KID’S CORNER
HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

The Regent’s School academic results 2004

ESBEC helps “New Semester Contribution Project 2004”

YWCA Bangkok Pattaya hands over annual ‘Warm Family’ scholarships

Busy year ahead for ISE high school student council

Volunteer groups raise awareness on recycling

Banglamung School moves into 21st century with new IT center

AFT-ERC helps out those less fortunate on Mother’s Day

The Regent’s School academic results 2004

A record of achievement!

Students at each of The Regent’s School campuses – Pattaya and Bangkok – have set even higher standards of achievement than their fore-runners, both at IGCSE and IB. Graduates there have been more ambitious and more successful than ever before in their applications to the most prestigious universities around the world.

The first generation of IGCSE students at The Regent’s School Bangkok Campus has achieved results that signal this rapidly growing campus’s real academic strengths. 70% of the students achieved A* - C grades in five or more subjects. 25% of the grades were A* or A, and nearly 50% were in the A* to B bands, setting a brisk pace for following years to overtake.

Leading the field was Manawika Hongladaromp (Am), with four A* and four A grades and a B – an excellent achievement by any standards. During her 3 years at The Regent’s, Am, a noted pianist, has not only progressed steadily in all academic disciplines, she has also played a part in many extra-curricular and community service activities, putting the School’s Round Square ideals into practice.

Business Studies proved to be not only a very popular subject but also a very successful one, with 50% of the group gaining A* or A. In History, no grade was lower than B. Such successes are not achieved without hard work and commitment from students; they are also achieved only with the help of experienced, dedicated and supportive teaching. These particular subjects demonstrate students’ effective English language skills as well as their subject knowledge. An external examiner’s assessment of English Literature coursework – a subject with 100% A to C grades, which far surpasses the UK national average - demonstrates this point: “Tasks were challenging and interesting … Candidates were able to give an informed, personal response.”

Bangkok’s IGCSE students have used their summer’s successes as a firm foundation for future education and training. Some have embarked upon an Advanced Levels programme at this campus; others have progressed straight to universities in Thailand; one has gone to study in the UK for a year and will return.

At the Pattaya Campus, 71% of IGCSE/GCSE grades were A* to C, with particular strengths in Dual Award Science, where 43% achieved A* or A, and Mathematics, where 35% achieved A* or A with some of those candidates taking the examination a year early on the school’s ‘fast track’ programme. In Music, no grade was below B, with 43% being A* or A.

Amongst the many very high scoring students was Global Connect Scholar from Slovakia, Thomas Silla, with five A*s and two As, plus one B. He is looking forward to life in the Pattaya Sixth Form and the challenge of IB.

For Pattaya, this summer saw the school’s first IB candidates complete their two-year course – and they, too, set high standards for future years to match and surpass. On the basis of strong points scores, graduates won places at some of the most prestigious universities in the world – Cambridge, for example, and Stanford (with a major scholarship).

The Regent’s School is establishing special links with a number of leading universities in the UK, to ensure that students with good A Level grades or IB points are assured of places in highly competitive and well respected faculties with nationally celebrated research records. Amongst these are Sussex University’s Schools of Life Sciences and Science & Technology.


ESBEC helps “New Semester Contribution Project 2004”

Eastern Seaboard Environmental Complex (ESBEC) and Waste Management Siam Co., Ltd. recently helped support the “New Semester Contribution Project 2004” which was organized by Hemaraj Land and Development Public Co., Ltd. This project aims to distribute stationery to kindergarten - primary students in the Eastern Seaboard region. ESBEC participated in the distribution to local schools around the site, including Baan Khao Tabak, Baan Phansadej Nai School, Baan Phansadej Nok School, Baan Khao Hin School, Baan Khao Chee School, Baan Nern Tong School and Baan Bowin School.


YWCA Bangkok Pattaya hands over annual ‘Warm Family’ scholarships

Suchada Tupchai

Striving to educate the city’s youth, the YWCA Bangkok Pattaya has handed over 352 scholarships under the “Warm Family” project.

The project strives to provide for underprivileged children whose families are unable to support their education and nurturing, to enable them to become model citizens.

Members of the YWCA, city administrators, police and members of the community pose with the children who received scholarships from the YWCA Warm Family Project.

Founded in 1990, the YWCA Warm Family project has steadily grown over the years, receiving support from local charity organizations, including the Pattaya Sports Club, Rotary Clubs of Jomtien Pattaya and Thaksin Pattaya as well as private individuals.

This year 528,000 baht was handed over at city hall. Seventy-six children from Pattaya’s 10 schools, 198 primary level students from 32 Banglamung schools and 78 secondary level students from three major high schools received funding.

YWCA Bangkok Pattaya president Malinee Sariman, project chairperson Nitaya Patimasongkroh, and members of the community were joined by Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn in presenting the scholarships.

After the presentation there was a YWCA-sponsored lunch for all the children and those making the presentations.


Busy year ahead for ISE high school student council

The International School Eastern Seaboard (ISE) high school student council is looking forward to another rewarding year. There are currently nine student council members. The main event that the student council will be organizing this year is the annual Walk-a-Thon. The goal is to raise 100,000 baht.

This year’s ISE high school student council

In addition to this, student council members will be working at an ISE booth at the upcoming Jester’s Fair, and volunteering at the Fountain of Life Center in Pattaya.

