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Regent’s Round Square delegates organise
assembly and barazza discussion groups
Prakhar Dubey
Year 12, Assistant Pillar Leader of Democracy
Every year The Regent’s School sends a student delegation to the
International Round Square Conference which is held in different places
around the world. Every year, after the conference the student delegation
shares with the rest of the school their experience and what they have
learnt. This year the six delegates shared their experiences and ideas from
India.
 Hyun
Jin explains what inspired her the most at the conference.
On January 25, Angela, Boon, Hyun Jin, Marite, Melissa and I along with Mr.
Crouch and Mr. Walton shared our experience of the conference in India with
the rest of the school. But, unlike any other delegation we did not only
tell the students about what we had done, we tried to get them to experience
what we had done by re-creating the conference atmosphere at our own school.
At the end of lunch students made their way to the Globe Theater. Dressed in
traditional Indian costumes, we started the assembly by telling the students
about the theme of our conference: ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ or ‘The World is
One Family’ and what it meant to us. We showed the students how this theme
had political, economic, environmental, and spiritual dimensions and how
relevant this quote is in the world of today. We also told the students
about all the other activities that we took part in during the conference.
We also included our experience of India as a country and how we were
affected, changed and inspired by our journey. We told the students all that
we could tell them in the 35 minutes before the assembly came to a
conclusion. This was not the end of what we had planned though…
 Angela
and Melissa describe the rich and diverse Indian culture that they
experienced.
Now it was the students’ turn to tell us what they thought about the theme
and Round Square (IDEALS) in our own school. All the secondary school - from
students to teachers - were divided into 25 mixed year groups and they
headed off in these smaller groups (barazzas) to further discuss the theme
and give us their opinions on it. These discussions were led by members of
the student Round Square Council. The discussions gave many of the students
the opportunity to express their views on not only the theme but also
suggest possible improvements to the school and how we deliver the IDEALS of
Round Square. The discussions were full of energy and ideas. Everybody got
involved, everybody got thinking and by the end of the afternoon we had
countless numbers of great ideas.
It was an amazing experience for all of us delegates and what was more
amazing was to see every member of this school working towards a common
goal, helping forge a common dream of making the world a better place. The
afternoon truly saw the whole school come together as a family!
Prakhar leads his group as
Tommy listens carefully.
Ivie leads her barazza group
with enthusiasm.
Vlad actively participates in
a barazza group.
Sattahip mayor opens school exhibition
Students, parents and
teachers view works on display
at Thammasiri Suksa School in Sattahip.
Patcharapol Panrak
Mayor of the Sattahip Municipality Narong Bunbancherdsri formally opened
an exhibition at Sattahip Thammasiri Suksa School for Education Day on
January 21.
The mayor was given an enthusiastic welcome by teachers and students,
and toured the exhibition that showcased the work of children from all
classes.
Narong said that an exhibition of work like this is of great interest to
everyone in the local community, as it shows what can be achieved by
dedicated teaching and the efforts by the students themselves to learn
new skills and face new challenges.
Every child at school is an individual with the potential to enjoy a
satisfying career and become an important part of the community and
society, said the mayor. Displaying the progress of individual students
is one of the first steps upon that road.
Take a chance and make a change
Tanes Rianglaem
Tanes Rianglaem (Nate) is a 4th yr BA student at Asian
University. He and a few of his classmates recently joined an English
teaching project at the HRH Princess Sirindhorn vocational training
center in Banglamung District. He writes about the project as follows:
The three weeks of activity were run by the Liberal Arts students with
close assistance from Ajarn Roy. It was such a great opportunity for
Asian University students to contribute something back to the community
by sharing their knowledge with others.
 The
author Nate (left) and Nanny during the English teaching project at the
HRH Princess Sirindhorn vocational training center in Banglamung.
The first week of the project, the big group of interested students was
divided into smaller groups. We asked them what their needs were and
what they were interested to learn. Then we helped them with the basic
daily conversation which they might face in their future workplace.
After knowing what their needs are as well as their level of English,
the Liberal Arts students prepared the teaching materials to meet
students’ needs in each group. A pronunciation clinic, conversation
practice and variety of games were all implemented. On the second week,
everything seemed to be better. Our students felt more confident to
speak English and extremely happy to learn new things.
