CONSTRUCTION ON NEW CAMPUS COMMENCES

The construction of a new international school campus has commenced in Bang Rak. Open Gates Education Centre held its ground breaking ceremony on March 31st. Currently, Open Gates is operating on a smaller campus in Bang Rak on the main road heading towards Bo Phut.

Despite the intense heat and the brief but heavy rain shower, it was smiles and congratulations all around as everyone in attendance was thrilled that the building process has finally gotten under way.

"It has taken a long time to get to this point today," says Dr. Claus Meyer, the school's managing director. "To finally see the plans that we worked so hard on finally being put into action is very satisfying. I know the students, parents and staff will love the new campus."

Dr. Meyer has chosen Thanaphan Samui Trading, Ltd. and Thaina Builder, Ltd. to construct the approved plans. Khun Ann, a company representative, was on hand at this festive event for a personal introduction to the parents of Open Gates.

The first phase of the new campus is located on five rai (the minimum size acceptable to the Thai Ministry of Education) of coconut plantation land. The beautiful property is located on Ghost Road in Bang Rak near the Mayabrui Resort. The area is set back off the main road and is surrounded by undeveloped land. The atmosphere is placid and quiet, and will be very conducive to education and learning.

Following the Thai Ministry of Education's (TME) guidelines, the new international campus will have: a Thai culture room; an IT lab; library; two science labs; a sports dome, which is open-aired but covered allowing for games of football, soccer, etc. to continue even during downpours; a pool; a gym with showers; and many other new and modern amenities. In addition, the sports dome will have bleachers for spectators sit and watch the action.

A state of the art kitchen and dining facilities are being built, and the Open Gates nursery will occupy four individual rooms. Both the dining hall and the nursery will each have their own separate building.

All of the twenty-five classrooms adhere to the TME's guidelines in terms of design and size. Each of the new classrooms will have new furniture in them as well will all of the administration’s rooms. A multipurpose room is being constructed that can be used for meetings or other events needing a large floor space.

The parking lot has been designed to create a safe and sound way for parents drop off and pick up their children at school. A one-way roundabout type of system is being used to direct traffic for an efficient and secure way for the children to enter and exit vehicles.

Suzanne Stephenson, the head of the primary school, says that the new school will inspire everyone to do better. “I think this new international campus will make the teachers, parents and especially the students appreciate the valuable education they are getting here at Open Gates. Our mission is to build ‘global citizens’, and we will not settle for anything less,” she says with a big smile.

Leaving nothing to chance, Dr. Meyer consulted a feng shui expert, named Lung Tong, during the design phase of the campus. On the day of the ground breaking, the Lung Tong was on hand to preside over the placement of the ‘Happy Pole’, which is the first concrete column placed in the ground, to initiate the construction.

“The feng shui expert told me this morning that it would rain today, and then it did! He said to have rain during what is supposed to be the dry-season is a sign of very good luck,” said Dr. Meyer.

There might be some truth to all of this as well. While the ‘Happy Pole’ was being placed in the ground, rain was steadily coming down, but the sun was still shinning brightly on the exact spot where the ceremony was taking place.

After the ceremony, the rain stopped, and everyone enjoyed a meal together. The event was over shortly thereafter, and the lucky students got the rest of the day off while the teachers and staff had to return to school for a meeting.

To help celebrate and spread the word of Open Gates’ new international campus, a 20% discount is being offered to new students who enrol before June 1st. Please call the Open Gates office for more details (77 427-560).

Check back frequently for updated news and pictures on the progress of the new campus.

Click here to see pictures!