They will also be teaching English to students at a nearby Thai school every week. Later in the year they will be organizing some student events such as a talent show and international day.


Volunteer groups raise awareness on recycling

Public service announcement

Decha Chalimyart

As the saying goes, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” This is the underlying theme of an ongoing recycling project in Pattaya.

Officials from city hall have recently joined hands with environmental conservation volunteer groups in Pattaya and the Fire Control Department to organize a waste and leftover materials donation affair.

Organizers are looking for things that might be just taking up space in your house, items that might otherwise be difficult to discard. These can be donated to this program and may find a new home with an underprivileged family, as many of these items will be given to people who can creatively recycle or repair and make use of them.

These recyclable goods can be donated at the Fire Control Department situated on Pattaya Third Road. As an added incentive, project organizers are offering a pickup service for people who cannot deliver their unwanted items. If this is you, call 038-429374-5 ext 307, 06-3921707, or 01-8657558 (24 hours) for pick up.

On September 17, Phra Pisal Dhammawathee (Phra Phyom) from Wat Suan Kaew, Nonthaburi province will visit the Fire Control Department to perform a religious ceremony and pray for devotees. There will be an exhibition on environment conservation and naturally made goods will be available for purchase. The exhibition begins at 10 a.m. at the Fire Control Department. All are welcome.


Kids rock at the Hard Rock

Ariyawat Nuamsawat

To celebrate Her Majesty’s Birthday this year, the Hard Rock Hotel invited 29 school children from Pattaya School Number 6, Wat Tham Samakhi, to a day of fun and games at the hotel complex.

This is how you rock!

Andrew Khoo, the effervescent general manager said, “We at the Hard Rock Hotel have always seen the importance of giving underprivileged children a chance to see and experience the better things in life. Therefore on any national holiday or whenever the children have a day off, we usually invite them to come to visit us, where they are given a most fulfilling fun day of games and especially to indulge in some great food. We call it the ‘Kids Wanna Rock, Project 3 by Bryan Adams’.”

The banana boat races were a big hit.

Andrew went on to say, “This year is a most auspicious year because of Her Majesty’s 6th cycle birthday and we wanted to do something really special for the kids.”

The kids enjoyed a day of swimming, banana boat rides, and played water polo. Pallop Thai-aree, managing director of AVIS Thailand, was also on hand to entertain the children and advise them of the importance of getting involved in sporting activities to keep away from wrongdoing.

Andrew Khoo (left), Hard Rock Hotel’s effervescent general manager said, “We have always seen the importance of giving underprivileged children a chance to see and experience the better things in life … and especially to indulge in some great food.”

“Happy Mother’s Day!”


Kids rock at the Hard Rock

Ariyawat Nuamsawat

To celebrate Her Majesty’s Birthday this year, the Hard Rock Hotel invited 29 school children from Pattaya School Number 6, Wat Tham Samakhi, to a day of fun and games at the hotel complex.

This is how you rock!

Andrew Khoo, the effervescent general manager said, “We at the Hard Rock Hotel have always seen the importance of giving underprivileged children a chance to see and experience the better things in life. Therefore on any national holiday or whenever the children have a day off, we usually invite them to come to visit us, where they are given a most fulfilling fun day of games and especially to indulge in some great food. We call it the ‘Kids Wanna Rock, Project 3 by Bryan Adams’.”

The banana boat races were a big hit.

Andrew went on to say, “This year is a most auspicious year because of Her Majesty’s 6th cycle birthday and we wanted to do something really special for the kids.”

The kids enjoyed a day of swimming, banana boat rides, and played water polo. Pallop Thai-aree, managing director of AVIS Thailand, was also on hand to entertain the children and advise them of the importance of getting involved in sporting activities to keep away from wrongdoing.

Andrew Khoo (left), Hard Rock Hotel’s effervescent general manager said, “We have always seen the importance of giving underprivileged children a chance to see and experience the better things in life … and especially to indulge in some great food.”

“Happy Mother’s Day!”


Banglamung School moves into 21st century with new IT center

Ariyawat Nuamsawat

Students at the Banglamung School have entered into the world of cyberspace. A new information and communication technology center was opened on September 1.

Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn and city councilors tour the new venue supported by the city.

The 2 million baht center was built to bring the school and surrounding communities into the world of information technology. Supported by the city, the center opens the possibility of electronic learning, where it was once but a pipe dream. Most government-run schools in Thailand do not have the resources for such projects.

Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn and city councilors attended the opening ceremony as classes commenced.

The center comes complete with high-speed Internet access for students and teachers to enhance their knowledge and aims to educate not only them but also the general public by providing special IT courses. A range of DVD and VCD pilot programs is already underway, aimed at improving local knowledge in the ever-changing world of technology.

Led by Visanu Pasomsup, Banglamung School director, the center is managed by a team of IT professionals versed in all aspects of teaching, maintenance and development courses.


AFT-ERC helps out those less fortunate on Mother’s Day

The Association of Filipinos in Thailand, Eastern Region Chapter (AFT-ERC) donated rice and groceries to underprivileged families, especially mothers, in the greater Pattaya area on Mother’s Day this year, August 12. Leader of the group Virginia Sorenson (back row, 6th from left) said, “We just wanted them (the mothers) to feel that they are not forgotten.”