|
IB CAS students visit Croston House
Children
at Croston House are happy and full of life.
Maura and Beverley,
Year 12 students at St Andrews School
Eight St. Andrews’ students set off, along with two
teachers, on a long journey to Croston House in Chiang Mai. We left school
at around 3:45 p.m. by bus, arriving at the train station in Bangkok two
hours later. The overnight train ride took fourteen hours in total and was
fairly comfortable, though it seemed to last forever. During this time we
read and marked some extended essays in preparation for starting our own in
January.
Croston House was set up by Mr. Glen Croston and his wife
Rosjana in Banglamung on the 1st of June 2005 and was granted foundation
status in October 2006. Croston house is located in Lamphun, Makrua Chae,
about 4 km from Chiang Mai with 20 children from throughout northern
Thailand. These children are between the ages of 4 and 16 years and come to
Croston House for a better environment, receiving better care, better
education and a chance for an improved future. The children in Croston House
are not all orphans. Some are here because their parents couldn’t afford to
care for them, so they come here for an improved life.
Glen Croston picked us up at the small train station
close to the centre, and after introductions and a short bus ride we arrived
at our destination. The newly built centre is set up simplistically, with
three main buildings constructed of bamboo/wood and a floor of concrete. Two
of these serve as dorms for the boys and girls, the other is for eating,
shelter and other general use.
Due to the extensive rain they had experienced, further
building was very difficult as the ground consistency was too wet so this
building will have to wait until the dry season.
After settling in, we visited the local school that the
children attend. That day the school was having its sports day so we played
games such as table tennis and football with them. The school kindly invited
us to stay for a lunch of fried rice, som tam and soup.
We then got picked up by Glenn Croston’s wife to go back
to do some work. We repainted all of the tables, benches and stools that had
been donated to them in vibrant blue and white.
The next day we started work on the new pig pen at the
very end of the land, for pigs that were generously donated to the centre.
The weather wasn’t easy on us as it switched from baking heat to heavy rain
almost daily, but we were proud of the work we had done and Glen Croston
promised to send a picture soon, once the pig pen was fully completed.
The five boys in our group also bravely attempted to dig
a one meter deep hole, six meters long by 3 meters wide, to house the
thousands of frogs (also a donation) the centre owned, but had to stop when
the rain pelted down again, since the hole just filled up with mud and
water.
Before we left we donated 15 fruit trees to be planted in
the grounds of the centre to help them on their road to self sufficiency.
After goodbyes were said on Sunday and everyone had
exchanged emails, we set off to the airport to begin the journey home. It
didn’t take long, though most people fell asleep on the bus back to school.
Overall we really enjoyed this opportunity, and I’m sure everyone who went
became a lot more appreciative of the lifestyles and privileges we have.
IB
students work the land in weather
that switched from baking heat to heavy rain almost daily.
|
|
 |
Little Shop of Horrors to be staged at Garden International School
Garden
International School Rayong Drama department is staging
the smash Broadway musical Little Shop of Horrors.
Grace Kijjaroenvisal
and Jennifer Blais
A carnivorous, blues-singing plant intent on ruling the
world sounds like the plot of an old science fiction movie, but it’s really
the star of the smash Broadway musical Little Shop of Horrors being
presented November 24th and 25th by the Garden International School Rayong
Drama department.
Down-and-out, skid row floral assistant Seymour becomes
an overnight sensation when he discovers an exotic plant with a mysterious
craving for fresh blood! Seymour, infatuated with his co-worker Audrey (who
insists upon dating a sadistic dentist) allows his craving for fame and
fortune to seduce him into playing nursemaid to the man-eating plant. Naming
the plant after his secret love, soon “Audrey II” grows into an
ill-tempered, R&B-singing carnivore who offers him his heart’s desires.
Directed by Mr. Ken Lund, secondary drama teacher, the
production features a main cast consisting of Grace Kijjaroenvisal, Yeon Tae
Kwan, Pratiman Shahi, James Marshall, Christina Traister, Ellen Neel and
Hanna Inthararat.
We are very proud to be sponsored by several prominent
local businesses. At the gold level, our sponsors are R.M.C. Industrial Co.
