The scholarships provide an excellent opportunity for Thai or Foreign students to attend the top international school, which is certified by the Thai Ministry of Education, and which offers both the Cambridge International Curriculum and French Government Curriculum.
Moreover, it provides Thai students, aiming to further their higher learning in the kingdom the option to receive a fully accredited Thai Government PRATOM SUKSA 6 Certificate for their studies.
Phuket International Ecole Francaise Jules Verne School, a part of the International School of Phuket (ISP) group, are happy to announce that the Phuket International Jules Verne School is the first and only school not only in Phuket, but also, in all of Thailand to be fully accredited by the Thai Ministry of Education to offer the Official French Government Programme. The complete French Government Programme has been accredited from Kindergarten age to Secondary.
The school is also being accredited by the French Ministry of Education (June 2015) and listed on the official roster of the French Schools in Foreign Countries (AEFE), which includes over 471 schools worldwide. Also, The Jules Verne French School is regularly inspected by a representative of the French Ministry of Education, based in Bangkok, for adherence to the rigorous French curriculum and educational practices. This allows our students to transfer easily into any French school in France or any other country in the world.
Located in Chalong, the school originally started up in 2008 and has around 200 students from 16 different nationalities. ISP is unique in that it is design that set up to focus on and meet the specific needs of the children as its may priority.
For this reason first and foremost, ISP offers 3 separate streams of classes - one offers an English (Cambridge International), another the French Government Curriculum and a third, The Schools Curriculum of the Russian Federation within the campus. “Quite simply, to perform best and be happiest, Kids need to take classes in the cultural environment that most suits them”, said Scott, The School’s Head Teacher.
For the English school, the renowned University of Cambridge Curriculum was selected, and ISP has been officially accredited by the Thai Ministry of Education, as a Cambridge International School, and as such can offer the Thai PRATOM SUKSA 6 Certificate, for both the English and French International Schools.
The Phuket News recently sat down with the school staff to find out more about this unique school.
ISP, International School of Phuket was formed by Tasi and Jan who have both succeeded in life thanks largely to the fact that both of them were educated to the highest standards and at the best schools and so wished to create a school in Phuket which shared the best elements of their own childhood schools for their son’s and his friend’s to benefit from. It has snowballed into something much larger since 2008, thanks to the support and friendship of our parent community.
Ecole Française Jules Verne is a part of ISP and was founded by Jan and Laurent Minguely, to offer an International School where kids can study in the French Language and about French Culture, and so can transition to studies in France, Switzerland or any other French speaking country in the future.
The school’s first objective is to focus on making the children develop a strong psychology so they all feel happy, relaxed and comfortable.
As Laurent Minguely, (a director and shareholder of the school) says, from personal experience, I know that a large class dilutes power of the teacher so I wanted to make a school with smaller classes. This is key to children’s educational success - how much ‘teacher time’ each child gets- In a class of 30 kids, it is difficult to even remember each child’s name, let alone identify them as individuals with strengths and weaknesses. Therefore we commit that the classes never have more than 18 students. This allows the students to have the proper individual care and attention to develop and learn, even when they don’t understand the topic well.”
The ISP teachers are not just your typical expats in Phuket. They are “teachers who really love to teach” says Becky Suchner, school manager.
“It is important that they are passionate about teaching, so that they can transmit the knowledge onto the kids in an exciting way. That way the lessons are really remembered and learnt.’
All the French teachers hold a teaching diploma from the French Ministry of Education and all are native or fluent French speakers. All English speaking teachers are UK certified. The teaching staff are committed and dedicated to providing a conducive environment which nurtures students’ curiosity, creativity, responsibility and self-esteem. Ecole Jules Verne’s French and ISP’s English teachers work together to link the two curriculum to ensure the excellence of our full bilingual program.
“The teachers are generally on a three year engagement as a gentlemen agreement, to give the students stability at school. You don’t want a teacher who’s just here to teach and party.
“The teachers are all hand picked from a large pool of candidates and are each special,” Becky added, and the parents can see that and appreciate that.
Indeed that is especially true, as one teacher for example, Yann Roure, French teacher for French History and Geography, formally taught at the Royal Palace in Bangkok to Princess Sirindhorn, “Somdet Pratep” and members of the Thai Royal Court as an example of the high standard of the school. French is an important International Language which through its study teaches one deep elements of European Culture.