 Asian
University students with their teacher and their students.
The project went by so fast; we could clearly see that our students did
a great job. Every individual gradually developed their English skills
during the three weeks of activity. Regarding this project, we were not
just teachers, but we were learners as well. We learned how to teach,
how to prepare class materials and how to talk to the students. We all
have realized that being a teacher isn’t that easy, but it’s very
challenging!
Doing such an activity is not only benefit to those who have lack of
opportunity. At the same time, we also gain something in return.
Something that money can not buy, something that we call “happiness”.
The smile of our students is the greatest gift we have ever received. It
creates a great value to our hearts, challenges our ability, and builds
goodwill to the community.
After our graduation, we are looking forward to keep contributing these
valuable things to our society, aiming to improve the quality of life of
our community. Lastly, for those who are thinking about doing such
activities, what are you waiting for? “Take a chance and Make a Change!”
City begins instruction on
Montessori teaching method
Pramote Channgam
Pattaya City has started a training program for educators to
adopt the Montessori standard pattern of education in the city’s
schools.
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn chaired the opening of the first training
session on January 19 at the Jamjuri Conference Room at Pattaya School
No 7, with Deputy Mayor Wattana Chantanawaranon also present. A total of
170 people attended the training.
 Mayor
Niran Wattanasartsathorn opens the first training session.
Dr Maria Montessori developed her educational system in Italy early in
the 20th century. The Montessori philosophy is built upon the idea that
children develop and think differently to adults, and that from the
moment a child enters the classroom, each step in his or her education
is seen as a progressive building block, ultimately forming the whole
person.
This system discourages traditional measurements of achievement such as
grades and tests under the premise that it is damaging to the inner
growth of the child. Instead, feedback and qualitative analysis of a
child’s performance is usually provided in the form of a list of skills,
activities and critical points, and sometimes a narrative of the child’s
achievements, strengths and weaknesses, with emphasis on the improvement
of those weaknesses.
Training for implementation of the system has been divided into two
stages. The first was held over the period January 19 to 21, while the
second, from January 24 to 27, included an educational visit to Issan.
Those on the course include educational administrators, school
directors, academics and senior teachers from schools under Pattaya City
jurisdiction, along with personnel from the Wat Chaimongkol Kindergarten
Development Center and the Darul Abidah Mosque.
City builds playground
for Nongketyai children
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
City hall has constructed a recreation area on a 1.5-rai plot of
land belonging to Chonglom Temple, in the Nongket Community.
 The
children get plenty of exercise with the new playground equipment.
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn along with Pattaya councilors in Zone 1
formally opened the recreation area, which is located in front of the
Banglamung Vocational College, on January 28.
The area was built at a budget of 4.9 million baht, and includes a
sports field, basketball court, aerobics field, and games and exercise
equipment.
Niran said that all Pattaya’s communities should have a facility such as
this, but there is a restriction because of the amount of public land
available.
He said that within the next two years, Pattaya City would receive an
area of 5 rai of land upon the expiration of the lease of the Kratinglai
Community Garbage Disposal Center. Pattaya City would then use this land
to build another public park.
Mayor Niran
Wattanasartsathorn enjoys playing with the children
on the new playground equipment.
Jesters Care for Kids Charity Drive 2008 is already on the move
Lewis Underwood
This year’s charity drive is well underway, officially having started on
October 1st last year. Since then we have distributed over 6.5 million
of the 7.1 million baht raised last year. The remaining balance is
already earmarked for specific projects, most of which are already in
progress.
 Nong
Eckalot, a 12-year old tsunami orphan shown here in his favorite
football shirt, is now in the 3rd year of his 5-year scholarship.
The majority of the funds raised last year went to our target charity,
the Fountain of Life Center (over 4 million baht). The rest has gone
mostly to schools in Chonburi and Rayong provinces primarily for
renovation and new construction of classrooms, toilets, water systems,
canteens, etc.
We also continue to help the disabled, such as the School for the Blind,
and shelters or orphanages, such as Ban Jing Jai.
Scholarships are a big part of our efforts too, not only for primary
school aged kids, but also secondary students. The goal for all is to
complete at least a high school education.
