June 30th, 2009

The new school year (2009-2010) started on May 18, 2009. The enrollment has consistently increased over the past 3 years. Below is a breakdown at the beginning of this school year.

Academic results

All of the 63 students in their last year of school have successfully graduated.  5 students went off to a well paid job, either in the family business or elsewhere.  53 are entering university after applying and passing the applicable examinations.  Among these, 8 Students received a Rajaprajanugroh’s scholarship (GPA above 3.5).  Their GPAs are 3.83, 3.71, 3.62, 3.62, 3.60, 3.58, 3.57, and 3.54 (5 boys and 3 girls).
 

The courses they will attend:

• Physical Therapy
• Mechanical engineering
• Nursing
• Health care
• Food science and Technology
• Science Program in Aquaculture
• Fishery Management
• Marine Science
• Arts Programs in Tourism/Hotel
• Environment Management
• Computer Technology
• Accounting
• Science and Technology 
• Psychology
• Music/Thai classical dance
• Traditional Thai Medicine
• Natural Resources
• Tropical Forestry
• Science Program in Information Technology
• Physical Education
• Dental assisting
• Home Economics
• Business Administration program in General Management
• Law
   

Location of Universities they will attend:

Update on ISB supported projects

• The Foreign Languages Teachers’ Office
  Ten Thai and English teachers are able to maintain a workspace in this comfortable and private room.
• Student council/conference Room
  This room serves as a meeting and presentation room for student council/ faculty/visitors to the school.
• The Security Camera system
  The camera helps to reduce vandalism and other crimes, creating a safer environment for the students.
  (ISB donated 12 cameras)

ISB High School Week Without Walls program also supported R35 by buying plants t and a wire mat.
 

Update on ESL Program at R35, as of June 30, 2009

The ESL program is doing very well this year.  Our six current volunteers hail from places such as the USA, Canada, and Korea. Their experience varies from college freshmen, recent college graduates and even those with years of post collegiate work experience.  This diversity gives the students access to many points of view and styles of teaching. This will help prepare them for the many challenges that they will face after graduating.

The students really enjoy working with people from so many different backgrounds.  Mark, a Canadian, is in his second semester here.  He has been doing volunteer work in Asia after he graduated from Princeton University in 2007.  His enthusiasm and world experience have been of great benefit to our program.  Nathan, a graduate of the University of Colorado, has been working in the tourism industry for the past seven years.  His experience with many different types of people allows him to relate to the students and work well with the Thai teachers.  Ian and TaReva  arrived R35 at the beginning of June 2009, both of them through the Princeton in Asia program.  Princeton in Asia always sends us very qualified and enthusiastic volunteers.  Kwon and Gardere, are students at Wake Forest University in Illinois. They will only be with us for one month.  When Kwon, who comes from Korea, was in high school, he helped to raise money so that R35 could build a playground.  Both boys’ youthful exuberance makes them a favorite of both the students and the faculty.

The ESL program sponsors many activities throughout the year.  Activities such as the “English Camp” and “Around the Clock English One” were particularly successful.  These after school programs provided students with English immersion in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.  We hope to sponsor another English Camp and “Around the Clock English Two” and many other activities this year.

We are looking forward to a great year for the R35 ESL program. Our volunteers’ diverse skills and experience should make this one our best years ever.
 

Financial update | Donation to the Project | ISB Tsunami Relief Network Background