Tuesday, June 09, 2009

 

Back to school - in Thailand.

Today I offer a selection of pictures taken at Jessica and John's school.
I put the address of the school website on a posting during last week.
I know I saw only a little of the workings of the school because I was only there for a short while at the beginning and end of a very few of the children's days.
I wish I could have shown more and that the pictures were better quality. I didn't want to use flash.
I saw hard work and organisation from the staff who showed love and understanding to the children.
I saw hard work from the children - they seem to be taught with imagination and an ability to feed enquiring minds.
Much is expected of the children.
I saw much equipment and special rooms.
There seemed to be a lot of back up staff for the teachers.
There was a busy print room, producing work books for the children to use.
And so much more.
John and Jessica's school is a private school and the school survives on its repuation.
So a great deal is done to ensure that it is one of the best schools on Phuket.
I can't say that education in the UK or Thailand is better. Each have their strong points.
I think it would be better if the UK encouraged more self discipline and self reliance.
I think that perhaps Thailand could encourage more individuality and creativity.
Perhaps all of this is happening in both countries.
Certainly children in both countries grow to become able adults fit for further education and work.

We will start with John's world.
We were there for the first 2 weeks of John's time at the English speaking school. He had already spent a year in the Thai school.
He is in K2 Butterfly - the K is for kindergarten. The 2 is for year 2 of course.
The day starts at half past eight.
The children who arrive at that time go to the classroom with their bags. Then Teacher Gemma takes them to assembly - some children arrive during the assembly.

Teacher Gemma leads her little crocodile, watched by Jamie.
Jamie rarely gets much time to spend time in the school because of work commitments.


The early children wait in the central hall. Jamie talks with Teacher Gemma.
I like that way for children to address their teachers.


The kindergarten classes have gathered to sing and start the day with a little meditation.
One class is dressed for PE. One day a week the children need to wear their sports clothes to school.


Part of John's classroom.


After school there is homework to be done.
John has time to do this in the library whilst waiting for Jessica's school day to end.


But who wants to do homework when there are good play facilities?
Jessica starts at quarter to eight each morning.
Here is her class shepherded to the classroom by Teacher Ronni
Jessica is so much taller than her classmates.


Classrooms in the primary section had rows of desks all facing the front.
The children work in work books - all doing the same thing I presume.
Jessica had to wait a little longer before her lessons ended.

Once out of class she could join John - and on this day, her Daddy, in the library. It was good to find a quiet spot for Father and daughter to share a book.
It is possible to borrow books from the library. Each child wears a computerised card round their neck - so borrowing a book is easy.
I loved the library - lots more than just book shelves,
There were lots of places for children to read or work alone and also fun places where groups could get together.
There were newspapers and magazines.


This is both a climbing frame and a place for quiet reading.
Through one of the spaces you might be able to see a group of teachers at a table having a meeting.

All the teachers wear a uniform
I presume that the assistants wear the school colours of green and white whilst the English speaking teachers wear cream and brown


You can climb up high and read in a world of your own.


This is the school exterior.


The playground and sports area.


Computers at one end of the library.
There are other computer rooms with enough for each class member.


Display in the corridor outside Jessica's classroom.



There is a cafeteria, serving snacks and meals all day for teachers, children, office staff etc.


Interior of Jessica's end of the school.
See the picture of The Heroines (more of them tomorrow) high on the end wall.


Another interior shot showing a quirky attention to detail - the pillar through all the floors is built as a pencil!

Back to school - in Thailand.
posted by Grandma P on Tuesday, June 09, 2009