Fr. Brennan’s ‘Rays of Light’ shine bright upon his children this Christmas

British ambassador presides over opening of Secondary School building extensions at St Andrews International School, Rayong

Bonfire Night at GIS

An unforgettable musical performance at GIS

Warning: false dental braces pose harm to Thai teenagers

Kids and Lions brush up VFC Mercy Children’s Shelter

Fr. Brennan’s ‘Rays of Light’ shine bright upon his children this Christmas

Hard Rock Hotel and Pattaya Mail join hands in support of the Fr. Ray Foundation

On the evening of December 7, Andrew Khoo, general manager of the Hard Rock Hotel and Caf้, Pattaya, in conjunction with Peter Malhotra, MD of the Pattaya Mail, will host a fun packed but truly meaningful event at the Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya.

Andrew Khoo (left) and Peter Malhotra (right) visit some of Father Ray’s children to announce the fundraising project to Father Philip Banchong (2nd right).

This special occasion will be the Christmas Tree Light Up, signifying the beginning of the Christmas season with an emphasis on the Hard Rock ethos of “Love all, serve all”. This year’s charity of choice is the Fr. Ray Foundation which envelops several different projects, including the Pattaya Orphanage and School for Deaf Children, the Pattaya Redemptorist School for Blind Children, the Redemptorist Vocational School for Disabled Adults, and the Redemptorist Street Children’s Project.

The baby squeals with delight as Rosalind and Andrew Khoo give it a few minutes of love and happiness.

These projects were started by the vision of one, who was voted by the residents of Pattaya as the “Man of the Millennium”, Pattaya’s much beloved and respected the late Fr. Raymond Brennan C.Ss.R., known to all of his children and Pattaya as Fr. Ray.

One just cannot resist cuddling the little babies.

The Fr. Ray Foundation, now headed by Fr. Philip Banchong Chaiyara C.Ss.R., currently cares for nearly 700 babies, children, teenagers and young adults who are fed, clothed and educated on a daily basis purely through charitable contributions.

Tickets for this festive evening, including dinner and drinks, are priced at THB2,400, with 60% going directly to the Father Ray Foundation. In addition, as a part of the Christmas Tree Light Up, the Hard Rock Hotel and Caf้ is offering the following special donation room packages, with costs above regular room rates being donated directly to the Father Ray Foundation:

* THB 12,000 – includes one night stay in a deluxe room including breakfast for 2 persons and 2 tickets to the Christmas Charity Light Up;

* THB 20,000 – includes one night stay in a family suite including breakfast for 2 persons and 2 tickets to the Christmas Charity Light Up;

* THB 30,000 – includes one night stay in a family suite including breakfast for 2 persons and 2 tickets to the Christmas Charity Light Up.

Please note that prices are net and for all of these room packages; certain terms and conditions of stay will apply.

The Pattaya Mail’s Peter Malhotra, along with the participation of the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya, has been a strong driving force, and combined with the energy of Hard Rock Hotel’s Andrew Khoo, they are producing a powerhouse event to begin this season of giving.

On Christmas Eve, the shining star according to Christian tradition led three wise men to a manger. This year’s event on December 7 happens to fall on the birthday anniversary of Pattaya’s shining star, Fr. Ray, whose “Rays of Light” continue to prosper under the leadership of Fr. Philip.

It is anticipated that all of the major dignitaries and VIP’s of Pattaya and neighboring communities will clamber to be present on this auspicious occasion to celebrate the spirit of giving.

In order to reserve your place please act quickly by calling the following number to make your pledge and secure your ticket for the festivities: 038 428755 – 9 Extension 8301.

British ambassador presides over opening of Secondary School building extensions at St Andrews International School, Rayong

Andrew Watt
Head of Secondary
St Andrews International School, Rayong

The opening of the new extensions to the Secondary School building by the British ambassador marks a milestone in the growth of St Andrews International School at Green Valley, Rayong.

British Ambassador David Fall officially opened the new building on Friday November 12.

On Friday November 12, Ambassador David Fall from the British Embassy in Bangkok officially opened the new building, which includes specialist rooms for Science and the Creative Arts, as well as a large multi purpose hall and changing facilities with showers.

St Andrews has made a strong commitment to establishing its secondary department and in the last two years this part of the school has seen student numbers grow from 12 to almost 60. Most of these numbers are in Years 7 to 9 and these classes are approaching the maximum class size of 20 pupils. At the present rate of expansion, in three or four years time with classes in Years 7 to 13, St Andrews can reasonably expect to have somewhere in the region of 100 to 140 secondary students.

British Ambassador David Fall watches intently as the young children work with their new learning tools.

Staff numbers have increased from two teachers to six teachers in the last two years, all well qualified, with a learning support assistant also a graduate from U.K. As staff numbers grow so do the opportunities to expand the curriculum and make more subject choices available.

