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Redemptorist Vocational School directors meet to plan educational improvements
Education in IT, languages and computers will give disabled persons brighter futures
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Directors of the Redemptorist Vocational School for the
Disabled met last week to discuss plans on improving school curricula and
management systems in the upcoming year. Sopin Thappajug, associate judge
for the Chonburi family and juvenile courts and Chalim Ketjae, Chonburi
council member were present for the session.
 Father
Banjong Chaiyara, director of the Redemptorist Center in Pattaya.
The discussion was aimed at further developing the school
curriculum by adding more instruction in IT development, computer
programming and language courses to better equip students for a future in
the workplace. Improvements and additions will come into effect in the 2005
school year.
Father Banjong Chaiyara has already received
authorization from the Redemptorist Foundation to upgrade the school and
management system for its disabled students. Sister Pawini Pichaisawat,
vocational school director will oversee the additional courses that are to
be implemented to ensure that students are well prepared to enter the
workforce with practical skills and knowledge.
Another topic addressed the annual ‘Wai Kru’
ceremonies which took place on Thursday June 24. The tradition throughout
Thailand is performed annually and gives students the opportunity to pay
respect to their teachers for imparting their knowledge. The ceremonies also
act as an encouragement factor for teachers to continue their valuable work.
Finally the 17th annual Mahatai Games was added to the
agenda, due to take place until June 26 at the school’s sporting
facilities. Sporting events will include wheelchair basketball, volleyball
and wheelchair football. The games are an ideal method of promoting healthy
activities for the students as well as a sense of teamwork, something that
they will use in their daily life once they complete their studies and move
into society.
A further directors’ meeting is planned to work out the finer details
of educational development plans as well as improvements to the school and
dormitories.
Local students take part
in traditional ceremonies
The Assumption College at the Asian
University in Jomtien recently conducted two important ceremonies in
connection with Visakha Bucha Day and Teacher Respect Day. The intent of
these events, according to Headmaster Stuart Yates, is to promote Thai
cultural awareness and strengthen students’ bonds to their school and
teachers.
On Wednesday June 2, the college hosted a visit by
revered monk Phra Ajarn Jirasak Kitasilo from Song Maerda Wanaram Temple
in Bangsaray. Phra Ajarn Jirasak presided over a special ceremony marking
Visakha Bucha Day, the day that commemorates the birth, enlightenment and
death of the lord Buddha.
Phra
Ajarn gave a spirited speech emphasizing the importance of being
responsible Thai citizens, and the merits of engaging in traditional acts
of respect toward parents.
During the ceremony Phra Ajarn gave a spirited speech
emphasizing the importance of being responsible Thai citizens, and the
merits of engaging in traditional acts of respect toward parents. He
advised that it is only by learning to love ourselves that we can begin to
love others and respect our environment. Phra Ajarn Jirasak left the
students with a CD ROM in English on the teachings of Buddhism.
 Students,
on their knees, approached the teachers and presented each with a bouquet
of roses.
A second important event was held on Thursday June 3,
which is designated Teacher Respect Day. For this event the students
themselves took the initiative to organize activities. They purchased
bouquets of flowers and held rehearsals for the special ceremony to pay
their respects to their teachers.
Mr. Yates opened the ceremony by lighting two candles
and three incense sticks in homage to the lord Buddha and Their Majesties
the King and Queen of Thailand. The students then sang a special song
expressing their allegiance to their teachers. Next, on their knees they
approached the teachers and presented each with a bouquet of roses. The
teachers then wished each student success in his/her future studies.
Thursday is typically chosen in scheduling this event, as it is considered
an auspicious day in Thai cultural tradition.
According to Mr. Yates, the cultural significance of
these two events was manifested in the grace and beauty of the ceremonies.
The values of performing as good Thai citizens and respecting one’s
teachers and country are important elements of traditional Thai culture.
The Assumption College at the Asian University in
Jomtien officially began teaching the first group of 60 matayom 4 students
last month. The school follows the Thai national curriculum but provides
the majority of teaching in English.
According to Mr. Yates, there is a heavy emphasis on hands-on, student
centered learning with class sizes of 20 students and weekly laboratory
sessions in physics, chemistry and biology. The campus environment,
surrounded by pristine nature and clean air, seems particularly conducive
to study related activities.
British Ambassador wishes Helen and
Jenny Ball good luck in softball endeavours
Helen and Jenny Ball, studying for the
International Baccalaureate (IB) in Year 12 at The Regent’s
School-Pattaya, were honoured to meet His Excellency Mr. David Fall, the
British Ambassador to Thailand and his wife, Gwendolyn, during their recent
visit to the Pattaya campus.
Mr. Fall was particularly interested to hear about them
being selected to play fast-pitch softball for the Great Britain Under 19
Girls’ team. Helen and Jenny told him about their plans for this summer,
which included playing in a number of international tournaments, the most
important and prestigious of these being the European Championships to be
held in Paris from July 12. They are also due to represent their country in
other tournaments in Hamburg, Germany, Sala Braganza in Italy and Prague in
the Czech Republic. The British twins said they felt honoured to represent
Great Britain whilst studying at The Regent’s in Thailand.
