Story
by Tony Malhotra
Photos by Regent’s School and Pattaya Mail reporters
The opening ceremony of the 2010 International Round
Square Conference at The Regent’s School Pattaya on October 10 began at 9
a.m. with the Long Drum Procession by the students from Wat Pong School
leading a parade of more than one thousand delegates, head of schools,
representatives from various organizations, parents and VIP guests into the
main auditorium. Once every one was seated, Their Majesties King Constantine
and Queen Anne-Marie of Greece gracefully arrived at the hall.
Four
students Serena Bishop, Fern Maxwell, Sierra Sanchez and Tassanee Sanchez,
accompanied by The Regent’s Chamber Group beautifully sang HM the King of
Thailand’s Royal anthem. Students from Regent’s School Bangkok then
performed the Thai Blessing Dance before emcees Linnea Timlin and Pantila
Triphopnakkul announced the flag parade of participating schools.
Mike Walton, Principal of The Regent’s School Pattaya,
welcomed the delegates and guests and spoke about how thrilled he was that
the International Conference had come to Pattaya: “We are so excited to be
hosting the 2010 International Round Square Conference. We joined the Round
Square family in 2001 and hosted a regional conference in 2005. 3 years ago
at Daly College we first talked of the possibility of hosting a full
international conference here at Regents School. Inspired by the themes of
previous conferences from which our students have learned so much we decided
on a community based theme to reflect the S of IDEALS and the curriculum
that we deliver for our own students.”
H.M.
King Constantine, President of the Round Square Organization addresses the
gathering.
The Round Square organization believes in six Pillars
called IDEALS, which is an acronym for Internationalism, Democracy,
Environmental awareness, Adventure, Leadership and Service to the community.
Mike added, “We believe that learning through community
partnership is a very powerful part of a holistic education. It is not about
observation, not about charity, not about using people. Our community
partners don’t want to be looked at, those who have difficulty do not want
our sympathy, nor are they resources to educate us. They want to meet you;
they are offering to walk with you for a few days. It is about friendship,
understanding, empathy and common goals.”
H.M.
King Constantine strikes the gong to officially open the 2010 International
Round Square Conference.
H.M. King Constantine, President of the Round Square
Organization then addressed the gathering, expressing his gratitude for all
the people involved in making this International Conference a great one. A
special word of thanks went to Dr. Virachai Techavijit, Chairman of The
Regent’s School and his board.
H.M. King Constantine explained that Round Square aims to
inspire students throughout the world so that their generation will strive
for new levels of co-operation, communication, awareness and understanding.
It developed from the inspiring theories of Kurt Hahn, a philosopher and
educationalist who believed that schools should not just be places to
prepare for further education but also places to prepare for life. By
testing themselves, students would be able to develop their courage,
generosity, imagination, principles and resolution. At the end of the day,
they would develop the skills and abilities to become the leaders of the
future.
At
exactly 10 minutes past 10 a.m. on Oct. 10, 2010 (10:10 on 10-10-10) Their
Majesties inscribed their names on the Time Capsule containing cultural
souvenirs, photos and messages of conference attendees, buried near Their
transplanted golden shower tree at The Regents School.
“Each year delegates from the Round Square Member Schools
gather for an international, student centered conference. The 2010
International Conference at The Regent’s School, Pattaya will seek to expose
the need for such compassion in the world today and provide a message of
hope and encouragement to the delegates that we can make a difference. The
Conference’s theme, ‘We Walk Together’ gives emphasis to the importance of
service to others. This message will indeed be reinforced by the eminent and
renowned keynote speakers, who have themselves overcome huge obstacles to
follow their chosen purpose in life.”
Their
Majesties plant a commemorative golden shower tree.
“I would like to say that it is privilege to be here
again in Thailand. Queen Anne-Marie and I were last here together in 1987
and I was here alone in 1997 after the Round Square Conference in Kenya. We
have been looking forward to our return with great anticipation. Thailand is
known for its exceptional hospitality and we both look forward to enjoying
our visit to your wonderful country.”
