Bangkok students boosted their reputation for creative flair by bagging no less than 19 prizes at an international art competition on Monday.
The best young Bangkok painters – as selected by City Hall and education authorities – vied with their peers from across Asia in the 7th Asian Children Art Exhibition contest at Benxi in China’s Liaoning province.
The Thai artworks were competing against some 500 paintings submitted from China, Iran, North Korea, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Singapore and Sri Lanka.
The contest opened on September 7 with all paintings showcased across the city in Benxi city’s schools as well as on the WeChat app account of the organiser, Liaoning People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (LNPAFFC).
Among the 19 awards handed to Thai students were one 1st prize, two first-runners-up and four second-runners-up prizes, and 12 best works awards.
Held under the theme “Health, Friendship, and Great Harmony”, the contest promoted the exchange of art, culture and friendship among youths from across Asia.
As the world marks International Literacy Day on Wednesday, around 6 million children in Yemen, which has a population of 30 million, are facing the risk of education disruption.
Around 2 million girls and boys have already been forced out of school due to the civil war and economic crisis.
The International Literacy Day declared by UNESCO is observed each year on Sept. 8.
Children attend an Arabic class at a school in Sanaa, Yemen, on Sept. 8, 2021.
Children attend an Arabic class at a school in Sanaa, Yemen, on Sept. 8, 2021.
Children attend a class at a school in Sanaa, Yemen, on Sept. 8, 2021.
Children attend a class at a school in Sanaa, Yemen, on Sept. 8, 2021.
Two school children are seen at a school in Sanaa, Yemen on Sept. 8, 2021.
Two school children are seen at a school in Sanaa, Yemen on Sept. 8, 2021.
School children attend Arabic class at a school in Sanaa, Yemen on Sept. 8, 2021.
School children attend Arabic class at a school in Sanaa, Yemen on Sept. 8, 2021.
A child takes note during a class at a school in Sanaa, Yemen, on Sept. 8, 2021.
A child takes note during a class at a school in Sanaa, Yemen, on Sept. 8, 2021.
Children attend an Arabic class at a school in Sanaa, Yemen, on Sept. 8, 2021.
International Pre-schools in Bangkok specialise in either a British or American English developmental education. The fact that English is the language of the school means they’re the educational destinations for the children of Bangkok ex-pats.
Much importance has been given lately to the need for parents to pay as much attention to their child’s pre-school development phase as their formal education. And this attention has focused on International pre-schools as being able to offer the best of these child development programmes.
International pre-schools offer a much higher level of development and education because they can afford to hire better trained and certified teachers and education directors. They also provide access to better-equipped facilities and educational equipment.
But there are certain intangible qualities to an international pre-school that go beyond the facilities, teachers and curriculum. And it revolves around the word ‘international’ in their name.
Sense of Compassion
International pre-schools in Bangkok specialise in either a British or American English developmental education. The fact that English is the language of the school means they’re the educational destinations for the children of Bangkok ex-pats. These ex-pat children of diplomats, international business people, NGO employees, engineers, and exporters from many countries around the world all rub shoulders with one another at these international schools.
This means that from a very early age, your child will become friends and playmates with an extraordinary variety of children. Their group of friends might include children from South Africa, the Philippines, Denmark and Iceland. They’ll become familiar with being exposed to different cultures and learn to appreciate the individual first and foremost.
This also means that along with the social skills they’ll develop, will be a sense of compassion that will serve them well throughout the years of their formal education.
Natural Diplomacy
Every child naturally wants to make friends and be liked by others. It’s in their nature to be diplomatic in trying to resolve conflicts and get along with everyone.
The international pre-school provides them with a wide range of people and cultural experiences. As they negotiate their way in the class and start to make friends, they’ll develop a broader appreciation for the different people who make up the world.
Children are also quick to pick up habits they admire in other people. The more cultures they are exposed to, the greater their wealth of experiences to learn from and qualities to adopt.
Elevated Level of Development
The sense of compassion and diplomacy your child will develop naturally is just a bonus to the quality developmental education they’ll receive at an international pre-school in Bangkok.
As the quality schools and universities of the world have ever greater numbers of applicants every year, their qualification standards for admission can only get more stringent. By giving your child the best developmental education in the city, you can provide them with a tremendous boost to their chances when they reach the undergraduate phase of their education.
Every parent should consider enrolling their child in an international pre-school. Why not make a list of some of the best and schedule appointments with them to find out precisely what they’ll offer your child?
