Promkireepittayakhom School Visit

Before the Chinese New Year break, our school was "chosen" to receive visitors from a school from Thailand. Promkireepittayakhom School of Nakhon Si Thammarat Province was graciously welcomed with a traditional welcome by our school. Out of the schools in Alor Setar, our school was picked to welcome them. Guess who was chosen to do the documentation of this auspicious event? Ha..ha.. the chosen one as usual - ME !!!!!!  :-)D  Fine ..."whatever" !!!!

So, on 28th January 2014, an entourage of 34 teachers and students from the Promkireepittayakhom School reached the gates of our school. A group of kompang players welcomed them as was our culture to welcome most important visitors. They were led by the Director of the school, Dr. Surapong Ueasiripornrit. We had representatives from the State and District Education offices, the Principal, teachers and students to receive and welcome them. I observed, followed and asked facts so that I got the documentation and especially names correct. It was called an Exchange of Cultural and Academic and the signing of MOC (Memorandum of Cooperation) visit. Hmm .... cooperation visit, cooperating teacher ... isshhh... I must be good at "cooperation" !!! Ha..ha... :-0))

Anyway, the report was finally submitted and I enjoyed their visit especially when they visited our English booth and I exchanged thoughts and ideas on teaching English at our respective schools. It was quite difficult at first to understand his language as he spoke with a thick Thai accent but once you got used to it, the discussion was enlightening. Thus, I suggested to my Head Panel to present him a copy of our latest OPS programme for the Forms 1 and 2 English. He was very pleased and happy with them. Well, at least we had achieved the exchange of academic part of the visit. :-))

As usual, besides the academic booths and signing of the memorandum, we had cultural presentations from both countries. At the end of the day, I asked the PK why our school was chosen. He told me that it was due to our Principal's experience of visiting 2 schools in Thailand when he was with Langkawi PPD. Well, that answered the question as to why SMKTAA was "the chosen one".... ;-}

The guests being welcomed by our staff and students

Our students with the bunga manggar and sirih junjung welcoming the Thai visitors into the school

Our guard of honour is made up of the army cadets, police cadets and St. John ambulance members

Dr. Surapong, the DIrector of the school, inspecting the guard of honour

The programme book to commemorate the visit

The signing of the MOU - our school represents Kedah Education Office

Sealing the memorandum with a warm handshake between our Principal and the Director of the Thai school

Some of the Thai students enjoying the show

The silat performance 

A student of Siamese origin was one of the guides as she can speak Siamese

A big round of applause - our student performed 2 songs in Siamese much to the delight of the guests

The must-have group photo of the performers

A special performance by the Promkireepittakhorn School

We served them traditional Kedahan cuisine of rice and ulam or fresh vegetables/herbs. It was a once in a lifetime visit of a foreign school to our humble school. We were honoured and it was interesting to observe their students mingled with ours albeit with a language barrier. Gestures and smiles helped to break that barrier. Thus, we bade them farewell and I was sure there would be a return visit from either the state or the school. .... ;-)) 

Our English Panel team entertaining questions fielded by the visitors

Goodie bag from us - I have no idea what is inside

Enjoying a simple lunch at our meeting room

This Form 1 boy was a favourite even with the DIrector as he could speak Siamese. His mother is a Siamese.

A motherly hug of farewell from one of the staff  -  whether he liked it or not ... :-))