Marywit School In Pattaya

[MsFigure]

We're starting to look at schools for our daughter and a couple of people have mentioned the Marywit school on Sukhumvit in Pattaya. I haven't heard anything about this school (other than a few recommendations) and that it is a private school, but I'd like to know more about it - good/bad.

Thanks,

Di

[MioBikerBoyz]

If your religious and want your kids going to rosary school then thats the place, but I would recommend the private school from Burapha educational system called Pattaya Burapha pvt school. It is a decent school and not that all expensive. If you cannot find the details, I can web search it for you. Cheers.

[MsFigure]

Thanks for your reply.

The Religion thing isn't an issue for me (I went to catholic schools for all of my schooling and still turned out all right ). All I want is somewhere that is safe, and have the best environment for her to learn. Personally, I don't know why parents here are so eager to push their children off to school at such a young age - In Australia, my daughter wouldn't be going to school until she turned 5 but apparently things happen much earlier here.

We're in no rush to push her out of the nest just yet so we plan on taking our time finding somewhere we are completely comfortable with.

We're open to any suggestions, as there is no harm in looking at as many schools as possible before we make a decision.

I'll look up that school too that you recommended.

Di

[barryofthailand]

Unfortunately the educational opertunitie in Pattaya have gone downhill. the school the above post is talking about is named Best. Burapha English Program of Thailand, and they have a website. This school use to be excellent, with a principal from Australia who spoke and read thai fluently. The Thai teachers at this school are excellent, but they have a hard time getting good English teachers. This is still the best opertunity in Pattaya for a Bi Lingual education. This school teaches 60% of their subjects in English and 40% in Thai. The school has changed hands two years ago, and this is what started the downhill slide in the quality of Education. Last year the entire schools percentile rateing went down by 10%. I asked the owner and Thai principal if he was aware of this and he said no. All in all like I if you enroll your child he or she will still get an above average education for thailand. Our son is going to start his fifth year their next term. they are in finals week now, and Wed. is their last day. Their is a 9 week break and they offer a four week summer program which is good starting in the next grade leval. their is a school trip included in this program starting with Primary 1 students. the cost levels are reasonable averaging from 50-60,000 baht per year.

Barry

[geovalin]

Thanks for your reply.

The Religion thing isn't an issue for me (I went to catholic schools for all of my schooling and still turned out all right ). All I want is somewhere that is safe, and have the best environment for her to learn. Personally, I don't know why parents here are so eager to push their children off to school at such a young age - In Australia, my daughter wouldn't be going to school until she turned 5 but apparently things happen much earlier here.

We're in no rush to push her out of the nest just yet so we plan on taking our time finding somewhere we are completely comfortable with.

We're open to any suggestions, as there is no harm in looking at as many schools as possible before we make a decision.

I'll look up that school too that you recommended.

Di

The point is to know if Marywit is bilingual or not.

Bilingual is not international and not Thai with additional hours in English.

I feel bilingual is what we need for our Asian or part Asian children.

International is too expensive and Thai with additional English is not efficient.

So, is Marywit bilingual?

Good luck!

[MsFigure]

The only asian thing about my daughter was that she was born in Bangkok. Both my husband and I are australian, so an International school would be our only option for when she starts her proper grade school but in the meantime we don't mind her attending a bilingual pre-primary/kindergarden because she is so young (just turned 3).

From all accounts, I've heard that BEST is best avoided due to fall in its educational standard over the last few years. Maybe Montessori would be a better option for us if Marywit doesn't suit? Still have to get around to Marywit and check it out in person, but from all accounts a lot mixed children go there so there's a good possiblity it is bilingual. I'll let you know what I find out.

Thanks for the comments and keep them coming.

Di

[JimmyTheMook]

The only asian thing about my daughter was that she was born in Bangkok. Both my husband and I are australian, so an International school would be our only option for when she starts her proper grade school but in the meantime we don't mind her attending a bilingual pre-primary/kindergarden because she is so young (just turned 3).

From all accounts, I've heard that BEST is best avoided due to fall in its educational standard over the last few years. Maybe Montessori would be a better option for us if Marywit doesn't suit? Still have to get around to Marywit and check it out in person, but from all accounts a lot mixed children go there so there's a good possiblity it is bilingual. I'll let you know what I find out.

Thanks for the comments and keep them coming.

Di

Look into a school called Satit Udomsak on Sukumvit Road .

[catwho]

I like sending them early 2 or 3yrs up,in OZ its as you know 50 dollars a day preschool.

our 5yrs old goes to satit and she loves to go to school,she has friends to play with and learns.

many half thai and full farang there,they have a 25 mt pool where they teach swimming during and after school.[extra].the teachers are nice,i even see a bit of disapline with the older ones [if late run around the park]

some new ones cry at first.just leave them with the teachers and go.they also take in handicaped kids [none wheelchair,have a look.on the way to satahip turn left after the aquarim at greenway driving range.

they have kindi 1.2.3 and its 22,000 a term [2 terms] food included.

good luck.

[Phil Conners]

Satit is probably the best private Thai school in the area at this time. They use modern principles of teaching (no "by rote" learning). They put a strong emphasis on English and have quite a few Philippine and even a couple of farang teachers on staff for English. The campus is spotless clean and well kept (unlike the so called bilingual schools such as Best or Wuttichot). Would recommend anyone in the market to at least go check it out for themselves before making a decision.