“Once you visit the school, you find the difference. Then you enroll your child and soon notice positive improvements in their attitude studies and behaiviour. That is why so many parents are passionate supporters of our community school - Join ISP and Be Happy”
It was very evident throughout the school how happy and energetic the kids where out of class and how peaceful and concentrated the students were in class. They sat in their classes motivated and were not disruptive at all, which is a huge testament to the culture of the school and the teacher’s ethic within the classes.
In addition, Becky explained how important it was for the students to keep their own identities, particularly as so many come from different countries.
One of the school’s best assets is the beautiful large green areas outside for kids to run around in, surrounded by high walls for safety where students can have lots of fun and play. The very large gardens have all manor of excitements, trampolines, various birds, chickens, a basketball area, climbing frames, bicycle tracks, football pitch and even an attractive skatepark. There is certainly plenty of ways the students can have fun and they’re strongly encouraged to use the many areas since many of them will most likely live in apartments, with less outdoor space, and often few other kids to play with.
Becky said it was important for the children to enjoy where they are and particularly enjoy the environment they are in. Then they want to go to school each day. That is the start. Then to stay in school they must study. It’s a deal with the kids that works well.
“There has to be a good balance however. There is structure obviously, but if the staff and children are relaxed, yet focused, they’re happier and it works perfectly, with there mood, studies, play rime sport and extra activities.
The school has until now solely relied on word of mouth, which is a reflection on how successful the school has been at providing an all round solid education, as well as healthy happy environment for the students.
However, Laurent explained that the school continues to develop by informing us that the worldwide reputed Alliance Française is joining the School and opening an office and classrooms in ISP / Ecole Française Jules Verne. Together they will make it possible to learn and study the French language and Culture programme in absolutely the best conditions. From September 1st they will welcome students who are not fluent French speakers. New candidates are welcome to contact us for more information and enroll before July 15th 2015 for the school year September 2015 to 30 June 2016.
For our students who do not speak French at home, they have two options.
Nursery to Kindergarten Total Immersion Program
Students who do not speak French are immersed in the regular classes, which follow the French Government curriculums. In addition, they attend French as a Foreign Language (FLE) classes in Alliance Française.
Primary and Secondary Grade “Transition Classes” for non French Speaker
This program has been designed for students who do not speak French and who wish to prepare to enter the regular French academic program. This is a unique opportunity for highly motivated learners to enter a French International School. During French instruction time, students in the Transition Class attend special FLE classes, where they learn to speak, read, and write French. This program covers the same subject areas as a regular French academic grade, but with a specific approach to the learning style of non-fluent speakers.
Students who participate in the “transition class” build a strong foundation in French verbal and written communication skills, they thrive to reach a level of comfort that enables them to attend the regular scheduled classes in French. Transition Class students attend mathematics, science, arts, and physical education with their regular class in French and with native French students. A complete immersion in French a language and culture.
Parents can choose for their children the French programme as the one to follow or also join us for a short period of only 1-3 years time to give a great opportunity of learning the French language, culture and programme. Admission conditions: condition must pass the school entry test.
More and more children are interested to join the school because of it’s unique and attractive French International programme. It is evident how much the school cares for the students from just a short visit, to see for yourself the difference. The school’s sole priority is to give opportunities for both the teachers and the students and to ensure they are well educated, happy content.
“Students can learn French, and they can also learn English. Both the Thai children and foreigners have the opportunity to take the French International programme, to study a beautify language and culture.
“My wish is for non French speaking children to join the French International School, for even just one or two years. Then they can be a part of the wonderful programme that we are offering and benefit from a multi culture ad rich European environment and education which will benefit the children throughout their life .”
ISP English and French Programs have now received Scholarship funding for 50 Academically Talented or Students gifted in Arts, Sports, Acting, or Music who may who wish to study at a Top International School and is now offering interviews for the chance to study at only 8,500 Baht per month or 85,000 Baht per year.
For more information or to find out more contact
I.S.P.
Becky: 08 28 08 62 01 (English)
E.mail: Becky201077@gmail.com
Ecole Française Jules Verne
Tel: 08 96 48 24 08 ( English and French)
E.mail: Laurent.minguely@ecolejulesverne-phuket.com
I.S.P
Russian: 08-2323-1188
E.mail: becky201077@gmail.com