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  1. #1
    Thailand Expat
    GooMaiRoo's Avatar
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    Any info on Southern International School of Hat Yai?

    Our family is relocating from the USA to the Songkhla/Phatthalung area and we have children of primary and intermediate school age. Bloomsbury is over our budget so we are considering Southern International School of Hat Yai. Does anyone know about this school and its reputation? It claims to follow the Cambridge international curriculum, which would be a welcome change. Thanks.

  2. #2
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    dirk diggler's Avatar
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    I live in Songkhla and my kids go to the British Sunshine School of Songkhla, which follows the British curriculum.

    Hat Yai would be a 1.5 hour round trip school run from Songkhla at that time in the morning and is a lot farther from Phattalung.

  3. #3
    Thailand Expat russellsimpson's Avatar
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    I lived in Songkhla town for seven years and heard good things about that school over in Hat Yai.

    I actually never heard about the Songkhla school so perhaps it is new Dirk?

    It's a lovely part of the country GMR, that whole area from Phattalong down to Songkhla Town. Nice expat community there if you need some western fix.

    Good luck.
    A true diplomat is a person who can tell you to go to hell in such a manner that you will be asking for directions.

  4. #4
    Thailand Expat
    dirk diggler's Avatar
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    We have more than likely met, what years were you around?

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    Thailand Expat russellsimpson's Avatar
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    I returned to Canada about seven years back.

    While in Songkhla I lived primarily at the, I think it was, the A1 Guest House. I used to drink at the Irish Pub.

    Are you the guy who offed my beautiful motor bike?

    About yourself, a clue please.

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    Thailand Expat
    dirk diggler's Avatar
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    There was a bar called the A1 down at the docks.

    My Father owned the Corner Bier and I bought the Hot Bread Shop around 7 years ago.

    Ive not nicked a bike in my adult life though.

    The ABC Guesthouse, perhaps?

  7. #7
    Thailand Expat russellsimpson's Avatar
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    Just joking about the bike btw.

    I don't really remember the Corner Bier but the ABC is correct. Do you know Mattanee over there. Tassanee died just after I left.

    I remember the Hot Bread well, they used to have lovely sandwiches. There was an older Dutch guy who owned the shop, yes?

    Did you hang at all at the Buzz Stop, George and the girls?

    Where more exactly is the Hot Bread Shop?

  8. #8
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    Thank you both for your responses. The Sunshine School looks promising but we will eventually need high school. Our house won't be ready for about a year but we love the South. There are no farang in the immediate area so any expat community would be welcome. The closest town is HanTao in Phattalung province.

  9. #9
    Thailand Expat Saint Willy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by GooMaiRoo View Post
    Our family is relocating from the USA to the Songkhla/Phatthalung area and we have children of primary and intermediate school age. Bloomsbury is over our budget so we are considering Southern International School of Hat Yai. Does anyone know about this school and its reputation? It claims to follow the Cambridge international curriculum, which would be a welcome schange. Thanks.

    A couple of teacher reviews of the school.

    ..
    Southern International School was born out of the ashes of Songkhla International School when the foreign operator absconded and they have since set up another school nearby.

    This school's family owner and licencee formed a new board of investors and relaunched the school as Southern.

    That was two years ago, when I first joined.

    I like working here, the Thai management are very fair and supportive. The one thing they hold above all others is honesty and integrity. We have limited budget at the moment because we are still growing, but we can manage.

    There is a way to go, but for a new school it's going in the right direction.

    Also, living in Hat Yai is definitely a plus.

    I would definitely recommend here if you want to work in Thailand.




    Beware anyone applying to this school that it is Songkhla International School with a new name. This school has no authorisation to operate nor any licence from the Thai Ministry of Education, at least as far as I know. It's owners are being investigated by the Anti Corruption department. However, they recently escaped Thailand to the UK. Many of the excellent staff have and wonderful Headteacher have left and many are being replaced by unqualified teachers.



  10. #10
    Thailand Expat
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    Thanks for the reviews. That anti-corruption unit must be very busy (or very rich). Very interesting, a real disparity of those opinions on Southern International. I taught many years ago at a Catholic school in Thailand and it was somewhat reasonable in tuition and quality, but there doesn't seem to be much in the Hat Yai/Songkhla area for foreign children older than 15 except Bloomsbury Hat Yai, which is expensive.

  11. #11
    Thailand Expat Saint Willy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by GooMaiRoo View Post
    except Bloomsbury Hat Yai, which is expensive.

    or more realistic on a decent education cost… but perspectives will vary.

  12. #12
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    There is a catholic boarding school in Hat Yai. I believe it’s very good but I don’t know if it’s all boys or not.

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by russellsimpson View Post
    Just joking about the bike btw.

    I don't really remember the Corner Bier but the ABC is correct. Do you know Mattanee over there. Tassanee died just after I left.

    I remember the Hot Bread well, they used to have lovely sandwiches. There was an older Dutch guy who owned the shop, yes?

    Did you hang at all at the Buzz Stop, George and the girls?

    Where more exactly is the Hot Bread Shop?
    I don’t know them personally, I had an Irish pal that stayed there for a long time and I’d often pick him up or drop him off.

    Hot Bread Shop was further up the same road from Buzz Stop. The previous owner was a Canadian helicopter guy who fell ill with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Sadly died last year.

    We would have met at the Buzz Stop, Without a doubt.
    Lang may yer lum reek...

  14. #14
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    dirk diggler's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by GooMaiRoo View Post
    Thank you both for your responses. The Sunshine School looks promising but we will eventually need high school. Our house won't be ready for about a year but we love the South. There are no farang in the immediate area so any expat community would be welcome. The closest town is HanTao in Phattalung province.
    drip me a line when you’re in the area, or pop in past Oscars Bar on Sri Suda Road. The owner of the Sunshine school normally pops in for a glass of wine and a natter with my Mrs, as they are good friends.

