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ISE students’ exhibition showcases young talent
Mark Beales
Talented students from the International School Eastern
Seaboard (ISE) displayed their artwork in the Central Festival shopping mall
from May 22-23.
Sookhee Lee explains some finer points to teacher Mr Jones.
The event, which included a jazz band at 6 p.m. on
Saturday May 22, showcased some amazing works of art.
IB Art teacher Dr Elizabeth McDonald said, “This is the
first year a group of students has taken the International Baccalaureate (IB)
in art at ISE. As part of this exam they are to show their work in an
exhibit format. They learn how to design an exhibit and display their work
effectively. Once the external examiner interviews the students and analyzes
the exhibit and their work, the exhibit is taken out into the public.”
Sookhee Lee with one of the exhibits.
As well as showcasing the graduating IB art students,
there was also a selection of work from first year IB art, commercial art
and selected high school art students.
The International Baccalaureate in Art is a two-year
program. Students develop a theme that is personal to them and relates to a
larger social context.
During their second year students select 12-16 pieces
they will exhibit and be examined on. They write an artist’s statement and
compile a research/investigative workbook in which they enter the progress
of their work.
ISE students admire some of the artwork.
Interest in the school’s art program has been growing. Dr
McDonald said, “This is the third year of the High School Art Program. There
was enough interest in the second year to start an IB Art program. All
students who have basic skills and are enthused about art are encouraged to
enter the program as the emphasis is on experimentation, progress and
development rather on mastering one skill.”
For more on ISE visit www.ise.ac.th.
Spooky CD
cases, created by an ISE student.
One ISE student added an extra dimension to their work.
Mercy Children visit to Koh Chang
Diane Doell and the children from the Mercy Center say thanks
to Eddy and his crew from Paddy’s Palms and 15 Palms.
Kavita Lamba
Paddy’s Palms and 15 Palms recently hosted children
from the Mercy Center Children’s Home for the 2nd year. They graciously
hosted them, with all expenses paid, for 3 days and 2 nights at their
beautiful resort on Koh Chang.
Eddy himself escorted the 18 children and 7 Mercy
staff and volunteers to Koh Chang. Following the ferry ride to the
island, they were promptly taken to 15 Palms for a hot meal and to see
the beach. From there the Mercy group was taken to Paddy’s Palms to drop
off luggage and quickly changed to go back to the beach.
The staff and children were grateful for the
opportunity to get away from the busyness of Pattaya for a couple of
days and to enjoy being treated with such warmth and hospitality, along
with the great food and the family welcome we received.
A farewell lunch and pool party was enjoyed by all on
the last day at Paddy’s Palms which was great fun for all who were
there.
Our heart felt thanks to Eddy, his partners,
associates, managers, and even some of their guests who got involved.
This is a kindness that will not be forgotten.
St Andrews International School, Green Valley and
the BAMBI Group, Pattaya join forces for play group
Retno Cheah,
Nursery teacher at St Andrews
On Wednesday May 12, St Andrews International School,
Green Valley hosted its first Mum and Toddler Group in conjunction with
the BAMBI group. Everyone agreed that it was a great success with lots
of new children attending and smiles all around!
Enjoying the swing.
These sessions will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays
during term time from 1:45 - 3:00 p.m. and are open for mums and dads to
bring their babies and toddlers. Ms. Retno Cheah, the Nursery teacher at
St Andrews, facilitated the play group as the children sang nursery
rhymes together and the older ones practised some of their dance moves!
The objectives of our informal play group are to
provide a play space for babies and toddlers as well as offering a
support network for the parents themselves. By offering our facilities
and wonderful staff, we hope our playgroups will help build a support
network to welcome new and established families who have recently
relocated to the Pattaya/Rayong area.
Learning to play together.
As we all know, even at a very young age children
need to interact with other children so as to participate in new
experiences, learn more about their world, and develop their social
skills. During the session, parents are similarly encouraged to ‘play’
with their children or read stories to them in order to nurture a spirit
of co-operation and help the child’s personal development. Toys and a
variety of books are available in the classroom and the outside area has
some swings, a small slide, water and sand area and a climbing frame.
Both parents and children had a fantastic time last week, so do come
and join us!
Mums
and dads join in the fun.
Mums
enjoy the chance to socialise.
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BAMBI (Bangkok Mothers and Babies
International) is a mother-led volunteer organization that
provides information, support and companionship for pregnant
women, parents of babies and small children. For more
information, please email playgroups@bambiweb .org or visit
bambiweb.org |
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St. Andrews International
School, Green Valley is located on the Green Valley golf
complex, an hour and a half outside Bangkok and twenty
minutes from the city of Pattaya. The school caters for
children aged between 2 and 17 years of age, as well as
offering an International Baccalaureate programme. For
further information, please email greenvalley@
standrews-schools.com or visit www.standrews greenvalley.com |
Fr. Ray Foundation staff given
training at child protection seminar
Staff from the Fr. Ray Foundation attend a child protection seminar.
