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Enquiring minds
Caring learners feed the deer
at Khao Kheow Zoo.
Ruth Mullen- Year 5 and 6 phase leader
Year 5 students at St. Andrews Green Valley have been inquiring into
‘Endangered Species’ and focusing on the idea that: ‘as humans, we are
responsible for the preservation of all living things’. To help gain a
better understanding of this topic and develop their independent research
and communication skills, the Year 5 students completed a 2 night
residential at Khao Kheow Open Zoo. During their stay at the zoo, students
were able to study many endangered species, ask questions to experts, carry
out their own observations and formulate their own questions and theories.
Jennifer, “Zoos are important because they help the animals keep safe from
their enemies. They take care of them so people can look at them. Khao Kheow
is helping endangered species by saving animals from poachers who want to
take their body parts.”
As part of the trip, Year 5 students were also able to experience ‘Flight of
the Gibbon’ and the ‘Tarzan Swing’. Students were involved in discussions as
to how such activities/tourist attractions can help save endangered species
by discouraging the development of land and providing an alternative source
of income for local people.
Arvind, “I was really proud of myself for doing the flight of the gibbon,
even though I was scared and cried. This trip will make a difference to my
life because I flew above the jungle for the first time in my life.”
It was a fabulous trip which saw many new friendships develop and really
helped to ‘bond’ the Year 5 team together. All students (and their teachers)
demonstrated that they were risk-takers, communicators, inquirers, caring
and principled learners.
Cael, “I was a good communicator because I asked a lot of questions and
spoke to lots of new people... I will always remember it and feel proud of
myself when I think about it.”
The year 5 boys enjoy their
evening meal whilst taking in the spectacular scenery.
The visit to the elephants was
hugely popular.
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Happy birthday Ms. Titipun Pettrakul
On Thursday 17th October, the deputy director of Satit
Udomseuksa School, Ms. Titipun Pettrakul, celebrated her birthday with the
children of the Pattaya Orphanage. A delicious lunch and new school stationary
supplies were donated to all the children. The children would like to thank Ms
Pettrakul and wish her many happy returns on her special day.
Introducing The Regent’s Student Guild
Charlotte Bolland
Meet the new leadership team at The Regent’s School Pattaya. The Student
Guild, as it is known, includes elected representatives for every Primary and
Secondary year group, from Year 1 to Year 13.
Mike Walton, Principal at The Regent’s School Pattaya commented, “Academic
attainment is at the forefront at The Regent’s, but the school also places great
value on the skills which contribute to students becoming responsible, positive
citizens, such as leadership, integrity and teamwork. I wish our latest Student
Guild a very successful year.”
Regent’s primary students in the
running to be the next J.K. Rowling
Year 4 and Year 6 students stand proudly with their
published novels (2012).
Dr Tim Eaton
On 1 November, 48 primary students from The Regent’s School Pattaya will
take part in National Novel Writing Month with the ambition of becoming
published writers and perhaps the next J.K Rowling!
Students from Years 3, 4, 5 and 6, aged 7 to 11, will work independently over
the month of November to achieve their word count from set targets and qualify
their final book to be published.
Assistant Head of Primary, Karyn Walton commented, “It is amazing to see
children as young as 7 have the ambition and skill to take on such a challenge.
In previous years National Novel Writing Month has been an activity only the
most able children have participated in, whereas today we have so much interest
and ability from across the board that we have opened the challenge to all as
part of our High Performance Learning Programme.”
In recent years the National Novel Writing Month has been very successful for
the school’s primary students, with one Year 6 student writing and publishing a
novel of 20,000 words.
Head of the Primary School, Nonie Adams commented, “National Novel Writing Month
is one of many activities in which our students are encouraged to push
themselves beyond their immediate comfort zone. We are incredibly proud of all
our students for taking on a challenge that would test most adults and we can’t
wait to see the final results!”
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Horseshoe Point runs second course
to learn equine assisted therapy
(L to R) Sandra Cooper, Wijittagorn Thanvong, Prof
Siriporn Peansukmanee, Mathita Keawsutthi, Vera Comerford, Somchai Lowsoponkul
demonstrate using the reigns.
Many disabled people benefit from riding, some from the
therapy it gives, others by actually learning to ride. The benefits can be
enormous and wide-ranging. They include improvements to balance, co-ordination,
muscle tone, concentration and behavior. The riders may benefit from the
necessary discipline, respond to requests, overcome fears, learn trust and
interact socially with their helpers and their peers, developing an increase in
confidence and self-esteem.
