4.
Thanks
Carol Facey
======================================================
To Whom it may Concern
Just to let you know that we had a great day of Chess today on the East Coast of Tassie. I would like to acknowledge the excellent efforts of Glen and Kevin (last names unknown!) who organised and rallied the troops! They were just great......keeping the proceedings running like a well oiled machine.
The gear was great and the kids had a ball ------a big thankyou to the people behind the organisation of such an event....the kids are the big winners here!
Well Done
Louise Rose
On behalf on the East Coast participants
======================================================
Grade 6-girl Age 11 years old, Chewton Primary School, Mt Alexander School Cluster, Central Victoria. Came running up to when I arrived to tutor at Chewton Primary School, and she was overjoyed and bursting to tell about her victory over her step dad
(In her own words).
I play chess at home with my step dad and we played for three hours like a footy game. I beat him! It was a long tough game. After I won my mum said you were beaten by an 11 year old girl and my stepdad said, “I want a re-match!!!” I think he was embarrassed. Chess teaches me to build strategy. When I played my step dad he like pretended he had a plan but he didn’t. So I was able to take his queen.
I like playing chess in school it is fun. It has made me think about what can happen if I make a wrong move and a right move. I think about where I am going to move and if I move there what will happen. I play chess with my brother and sister.
======================================================
Grade 6-boy Age 12 years old, Chewton Primary School, Mt Alexander School Cluster, Central Victoria. Has a history of low performance and has started to shine with the advent of the chess program.
(In his own words)
(In his own words)
I like to play chess. It is the best strategy game I have played. It is challenging playing Harry and my Dad. My Great Grand Dad was a good chess player. He died three months after I was born.
Chess has improved my mind in my football with the strategies with the ball. It has improved the way I work out how to tackle, and the position of people and things. I like to set up the footy team like a chess game when I am captain.
My Dad and I play chess a lot. We play about six games a week. He beats me all the time. That is annoying. I don’t play any other games except kicking the football. Chess and football are my main interests.
I like chess better than maths but chess is pretty much maths. Chess is maths with the points and strategies. Chess has improved my thinking skills in pretty much every way. My concentration has improved. With maths chess helped me a lot. My grades were down before I started playing chess and now they are a lot higher- puzzles, numbers.When I lose I feel I need to get better. I think this person is better than me I had better train and get better. I set goals. My goal is to be one of the worlds’ best chess players. Chess is the best subject I do at school.
Maths, science and sport are my other favourite subjects. I like chess better than computer games because computer games tell you what to do but chess doesn’t which makes it more challenging.
======================================================
Just wanted to pass on our grateful thanks to Duncan for a fantastic day yesterday. We were all very impressed with his organisation and thought that the day ran very smoothly.
Regards Fiona Bull
Foster Primary
======================================================
Dear David
Just a note to thank you and Fred for coaching Monique at the Franchise Expo. She had a great time and is keen to go to more expo's and hand out pamphlets. I think she discovered a whole new business world and was very impressed with your sales pitch.
On the way home we discussed what she has learned from chess (other than learning to play the game of course). Some of the things she came up with were: discovering that other schools have canteens, being on a team, becoming good friends with other kids outside your usual group, going to the park after tournaments and most importantly that losing means learning. She says that she now looks at losing in a different and more positive way and that in tournaments you need to "get over it" quickly and move on to the next game but to remember and learn from the loss as well.
Thanks also for organising and running the State championships - it was such an exciting day. Our team and their parents were absolutely delighted with their placing. I've had a look at the website with the results and wondered what happened to Doncaster Gardens? I thought they had 4th place.
Regards
Julie McLennan
18-10-06
======================================================
The students are incredibly excited, and chess has provided the impetus to keep some boys on-task during classroom lessons.
Yours sincerely
Yvonne Patterson
31-8-06
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Jenny and Kate and Michael Butler have all been singing your praises (a rave review actually !).
Georgina Ryan
28-8-06
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Your last visit was a huge success. Not just in the minds of our students but in the hearts of the teachers involved. Fantastic. Sue Knight (the principal) is trying but she hasnt quite got it yet!
