|
Regent’s School hosts 800 student delegates from around the world for Round Square Conference
The Regent’s School Pattaya is currently a
hive of activity. As well as educating nearly 1,000 pupils they are also
preparing to receive an additional 800 student and adult delegates from
around the world for the 2010 International Round Square Conference.
Mike Walton, principal
Regent’s School Pattaya
Visiting student delegates from schools in 23 countries
in North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia will be
coming to Pattaya from October 9 - 15. The theme of the conference is, “We
walk together.” This reflects the Regent’s School holistic vision for
education and their commitment to work in partnership with many
organizations in the local, national and global community.
The principal, Mr. Walton, says, “One of the many
outstanding features of the Regent’s School Pattaya is the way the school
works with inspirational partners in our community to help educate our
students about leadership and service, whilst empowering them to make a
difference for a better world. Academic achievement will always be our top
priority, but the extra-curricular activities and building positive
relations are all an important part of the educational process.”
Linnea
Timlin says, “We are very excited to show all the delegates the service
activities which take place at the school...”
What makes this conference unique is that it will be
student-led. The 16-strong student steering committee has been working for
nearly two years in preparation for the week long event. The school has a
further 80 student group leaders who will lead the delegates in all aspects
of the conference programme. It is clear that leadership is at the heart of
the Regent’s School curriculum.
Many more students from primary and secondary age have
been practicing hard on musical and dramatic performances which are also
part of the event. Linnea Timlin, an IB student and secretary of the student
steering committee says, “We have been working very hard for the past 2
years. We are very excited to show all the delegates the service activities
which take place at the school and to share with them the beauty and culture
of Thailand.”
Playing
with the children at the Fountain of Life.
As well as students and head teachers, the conference
will also be attended by His Majesty King Constantine of Greece, Queen
Anne-Marie, and Princess Theodora. The King writes, “Once again the
organizing committee has achieved a momentous task and has raised the
standards of the Round Square Conferences. More importantly, the students
and the faculty at Regent’s School have been putting their conference theme
to practice, by initiating and participating in a host of community support
projects. Their drive and commitment are truly commendable and we are all
looking forward to sharing these experiences in October.”
 Most
of the delegates will be in Thailand for the week before the conference,
working with community partners across the country who already have a long
and productive relationship working with Regent’s School students. These
include schools and charitable organizations in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai,
Koh Phi Phi, Koh Chang and Bangkok. There are also service projects in
Nepal, Cambodia and Malaysia.
During the conference, delegates will spend two days
working with nearly 30 community partners in the Pattaya area. Kru Wannee of
the Fountain of Life Children’s Centre says, “The Regent’s School Pattaya
has been working with the Fountain of Life for almost 10 years - this is a
special partnership that creates positive change through education. We are
very proud of being able to work with both the staff and students at The
Regent’s and that we have the opportunity to learn together as normal
people. Thank you.”
 The
Conference Director, Mr. Paul Crouch adds, “This conference has been a long
time coming to both our school and community. We are very proud to be able
to show what we do and how important it is to have partnerships with the
Thai community. Education really is about making connections and pushing the
boundaries of experiential learning and we aim to ingrain a real legacy of
community partnership for all those involved.”
Also attending the conference will be a group of
inspirational speakers. The Keynote Speakers all have a lifelong commitment
to community building and working with those who are less privileged. They
include Khun Mechai Viravaidya (Founder and Chairman of the Population and
Community Development Association), Father Joe Maier and Khun Usanee
Janngeon (HDF / Mercy Centre Klongtoey) and Mr. Peter Dalglish (Executive
Director of South Asia Children Fund and founder of Street Kids
International). A host of other speakers from across the region will also
contribute to the conference theme.
If you’d like to find out more about this conference,
please go to www.rs-wewalktogether.org
A list of local community partners joining the Regent’s
School and hosting the international delegates appears below:
* Abundant Life Centre - Bang Saen
* Baan Jing Jai Children’s Home
* Ban Banglamung Social Welfare Development centre for
Old People’s Home
* Camillian Social Centre - Rayong
* Child Development and Protection Centre
* Father Ray Blind School - Naklua
* Father Ray Children’s Village
* Father Ray Day Care Centre / Vocational Disabled
* Father Ray Farm Project / Street Kid’s Home
* Fountain of Life Children’s Centre
* Fountain of Life Women’s Centre
* Guranyawet Disabled Ladies Home
* HDF Farm project - Bangkok
* Kate’s project
* Koh Pai Nursery Project
* Mercy Centre - Pattaya
* Mermaids Dive Centre
* Our home quilting
* Pattaya Orphanage / Sotpattana Deaf School
* Rayong Bakery
* Sunganseuhsa Piset Ket 12 - Bang Beung
* Tamar Center
* Wat Pong School (Primary)
All new
Regent’s teachers are introduced to our community partners.
Student
Steering Committee.
Students
building the sea Gypsy community centre on Koh Phi Phi.
Another school term comes to an end
Derek Franklin
As another school term comes to an end, children
throughout the country will be waiting for the final bell to ring before
running home for several weeks of doing absolutely nothing. College and
university students will be grateful of the break from study, and at the
Redemptorist Vocational School for People with Disabilities more than
fifty students have completed their education and will leave to find
employment suitable for their new found knowledge.