The horse moving naturally in walk simulates a movement as close to the human
walk as is possible. This movement is used as a treatment base. Each rider is
taught on the basis of their own individual needs and goals within a group
lesson aided by the volunteers. The movement and the warmth of the horse
encourages relaxation, stimulates the function of the internal organs and
digestive tracts. The riders develop balance and learn to position themselves to
accommodate the pony’s movement. In time, co-ordination and communication may be
developed and improved. It can offer the opportunity for physically and
otherwise challenged people to experience mobility on a par with their able
bodied peers.
(L to R) Kanyanat Lansadd, Tim
Lansadd, Somchai Lowsoponkul, Wijittagorn Thanvong, Vera Comerford, Sandra
Cooper (Therapist), Diane Radford, Prof Sireporn Peansukmanee, Mathita
Keawsutthi, and Margrit Hoffman attend training & coaching at Horseshoe Point
Pattaya.
Throughout Thailand many riding clubs are starting to
understand the huge benefits of Equine Assisted Therapy. Recently, riding
instructors from Horse Guard Riding Club, Hat Yai Horse Sport, Chiang Mai
University along with other Bangkok Riding Clubs have been attending training &
coaching from riding therapist Sandra Cooper at Horseshoe Point Pattaya. Sandra
has trained and helped qualify riding instructors and volunteers for many years
in Malaysia. Now living in Thailand, Sandra is trying to implement a
qualification system by the end of 2014. A log book for qualifications will be
acquired from the UK and adapted for Thailand.
Attendees have been learning how to set up a safe environment for therapy
classes. Finding suitable quiet ponies/horses takes time and training to teach
them to cope with this therapy which is most important. Training is given on
mounting and dismounting all disabilities as their needs are very different. How
to work and fix a programme with disabilities such as Autism, Downs Syndrome and
Cerebral Palsy which are the most common disabilities we face.
On October 12th/13th attendees experienced working in a class situation and how
to lead therapy horses correctly. If you would like further information on how
to attend these courses, or would like to volunteer at Horseshoe Point Pattaya,
please contact Riding Therapist Sandra Cooper on 086 8483684.
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Jesters and Pattaya Sports Club provide a restful night
The filters are now installed.
William Macey
When driving around the outskirts of Pattaya, the chances are that you would not
have noticed, tucked away along small sois, villages that are home to many poor
families who have difficulty providing everything that is needed by the family
on a day to day basis. The only solution is for the adults to find whatever
employment they can to put food on the table. One problem that presents itself
for all these families - what happens to the children that are not yet at school
age, whilst they are working.
A solution has been found in a village very near Plutaluang Golf Club. K. Ann
has opened the Alidthan Kindergarten School which now has 130 children from 1
year to school age, a number of whom are children with special needs. This is a
nursery and pre-school centre for local families. It is partly funded by Ann and
her husband but they rely on some donations from the families of the children,
where possible, and the local community to continue operating. Some of the
children stay at the centre long term, others on occasions stay over-night; the
remainder being day care children.
The children cannot wait to have a
drink.
Ann and her staff welcome these children with open arms and
have developed a quiet, restful centre where the children have food,
refreshments, play in a safe area and are being taught to read and write Thai
and English.
It is important that young children can rest during the day and be able to have
a good night’s sleep but, most of the children slept in cots with no mattresses,
just wooden planks, or on the floor. There was no water filters in the centre
so, as a consequence, water had to be purchased which diminishes the already
tight financial situation - and we are all aware of the benefits of drinking
clean water.
Noy of YWCA on one particular occasion took the opportunity to highjack William
of Pattaya Sports Club, Woody and Bernie from Jesters to seize the moment to
introduce us to this centre to see the problems for ourselves. The children, as
you can see, are delightful, obviously happy and well cared for, but the centre
needed some help. William, Woody and Bernie are a soft touch when it comes to
Thai children with big smiles and we agreed to get together and provide
mattresses and a water filtration system. We were also able to present them with
a microwave, kindly donated by a member of PSC. Ann was absolutely delighted
with our help, as were her staff, and the children will be aware of the benefits
when they have their sleep.
Thai children love to dance and this occasion was no exception. We were
welcomed, not by the traditional form of dance, but energetic disco dancing and
all the children were delighted to accept the biscuits and cakes that were
distributed. Amazingly, they were very quiet when they were eating - funny that
should happen.
There are many similar centres that need help and if you feel you would like to
make a donation please contact William on 0861522754 or pop in to the PSC office
along Third Road.
Disco is all the rage.
The mattresses have arrived.
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