With the start of new school year, students in Jordan now can embrace in-class learning as COVID-19 restrictions were lifted.
More than 2 million students resumed on Wednesday in-school learning in Jordan after a months-long hiatus amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Secretary-General of the Ministry of Education Najwa Qubeilat said in a statement that a plan would be implemented in the first two days of the new school year, entailing an odd-even number system for different grades students returning to the campus.
Students wearing face masks attend a class on the first day of the new school year at a public school in Amman, Jordan, Sept. 1, 2021.
According to health protocols, random testing will take place in schools, and if the infection rate in any school exceeds 10 percent, the school will turn to online learning for 14 days, she added.
On Tuesday, Jordan’s Minister of State for Media Affairs Sakher Dudin said the country would lift the remaining COVID-19 restrictions starting Sept. 1, as part of the government’s plan to achieve a “safe summer.”
Students wearing face masks attend an assembly session on the first day of the new school year at a public school in Amman, Jordan, Sept. 1, 2021.
Opening the Senior School with a world-class faculty to raise Thailand’s academic standards to the international playing field.
King’s College International School Bangkok (King’s Bangkok) is ready to open its Senior School in August 2021 with teachers who have degrees from world-renowned institutes, following its successful opening in 2020 to students from Pre-nursery (age 2) to Year 6.
The Senior School will accept students from Year 7 to Year 10 this academic year and will open a subsequent year group in each following year until the school is fully open up to Year 13.
King’s Bangkok strives to produce well-rounded students who excel academically and are supported by individualised care and facilities suited to their age groups, at the same world-class standard of King’s College School, Wimbledon (King’s Wimbledon) in the United Kingdom.
King’s College International School Bangkok (King’s Bangkok)
Numerous members of the faculty at King’s Bangkok come from King’s Wimbledon and bring with them the spirit of King’s College School and its high academic capabilities, especially in teaching STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). This will help prepare students for the world’s top universities, place King’s Bangkok as one of the best schools in Asia and raise Thailand’s academic standards to the international playing field, while also developing Bangkok into an education hub in ASEAN.
King’s Wimbledon has retained its reputation as one of the world’s most successful schools and has always ranked in the UK’s top schools. Over 25% of its students in the last seven years went on to study at Oxford or Cambridge, and over 90% were able to attend their first-choice universities, including Harvard, Princeton and Stanford in the United States.
Professor Sakorn Suksriwong, DBA, Chairman of the Executive Committee of King’s College International School Bangkok, said, “Since the founding of this school, what makes me feel the proudest is that many parents have come to thank me for creating a good school where their children are happy and eager to come and learn. Some said their children also thanked them for sending them to this school. A recent survey showed that nearly 100% of the parents said their children were happy and showed good development.”
“The school has put great effort and care into providing on-campus and online classes as it strives to realise its vision of becoming one of the best schools in Asia. We believe in providing the best resources to students to reach that goal,” he said.
“As for the academic year 2021 which will begin this August, the school is fully prepared in all aspects, including faculty, equipment and facilities. We are looking forward to welcoming new students into our family at King’s Bangkok. We would also like to express our sympathy and understanding to parents and students who have gone through difficulties and challenges caused by the current situation,” said Professor Sakorn.
King’s College School, Wimbledon (King’s Wimbledon) in the United Kingdom
Mr. Thomas Banyard, Headmaster of King’s College International School Bangkok, said, “Being a teacher is more than providing knowledge. A teacher needs to have a ‘teacher’s heart’. This heart must be ready to open up to understand. It must be strong and determined, yet gentle and kind. It must focus on nurturing an environment conducive to learning in order to help every child grow by learning new things and readying themselves for the world out there.”
“King’s Bangkok intensively screened over 5,000 candidates from around the world in order to recruit the best 70 teachers to the school. Each of them had to pass three rounds of interviews and prove that they have outstanding qualifications, possess a true teacher’s heart and share the same vision as ours,” he added.
“King’s Bangkok has also collaborated with King’s Wimbledon. In fact, some of the teachers from King’s Wimbledon with intensive teaching experience and exposure at world-class academic institutes have joined us. They will teach our students in Bangkok key subjects such as STEM and help guide them toward their dreams of entering a prestigious university like Oxford, Cambridge or King’s College London,” said the Headmaster.
Qualified teachers from King’s Wimbledon to teach key subjects at King’s Bangkok include:
● Mr. Thomas Banyard, Headmaster, who earned first-class honours from the University of Oxford and was Head of Physics at King’s Wimbledon will be teaching Physics.
