Thailand Trip (Day 20)

Day 20:
After a hearty breakfast at GVI we headed to the school for the assembly. As we neared the grounds we could hear the sound of drums, which grew steadily louder. Soon we could see that the sixth grade students were parading around in some sort of marching band as the other students watched. We were greeted by Pi Rai at the school and she took us to a classroom where the teachers were eating a breakfast. There was coffee and Ovaltine to drink and assorted breakfast sweets from the market. Most where sticky rice with a random item (fruit, egg, vegetable) wrapped in a banana leaf. Others were types of pastries. They were all very good, but we became very full since we had had a breakfast beforehand. From chatting with the teachers we found out that the assembly was a Teacher's Appreciation ceremony where the student would pledge to be well behaved and learn throughout the year. These type of assemblies would take place all over Thailand during June. Also we found out that Thursday is teachers day. This means that parents often want the first day of class to be a Thursday for their children. After the breakfast we headed to the auditorium where all 600 were sitting tightly packed in and all wearing their bright blue and pink school uniforms. The teachers sat at a high table at the front of the auditorium. Once we were all seated a band began to play and march in. Everyone stood at attention at what I believe was the national anthem. Then a stationary band played a more traditional sounding song. Following this one student took the microphone and began to recite the behavioural pledge while the 600 others followed closely. It was a real uproar. After the pledge the students began a procession of flowers and incense arrangements which they brought to all of the teachers. Soon the table was covered with arrangements. A man in a suit was sitting next to Steve and we believe that he is the director of the school. He gave a short speech in which he mentioned the teachers by name and we heard him mention GVI. The ceremony closed with more music and a long session of class photos. It was one of the most memorable events that I have experienced in my life and I am thrilled to have been teaching during it. After the ceremony the teachers invited us to lunch. We headed to the National Park for lunch in the teacher's cars and were treated to a delicious spread of dishes ranging from spicy seafood to fruit. After a lunch that ran a bit into class time we headed back to the school to teach a particularly excited third grade. They were a bit behind because class had been canceled last Thursday, but the student's energy made up for it. After that class we headed to the municipality school for the first grade class there. The students at that school have had less English lessons, so we had to prepare a more basic lesson. Overall, they were excited that we were there, but not that attentive. After a long day we returned to the base to enjoy Thai omelets and relax.