Derek Franklin
Every organisation caring for, educating or providing
services for children and young people must be aware of local and
national child protection policies. The Fr. Ray Foundation currently has
more than eight hundred children and disabled students in its care and
has a dedicated department of social workers who are devoted to the
protection of the children.
The Fr. Ray Office of Child Development and Social
Welfare is responsible for the protection of the children and students
living at the Foundation, and is also available for advising and helping
vulnerable youngsters living in the local community. The office is also
responsible for informing new employees of the local policies and
guidelines that they are expected to follow, as well as keeping all
staff up to date on any changes or updates in the law relating to child
protection.
In early May staff members from the Fr. Ray
Children’s Home, Fr. Ray Children’s Village, Fr. Ray Drop-In Center, Fr.
Ray Day Care Center, Pattaya School for the Blind and the Redemptorist
Vocational School for People with Disabilities attended a three day
seminar and workshop where they discussed ways of recognizing abuse and
dealing with situations where a child may be at risk of harm. The guest
speakers also suggested ways of dealing with naughty and disobedient
children and students at the Foundation where corporal punishment is
prohibited.
The Fr. Ray Foundation teaches its workers ways of
dealing with children by not using the stick, not slapping a child and
not using harsh words, but instead they learn how to sort out problems
in a caring manner. The Fr. Ray Foundation opens its doors and invites
vulnerable, abused, orphaned and abandoned children to find a home and
be part of a family. Children must feel safe, free from harm and free
from the risks of danger and they must be able to live their lives as
children.
The protection of children is not just the work of
teachers, social workers and organisations such as the Fr. Ray
Foundation, but everyone in society must take responsibility. If we as
members of the public witness any abuse or ill-treatment of children and
young people it is our duty to report it to the proper authorities.
You can find more information on the work of the Fr.
Ray Foundation and how you can help at www.fr-ray.org or email [email protected]
Cambodia’s Impoverished Education System
Bill Costello
I recently traveled to Cambodia to research their
education system. During my visit, I stopped by the campus of the Royal
University of Phnom Penh, the oldest and largest university in the
nation, to talk to professors, administrators, and students. I also
visited the Chroy Changvar Primary School in Phnom Penh where I observed
students learning.
Cambodia’s education system has been significantly
affected by three major events over the past century: French colonial
rule, the reign of King Norodom Sihanouk, and the Khmer Rouge regime.
While Cambodia had been a French colony since 1863,
the French colonial government did not institute an education system in
the nation until 1917. Accessible primarily by the elite, enrollment was
sparse.
Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihanouk helped the nation
gain independence from France in 1953. For the following two decades,
Sihanouk’s government gradually improved the education system by
expanding elementary and secondary education throughout the nation and
by establishing higher learning institutions.
All the progress made under Sihanouk was reversed
when the Khmer Rouge came to power in 1975. Led by Pol Pot, the Khmer
Rouge deliberately destroyed Cambodia’s education system by discarding
books, closing schools, and killing teachers. The irony is that Pol Pot
was a teacher himself.
Pol Pot even converted one school, the Chao Ponhea
Yat High School, into a prison and interrogation center called “Security
Prison 21” (S-21). Over 14,000 people died there. Only seven people
survived the prison when it was liberated in 1979.
Ever since the Khmer Rouge regime ended in 1979,
Cambodia has been rebuilding its education system starting from the
ground up. Three decades later, Cambodia’s education system still has a
long way to go.
The most pervasive problems stem from the low wages
teachers receive. Because teachers’ salaries start from US$50 per month,
teachers often have to supplement their income to survive. Many take
second jobs that limit the amount of time available to prepare lesson
plans and teach at school.
While public education is supposed to be free, many
teachers charge their students informal fees for attending class. Daily
bribes cost roughly US$0.20 per day. Thus, poorer students receive less
of an education and often end up dropping out.
According to UNESCO, Cambodia only spends 1.6% of GDP
on education. In contrast, governments around the world spend much more:
East Asia and the Pacific (2.8%); Central Asia (2.8%); Central and
Eastern Europe (4.2%);Latin America and the Caribbean (4.4%);
sub-Saharan Africa (4.5%); the Arab States (4.9%); North America and
Western Europe (5.6%).
At a time when much of Asia is on the rise, Cambodia
is being left behind largely because its education system is unable to
produce a skilled workforce.
To join the regional and international economies,
Cambodia needs to significantly increase its budget for education. Until
education becomes a top priority and teachers earn a decent wage, the
Cambodian government will continue to deny its citizens the opportunity
to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute meaningfully
to the economy.
Bill Costello, M.Ed., is a U.S.-based education
columnist, blogger, and author of Awaken Your Birdbrain: Using
Creativity to Get What You Want. He can be reached at www.
makingmindsmatter.com.
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