Discover UWC Thailand

The global COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in major changes to teaching and learning within schools. In an effort to reflect and discuss topics that affect students’ educational journey, UWC Thailand seeks to create a platform for dialogue through discussions that bring together thought-leaders and experienced professionals to share their insight on key educational issues.

With this in mind, UWC Thailand Head of School Lural Ramírez has initiated a project called ‘Discover UWC Thailand!’ aimed at opening a channel for educators, parents and guardians, students and the general public to learn and discuss relevant topics related to education. As part of the project, the school is organizing a set of webinars programmed for this academic year.

The first webinar ‘The Benefits of Boarding’, hosted on 28 October 2021, was facilitated by Kru Lural and featured Mr Lister Hannah, an experienced former Head of School and current UWC Thailand School Board member, and UWC Thailand Director of Residential Life, Kru Simone Sgarbossa. The conversation focused on their experiences, insights and approaches to the Benefits of Boarding for students from Grade 9 to 12.

Over 50 participants had the opportunity to attend including heads of schools and leaders, educators, current boarding students’ parents and the general public interested in the topic. It was a space to share thoughts, ask questions and learn about the international school boarding journey.

Lister Hannah, the keynote speaker pointed out that “At the heart of the boarding experience is first an understanding of the nature of adolescents and teenagers; then seeing how boarding can contribute to the blossoming of young people passing through this challenging phase of their development”.

Mr Hannah also explained that at this critical period of their life, students are trying to fit into a complex world. They want to explore their independence and push the limits of authority. It is important to set reasonable and steady expectations and provide a safe, secure and supportive environment for students to be committed to developing their whole person. He added that this is done by providing clear frameworks of routine that support their studies, wellbeing, health and hygiene while still giving them opportunities for self-management and responsibility.

Director of Residential Life, Kru Simone Sgarbossa highlighted that UWC Thailand aims to foster an inclusive boarding community, by, for example, engaging roommates in dialogue as they create their room agreements. Boarding students are guided through a process in which they have to reflect on several issues such as: What are their habits and cultural norms? How will they negotiate diversity? How will they develop a sense of leadership? How will they give something back and learn from the world around them? Reflecting on these aspects and navigating them together within a “family-focused” sense of community is key to the UWC Thailand boarding experience. Students’ trust and accountability are built by having teachers who are committed to balancing rights and responsibilities.