Their
Majesties together with HRH Princess Theodora and primary students from The
Regent’s School Pattaya pose with Chairman
Dr. Virachai Techavijit and Kwanshanok Techavijit (right).
The King added, “It is our hope that this Conference will
be the catalyst for a positive change in the minds of the young delegates
here and that they will leave with a passion to return home to make a
difference in their own communities.” The King then struck the huge gong 3
times to officially open the 2010 International Round Square Conference.
H.M.
King Constantine with Dr. Virachai Techavijit (left) and Mike Walton
(right).
After the official Opening Ceremony, Their Majesties then
proceeded to the Tree Planting and burying of the Time Capsule 10-10-10
Ceremonies where at exactly 10:10 Their Majesties inscribed their names on
the “Time Capsules 10-10-10,” which are painted with colorful designs and
contain cultural souvenirs, photos and messages of conference attendees. The
two Time Capsules were buried near H.M. King Constantine’s transplanted
golden shower tree in the school grounds. When, in the next decade, October
10, 2020 arrives or when Thailand hosts the conference again, Round Square
youths will dig up the Time Capsules to revisit the past and determine to
recommit themselves to do community service projects in Thailand as
historically recorded in the Time Capsule.
Pattaya Mail will bring you reports of students’
community service activates held during the week of the conference in our
upcoming issues.
HRH
Princess Theodora adds a message to the time capsule during this “ceremony
of the decade”.
The flag
parade from 72 schools in 23 countries begins.
Thai
Blessing Dance beautifully performed
by students of the Regent’s School Bangkok.
Serena
Bishop, Fern Maxwell, Sierra Sanchez and Tassanee Sanchez sing HM the King
of Thailand’s Royal Anthem.
‘We Walk Together’
‘We
Walk Together’ is the theme of the 2010 International Round Square
Conference being hosted by The Regent’s School Pattaya and last week this is
exactly what many of the delegates from Round Square Schools around the
globe achieved during pre-conference projects across the country and further
afield. These inspirational and sustainable projects were designed to
provide practical help to communities and charities whilst enhancing the
learning experience and cultural immersion of the visiting delegates and
Regent’s students. Students were taken out of their comfort zones and had
the opportunity to really make a sustained difference.
Human Development
Foundation, Mercy Centre Farm
Delegates prepare to plant a herb garden at the Human Development
Foundation, Mercy Centre Farm.
We Play
Together! A delegate being taught how to play a traditional Thai board game
by the boys at Mercy Centre.
Delegates from Gordonstoun (Scotland), Abbotsholme
(England), and Tiger Kloof (South Africa) were led by Prawina Sompong from
the Mercy Centre and Evelyn Anderson from the Regent’s School. The delegates
provided practical help and worked hard to level land for the construction
of a badly needed football pitch, plant a herb garden and rice paddy and to
create a sustainable fish farm.
Baan Maelid School, Mae
Hong Son
Sierra
Sanchez teaching English at Baan Maelid School in Mae Hong Son where the
classroom facilities are extremely basic but the children eager to learn.
The school provides education for children from the Karen
Hill tribes. Delegates spent a week at the school building concrete water
tanks and teaching English to the children. ‘By the time we had to leave,
all were tearful and wishing our time had not expired. Overall, this
experience will forever be engraved in our minds and heart as one of the
most eye-opening, profound and impacting adventures ever, We cannot wait to
go back’. (Sierra Sanchez - Regent’s School student)
IDEALS Centre on Koh Chang
Children
from Salak Khok Primary School being taught English
by visiting delegates from the IDEALS Centre on Koh Chang.
One of the projects was hosted at the school’s IDEALS
Centre on Koh Chang. The delegates spent a rewarding week teaching English
at the primary school in Salak Khok fishing village and experienced first
hand the challenges of working in a traditional Thai Temple School. Despite
only being in their teens, the young delegates really put their best efforts
into planning rewarding and enjoyable lessons for the school children.
