Somtawin Pupil Behaviour Standards

[Scotian2012]

As everyone knows, school is the biggest dilemma for expat families in Thailand and specifically Hua Hin. My daughter has been in Somtawin as it is the only one to offer GCSEs and also has a full school cycle whereas the alternative only goes up to around Grade 4.

The problem is the kids at Somtawin appear to be out of control. I have friends who removed their kids in the past, citing that the teachers are a bit too familiar with the kids, with no sense of discipline instilled. This has unfortunately manifested itself with my daughter now and I've decided to take her out of the school to avoid any further downwards spiral.

Education and standards begins at home, but a school has an obligation to put its kids on the right path. From what I've heard at Somtawin, it seems more like a holiday camp where everything goes on and there appears to be little incentive for the kids to do otherwise.

The kids frequently go to La Luna Disco to the point now whereby it has become normal behaviour, and not just amongst the older grades. Sure this is outside of school hours but I don't even want to get into the activities that are going on inside the school that contributes to this. Again I'm not looking to pass the buck on bad behaviour that should be tackled by parents, but i want to reinforce the important role that the school has on this also.

So now we are back to the dilemma of Yamsaard up to a certain grade, but at least with a stronger discipline and respect culture, mostly driven by a thai education approach as opposed to a school of expats. The alternative is boarding school in Bangkok, which will of course cost over 300,000 baht per year.

I really wish we could have a high-quality international school in Hua Hin and despair at the fact the Government are/will not allow it.

[GLCQuantum]

but I don't even want to get into the activities that are going on inside the school that contributes to this

Please do. Otherwise your post holds no substance.

[Scotian2012]

Well it has no substance then in your opinion. I don't want to single out specific kids or parents by highlighting individual events, all I can say is as a parent I'm concerned in particular by behaviour at the school of children aged between 13-16. Any parent with kids at the school will know what I am referring to.

[Frank Hovis]

Surely outside of school hours is wholly the parents/guardians responsibility. I have children at Somtawin and really don't expect the school to be advising them on what they should or should not do regarding going to discos, except possibly pointing out the legalities of under age drinking etc.

As GLCQ asks, detail the problems within the school rather than childrens behaviour out of school. No need to mention names or grades or specific events.

[Spitfire]

The problem is the kids at Somtawin appear to be out of control.

This you will find is a nationwide problem at many (if not all) schools and not just the aforementioned one.

You also have to remember that many of these schools are private businesses within a lamentably bad education system as a whole which needs a major overhaul. There is continual debate on this and related stories in the press these days and the shortcomings that are brought about because of the status quo in education.

[Scotian2012]

misdemeanors between boys and girls in the age group mentioned in the bathrooms, kids bringing alcohol into the school, kids turning up to school with hangovers, thai children from close-by local school being found in school grounds taking photos of Somtawin girls, girls in school that find it normal behaviour amongst their peers to have sex and alcohol on their agenda.

Frank - I agree its parents responsibility but as I clearly said, I also believe that a school has an obligation to put its kids on the right path and play an important role in setting standards.

[Big Boy]

Very similar rumours used to flood around my school in the UK over 30 years ago. However, I was never fortunate enough to experience it personally. None of my friends ever realised the promised land either.

What foundation do these stories actually have? Is it actually wishful thinking by some pupils with over active imaginations?

[Frank Hovis]

That's a better list to work with

misdemeanors between boys and girls in the age group mentioned in the bathrooms, kids bringing alcohol into the school....thai children from close-by local school being found in school grounds taking photos of Somtawin girls

These are school issues and the school should be doing something to prevent this sort of behaviour. I have heard, lets say, 'stories' similar to the above.

kids turning up to school with hangovers....girls in school that find it normal behaviour amongst their peers to have sex and alcohol on their agenda

These are parental issues, the best you could expect the school can do is to contact 'hungover' childrens parents, and obviously unless they are all lesbians, the boys have a similar agenda.

[Scotian2012]

it was a teacher at somtawin that told me, so i believe its factual rather than made up stories unfortunately.

Specific incidents aside though, it seems to me that the school lacks any real discipline and moral direction setting for the kids. As a parent with a kid there Frank, do you agree or are you saying that a school should have no role in doing such?