● Mr. Matthew Gibson, Deputy Head (Senior School), who has a degree from King’s College London will be teaching Chemistry.
● Mr. Will Byfield, Head of Science, who has a degree from the University of Oxford and was Head of Biology at King’s Wimbledon will be teaching Biology.
● Ms. Koren Sullivan, Head of Mathematics, who has a degree from the University of Cambridge will be teaching Maths.
Mr. Matthew Gibson, Deputy Head (Senior School), said, “The curriculum of King’s Bangkok is designed to prepare students for both IGCSE and A level examinations, which will pave a way to the world’s top universities. Mr Andrew Halls, who has been Head Master of King’s Wimbledon for over ten years and a prominent thought leader in UK education, believes the A level curriculum is most suitable for King’s Bangkok as it will prepare students for the world’s top universities without exhausting or excessively pressuring them. In addition, the students will enjoy the flexibility of choosing subjects that they think will best suit their goals.”
“King’s Bangkok has applied the knowledge and experience of King’s Wimbledon to its teaching methods in order to best prepare its students for the world’s top universities. In addition, the school’s own staff and external professionals will be available to assist each student in designing a plan for their life to maximise their chances of receiving the best opportunities while contributing to society,” he added.
With the goal to become one of the best schools in Asia that is able to prepare students for higher education and help Bangkok achieve the status of ASEAN’s education hub, King’s Bangkok is committed to developing its students in all aspects.
Its co-curricular programme not only aims for academic excellence but also provides plenty of opportunities for students to try out various activities such as sports, music and arts through different clubs and societies. The school’s pastoral care system will closely mentor the students and prepare them for the world’s top universities, while the house system will train students in life lessons, sports, leadership and relationships with other students.
King’s Bangkok offers world-class facilities designed to support proper child development, and students in the Senior School can use them for academic, sports, music, arts and other activities. These facilities include science labs, a FIFA-standard football turf, an indoor air-conditioned sports hall housing three basketball courts, an indoor jogging track, a climbing wall, an indoor Olympic-size saltwater swimming pool, tennis courts, a large library, over 17 music practice studios and a dance studio with a sprung floor.
Shrewsbury International School Bangkok Riverside are celebrating 500* offers from leading universities across the World.
The brilliant Class of 2021 at Shrewsbury International School Bangkok Riverside are celebrating 500* offers from leading universities across the World. So far they have received 196 offers from World’s top 100 universities**, and 32 offers from the Top 10 universities, including Stanford, Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, and University College London.
163 offers from all 24 Russell Group universities are included in this year’s offer list; a phenomenal effort in what has been another trying year due to the Covid-19 Pandemic and a disrupted exam season.
500+ University offers so far
5 Oxbridge offers
1:5 students with an offer to Top 10 ranked university
200 Top 100 ranked university offers, 32 Top 10 offers
US: 135 offers including 3 Ivy League, 1 Stanford
UK: 291 offers including 163 Russell Group
Thailand: 57 offers, including 15 Medical Programmes
Some of Shrewsbury outstanding students with Top 10 University Offers
Supported by two full-time US college specialists, Shrewsbury students continue to look closely at US universities every year, and this is reflected in a staggering 135 offers, including three offers to the Ivy League’s Brown, Cornell and University of Pennsylvania. For the third year running, there is also an offer from the World’s second-ranked institution, Stanford University.
The phenomenal success rate of students accepted to Medical School in Thailand and abroad is something Shrewsbury is deeply proud of. The 16 offers are headed by Prompt, who accepted his offer and will pack his bags for the famed Gonville and Caius College at Cambridge University later this year.
“I became increasingly fascinated by the workings of the human body as I progressed through each year level,” Prompt explains. “It was in Year 10 that I decided medicine was the career for me as I began to understand that medicine is a profession that will allow me to make a real difference in society. The Higher Education advisors were tremendously helpful, as they arranged seminars, assisted with my portfolio and ensured I was always on the right track.”
Shrewsbury’s award-winning team of higher education specialists, which now includes Ms Angela Dunham – a US specialist with a wealth of experience in the industry – ensures every application is supported meticulously. The team advocates strongly for all applicants to find university courses that best match their individual needs and ambitions. Their role in the process is integral and ensures the school’s reputation as the highest achieving in the region, year after year.
