Bangkok--25 Jun--Media Plus Connection
On Friday, 15 June 2012 Bangkok International Preparatory & Secondary School (Bangkok Prep) celebrated its inaugural graduation with a ceremony for the Class of 2012. Invited Guest of Honour, Mr Abhisit Vejjajiva, Opposition Leader and former Prime Minister, presented graduation certificates to the students who completed their Year 13 education before delivering a keynote speech on “Education and Social Responsibility”.
Headmaster of Bangkok Prep, Mr. Keith B. Wecker, said that the graduation ceremony was a significant event. While it was mainly organised to congratulate the students on their high school completion, it also marked a significant step in the students’ lives. “We need to inspire and encourage the students to realise their role in and responsibility to society as they move away from their high school environment,” Mr. Wecker remarked.
In his speech, Mr. Abhisit offered his congratulations to the students and suggested that we live in an age that offers unprecedented opportunities for young people. He asked that the students “think B.I.G.” suggesting that:
- B is for Balance: with many of today’s problems arising from an imbalance of some kind, Mr. Abhisit acknowledged the wisdom of His Majesty the King in advocating his sufficiency policy and a life based on moderation;
- I is for Inclusiveness: those more fortunate in society, such as the graduating students, take responsibility to reach out and ensure that their success can be shared by those less fortunate and disadvantaged; and
- G is for Green: as we face the global effects of climate change and environmental deterioration, we must be forward-looking and act positively to protect and shape a better, more stable world for future generations.
Mr Abhisit wished the graduating students “even greater success; to be quality global citizens for a better future for all of us and for the whole world”.
Later, Mr Abhisit suggested that the Thai education system “also needs to adapt” and that “the main problems arise from a government system that is too overwhelmed”. He went on to say that he had “trust in the younger generation of people to shape the better world”.
This year at Bangkok Prep, the third group of students has completed the IGCSE examinations which are set by the Cambridge examinations Board in the UK. The rigorous assessments covering the full two years of study at Years 10 and 11 provide an outstanding preparation for the final ‘A’ grade examinations undertaken at Years 12 and 13.
Last year, the Bangkok Prep IGCSE students obtained outstanding grades with a very high percentage of subject results in the highest A*to C range of the eight point passing grade system (A*,A,B,C,D,E,F,H). Students obtained the highest A* rating in many individual subjects and many subject areas obtained a 100% pass grade.
About Bangkok Prep
Bangkok International Preparatory and Secondary School (“Bangkok Prep”) is a private co-educational school in the heart of Bangkok. As the recipient of The Prime Minister’s Export Award 2009 as ‘Best Service Provider in International Education’ and the award for ‘Outstanding Achievement in School Development and Management’ at the World Education/Education Living Expo 2010, developments are now well in place to make Bangkok Prep the best mid-sized international school in Thailand.
Bangkok Prep is a member of the Council of International Schools, New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Office for National Education Standards and Quality Assessment (Thailand), International Schools Association of Thailand, Thailand International Schools Activities Conference and Federation of British International Schools in South East Asia and East Asia, as well as the Cambridge University-approved IGCSE and A-level examination centre.
The campus, situated adjacent to the Thong Lo BTS Sky Train station, is perhaps the most conveniently located international school in Bangkok. The school offers state-of-the-art facilities comprising an indoor sports complex with dance and drama studios, an elevated indoor jogging track, and a regulation-size multipurpose indoor sports hall, along with a 25-metre outdoor swimming pool. In addition, there are fully-resourced primary and secondary libraries, computer rooms, several playgrounds, a multipurpose artificial grass sports field and an Outdoor Early Years Learning Centre. A new auditorium, music practice rooms, specialist Drama, Art and Design Technology suites and science laboratories have also recently been completed.