As a recognized and accredited examination centre for Cambridge University, St Andrews will hold the first examinations in June 2005 for Ordinary level, in the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (‘O’ level, IGCSE). The first small group of students at St Andrews are studying to sit these examinations in June 2005.

The financial commitment to this expansion is not restricted to capital expenditure on building and teaching staff, as a considerable amount of funds have been spent in providing the resources necessary to deliver the curriculum demanded by students and parents. This investment in the future development of the campus at Green Valley has placed St Andrews in a position where they now have the resources and facilities to enable tem to offer students the opportunity to study at IGCSE Advanced level from September 2005.

St Andrews is now ready to take its place as a real alternative choice in this region, offering a full programme of ‘Quality Education’ from pre-nursery to university entrance.

Bonfire Night at GIS

On November 5, Garden International School celebrated Guy Fawkes’ Night. The celebration started off with dinner and then a Bonfire was lit followed by a display of fireworks. The fireworks display was an awesome sign to behold. The children and parents had a great time. They said that this is the best fireworks display ever held at GIS.

“This is the best fireworks display ever held at GIS.”

Now for a little bonfire history: The man behind this celebration is Guy Fawkes who had a plan to overthrow the British parliament by setting alight 36 barrels of gunpowder. However, his plan backfired and he was hung for treason in 1606.

After that event, the church ordered prayers of thanksgiving on every following November 5 and gradually as the years went by it became part of the celebration to have bonfires. The custom of having a ‘guy’ on top of the bonfire became popular, and Guy Fawkes became immortal. The Bonfire Night ended with everyone feeling happy and satisfied.

On November 5, Garden International School celebrated Guy Fawkes’ Night with a bonfire and fireworks.

An unforgettable musical performance at GIS

This group of girls and boys of Garden International School took the school by storm with their musical performance. These Year 10 students who take music as one of their IGCSE subjects got together under the guidance of their music teacher, Mr. Thaler and played “Can I feel the love tonight” which was written by Sir Elton John.

Year 10 students played “Can I feel the love tonight” by Sir Elton John.

Erika Hampel played the guitar, Rachel Abraham played the piano, Christine Reizner played the violin and Wu Po-Lin played the keyboard.

What the children had in common was their love for music which was so noticeable by the way each played their instruments. When the children were interviewed they said they diligently practiced at home and at school, which contributed to their performance that day.

Mr. Thaler, the music teacher, said it was a joy teaching these talented and dedicated children. They will be putting up another performance in a few weeks and he is sure that it is going to be even better than the last one.

Warning: false dental braces pose harm to Thai teenagers

Decorative braces contain traces of arsenic, lead and mercury

The Dental Council of Thailand is warning of the danger of fake orthodontic braces, advising that some false braces carry harmful substances and germs. “The Dental Council has received complaints that while becoming a fad among Thai teenagers, false braces, readily available in market stalls, can cause dental problems,” said the secretary-general of the Dental Council, Paisan Kangwonkij.

Wire braces set with colorful beads cost about 50-120 baht, or 150-200 baht including fitting.

“The braces are not those used by orthodontists and may become rusty and cause gum bleeding,” the doctor warned. According to the doctor, the Department of Medical Sciences has examined examples of fake braces and found some were contaminated with lead and arsenic which can be absorbed into the body. Some were coated with dangerous colors and mercury. The wires make teeth cleaning difficult, which may cause tooth decay and bad breath.

The Dental Council is working with the Office of the Consumer Protection Board to take action on vendors who sell fake braces made of hazardous materials. (TNA)

Kids and Lions brush up VFC Mercy Children’s Shelter

A giant wall mural brightened up the lives of children at the VFC Mercy Children’s Shelter. The project was part of the continuing cooperation between the School of the Regents and the English speaking Lions Club.

45 students from the School of the Regents join in the fun project.

Aimed at helping to enrich the quality of life for children living at the Victory Church Mercy Children’s Shelter, the school’s Student Guild and Round Square were asked if they would like to paint a mural. The Guild offered to contribute money towards the project and the Lions would provide any extra finance as well as much needed refreshments.

Around 45 students worked on the project, meeting at the shelter’s Soi 17 address for a day of fun and painting. Six panels were designed by Madam Martine Schmit, who has two daughters at the Regents School. This is only the second time she has undertaken this art, and she loved doing it.

The panels depicted underwater scenes, the beach, land, monkeys, transport and space. Incorporated in the design were Thai letters, cartoon animals, numbers and shapes. Great fun was had by all filling in the designs she had already drawn on the wall.

The students’ coordinator, Paul Crouch and Lions Club Jomtien-Pattaya president Peter Smith thanked all the students for their efforts and Martine was presented with flowers for her birthday.