The Editor,

We want to express our deep gratitude to the coaching staff at Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary school in Surrey, and those who support its sports programs.

We have two boys who are in the programs and two more who will be attending the school in the next few years. We have been extremely impressed with the level of commitment that these coaches have not only to put together a great program but also to the students.

The two boys we have in the school have played numerous different sports and each has had committed coaches.

We are especially impressed with the football and rugby coaches. For football, they practise almost every day - and these coaches are there, not only after school, but also during lunches to watch film, and in the weight room to help the boys reach their full potential.

These men have helped our boys not only grow in scholastic achievements, but also develop as young men who will be a benefit to their community. The senior boys rugby team is travelling to New Zealand and Australia this year, and their coach has worked tirelessly to help them to travel at the lowest cost possible to the parents.

He is with them not only at practises but almost every weekend fundraising, and communicating with them.

So, this letter has two goals. First to say thank you for your commitment to the program, and our boys. It is deeply appreciated and your endless hours of volunteer service is noticed.

Secondly, thank you to the school for the investment of time and money into programs that are helping develop not only the brains of our children, but their character and athletic ability as well.

Our principal comes to almost every game, and when one of our boys was injured in a football game, he was with us the whole way, called the ambulance for us and did a follow-up call to our home to check on his student the next morning.

We are so happy to have a school like Lord Tweedsmuir in our area that our boys can attend, do well in school and have coaches who put so much time into their lives. It is these teachers who give this profession a good name.

Rob and Lori Godard, Surrey