We are all continually amazed at what the younger groups remembered
from your session.
This year we have lots of enthusiastic young ones but we would like
you to return. The 3/4s (mainly the 4s) and especially 5/6 need a
wind up and our new preps (Jenny and Trudy the teachers) would love
to see you again.
Carolyn Davis
Parent, St Kilda Park PS
21-Feb-06
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Dear David,
We did enjoy Tuesday!!
Josh was fantastic at running the tournament!
Regards,
Anna
6-Sept-06
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We had a wonderful Chess morning with Andrew yesterday, can you thank him and we will certainly be in touch for future coaching.
Regards,
Jullianne Brookman
Leader of Advanced Learning
Strathcona
10-Sept-06
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As a teacher I have seen enormous benefits chess has on kids. Chess is easy to learn but difficult to master. It is a pursuit which provides challenges for people of all intellectual abilities. One of the interesting things about chess is it seems to be a real 'leveller' of intellectual ability. Over several years I have been astounded time after time at how kids who are quite or very weak in literacy are able to play chess at a level which matches that of students who are of the highest literacy standard. The encouragement, confidence and sense of worth attained by such (traditionally) 'poorer' students cannot be over-emphasised. The need for visualisation, foresight and reasoning to play chess provides excellent development of kids' minds. I wholly endorse the teaching of classroom chess courses in which the learning of chess is undertaken through reading and writing about chess in conjunction with actual game play.
Matthew Kleidon
Teacher, Northern Territory
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The key thing is proving or impressing upon Teachers and Principals that chess develops cognitive skills, engages students, imparts valuable life skills such as impulse control, and can help students who are falling through the cracks. I think schools are increasingly aware we seriously need to be helping boys, and boys embrace chess when many seem to rejecting everything else, which opens a window of opportunity for chess.
I think Pedagogy, and Saving Boys (from falling behind in school and in life), and a Teaching Methodology which involves measuring students development are the winners for putting chess into schools. I will be able to outline how we built our program, some of the obstacles, share some teaching ideas, discuss our Masters Research with JCU, and show some of the ways we measure kid’s progress. I will work on it and bounce ideas with teachers here. I am looking forward to coming down and tutoring for Chessworld. I had not heard from you for a while so I thought maybe the school you had in mind for me had not come on board. It will be interesting to see how other schools outside our cluster operate with chess.
Regards Harry
6-March-07
Harry Poulton
Castlemaine Primary (and others in the Mt Alexander Cluster).
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Comments from Coldstream Primary kids.
To Andrew,
Thanks for the presentation on Chess. Thanks for teaching me some strategies. I liked the castling strategy. Now I can beat my brother Alan. I hope you can come again.
By Chelsea!
Thank you Andrew, for coming to Coldstream Primary School, showing us how to play chess better and learn new moves. I learnt how to castle. Thank you,
Sarah
Thanks Andrew,
For coming to Coldstream Primary School everyone enjoyed it and learnt how to play Chess! I nearly beat you but you got me in Check Mate. Thanks for coming and I hope you come again soon. Next time I hope I will get better and get closer to winning but you will beat me anyway hope to do the chess coaching!
By Danielle
To Andrew,
Thanks for teaching me a new strategy, for teaching me where chess came from, how many countries it has gone through and how many ways you can play it.
From Jo.
Andrew, thanks for a very enjoyable and exciting experience. Chess has become very popular at our school and I’m looking forward to the coaching
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May 31, 2009 at 5:38 PM
From: Judith Glaubitz <##>
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Congratulations to Duncan and Chess Kids on another great tournament! We
had a really good day. These events are so good for the students
particularly in the learning of good sportmanship. The older students were
particularly good at this tournament with explaining to the younger ones
where they went wrong. Thanks again. Judy Glaubitz Corpus Christi PS
Werribee.
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George was great and the kids really enjoyed the coaching session we
had. I will try to organize another one later in the year.
Comments from students:
Cool, smart and fun - Nick
Nice way to learn and I learnt a lot - Ryan
Thanks for some pointers George - Hayden
Thanks we all liked the tips - Luke
Regards
Lauryn Plant
Oberon High School