“Shrewsbury structures the support programme around students from as early as Year 10, so we can track their progress and meet their needs more intricately,” explains Ms Rachael Walker, Shrewsbury’s Associate Director of Higher Education. We focus on each individual student and tailor a programme that will yield the best result. It sounds simple and straightforward, but it takes a lot of hard work from all parties!”
Heads of School Pimnara (Fin) Boondoungprasert and Wasinee (Dow) SiriboonlamomHead of School, Fin – who was offered places at no less than five top 30 universities – says the process is excellent and allowed her to research the universities that matched passions she discovered while at Shrewsbury. “UC Berkeley has a unique program that integrates business into molecular biology, introducing undergrads to the biotech field while still encouraging a focus on social issues like sustainability and accessible health care. So, I immediately realized that this might be the challenge that was meant for me,” she explained.
Her fellow Head of School, Dow, agrees. “My love for a large variety of subjects, particularly my passion for Biology and History, was what drove me to apply for Human Sciences at University College, London (UCL). What drew me in was the interdisciplinary nature of it and the flexibility that this course at UCL would offer me. Shrewsbury has helped me gain the confidence in choosing a course I know that I will enjoy and not worry about not knowing what this path may ultimately hold career-wise. I am thankful for all of the support and encouragement I have received.”
It is this encouragement and ability to engage universities, even in a virtual setting, regarding topics that interested her that helped one of Shrewsbury’s Sixth Form entrants, Mia, settle on her choice of university. “Attending a virtual college information course offered by Shrewsbury was what sold me on Boston University – the more I learnt about their excellent psychology program, the more confident I became that the school would be the right fit for me. I am so thankful to the school’s wonderful college advisors for supporting and advising me throughout the whole process,” she enthused.
In a globally unprecedented situation, COVID-19 has caused upheaval with examinations; at times causing uncertainty and tension. Due to the pandemic, a somewhat strange and challenging end to their school career was inevitable. However, just like the Class of 2020, Shrewsbury has made sure that this year’s graduating students have gained the recognition earned during their school career.
The university offers may be flowing in, but the work does not stop just yet. Over the following weeks, graduating students will take part in a specially created, online, pre-university enrichment programme, which will draw on the insights of Shrewsbury alumni – another critical resource that current students can lean on throughout their later years at the school.
For next year’s graduating Class of 2022, the application process has already begun, with the school’s unique “Jumpstart!” programme. Delivered online in the context of school closure, Jumpstart! explores the application process in detail and guides students on writing effective personal statements and essays that help them stand out.
Principal Mr Chris Seal concludes, “The Class of 2021 have shown tremendous resilience and strength of character, during the unsettling and challenging times that COVID-19 has brought them. I commend the work of all our staff, particularly the challenging task of our incredible Higher Education team. We are continually impressed by every student cohort that passes through the Shrewsbury gates and looks forward to seeing the next chapter of their lives unfold at university through our strong alumni network.”
* Data correct as of 20th May 2021. A number of offers and applications are pending.
** Rankings based on the QS World University rankings 2021.
Want to know what it takes to replicate these fantastic achievements? Contact our admissions team for more information here.
Children attend an Arabic class at a school in Sanaa, Yemen, on Sept. 8, 2021.
Children attend a class at a school in Sanaa, Yemen, on Sept. 8, 2021.
Two school children are seen at a school in Sanaa, Yemen on Sept. 8, 2021.
School children attend Arabic class at a school in Sanaa, Yemen on Sept. 8, 2021.
A child takes note during a class at a school in Sanaa, Yemen, on Sept. 8, 2021.
Children attend an Arabic class at a school in Sanaa, Yemen, on Sept. 8, 2021.
Students wearing face masks attend a class on the first day of the new school year at a public school in Amman, Jordan, Sept. 1, 2021.
Students wearing face masks attend an assembly session on the first day of the new school year at a public school in Amman, Jordan, Sept. 1, 2021.
King’s College International School Bangkok (King’s Bangkok)
King’s College School, Wimbledon (King’s Wimbledon) in the United Kingdom
Some of Shrewsbury outstanding students with Top 10 University Offers
Heads of School Pimnara (Fin) Boondoungprasert and Wasinee (Dow) SiriboonlamomHead of School, Fin – who was offered places at no less than five top 30 universities – says the process is excellent and allowed her to research the universities that matched passions she discovered while at Shrewsbury. “UC Berkeley has a unique program that integrates business into molecular biology, introducing undergrads to the biotech field while still encouraging a focus on social issues like sustainability and accessible health care. So, I immediately realized that this might be the challenge that was meant for me,” she explained.