The Primary teachers of Salak Khok School were presented
with a donation from the Round Square delegates to help them source new
resources for the school. To show their appreciation, the children of Salak
Khok School put on a traditional Thai music and dance show for the
delegates. It was a wonderful and unforgettable experience for all and for
many of the delegates this was the first time they had experienced the warm
hospitality and fascinating culture of the Thai people.
Tioman Turtles, Malaysia
Students and staff from the Regent’s School were joined
on Tioman Island, Malaysia by staff and students from Birklehof School,
Germany and Daly College, India. The main purpose for the trip was to visit
the Juara Turtle Project to learn about the plight of Green and Hawksbill
turtles in the area and to protect turtle eggs laid on the beaches of the
island. Ensuring that as many baby turtles as possible hatch and make it out
to sea. All students assisted with the project in various ways, from
cleaning the tank for resident turtle Jo (a blind turtle who has become an
ambassador for the species) to emptying nests that have hatched to determine
why some eggs do not hatch. All of the students have returned from this trip
with a greater respect for the marine environment and its inhabitants,
having learnt a great deal about the importance of biodiversity and
experienced first hand many of the local species.
The
students on their way to Malaysia.
Learning
some local arts and craft on Tioman Island, Malaysia.
Keeping
Jo’s tank clean in Malaysia.
Croston House Children’s
Home, Lamphun
Delegates and children from Croston House
spend the last evening together.
The Frog
Pit with the 100’s of frogs captured by the children at the Croston House
Children’s Home, Lamphun.
Croston House is a home near Chiang Mai for neglected
children. Student delegates and teachers from the Regent’s School and
Radford College made an incredible team and successfully completed a number
of projects to improve the conditions and future for the 20 children at
Croston House. The aim was to set up sustainable farming projects that could
be maintained and developed over time. Delegates were led in the
construction of a sustainable mushroom farm which would provide food and a
source of income for the home. Fruit trees and a herb garden were donated
and planted and two pigs, aptly named Regents and Radford were installed
into their new pen. A pool was also dug for frog farming and the children
took great delight in relocating the 400 frogs to their new home! The
children now all have mosquito nets and each child was given a set of
coat-hangers for their clothes. Friendships were formed whilst weaving,
painting pendants and folding paper cranes together.
Laem Tong International
Community Resource Centre, Koh Phi Phi
Students
at the Laem Tong International Community Resource Centre, Koh Phi Phi work
together to build the community centre
Seven international schools joined 21 students from The
Regent’s School to work on the Community Centre for the Sea Gypsy Village at
Laem Thong on Koh Phi Phi. The project involved continued construction of
the community centre, teaching the students English in the connecting
school, organising a clean up of the local beach, and talking to the Sea
Gypsy elders to discuss issues that they are currently facing. The students
worked from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. each day, learning new skills, building and
digging. This is part of continued support by Round Square schools from
around the world following the tsunami. Each student learnt a lot about the
local community and Thailand, but also about themselves too.
We Work
Together! (Laem Tong International Community Resource Centre, Koh Phi Phi)
Cambodia Tabatha
organization
This project was led by the Ivanhoe Grammar School, based
in Melbourne, Australia. They have worked with the Tabatha organisation in
Siem Reap in northern Cambodia for a number of years now and have made
strong connections with the Khmer people in this area. The delegates aim was
to help with a house building project; this was physically hard and
demanding work but a rewarding and humbling experience. Particularly moving
was when the families moved into their new homes.
The students also taught English in some of the schools
that Ivanhoe Grammar has worked with for several years. This was a
‘thoroughly amazing experience’ to quote one of the girls. The young
Cambodian students were quick to learn and our students discovered that
being a teacher is not as easy as they first thought. It was a great chance
to learn a lot about daily life for these students and their teachers.
‘The whole trip allowed us to reflect on how every little contribution we
make can make a difference. The students came away from the experience
feeling very grateful for the privileges they have back home, but also with
an interest and commitment to doing more service and volunteer work in the
future’. (Miss Clare Allen - Ivanhoe Grammar School)
