Open Gates school breaks ground

By R. GREER

THE Open Gates Education Centre held a groundbreaking ceremony on March 31 to start the construction of its new campus in Bangrak. Currently, Open Gates has a smaller campus, also in Bangrak.

Despite the intense heat and the brief but heavy rain shower, everyone in attendance exchanged smiles and congratulations, thrilled that the building process has finally gotten underway.

“It has taken a long time to get to this point today,” said Dr. Claus Meyer, the school’s managing director. “To finally see the plans that we worked so hard on finally being put into action is very satisfying. I know the students, parents and staff will love the new campus.”

Thanaphan Samui Trading Ltd. and Thaina Builder Ltd. have been chosen to construct the approved plans. 

The first phase of the new campus is located on a five-rai, or two-acre (the minimum size acceptable to the Ministry of Education), land dotted with coconut trees. The beautiful property is located on Ghost Road in Bangrak near the Mayaburi Resort. The area is set back off the main road and surrounded by undeveloped land. The atmosphere is placid and quiet, very conducive to education and learning.

Following the Ministry of Education’s guidelines, the new international campus will have: a Thai culture room; an IT lab; library; two science labs; a sports dome, which is open air but covered allowing for games of football, soccer, etc., to continue even during downpours; a pool; a gym with showers; and other modern amenities. In addition, the sports dome will have bleachers for spectators.

A state-of-the-art kitchen and dining facilities will also be built, as well as a multipurpose room for meetings and other events needing a large floor space. The Open Gates nursery will occupy four individual rooms. 

All of the 25 classrooms adhere to the Ministry’s guidelines in terms of design and size. The new classrooms and the administration offices will have new furniture. 

The parking lot has been so designed as make it safe for parents to drop off and pick up their children. A one-way roundabout type of system will be used to direct traffic for efficient entry and exit of vehicles.

Suzanne Stephenson, the head of the primary school, says that the new school will inspire everyone to do better. “I think this new international campus will make the teachers, parents and especially the students appreciate the valuable education they are getting here at Open Gates. Our mission is to build global citizens, and we will not settle for anything less,” she says with a big smile.

Leaving nothing to chance, Dr. Meyer consulted feng shui expert Lung Tong during the design phase. On the day of the groundbreaking, Lung Tong was on hand to preside over the placement of the “Happy Pole,” which is the first concrete column placed in the ground, to initiate the construction.

“The feng shui expert told me this morning that it would rain today, and then it did! He said to have rain during what is supposed to be the dry season is a sign of very good luck,” Dr. Meyer said.

After the ceremony, the rain stopped, and everyone enjoyed a meal together.

To help celebrate and spread the word of Open Gates’ new international campus, a 20 percent discount is being offered to new students who enroll before June 1. Call Open Gates for more details at 077-427560). Visit its website at www.opengates-samui.com .