As I said, it seems to be a bit of an expat kids holiday camp, from what I've seen of the other school, there is not that same level of "anything goes" as it has a bit of Thai conservatism to it. I'm no fan of any option right now, i wish there was a forum to mobilise some concern at a Government/Council level.

[Big Boy]

Have you considered this school?

[Frank Hovis]

No - I think it is the schools duty to provide the students with basic moral direction and strong in-school discipline, the second part of that I think is quite lax at Somtawin.

Children should NOT be taking alcohol into school, boys should NOT be in the girls toilets (and vice-versa), children from other schools should NOT be on the grounds of Somtawin except with the schools permission. These can't be difficult rules to put in place and enforce.

If, as you say, a teacher is discussing these matters then he/she should also be reporting the matters to the Head Teacher, who may well be doing something about it (or not) but I guess the parents would prefer that to be kept private. I also think that communication between the school and parents of students is dreadful - a simple letter telling parents that their child will be expelled if they are caught in possession of alcohol, drugs or weapons or caught in the 'wrong' toilets would make many parents take note, even if the school has no real intention of expelling a child.

My feeling is that bad behaviour and lack of respect is something that comes from parenting, if parents bring their children up to behave the school can enforce this, if parents allow their children to do what they please, the school has little chance of turning that mentality around.

I think you are right to be concerned and should contact the Head Teacher to see what is being done to prevent such activities at the school.

[Scotian2012]

Big Boy - thanks, I did not know about that school and will contact them.

Frank - we are on the same page. I have of course contacted the Head Teacher and the school Director. I fully appreciate the tough job that the Head Teacher has, at the same time I agree fully with your points on what should be done.

[GLCQuantum]

Children should NOT be taking alcohol into school,

Absolutely not and I can't believe this is true (saying this I remember taking a mixer with me to school in 10th grade and was ratted out pretty quickly). When I worked at Somtawin from 2004-2008 there were 3 expulsions (more than you will get in most other schools here TBF). The expulsions in question were for playground fighting and general lack of respect towards the school rules. There were also cases of children retaking a year for failing grades... something unheard of in Thailand as a whole and BOY... did the parents kick up a fuss when they were told their child was gonna have to repeat the grade.

Somtawin School losing myself four/five years ago probably hit them hard... similar to the Arse losing Van Persie this year. A joke...BTW

I am absolutely certain that if you were to mention your concerns to the current chap in charge (Mr Steve) he would do all that is possible to nip any of these 'unattractive behaviours' in the bud ASAP. The problem is nowadays many people vent their anger in the least constructive ways, thus allowing the place in question no chance to resolve any small issues and let's face it - with a group of teenage kids (many of which are from broken families) problems are going to ,and always will, arise.

As Spitfire mentioned Mathiom is a tough one all the country through. Some of the horror stories really are appalling to say the least.

Unfortunately in this country the importance of the parent's being the first teacher and being the person that sets the ground rules comes into play ten fold. You have to remember... it may not be the teacher's/School's faults at all but simply the group of kids the child is hanging with. Kids are impressionable. Whether they are at a temple school or Eton - if the people your child is hanging with aren't the best bunch the parent needs to step up to the plate and make sure they don't follow their path.

Tough being a parent... hence I ain't one.

[Harry Bosch]

As Big Boy mentioned, there is another school offering an IGCSE program. It is not so easy to get into now as the numbers have grown and the school isn't keen to grow any more, for the time being anyway. The last children to be accepted into the school were interviewed and tested (screened) as were the parents, this ensures only those that can behave and are keen to learn are accepted. This method ensures that only the best students, in terms of academic ability and behaviour are taken on, and not those that will cause any disruption or disrespect to the great learning atmosphere the school has worked hard to achieve.

[Scotian2012]

Regarding this new school Halio, i notice that it is not accredited as an elementary school but rather has language school status.

What is the downside of that in terms of further education in Thailand, is a qualification from the school recognised? I do note that a US diploma is given at graduation.

It is more expensive than Somtawin or Yamsaard at 3 terms of 50K, but the location is very good for me.

Any first-hand recommendations?