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Fabulous Footloose
The Footloose finale.
Garden International School’s (GIS) super-talented
students staged a spectacular version of Footloose.
The show, which ran from November 21-23, attracted hundreds of parents and
students. The musical told the story of Ren (IB1’s Rohit), who arrives in a
conservative town where dancing has been banned. Ren befriends several
locals as he tries to change opinions and attitudes in his new hometown. He
also meets Ariel (Year 11’s Trisha), the daughter of the local preacher and
the pair soon fall in love.
As well as some convincing performances and clever set design, the show was
packed with hit songs, ranging from ‘Let’s Hear It For The Boy’, ‘Dancing in
the Streets’, ‘Somebody’s Eyes’ and the famous eponymous theme tune.
Other highlights included a version of Gangnam Style, some impressive
rapping from Louis, Rain, John C, Robert and Rohit and some adept dance
moves from Yogesh.
The show’s generous sponsors were Victory International Family Church
(Prestige Sponsors), The Camel Pub and Restaurant and Extreme Vision
(Platinum), Jack and Dave, the Lyubchevsk Family (Gold Sponsors), Praw Dance
Studio, Viking Power Systems and U-Smile (Silver) and May’s restaurant and
Shaniya’s (Year 7) mother.
Gotta cut footloose - a GIS
student displays some neat footwork.
Three GIS stars perform
‘Somebody’s Eyes’.
The GIS Footloose show
included some great choreography.
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Regent’s Presents: “How to get your child into Stanford: It’s about more than just grades and test scores”
Peter Dalglish.
Paul Crouch
It was upon hearing students leaving the Globe Theatre on Monday 3rd
December saying, “That was so inspirational, I now want to start a charity
project” and the amount of students queuing at the end of the speech to obtain a
business card that you realize how inspiring Peter Dalglish truly is.
Not just any humanitarian worker, Peter Dalglish is the founder of Street Kids
International and a leading authority on working children, street children and
war-affected children. Peter joined us for an installment of Regent’s Presents
called, “How to get your child into Stanford: It’s about more than just grades
and test scores.” He stressed that personal development goes hand in hand with
grades when it comes to applying for university - sometimes, it could even be
the deal breaker. As a graduate of Stanford University himself, he would know.
Peter Dalglish meets with students
after his presentation.
The universally shared understanding of the importance of
education has now become a double-edged sword in certain aspects as there are a
growing number of students that share the same exceptional grades. What
distinguishes two university candidates that have the same grade level? Perhaps
the one that helped in a project in Nepal working with children, or the one who
initiated a scheme that taught children in Afghanistan to skateboard, Mr.
Dalglish explained. Students that can share stories similar to these in their
application show true maturity and set themselves apart from so many others; and
its initiative like this that universities now really look for.
Mr. Dalglish left the students feeling empowered as he emphasized what they can
do to help and the number of volunteer opportunities that exist for them that
can help them change the world. He shared his experiences growing up without
making it seem unattainable. Quite the opposite; he encouraged all students to
do the same, leaving them with the feeling that they all have the potential and
duty to help others.
For more information please visit www.streetkids.org or contact Mr Paul Crouch
on [email protected] for ways to get in touch with Peter
Dalglish. The opportunity to be a part of a project could change a person’s
life.
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Hard Rock presents new cafeteria, restrooms to Ban Chark Nok School
The children were truly excited after receiving
coloring sets from the Eglis family.
Phasakorn Channgam
Pattaya’s Hard Rock Hotel offered lunch, and a place to eat it in, to
students at Huay Yai’s Ban Chark Nok School.
General Manager Jorge Carlos Smith and staff from the hotel and Hard Rock Cafe
presented the new cafeteria, restrooms and lawn area to Huay Yai Education
Department Director Khanittha Phottsin Nov. 30. The hotel also provided lunch
and dessert.
Smith said the Hard Rock raised 1.4 million baht to help the school after doing
a similar project for Ban Amphur School in Sattahip earlier this year. A
donation of 300,000 baht came from the Eglis family.
Smith said the projects fall under the hotel’s motto of “Take Time to Be Kind.”
Fundraising continues this month with a Dec. 8 charity concert for HRH Princess
Sirindhorn’s Charity, the Melissa Cosgrove Children’s Foundation, the Chonburi
College of Agriculture and Technology, and the Children & Women Protection
Center Police Region 2.
Members of the Eglis family
present a 300,000 baht donation to sponsor the project.
Youngsters are obviously enjoying
the delicious mean from the Hard Rock.
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Successful students graduate
from Redemptorist Vocational School
A group of graduating electronic students.
Derek Franklin
On the morning of Saturday 8th December seventy graduating students
gathered at the Redemptorist Vocational School for People with Disabilities to
receive their graduating certificates.
After two years of hard work each student has successfully completed their
chosen course; information technology, business English, media or electronic
repair.
They arrived at the school two years ago, for many the first time away from the
comfort of their homes and families.
They have made friends and achieved goals they never thought they would. Many
have participated in local, national and international sporting competitions.
Their confidence and self esteem has grown and they are now ready to enter the
workforce as equals.
Father Peter, President of the
Father Ray Foundation, hands each student their graduating certificates.
At the graduating ceremony the name of each student was
called and they made their way forward to receive their certificate from Father
Peter Pattarapong, President of the Father Ray Foundation. As each name was
called, the name of the course the studied on was also mentioned as was the name
of their new employer.
One hundred percent of all students now have employment. They will work
alongside non-disabled colleagues, where they will receive an equal salary and
have equal rights.
