Caring teacher missed
TSS school community shocked by news of death
THE sudden death of a “one in a million” teacher from an exclusive Gold Coast school has left the school and community in mourning.
The Southport School secondary teacher and Radcliffe Housemaster Dylan DeVries died last week.
“Mr DeVries was a very gentle, sensitive and caring man who did great work with boys as a teacher and counsellor,” Headmaster Greg Wain wrote. “This is a time to be especially sensitive to each other’s feelings and to look out for each other.”
The news of Mr DeVries’ death hit the TSS community hard with many parents and former students posting moving tributes on the RateMyTeacher website.
“You were one in a million and TSS was so fortunate to have you on their teaching staff,” one parent wrote. “You provided support for all your students and to their parents. You were so kind. The boys will certainly miss you.”
One student said he felt lucky to have been taught by Mr DeVries.
“Mr DeVries, in the two years I was privileged to have been taught by you, you were kind, caring and one of the only teachers I ever met who really cared about his students,” one former student wrote.
A parent wrote that the world was less because of Mr DeVries’ passing.
“Dylan was an extremely caring and compassionate man. A beautiful sole who impressed me as a man that loved his job,” the parent wrote.
“He will be truly missed by the TSS community.”
Mr DeVries was remembered not just as a good physics teacher but someone who truly cared about the students.
“My son loves his physics lesson with him and the way he interacts with all the boys in class and on the playground,” another parent wrote.
A support area was set up at the Chapel for students and extra counsellors brought in from other Anglican schools.