Suankularb Wittayalai School

Suankularb Wittayalai School

Suvijāno bhavaṃ hoti
(He who knows well will progress.)
Address
88 Tripetch Road, Wang Burapa Pirom
Bangkok
Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok
Thailand Thailand
Information
Type Public secondary school
Established 1882
Founder Chulalongkorn
Authority Office of the Basic Education Commission
School number 02-225-5605-8
Director Cherdsak Supasophon
Faculty 193
Grades 7–12 (Mathayom 1–6)
Gender Boys' School
Enrollment 3,600 (2006 academic year)
School colour(s)
Mascot Rose
Newspaper Pimsuan
Yearbook Samarnmitr
Website http://www.sk.ac.th/

Suankularb Wittayalai School (also known as Suankularb College) (Thai: โรงเรียนสวนกุหลาบวิทยาลัย, lit. Rose Garden College) (13°44′34.02″N 100°29′53.37″E / 13.7427833°N 100.4981583°E / 13.7427833; 100.4981583Coordinates: 13°44′34.02″N 100°29′53.37″E / 13.7427833°N 100.4981583°E / 13.7427833; 100.4981583) is an all-boys secondary school for grades 7 through 12 in Thailand. Founded by King Chulalongkorn in 1882, Suankularb is the oldest public secondary school in the country. Suankularb alumni include eight Prime Ministers of Thailand, nine Supreme Court Chief Justices, five attorneys general, Fortune Global 500 chief executive and chief financial officer,[1][2] scholars, as well as a number of prominent politicians and businessmen. Suankularb is a member of Jaturamitr group of which members consist of four oldest boys' schools of Thailand.

History

"Suankularb" means "rose garden" in Thai, as the original school was located in the area of a rose garden in the Grand Palace. The school was established by King Chulalongkorn on 8 March 1882 and was originally for Royal Page Lieutenants; it has always benefited from royal patronage.

Under the patronage and guidance of King Chulalongkorn the school grew quickly, changing its focus from military training to a more broadly-based curriculum that reflected the needs of its students. The number of students rapidly swelled to many hundreds, consequently some were relocated to other educational institutes outside the Grand Palace area (1893) such as Sunanthalai Garden and Thepsirin Temple school, and to its present site, originally donated by Wat Lieb (or Rachaburana Temple) [1910]. The opening of the first building at this site (called the Memorial Suan Kularb Building, but known among students as "the long building" because for many years it was the longest building in the country) was presided over personally by King Rama V; at this event he announced the importance of education as a means of developing the country.

The school has two shrines. The first, called Luang Phor Suankularb, is a 9-inch-high (230 mm) metal Buddha donated by King Rama V. The second, in the shape of a many-armed elephant and with a water display, is called "Luang Phor Poo" and is located near the main entrance. It is thought to house the protective spirit of the place (known as "Grandfather"), with students making daily offerings of flower garlands as a token of respect.

For over a century, Suankularb's alumni have played important social, political, governmental, military, and academic roles in Thailand. During its early days, English expatriates served as the board of directors, and made it possible for notable school leavers, such as MR Kukrit Pramoj, to continue their studies abroad at institutions such as Oxford University. Indeed, early alumni formed a major group of Thai scholars sent to study abroad yearly under the King's Scholarships, and later Thai Government Scholarships. Upon their returns, they worked mostly in government agencies and academic institutions and helped in modernizing the country.

King Bhumibol Adulyadej gave Suankularb an award for being the best school in the country between 1973–75. Students won first prize in the King's Scholarship and in the Mathematics Association of Thailand's quiz.

In 1981 a multi-purpose building and gymnasium known as building number six was built to commemorate the school's centennial. It was opened by the King King Bhumibol Adulyadej on July 30, 1984. Every year on 8 March – the founding day of the school – all O.S.K ("Old Suankularb") students assemble in front of building six where they pay respects to the large statue of King Rama V there. A great auditorium was built in 1995 and opened that year by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. The teaching of science and technology has been a central policy of the school. The school possesses an extensive library, with some rare and valuable books donated by former PM Thanin Kraivixien.

Suankularb Wittayalai School

Facts

School emblem

A book, with a ruler, pen and pencil inserted in the book. On the cover of the book, is a royal headdress (the "Pra Kiew" symbol) and King Chulalongkorn's initials. On the right side, there is a bouquet of roses. To the left of the book, a ribbon tying the bouquet of roses with the name of the school written on it. On the top, the Buddhist philosophy and moral principle in Pali and Thai which means : "He who knows well will progress"

School colours

Alumni

Statesman of Thailand

Prime Ministers of Thailand

Supreme Commander of Royal Thai Armed Forces

Commander-in-Chief of Royal Thai Army

Other

Traditions

Suankularb Wittayalai School has many traditional events., including La-on Day, Samarnmitr Day, and Chak-Yao Day.

On La-on day all matayom 6 students welcome first-year students to the school. It contains around 6 stations that were created by each group of matayom 6 students, and each station has a souvenir to give to matayom 1 students. At the end of the day matayom 6 student bands play a concert.

On Samarnmitr Day students from every branch, and alumni, come to Suankularb Wittayalai School. There are booths from every class, souvenirs, a soccer match, a mini concert from the popular band, and some additional activities that change from year to year. At the evening, it has an activity called “SK Jazz” a show by the school orchestra and teachers.

Chak-Yao Day is the final examination day of matayom 6 students, their last day at the school. All matayom 6 students come and dine together with their teachers. After the dinner each class of matayom 6 sit together in a circle and make a short speech. At the end of the event they sing a “Chompoo-Fah ar lai” song together.

Other events include:

Events

Student organization

Student Committee

Clubs as of 2013:

References

External links

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