Assumption College (Thailand)

Assumption College (Thai: โรงเรียนอัสสัมชัญ) (Sometimes called "Assumption Bang Rak", "Assumption Krung Tep", "อ ส ช" ) is a private Catholic boys school in Bangkok, Thailand. The school, founded by Rev. Father Emile August Colombet on 16 February 1885, is the first school founded by the Gabrielite Brothers in Thailand.[1][2] Assumption College is the third-oldest boys school in Thailand.[3]

The school provides education for students from grades 1 through 12. Matriculation, especially in the first grade, is highly competitive. Assumption College has a long list of distinguished former pupils including four Prime Ministers of Thailand, 15 privy counselors, and three pupils among Thailand's 10 Richest.[4][5]

Assumption College is the one of four schools which participate in Jaturamitr Samakkee, a traditional football match by the four oldest boys' schools in Thailand: Suankularb Wittayalai School, Debsirin School, Bangkok Christian College, and Assumption.

History

Assumption College
โรงเรียนอัสสัมชัญ

Labor omnia vincit
("Work conquers all")
Address
26 Charoenkrung 40, Charoenkrung Rd, Bangrak, Bangkok
Thailand
Information
Type Private
Religious affiliation(s) Roman Catholic
Established February 16, 1885
Founder Rev. Father Emile August Colombet
Director Bro. Dr. Dechachai Sripicharn (2013-present)[6]
Grades 1-Matayom 6
Gender Boys
Language The language is taught in schools
Thailand Thai
United Kingdom English
France French
China Mandarin Chinese
Colour(s) White and Red
        
Fight song Boom Assump
Mascot Red Eagle
Website www.assumption.ac.th

Assumption College traces its history to 1885, when Father Emile August Colombet, a French missionary priest, opened his school in Bangkok. In those days before free public schools, Colombet realised many Thai children went without an education. Buddhist monks taught reading and writing in their temples, but attendance was not compulsory. Father Colombet opened his own primary school to help fill the need. The church school, named the Thai-French School, taught in French and Thai.

Father Colombet's school was in an ordinary wooden house. Classes at the beginning were small; his first student was a Chinese-Thai, Siew Meng Tek. The number of students steadily increased, and today more than 51,000 boys have been educated at Assumption College.

On 16 February 1885, the school was formally established under the name of Collège de l'Assomption. On the first day of school, there were 33 students. After that the school gradually became recognized and the demand for a new study hall was needed. Colombet sent a letter to King Chulalongkorn and the queen and solicited contributions and donations from noblemen, as well as Thai and foreign merchants in Bangkok. The school became well-endowed.

On 15 August 1887, Crown Prince Maha Vajirunhis represented King Chulalongkorn in laying the cornerstone for the construction of the first study hall, later named the "old building" (Thai, "tuek gao").

In 1900, Father Colombet returned to France. He asked the St. Gabriel Foundation to assume management of Assumption College. On 20 October 1901, the Superior General of the Brothers of St. Gabriel sent five reverend brothers to Thailand in order to continue the initiative of Father Colombet. They were Rev. Bro. Martin de Tours (the second director), Rev. Bro. Arbaire, Rev. Bro. Augustine, Bro. Gabriel Ferreti, and Rev. Bro. Hilaire, who pursued the objectives of Father Colombet. Assumption College was the first boys' school of the St. Gabriel Foundation in Thailand.

In 1910, the school changed its name from Collège de l'Assomption to Assumption College or AC.

When the number of students sharply increased, the existing study hall could not cater to the increasing numbers. At that time, the Brothers of Saint Gabriel established Assumption College Primary Section in 1965 in Sathon, Bangkok, on an area of six rai.

The primary section was approved and opened on 22 May 1966. The school was officially opened and blessed on 6 May 1967 by Bishop Joseph Khiamsun Nittayo and Mom Luang Pin Malakul. The minister of education presided at the ceremony.

In 2002, during Brother Surasit Sukchai's term of governance, the English program (EP) was introduced to serve students who wanted to prepare themselves for international study. The program started in Prathom Suksa 1 and in Mathayom Suksa 1 in the first year. Now the program offers complete primary and secondary levels or from Prathom Suksa 1 to Mathayom Suksa 6 (grades 1-12).

School symbol

The symbol of Assumption College is a coat of arms. The blue English abbreviation AC is placed mid-center of the coat of arms. Underneath the school's abbreviation is "1885", the year of the college's formal establishment by Colombet. The red and white colors on the coat of arms remind us to honour the nation, religion, and the king. White represents purity and red represents bravery.[7]

Directors of Assumption College

Years in officeName
1885–1902Emile August Colombet
1902–1920, 1929-1932Bro. Martin de Tours
1920–1929, 1938-1941Bro. Michel
1932–1938Bro. Frederic Jean
1941–1947Bro. Montfort
1947–1952, 1954-1955Bro. Hubert Cousin
1952–1954Bro. Urbain Gloriau
1955–1960Bro. Donatien
1960–1961Bro. John Mary
1961–1965Bro. Robert Richard
1965–1973, 1986-1992Bro. Viriya Chandavarodom
1973–1979Bro. Vicharn Songsiengchai
1979–1986Bro. Chumphol Deesutchit
1992–1998Bro. Loechai Lavasut
1998–2004, 2013Bro. Surasit Sukchai
2004-2013Bro. Dr. Anant Prichavudhi
2013-presentBro. Dr. Dechachai Sripicharn[6]

Buildings

Assumption 2003 Building

Name

The word "assumption" in Catholic theology means "assumed into heaven after her death" from the French word assomption. The name of the school is a reference to the assumption of Mary and in Thai means "the place for virtuous life and more knowledge". AC or A.C. is the abbreviation of Assumption College. The school motto is "Labor Omnia Vincit" ("work conquers all").

Campuses

Assumption College has several branches in Thailand, including:

Other Assumption College campuses in Thailand

References

  1. ↑ "Assumption College History". assumption.ac.th. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  2. ↑ "History of Catholic Education in Thailand". Bangkok Archdiocese. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  3. ↑ "10 Best Schools in Thailand site". theactkk.net. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  4. ↑ Karmali, Naazneen (June 2015). "Thailand's 50 Richest". Forbes-Asia. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
  5. ↑ "ฟอร์บส์เปิดทำเนียบ 50 มหาเศรษฐีในไทยประจำปี 2015". ch3.sanook.com. 2015-06-04. Retrieved 2016-05-09.
  6. 1 2 "New school's Director". Daily News (Thailand). Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  7. ↑ "English Program Student's Handbook Academic Year 2011" (PDF). Assumption College. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  8. ↑ "Thailand's Fine Arts Department refusing about laminating the school sculpture". Daily News (Thailand). Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  9. ↑ "Architect explaining about laminating the school sculpture". Khao Sod. Retrieved May 8, 2016.

Coordinates: 13°43′24″N 100°30′52″E / 13.723310°N 100.514358°E / 13.723310; 100.514358

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