“Thank You Party” is such a remarkable phrase to hear. Since I started working here at Kanchananukroh School in Kanchanaburi Province, every year either on the 1^st or 2^nd week of January, we have this kind of party. Usually, we have a dinner party on the raft doing some karaoke singing after enjoying the appetizing cuisine served. More often than not, it is attended by all the foreign and Thai teachers in the English Program Department. This is a way on how the head of the English Program Department gives and shows his acknowledgment of appreciation to his subordinates for the efforts and performances throughout the Academic Year.

This year, the “Thank You” party was a little bit late as it was held on February 6 due to some reasons. We’ve been busy going around some schools around the town to advertise our English Program. As we don’t have primary level, every year we conduct this kind of activity to promote and gain students to enroll in the English Program for the following term. Likewise, this year’s party falls on the 60^th birthday of our school’s Vice Director.

The dining party was set at 5:30PM. Since the last class was until 4:30 PM some of the foreign teachers went home and just planned to meet at Taraburee Restaurant.  After preparing everything and everyone were present, the raft moved smoothly at about 6:30PM.

The sun was still up but it didn’t hinder us in devouring the food. We had then a delightful meal.

Everyone participated in karaoke singing while the others were dancing. The vice director gave some prizes to whoever participated in the singing.. I also took part even though I’m not good at singing and really had a bad voice.  No matter what, I received a prize…Thanks…

Last shots before the raft moves back to the restaurant..

I would like to thank the head of the English Program Department for giving us this wonderful dinner.  It's not everyone who would think to make such an encouraging and thoughtful gesture. Nice people like you are quite special. To the Vice Director for being always there for us and for giving us words of encouragements. I really appreciate your acknowledgement of our efforts and you certainly helped us do that. To my colleagues, thanks for the support and also I appreciated the friendly atmosphere from all of you. Lastly, gratitude is given to all those who contributed to this event.

Participated in this event were:

Ajarn Darunee (School’s Academic Vice-Director)

Ajarn Charat (Head of the English Program Department)

Ajarn Pawadee (Thai – English Teacher)

Ajarn Ampai (Thai – French Teacher)

Ajarn Pimratchada (Thai – Japanese Teacher)

Ajan Lawan (Thai – Chinese Teacher)

Teacher Lad (Phil – Science Teacher)

Teacher Jeanette (Phil – Mathematics Teacher)

Teacher Arnel (Phil – Computer Teacher)

Teacher Jennifer (Phil – English Teacher)

Teacher David (Engl – English Teacher)

Teacher Andy (Engl – English Teacher)

Teacher George (Engl – English Teacher)

Teacher Evanie (South Africa – English Teacher)

Teacher Nicolas (France – French Teacher)

Kanchananukroh School led Academic Competition

Kanchanaburi Province hosted the National Academic Competition led by Kanchananukroh School. These 3-day events were participated by the best schools over Thailand which won in their own respective areas. Among the categories competed at Kanchananukroh School were mostly in the English and foreign Languages for instance storytelling, skit, impromptu speech, spelling bee and Multi-skill.

It had been a hard work for several months to prepare students for the competition. Six talented students (5 for skit and 1 for spelling bee) from Kanchananukroh School have already been chosen to represent Kanchanaburi and Ratchaburi Province. Competitors from the different schools were heavily trained just to win and be able to compete for the last round which is during this said event.

The opening ceremony took place at the Kanchanaburi stadium at 6:30PM. Beautification and preparation of the stadium took almost a day. Special guests from the Ministry of Education, Provincial and Municipal officials participated in this special event.  

Also, taking part in this Academic Competition involves five endowed students from Kanchananukroh School who welcomed all the guests using 5 different languages such as English, French, Japanese, Chinese and Thai.

On the second day of the event, I was so happy to see three of my students in my old school (MVK Kabinburi) who came for the competition..

We hope this small group of talented young people will encourage many other youths and learners to become involved in this kind of learning and turn to perform it as well.

Christmas Eve to New Years Day

It should have been better spending Christmas and New Year at home – close to family, friends, and those near to your heart..