[MsFigure]

Satit is probably the best private Thai school in the area at this time. They use modern principles of teaching (no "by rote" learning). They put a strong emphasis on English and have quite a few Philippine and even a couple of farang teachers on staff for English. The campus is spotless clean and well kept (unlike the so called bilingual schools such as Best or Wuttichot). Would recommend anyone in the market to at least go check it out for themselves before making a decision.

Like you said, no harm in checking the place out before making a decision. Appreciate all the opinions.

I like sending them early 2 or 3yrs up,in OZ its as you know 50 dollars a day preschool.

our 5yrs old goes to satit and she loves to go to school,she has friends to play with and learns.

many half thai and full farang there,they have a 25 mt pool where they teach swimming during and after school.[extra].the teachers are nice,i even see a bit of disapline with the older ones [if late run around the park]

some new ones cry at first.just leave them with the teachers and go.they also take in handicaped kids [none wheelchair,have a look.on the way to satahip turn left after the aquarim at greenway driving range.

they have kindi 1.2.3 and its 22,000 a term [2 terms] food included.

good luck.

Is it just me, but isn't leaving 2,3 even 4 year olds in the care of strangers a bit too young? When the children are this young, do the children only go to the school for half a day? And do they go everyday or just 2-3 days per week?

Another thing that concerns my husband and I is the food they serve in the schools. Our daughter has never had chocolates, candies, soft drinks, cakes, ice-cream (unless it's plain natural vanilla or frozen fruit yogurt) or other junk food. We've been fortunate that when she has been offered them that she won't eat them, but we're worried that all our effort in teaching her correct eating habits will be all for nothing if they serve these sort of things in school. Is it possible to have your children bring their own food with them to school if the menu is not to our (and our daughters) liking?

There are just so many things to consider and I just can't help worrying (if you think I'm bad, my husband is worse when it comes to his Angel).

Di

[catwho]

Satit is probably the best private Thai school in the area at this time. They use modern principles of teaching (no "by rote" learning). They put a strong emphasis on English and have quite a few Philippine and even a couple of farang teachers on staff for English. The campus is spotless clean and well kept (unlike the so called bilingual schools such as Best or Wuttichot). Would recommend anyone in the market to at least go check it out for themselves before making a decision.

Like you said, no harm in checking the place out before making a decision. Appreciate all the opinions.

I like sending them early 2 or 3yrs up,in OZ its as you know 50 dollars a day preschool.

our 5yrs old goes to satit and she loves to go to school,she has friends to play with and learns.

many half thai and full farang there,they have a 25 mt pool where they teach swimming during and after school.[extra].the teachers are nice,i even see a bit of disapline with the older ones [if late run around the park]

some new ones cry at first.just leave them with the teachers and go.they also take in handicaped kids [none wheelchair,have a look.on the way to satahip turn left after the aquarim at greenway driving range.

they have kindi 1.2.3 and its 22,000 a term [2 terms] food included.

good luck.

Is it just me, but isn't leaving 2,3 even 4 year olds in the care of strangers a bit too young? When the children are this young, do the children only go to the school for half a day? And do they go everyday or just 2-3 days per week?

Another thing that concerns my husband and I is the food they serve in the schools. Our daughter has never had chocolates, candies, soft drinks, cakes, ice-cream (unless it's plain natural vanilla or frozen fruit yogurt) or other junk food. We've been fortunate that when she has been offered them that she won't eat them, but we're worried that all our effort in teaching her correct eating habits will be all for nothing if they serve these sort of things in school. Is it possible to have your children bring their own food with them to school if the menu is not to our (and our daughters) liking?

There are just so many things to consider and I just can't help worrying (if you think I'm bad, my husband is worse when it comes to his Angel).

Di

Being with other kids teachers them to mix, and be a child,it also give s you more freedom,

and while at school she can learn thai,and let that young mind soak all the knowlege in,almost naturally.

school times are 8.15am till 2/30pm .

like other schools i've seen except for the older kids, i do'nt see a lot of pom puy kids [fat]

the water they drink from the cool machines one cup and throw away to be washed.they dont drink from the same cup.

And the kitcken and food are great,and very clean.

like all the other schools have to put up an entry fee 20,000 neg.

I see and talk to people who have changed schools 2 or 3 times ,allways looking for better,if the kids are happy they will want to learn.with alot of help from us,and yes they give them a little home work every day

and good parenting is no one.

If you stay in thailand or go back to OZ you are giving them a good start early....you have to start sometime.

cat

[MsFigure]

Well after much discussion with my husband over the weekend, we've decided that an International school is probably the best option for us and our daughter. We've got an appointment at St.Andrews International in Rayong tomorrow. From all the information I have about the school so far - it seems to be the best place that we would feel comfortable sending our daughter too.

Reasons for choosing an International school (St. Andrews in particular) over a bilingual school so far are.....

• My husband and I are not thai, and the need for her to be fluent in English is more important to us than her need for thai. She already knows more (thai) than us, and speaks to our maid and other thais without any problems.
  
• Based on the British Educational System
  
• Nursery and Kindergarten curriculum is to our liking, as well as having the option of sending her 2,3 or 5 days (nursery) and half or full days (kindy). As far as we are concerned, a 3 year old is very young to be sent to school, let alone being there fulltime.
  
• Extra curricular programs - very impressive !
  

Extra bonus is that it is also close to our home too

Update tomorrow after our meeting and our first impression with the school (facilties and teachers)

Di