Ltd., Old Phala Beach House, Pongchomporn Spare Parts, Ltd., and Extreme
Vision Engineering Co. Ltd. Sponsorship opportunities are still available at
three different levels of commitment and benefits. If you are interested in
sponsoring our production, please contact Khun Bonnie at 038 880 3603 or
email dramadpt@ gardenrayong.com.
Little Shop of Horrors will be shown in the secondary
hall in the main building of Garden International School. The performance
begins at 7:00 p.m., and tickets are 100 baht for adults and 40 baht for
students.
|
|
Charity football tournament is a smashing success
Mr Jeff LaMantia,
Director of Sport at St Andrews School
The St. Andrews One Day, One Goal Football Tournament
was organised to raise awareness of Water Safety and help support a
fellow international school family by playing football and raising money
for the Luca Waugh Foundation.
Luca was only 18 months old when he wandered through a shared pool gate
that was left open and fell into the water.
Luca was only 18 months old when he wandered through
a shared pool gate that was left open and fell into the water. He was
clinically dead but was revived by his nanny and a local American
family. Unfortunately this accident left Luca with some serious physical
problems.
The support and generosity from our school community
and the ESAC community was unbelievable. There were over 150 children
from 5 to 11 years old playing football in support of the foundation.
Sportsmanship, friendship and fair play was evident throughout the whole
tournament.
The Physical Education Department and the Waugh
Family would like to thank our Parents Sports Committee and all those
parents, students and teachers that so kindly donated money. We were
able to raise over 33,000 baht for Luca and his foundation.
Luca’s father was quoted saying, “He is still our
lovely beautiful brave little boy, who is only going to get better. We
will see him walk out on a football pitch one day.”
Congratulations to all our competitors - you made
your schools very proud!
Jordan getting stuck in against the opposition.
Eliza and Jade take on the girls from Regents.
Striving to defend the goal.
Team
talks.
|
|
‘Perhaps Love’… a musical evening to remember
The
singing superstars joined
the blind students in a rendition of Amazing Grace.
(L
to R) Paisan and Deborah Bundityanond from Pattaya’s Rabbit Resort
attended the concert, and met with Ms. Sook, concert organiser.
Derek Franklin
The Pridi Auditorium on Sukhumvit Soi 55 in Bangkok
was the venue for a special concert on Tuesday 9th November in aid of
the Father Ray Foundation.
The musical evening, titled ‘Perhaps Love’, saw
renowned Korean tenor Kim Jun Man performing a selection of songs from
well known operas as well as several contemporary numbers.
As guests arrived at the auditorium, entertainment
was provided by the Thai traditional musical group from the Pattaya
Redemptorist School for the Blind who received praise and applause after
each number.
Mr. Kim was joined on stage by several well known
singers, including Thai soprano Sivipa Prompiriya and Korean, Chinese
and Thai tenors Daejoon Kang, Surapong Wattananontachai, Yao Li Sen and
Vuthiphand Pongtanalert.
Highlight of the evening came at the end of the first
half when Apsorn Kurmarohita, President of Sunset Village Beach Resort
and Sunset Park Resort & Spa in Pattaya, took to the piano to play two
pieces by Chopin.
This was followed by the blind students giving a
rendition of Amazing Grace. Singing the first verse alone, the students
were then joined on stage by Mr. Kim and his fellow singers who all sang
together in what turned out to be a very moving experience for the
audience.
Several hundred guests enjoyed the evening, with many
attendees from the Pattaya area. All proceeds from the evening,
including donations, will be presented to the Father Ray Foundation and
will be used at the Pattaya Redemptorist School for the Blind.
For more information about the work of the Father Ray
Foundation, there is a website, www.fr-ray.org or email
[email protected]
The
blind students sing ‘Amazing Grace’.
Guests were entertained by the blind students prior to the concert
starting.
|
|
A night with ‘The Divas’
Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya Charity Concert 2010
Kam
Wichayanee and Panadda will be performing at ‘The Divas’ Charity Concert
December 4 at the Hard Rock.
Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya will be holding ‘The Divas’
Charity Concert to celebrate its 9th Christmas Charity Light-up Party on
Saturday, December 4 at the Hall of Fame Ballroom. Being a non-profit event,
this year, we have rather ambitious plans to raise funds for various
projects.
Now in its ninth year, this annual party has always been
fun-packed, memorable and meaningful. Themed on “Black & Blink” this year,
it starts at 6:30 p.m. and goes on to late. We are honored to have again
General Kanit Permsub, Deputy Chief Aide-De-Camp and General to His Majesty
the King, and Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome lending their support to our appeal.
The night will be highlighted by pre-dinner cocktails at
the Pool Deck, the ceremonial lighting of the Christmas tree, followed by
fireworks, and the ever sumptuous buffet dinner at the Hall of Fame. Drinks
are free-flow and unlimited.
This
year is a celebration of the 9th Christmas Charity Light-up Party on
Saturday, December 4 at the Hall of Fame Ballroom.
Entertainment wise, we’ll have our very own Hard Rock
Cafe’s resident band - Centric - all the way from Ohio, USA, that will get
it started. And then two delectable Divas: Kam Wichayanee, who shot to fame
when she won first place in The Star competition 2008 at the Star
Entertainment Awards, with an extraordinary performance that has won her a
multitude of praises and an even greater number of fans! Panadda, on the
other hand, became famous for her first song Dao Kra Dad, and was a winner
at the KPN awards as the best singer of year 1996. Of late, Panadda was the
leading actress of the musical play Mae Nak Pra Ka Nong - The Musical. Both
ladies will rock us with an exclusive 90 minutes performance. As always,
we’ll be having our fantastic charity auction of many wonderful prizes,
including the chance to stay in our newly renovated Deluxe Suites next year,
as well as free holidays at other Hard Rock Hotels!
Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya invites you to join us in a
spirit of giving, and celebration, and add your support in the form of a
cash donation, ticket purchase of THB 26,910 for a table of 10 persons or
THB 2,990 per person, or donate a prize for an auction and raffle draws
which will be held during the event. Please feel free to contact our
Marketing Communications Department (Pattaya Office: 038-428755-9) for more
information in English or in Thai, and for ticket reservations. Tickets are
also available at the Reception Desk of Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya.
We aim to work and support the following foundations:
H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Charity Fund
Her Royal Highness works tirelessly in assisting Her
people and helps develop Her own country, and has inspired all Thai people
with Her dedication and perseverance. The people have always followed Her
lead by donating generously to support numerous Royal projects. Funds have
helped people to improve their living conditions, raise standards of
education, and assist Thai youth in specific remote areas. Other works
include natural disaster relief, the development of occupations for the
disadvantaged, and of late, assistance given to hospitals and specifically
the purchase of medical equipment.
Baan Ampur Primary School - For a better learning environment for local
children
This is the second year in which we contribute towards
the improvement of this school’s facilities, and we build on the
accomplishments of last year’s fundraising. So far, collected monies have
been spent on toilets and landscaping, and we plan to build a canteen and
kitchen as the next phase.
Chonburi College of Agriculture and Technology - The Save Our Planet
Project
This is Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya’s next initiative. In
collaboration with the Chonburi Agricultural College, we wish to promote,
encourage and educate the virtues of natural organic farming techniques and
free range poultry farming. We are in discussions currently, but projects
include a working and ‘learning’ organic farm, acquisition of learning
materials, and student grants for study and learning trips. Of course, we
hope to use this as a base to educate our own Hard Rocker team, colleagues
from other hotels, and other students in the province that may see the
importance of this topic in our general education.
Melissa Cosgrove Children’s Foundation
The Melissa Cosgrove Children’s Foundation is a
non-profit organization founded in 2003, and work has been on-going to help
disadvantaged children throughout Asia for over 18 years now. The Foundation
works in Thailand, Myanmar (Burma) and Pakistan bringing hope and happiness
to disadvantaged children - children with HIV/AIDS, street children, slum
dwelling children, trafficked children and orphans.
We’d like to thank you for your generosity and we trust
you will have a great time at our upcoming ‘The Divas’ Charity Concert 2010.
Remember our mottos: Take time to be kind & Save the
planet.
|
|
|