Since the school’s founding in 1984, almost two thousand five hundred young
adults living with a disability have graduated. The United Nations stated that
the Redemptorist Vocational School for People with Disabilities in Pattaya was
the best school of its type in South East Asia and it is proud of its success
rate, not just in teaching young adults with a disability, but also giving them
the ability to live in society as independent members of society.
This young lady was one of seventy
graduates.
A member of the graduating Class
of 2555 - 2012.
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GIS Garden vs Reps Swim
A brilliant butterfly by one of the GIS team.
Ms Aletta Wilson (Swimming Coach)
Photos by
Ritche Guisona
Garden International School (GIS) had another exciting swimming gala
against REPS on November 27 and ended the year on a high as they won (179 points
versus the 95 points that REPS scored).
There were three age groups taking part: Years 4 and 5; Years 6 and 7 and Years
8, 9 and 10. In the first age group the GIS girls won every race and both
relays, once again proving themselves to be the strongest section. Jessica won
three races with Ann winning the fourth one and our A relay team consisting of
Jessica, Ann, Lily, Fiona and Inez won both their relays.
Almost there - another victory for GIS.
Jan, Issie and Chloe came second in both relays. The GIS boys in the same age
group also swam well, with Pumin, William and David winning one race each. They
were joined by Danai in the Medley Relay and his brother Direk in the Freestyle
Relay which they both won. Lee, Austin, Alex, Benjamin and Jae Woo all
contributed to victory in this section.
In the second age group, our girls won both their relays (Kamilla, Jessica,
Shaniya, Radchel, Pygmy, Ellie, Sara and Miriam) whilst Shaniya and Ellie won
their events. The boys’ team, consisting of Oliver, John, Simon, Ash and Sun
swam well to win the Medley Relay with a second place in the Freestyle Relay.
GIS seniors did well against tough opposition: the girls - Coco, Gee-Gee and
Berenice won both their relays with the help of Jessica. Coco was the only
swimmer who thus won all four of her individual events and both relays. The
senior boys (David, Jason, Teng and Jab) won their Medley Relay and Teng won the
Breaststroke event.
Congratulations to all the swimmers who took part. Thanks also to our starter,
Mr Lynch and Ms Lucy and Ms Jenn who kept the scores for us.
Swimmers take a break during the races.
Ready to race!
A GIS swimmer on her way to another win.
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Volunteers needed for equine assisted therapy
Able the Disabled Foundation - (Riding for the Disabled Thailand) at Horseshoe Point Pattaya
The horse moving naturally in
walk simulates and synthesizes a movement as close to the human walk as is
possible.
Sandra Cooper
For thousands of physically and mentally challenged people, in at least 30
countries, riding horses and ponies has become their first step away from the
protective shelter of home, or special school, into the hustle and bustle of the
outside world. This can lead to new occupations, careers, friendships and a more
full and useful life in the community.
Riding for the Disabled started a long time ago. The Greeks wrote about
“Hippotherapy” Hippo = horse) in the 5th century as a way of rehabilitating
wounded solders. In 1901 it was being used in Britain by a small group of
enthusiasts; but a surge of interest worldwide came in the 1950’s with Madame
Liz Hartel, a Danish polio victim who, through determination and willpower, won
the Silver medal for Dressage (the classical art of riding) at the 1952 Olympics
in Helsinki.
The riders may overcome fears,
learn trust and interact socially with their helpers.
From modest beginnings, the RDA has spread internationally.
In our own Asian neighbourhood there are groups in Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore
and Malaysia. Able the Disabled Foundation is now under the Federation of
Disabled Riding International (FRDI).
Many disabled people benefit from riding; some from the therapy it gives, others
by actually learning to ride. The benefits can be enormous and wide-ranging.
They include improvements in balance, co-ordination, muscle tone, concentration,
cooperation and behavior. The feeling of independence and “I can do it” is
achieved. For many riders, their visit to the stables is the thing they look
forward to most in the week and, in many cases, it may be the only therapy they
receive.
The Physical
Benefits
In addition to all the other
benefits, it is also fun!
The horse moving naturally in walk simulates and synthesizes
a movement as close to the human walk as is possible. This movement is used as a
treatment base. Each rider is taught on the basis of their own individual needs
and goals within a group lesson aided by the volunteers.
The movement and the warmth of the horse (whether on a sheepskin or saddle)
encourages relaxation, stimulates the function of the internal organs and
digestive tracts. The riders develop balance and learn to position themselves to
accommodate the pony’s movement.
In time, co-ordination and communication may be developed and improved. It can
offer the opportunity for a physically challenged person to experience mobility
on a par with their able bodied peers.
Other Benefits
The riders may benefit from the necessary discipline, respond to requests,
overcome fears, learn trust and interact socially with their helpers and their
peers, developing as increase in confidence and self esteem.
Able the Disabled Foundation at Horseshoe Point Pattaya was started in 2005 and
registered in 2006. The founders, Chaikiri Srifuengfung and Chanya Srifuengfung,
have a vision along with Riding Therapist Sandra Cooper (UK) to create a Therapy
Riding Programme and work towards the International standards of other Asian
countries.
The sessions are held most weekday mornings, the children coming from a variety
of Special Schools and Day Care Centres. Any school wishing to participate in
the programme can apply through the riding school main office.
Children age 5yrs and upwards are considered following an assessment visit and
completion of an application form to be signed by a parent or guardian,
including a medical form to be signed by a doctor. Private lessons are available
in the afternoons and Saturdays.
We are also looking for volunteers to assist with our morning schools or
afternoons.
Contacts for any information: Horseshoe Point main office 038 051 676; Riding
Therapist Sandra 086-848-3684.
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