 HE
David Fall, British Ambassador to Thailand, and his wife Gwendolyn, with
Jenny Ball (left) and Helen Ball (right) who are Great Britain Under 19
softball players studying for the International Baccalaureate (IB) at The
Regent’s School, Pattaya."
Mr. Fall wished them the best of luck and looked forward to hearing about
their exploits when they return to Thailand at the end of August.
St Andrews International School, Rayong Secondary School Residential Trip, 2004
Learning Outside of the Classroom in Kanchanaburi”
By: Steffi Floeth, Yr 10
St. Andrews International School
From May 17 to 21, thirty-seven St. Andrews secondary
students and staff went on their annual residential trip to Kanchanaburi,
with the Magic Eyes program. For many of the students, it was their first
time away from home for an extended period of time. Both staff and
students were very eager to participate in the week’s activities.
 Alana,
Jodie, Shamayim and Sinead do some spelunking.
Upon arrival at the Wang Singh Resort, everyone was
quite impressed with the beautiful surroundings and the accommodation that
was provided. Once the rooms were settled and everyone had moved in, it
was time for the activities and fun to begin!
The first activities on the agenda were some games,
involving trusting our peers and instincts, and a spider web activity
where we had to use our brainpower to figure out how to get our entire
team through the web!
 Celine
and Naz enjoy an elephant ride.
The following days were filled with activities
associated with teambuilding and appreciating history and our natural
environment. Some of the highlights included visiting Hellfire Pass, Lawa
Caves, WW2 Krasae caves, Sai Yok National Park and the ancient ruins of
Prasat Muang Singh. Other activities included swimming at Sai Yok Noi
Waterfall, orienteering, elephant riding and team building activities like
‘Capture the Flag’, ‘Raffa Raffa’, and learning about survival
techniques in the wild.
St.
Andrews secondary students and staff receive a close-up look at history at
Hellfire Pass.
Our week came to a close on the Thursday night when we
all gathered for a campfire in the rain! We managed to find cover on the
resort and we had a fantastic time toasting marshmallows, drinking hot
chocolate, telling scary stories and singing. We were all sad to see such
a fantastic week come to a close.
The trip provided many useful and educational experiences for both
staff and students. We were able to learn a lot about each other outside
of the classroom. All students had many positive things to say about the
trip and the Magic Eyes staff who ran the program. We have taken away a
lot of wonderful memories from our trip to Kanchanaburi. We look forward
to our next residential trip in 2005!
ISE Students Continue to Excel
The International School Eastern Seaboard (ISE) is
pleased to announce the accomplishments of its senior students.
Bo La Kim, Narumon Thanomsing, Ju Hee Choi and Chavanon
Auacherdkul have been accepted at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok
where they will major in International Business management. Jung Woo Kim
has been accepted at Assumption University.
Parry Srisuphan, who graduated from ISE in 1999,
graduated recently from the University of British Columbia. Parry
qualified for the dean’s honor list every year and graduated with
honors.
These students’ performances make ISE and their parents very proud.
Bo La
Kim
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Narumon Thanomsing
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Chavanon Auacherdkul
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Ju Hee Choi
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Jung Woo Kim
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Parry Srisuphan
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Garden International School
strikes Gold in Penang!
The Federation Of British International Schools In South
East Asia (FOBISSEA) Primary Games took place from June 7 to 11 in Penang,
Malaysia. St Christopher’s International Primary School, the hosts,
invited eighteen member schools from around the region to attend.
GIS participated in the Bunga Raya group along with
eight other schools. The event is very demanding and requires students to
compete in the following sports: swimming, football, athletics and T-ball.
Garden
International School’s FOBISSEA team: Brett Gibson, Hanna Inthararat,
Guarav Kaduskar, That Thamathataree, Ankita Arora, Phloi Boonyeon, Nicha
Ngamson, Emily Westmoreland, Taz Austin, Amalie Friis, Hiroto Kamoi,
Alexander Rancic, Patrick Sookmanus, Mathias Veraghtert, Albin Person,
Frank Caules and Gap Llewellyn.
Day one began at the Penang International Swimming
Arena with both individual and team events for all students. GIS - a team
of just 17 students - got off to a very good start in the games by winning
a total of 21 medals in the pool.
The athletics competition was held on day two at the
University Sains Malaysia stadium where students enthralled the large
crowd. By the end of the day, GIS had gathered 15 gold medals, 5 silver
and 4 bronze for a variety of individual and team running, jumping and
throwing events.
Day three saw a return to the University Sains Stadium
for the football competition. After a long, hot and tiring morning of
exciting matches the Year 5 boys team came away with the gold, whilst the
Year 4 boys captured the bronze. Competition resumed in the afternoon with
the T-ball competition. There was some excellent fielding and batting by
GIS, but not enough to produce medals!
St Christopher’s did a great job in hosting the
"friendly games" and we now eagerly await next year’s
competition which will be held in Thailand. All the students were
fantastic ambassadors for the school and are to be commended on their
competitive spirit and sportsmanship.
The team was led by the school’s principal, Ms Ruth Grant, Ms Sue
Burke and Mr Steve Turner.
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