We are also assisting a young adult (Nai Phichit) in a vocational school
in Banglamung at present and continue to help a tsunami orphan in the
South, 12-year old Nong Eckalot, who is currently in the middle of a
5-year scholarship. We plan to stay the course with this boy up and
through university graduation.
Every year we look for new projects, and this year we would like to get
more involved with HIV/AIDS affected children as well.
Our first charity drive meeting was Wednesday, January 30th and at this
point with our Diamond Sponsor, Steve Lake, and other major sponsors
already on board this year, we have nearly 2 million baht committed or
received.
If you would like to join us and/or learn more about us in terms of who
we are, who we help, how do we help the disadvantaged kids it, please
visit our website: www.care4kids.info.
This year’s Jesters Children’s Fair will be on Sunday, September 14 at
the same venue, Diana Garden Resort and Driving Range, and 6 days later,
our Jesters Party Night at Jamesons on Saturday, September 20.
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Dear Sir or Madam,
Happy New Year! Last November we wrote to you about the launch
of our 11th Annual Jesters Care for Kids Charity Drive for 2008.
We also thanked you for your part in raising over 7.1 million
baht for children in want of shelter, schooling, scholarships
and/or special learning needs. We are pleased to announce at
this juncture that we have so far distributed or earmarked
nearly 96% of those funds to children’s charities on the Eastern
Seaboard, as well as tsunami orphans in the south. We have many
other new projects in the making and, once again, we would like
to ask you for your help this year.
In the Pattaya Mail (Vol. XV No. 43, October 26, 2007 issue) we
listed the 29 beneficiaries that have received aid from us over
the last 10 years, many of which we are still helping. Recently,
we have also added some new ones.
* Wat Samboon School in Rayong (construction of much
needed additional toilets)
* MCCF Nursery in Jomtien (day care for kids of
construction workers in Jomtien area)
* Ban Pansadetnak School near Pinthong Industrial Estate
(construction of water system)
* Next Step Program (Scholarship for 16-year-old Nai
Pichit for 3-year vocational school in Electronics)
Some of the beneficiaries for which we are continuing to provide
assistance at present include:
* Pattaya Redemptorist School for the Blind with
educational aids, diet supplements and furnishings.
* Ban Jing Jai Orphanage in Nong Prue providing shelter,
care and schooling for 56 kids.
* Fountain of Life Center for Children in North Pattaya,
which provides identities, medical care, nutritious meals, day
care and ultimately scholarships for slum children to enter
government schools.
* Tsunami orphans in south, including 5-year scholarship
for 9-year old boy, Nong Eckalot.
Our annual family outing, the Jesters Children’s Fair
will be held on Sunday, September 14, while our
Jesters Pub Night will be on the following Saturday,
September 20.
If you would like to help these needy kids and others,
please refer to the following sponsorship levels and benefits:
Bronze (10,000 baht) Recognition details: Certificates of
Appreciation; Name in Pattaya Mail & coverage on their PM plus
TV and other local cable channels; web link from our site to
yours to help your search engine link popularity.
Silver (25,000 baht) Recognition details: All the above,
plus name on Children’s Fair stage banners.
Gold (50,000 baht) Recognition details: All the above,
plus name on Fountain of Life Center transport.
Platinum (100,000 baht) Recognition details: All the
above, plus name in Thai and other language newspapers; name on
event shirts; name on Grand Raffle Tickets; free full-page ad in
Fair Program Guide; name recognition along with Jesters Care for
Kids.
Please send your donations, cheques, and/or bank drafts to: Good
Shepherd Foundation, c/o The Fountain of Life Center, 3/199 M.6
Soi Chalermprakiet 3, Pattaya 3rd Road, Naklua, Banglamung,
Chonburi 20150, Thailand, or transfer funds directly to their
account at Bangkok Bank, Muang Pattaya Branch, Chonburi 20260,
Acct# 484-0-68306-6. Swiftcode: BKKBTBK and fax payment slip
with your name to number above. Official invoices and tax
receipts will be provided for all contributions.
Alternatively, you may wish to use our Online Donation Facility
on our website.
For more information about us and other ways to help, please
visit our web site at www.care4kids.info or email us at
[email protected].
Yours faithfully,
Lewis Underwood
Chairman |
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