Saint Gabriel's College

For the college of the same name in London, see Saint Gabriel's College (Church of England).
Saint Gabriel's College
Location
Map
Dusit Bangkok

Thailand
Coordinates13°46′33″N 100°30′23″E / 13.77583°N 100.50639°E / 13.77583; 100.50639
Information
TypePrivate Roman Catholic All-boys Basic (Primary - Grades 1-6 and Secondary - Grades 7-12) education institution
MottoLabor omnia vincit (Latin)
(Labor conquers all things)
Religious affiliation(s)Roman Catholic
(Gabrielite Brothers)
Established1920; 104 years ago (1920)
FounderBro. Martin de Tours, f.s.g.
DirectorBro. Surakit Srisrankulwong, f.s.g.
Colour(s)Blue and white
  
Languages taughtThai; English; Mandarin Chinese; Japanese; German; French
Websitewww.sg.ac.th

Saint Gabriel's College (Thai: โรงเรียนเซนต์คาเบรียล) is a private Catholic all-boys school in Bangkok, Thailand. The school was founded by the Brothers of Saint Gabriel in 1920.

The school educates students from grade 1 through grade 12 (K–12). Admission, especially in first grade, is highly competitive as only approximately 416 students per year are admitted. Total school enrollment is roughly 5,000 students.[1] The school is known for its intensive English program.

History

Saint Gabriel's College (circa 1920s)

In 1918, after the First World War ended, the demand for schools and education in Bangkok sharply increased. At that time, the Brothers of Saint Gabriel had established only one school in Bangkok, Assumption College. As a response to increasing demand, Brother Martin de Tours proposed opening a new school in Bangkok. He accepted a plot of land offered by Father Brozat of the nearby Saint Francis Xavier Church in Samsen as the site for his vision.

Construction began in 1920, the chief engineer being Mr. Be'quelin. The main building was designed entirely by Brother Martin de Tours. The building, which cost approximately 100,000 Thai baht, was completed in February 1922. Due to the building being painted light red, it has since been referred to as "tuk-daeng" (Thai: ตึกแดง) ('the red building').

In 1920, while construction was still taking place, Bro. Martin de Tours and his teaching staff began teaching temporarily at Mr. Berli's house. There were 141 students enrolled in the first year.

Symbol

The symbol of Saint Gabriel's College is a coat of arms. The middle part is an escutcheon divided into four parts which are:

  • A.M and white bouquet of tuberose: "A.M" means Ave Marie which means 'mother of Christ'. The white bouquet of tuberose represent a purity that all students of Saint Gabriel's aspire to.
  • Boat and Polaris: the boat represents life's struggle. Polaris represents hope.
  • DS and a cross: "DS" stands for Dieu Seul in French. The cross for the sacrifice of Jesus.
  • The flower around the coat of arms is an ornament that reminds students to do good—for themselves and other.

Buildings

Saint Gabriel's College has 12 buildings[1] and one stadium:

  • Martin De Tours buildings (ตึกมาร์ติน เดอ ตูร์) or Tuk-Daeng (ตึกแดง ตึกอำนวยการ) was the first Saint Gabriel building, constructed in the age of Brother Martin De Tours. Tuk-Daeng since then has become the most significant emblem of the school. It can be seen first when entering the school. It was no longer used as a classroom for students, but it was used as the room of the chief manager and principal's office. Today, Tuk-Daeng is renovated and preserved as a memorial of the school.
  • De Montfort buildings (ตึกเดอ มงฟอร์ต) is a four-storey building. On first and second floor are cafeterias for students, an auditorium and a library. On third and fourth floor are music room.
  • John Mary buildings (ตึกจอห์น แมรี่) is a dormitory for foreign teachers and staffs. This building also houses the roof top John Mary Center for the Performing Arts which was funded and conceptualized by noted philanthropist Devin DiCristofaro and constructed by architect John McLaughlin.
  • Greg Gymnasium buildings (ตึกเกรก ยิมเนเซี่ยม)is a five-storey building which was constructed in 1971. It has a basketball court for primary 5,6 students
  • Fatima buildings (ตึกฟาติมา รศ 200) is a seven-storey building which constructed in 1980. It was the building for primary 1,2,3 some of primary 5 classroom and primary 5 staff room and a second auditorium
  • Hubert buildings (ตึกฮิวเบิร์ต) Contains facilities such as a fitness center, swimming pool and car park.
  • Andrew buildings (ตึกแอนดรู) is a six-storey building which was constructed in 2001. It was the building for secondary 1 and 2 students.
  • Mae-Phra buildings (ตึกแม่พระ) is a six-storey building (including basement). It was constructed in 2007. Mae-Phra has a basketball court, swimming pool for secondary students, auditorium, and laboratory. It was the building for secondary 3–6 students.
  • Annunciation buildings (ตึกแม่พระรับสาส์น) is the newest building of Saint Gabriel's College. It was constructed in 2012. It was the building for primary 4
  • 90th Anniversary buildings (ตึก 90 ปี) is a five-story building which was built for celebrating 90 years of Saint Gabriel's College.
  • Martin De Tours Stadium (มาร์ติน เดอ ตูร์ สเตเดี้ยม) is the artificial turf football field with metal bleachers.

Directors

Years in office Name
1920–1926 Bro. Martin De Tours
1926–1932 Bro. Frederic Jean (1)
1932–1938 Bro. Hubert (1)
1938–1941 Bro. Frederic Jean (2)
1941–1944 Bro. Theophane Venard
1944–1947 Bro. Aloysius
1947–1953 Bro. Monfort Del Rosario (1)
1953–1955 Bro. John Mary
1955–1961 Bro. Hubert (2)
1961–1966 Bro. Monfort Del Rosario (2)
1966–1968 Bro. Alphonsus De Liquori
1968–1974 Bro. Pratheep Martin Komolmas
1975–1977 Bro. Fillip Amnuay Pinrat (1)
1977–1983 Bro. Meesak Wongprachanukul
1983–1985 Bro. Fillip Amnuay Pinrat (2)
1985–1991 Bro. Buncha Saenghirun
1991–1997 Bro. Arun Metthaseth
1997–2003 Bro. Wisit Sriwichairut
2003–2013 Bro. Anusak Nidhibhadrabhorn
2013–2018 Bro. Vinai Viriyavidhayavongs
2018–2022 Bro. Monthon Patumraj
2022–Present Bro. Surakit Srisrankulwong

Notable alumni

References

  1. ^ a b Treerutkuarkul, Apiradee (26 May 2018). "School leads charge to energy efficiency". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 26 May 2018.