After two years at the school this young man will have no problems
finding a good job.
Two years ago they arrived at the school from all
four corners of the Kingdom with one aim, to receive an education which
will give them the skills and knowledge to go into society and find
employment as equals.
It was a group of very scared and nervous young
adults who were welcomed by the teachers, and during their time at the
school they have received not just an education, but the school has
given them confidence and self worth.
The evening before they left the school they all
attended a special ceremony where the lights were turned off and each
student lit a candle. A microphone was passed around and each student
spoke their thoughts of how they feel now they are leaving the school,
and they thanked the teaching staff for helping them change their lives.
Several broke down in tears as they spoke of how their live has been
changed, and how before coming to Pattaya no one had ever shown them
respect, whilst others told of how they were treated badly because of
their disability.
Principal Udomchok wished all students the best of luck in whatever they
do.
Once over, the students then asked the teaching staff
to tie white string onto their wrists as a way of wishing the students
good luck.
Many students will remain in Pattaya, finding work in
the hospitality industry or work in the nearby industrial factories in
Laem Chabang, whilst others will return to their home towns and start
their own businesses. But whenever they do return to their home towns in
Isaan, their fishing villages in the south or to the cities of the north
they will no longer walk on crutches or wheel themselves along with
their heads facing down, they will move with their head held high.
This young man is hoping to open his own electrical repair shop.
They may look the same, but their whole attitude has
changed, and wherever they go they will do so with the knowledge that
they are no different than their new work colleagues. They have a
disability, but they are not disabled.
The Redemptorist Vocational School for People with
Disabilities is part of the Father Ray Foundation. More information can
be found at www.fr-ray.org or email
[email protected]
Volunteer teacher Lene wishes her student good luck.
The
school has built up the confidence of all the students.
In
just two years the electronic students
are now able to repair anything that needs fixing.
Many
students broke down in tears as they told of their gratitude to the
school.
Using clubs to help children learn
at Garden International School
Students are having a great time colouring.
By Jennifer Lenz,
Clubs coordinator and
GIS EAL teacher
Primary staff at Garden International School (GIS)
Rayong, which is located in Ban Chang, are taking an active role in
education by using fun to help children learn.
When the Primary students returned from their summer
holiday at the end of August they were given a list of 50 clubs which
are organized and run by the teachers and teaching assistants in Primary
and Foundation. Within a few days, the children (with parent approval)
had made their choices and the clubs were ready to go. Now each child
participates in three clubs a week, one every Tuesday, Wednesday and
Thursday at the end of the school day.
Students eagerly pay attention to Mr. Thomas Grogan.
The activities in which children currently
participate range from sports such as football, hockey and cricket, to
more artistic activities such as colouring, crafts and scrapbook. These
clubs are fun as well as educational in that they help the child to
develop a skill whilst fostering a sense of fun and community. Children
can choose clubs that engage and develop their mental skills or they can
choose clubs that develop their hand-eye coordination, or their gross or
fine motor skills or their listening skills and so on.
Smiling for the camera before activity starts.
To give examples: On Tuesdays some children learn how
to create a blog with Mr. Tom, while Ms. Patsy teaches others how to
cook up tasty treats. On Wednesdays some children learn how to do
traditional Thai dance with Khun Lalita and Khun Birth, while others
belt out familiar tunes using a karaoke program with Khun Pia. On
Thursdays some children learn all about recycling with Khun Nat and Khun
Nic, while Ms. Claire helps others get creative with clay.
Expressing movement of the body as they pair together at the dance club.
The clubs make full use of the school’s facilities -
on two days the pool is used for swimming with Mr. Miller, while the
covered hard-court and field are used all three days for sports. The
computer lab is being used to help children improve their computer
skills. Even the interactive whiteboard is playing a role- while on one
day it’s used to help children solve logic problems with Mr. Watkins, on
another day it’s used for playing board games with Ms. Jen. The new
multi purpose hall is used all three days for film club, dance and Jump
Jam (also a dance club).
Students easing up tense muscles as they play table tennis.
Primary students at GIS are learning to cross-stitch,
speak French and solve word puzzles. They are reading, dancing and
playing. One thing is clear: no matter what day it is, the children are
learning new skills and having a great time doing it.
A new selection of clubs will be offered after
mid-term break, and again at the start of the second and third terms.
For the children, this means many opportunities for learning and
interacting in new and exciting ways. For the teachers it means having a
chance to share their own favourite hobbies and activities as well as
getting to know more of the children - where else would you find years
1-3 searching for bugs with an EAL teacher, or years 4-6 analyzing films
with a year 1 teacher? It is definitely an educational and rewarding
experience for all involved.
Jump
Jam - another way of stretching muscles.
Orphans happy to receive milk Donation
Ms.
Titipun Pettrakul (left), Director of Satit Udomseuksa School, Pattaya
donates 51 boxes of milk on behalf of the students of Satit School to
Piroon Noiimjai, Pattaya Orphanage volunteer.
|