Christmas Eve is one of the traditions most families celebrate not only in the Philippines but especially in some other Christian countries. Sometimes, it’s a night without sleep and a continuous celebration until the following day which is Christmas Day. Families, relatives, friends, and visitors partake of the food prepared by the host family even if they are already full. 

I have spent 7 Christmases and New Years in another country.  The first has been a struggle as I got used to spending it with my family and friends. But as Christmas and New Year went on, I saw every year became exceptional. It’s not the way how we expected it to be but it’s worth a cultural experience.

Though in shopping malls, other business establishments and in a few unexpected places around town, Christmas trees have sprung up and we can still notice some sparkling lights of red and green that illuminates the area.

Christmas Eve this year was exceptional not just for me, I was at the Suvarnabhumi International airport enjoying myself waiting for the clock to strike 12 midnight.


At last, about 30 minutes past midnight, my best comrade arrived..


Tired and exhausted from the travel, we dined in one of the bistro at the airport and went straight to the hotel. As there was no Christmas break, we travelled back to Kanchanaburi on Christmas Day.

Spending some time with students during their New Years Day party. How happy is it to get rid of stress even just for a day..

Having lunch at Taraburee Restaurant with friends and colleagues.. Thanks to Ajarn Charat (Head of Kn School English Program).

 A friend who went home to Japan came back for a visit. Even though we only spent more than an hour together, it feels really good just to see each other.

Trying to make time, even feeling awful. There is nothing more ... than spending quality time with family.

Time flies so fast!…I was just thinking how quickly the days go by; it just seems like we’ve just been together yesterday. Though spending time together lasted only for a week, it’s better than not seeing each other at all.

Life must go on as they say.. New Year is the time to forget every bad memory of the past year and start a life anew. We must embrace the New Year with open arms…..joining hands together.

Cheers to 2012!!

Kn EP Christmas Party 2011

It’s a tradition here at Kanchananukroh School that the English Program students celebrate Christmas with a party. This year, it was celebrated on the 23^th of December. Every EP students invited their parents, relatives and friends to join in the celebration.

Aside from devouring the foods prepared, there were lots of activities prepared for the guests. It includes a Power point presentation of the achievements of the English Program since its inception, performances from each class, games and singing Christmas carols.

Merry Christmas and a Happy Holidays to everyone…

River Kwai Bridge Week 2011

Kanchanaburi is one of the tourist destinations at the Western part of Thailand. Every year starting on the last week of November to early December, Kanchanaburi is celebrating the River Kwai Bridge Festival.This is usually a 12 days’ affair which commemorates every evening in a very realistic way the bombardments of the Bridge over the River Kwai against the Japanese occupation, which put an end to the World War II in South-East Asia.This is why it is culturally and historically significant for preservation here in Kanchanaburi.

In this 32^nd year’s celebration, Kanchananukroh School was among the selected Schools to be the announcer for 6 nights during this said festival. This is to advertise and welcome all visitors not only Thais coming from the different provinces but also those foreigners from different countries who came just to attend and witness this celebration. Kanchananukroh School was the only school who did the announcements in 4 different languages; Thai, English, Japanese and in Chinese.

Tastings some unusual foods from the street vendors..I tasted some exotic foods back in the Philippines but this one’s different…

 

In this festival, the focal point of celebration is the Light and Sound Presentation. This is a production portraying the making of the Burma – Siam railway which is meant to deliver goods daily to India. Watching this said presentation makes you an eye-witness to what happened many years ago as it was presented in an informative and lively way.

 

This year’s River Kwai Bridge Festival was the first year that they offer free admission so you cannot imagine people start queuing at 5:30PM just for their seat reservation. The presentation starts at 7:30 and at about 6:30 PM, all seats were all taken..

 This also featured a replica of POWS on the other side of the river, fireworks and the vintage train which is still operational until now.

Dec 5 is a double celebration as we also celebrated the Kings 84^th birthday. Spectacular fireworks and candle lighting ceremony was held as part of the celebration. This was also our last day as part of the celebration.

Just wandering around the area as there is an enormous commercial fair for shopping which allows everyone to have a great fun…You can also experience the local Kanchanaburi products and some regional specialties..

Special thanks to this year's Committee Organizers who gave as a chance to participate in this annual festival.

We look forward to seeing you all again next year!