  15. #15
    Thailand Expat russellsimpson's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by dirk diggler View Post
    I had an Irish pal that stayed there for a long time and I’d often pick him up or drop him off.
    Matt?

    Matt was a nice guy, very generous.

    You might have run across Louis, the AF founder at the Buzz stop?

  16. #16
    Thailand Expat
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    Yeah Matt. Not sure about Louis tho. AF? Ajarn Forum? I never saw it.

  17. #17
    Thailand Expat russellsimpson's Avatar
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    I like to touch in with my Songkhla energy on occasion. Hell of a town, I much enjoyed it. Me and my mo bike put on thousands of miles in and around there. Take care Dirk.

  18. #18
    Thailand Expat
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    Quote Originally Posted by dirk diggler View Post
    drip me a line when you’re in the area, or pop in past Oscars Bar on Sri Suda Road. The owner of the Sunshine school normally pops in for a glass of wine and a natter with my Mrs, as they are good friends.
    Will do. Looking forward to it. Thanks (BTW, the Sunshine School goes through what grade? Our equivalent in the USA to 9th grade? Our youngest can certainly go and our older one perhaps for a year.)

  19. #19
    Thailand Expat
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    Quote Originally Posted by TheRealKW View Post
    or more realistic on a decent education cost… but perspectives will vary.
    Yes, I would agree that you generally get what you pay for when educating your children in Thailand. Bloomsbury is a stretch but still in play. If anyone has experience with the Bloomsbury Hat Yai school feel free to share.

  20. #20
    Thailand Expat
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    I have a friend that teaches there and a friend who’s son goes/used to go there.

    pretty sure it’s around 100k per term. Being international, probably has 3 terms.

    It’s near to Hat Yai airport.

  21. #21
    Thailand Expat Saint Willy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by GooMaiRoo View Post
    If anyone has experience with the Bloomsbury Hat Yai school feel free to share.
    these reviews are 4-5 years old...


    Review 2) Watchara Saisomboon 2014 - 2017
    Academic integrity of school
    1
    Effectiveness of administration
    1
    Academic and disciplinary support provided
    2
    Director's involvement in academics
    2
    Fair and equitable treatment by board and director
    1
    School has adequate educational materials on hand
    1
    Attitude of local community towards foreigners
    5
    Cost of living in relation to salary (10 = most favorable)
    7
    Yearly salary range for teachers in US dollars
    $12K - $14K
    Satisfaction with housing
    1
    Community offers a variety of activities
    1
    Availability and quality of local health care
    3
    Satisfaction with school health insurance policy
    1
    Family friendly / child friendly school and community
    3
    Assistance with visas, shipping and air travel
    1
    Extra curricular load is reasonable
    3
    Security / personal safety (10 = very safe in and out of school)
    2
    Average Score for Review
    2
    Comments:
    I feel that the Thai owners and management are extremely deceitful and cannot be trusted. They were taken to court and sued by student' parents.


    Review 1) 2014
    Academic integrity of school
    1
    Effectiveness of administration
    1
    Academic and disciplinary support provided
    1
    Director's involvement in academics
    1
    Fair and equitable treatment by board and director
    1
    School has adequate educational materials on hand
    1
    Attitude of local community towards foreigners
    6
    Cost of living in relation to salary (10 = most favorable)
    2
    Yearly salary range for teachers in US dollars
    $3K - $20K
    Satisfaction with housing
    1
    Community offers a variety of activities
    3
    Availability and quality of local health care
    1
    Satisfaction with school health insurance policy
    1
    Family friendly / child friendly school and community
    1
    Assistance with visas, shipping and air travel
    1
    Extra curricular load is reasonable
    1
    Security / personal safety (10 = very safe in and out of school)
    4
    Average Score for Review
    1.5
    Comments:
    school did nothing to help with visa. Also never paid wages in full. Non -White staff treated like slaves and never paid in full. Owners have no moral fibre in my opinion. My housing was never sorted. Ended up in a motel. All original staff left When I was there the school did not have a license. No equipment. The Head Michael tried so hard even buying books out of his own money. I don't trust the family who owns this school.


  22. #22
    Thailand Expat Saint Willy's Avatar
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    of their memberships, Memberships and Awards | Bloomsbury International School Hatyai CIS is the only one that i would rate.

    And note that they are a member school, rather than accredited school (so anyone can pay to be member, but the school must work towards full accreditation within 2 years, or lose membership), so that indicates they are working on improving and becoming better.

  23. #23
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    Thanks for the Bloomsbury review. Holy sh*t. 1.5 our of 10? Not encouraging, but I'll need to investigate more. With the declining quality of American schools, many families are now homeschooling. Although we could homeschool from Southern Thailand, I strongly prefer a quality brick and mortar school in the area. I wonder what other foreign families do in these Southern provinces to educate their children?

  24. #24
    Hangin' Around cyrille's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by GooMaiRoo View Post
    I wonder what other foreign families do in these Southern provinces to educate their children?
    Most of them are probably scraping a living, so have to settle for what they can get - if anything.

    If you mean westerners, then the most notable factor is that there aren't many of them.

    This will surely impact the quality of education available to them.

    It must be a tough market to make a profit in while offering quality instruction in Songkla / Hat Yai.

    Especially right now and over the next five years or so.

  25. #25
    Thailand Expat Saint Willy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by cyrille View Post
    must be a tough market to make a profit in while offering quality instruction in Songkla / Hat Yai.
    And make no mistake, most schools are for profit.

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