Vajiravudh College
Vajiravudh College is a private, all-boys boarding school in Dusit District, Bangkok, Thailand. The school was established by King Rama VI, also known as King Vajiravudh.
The school was originally named the Royal Pages College before students from the King's College were transferred to the Royal Pages College and it was renamed Vajiravudh College.
Students are accommodated in residential houses. Primary students are assigned to three houses: Sanamchan, Nandhauthayan, and Saranrom. Secondary students are divided into six houses: School House, Dusit House, Chitlada House, Phyathai House, Chongruk-Bhakdi House, and Saksri-Mongkol House. The school encourages students to balance academics with sports, music, and the arts.
Students typically enter in Prathom 4 and remain until Mathayom 6.
Royal Policy
The royal policy of His Majesty King Rama VI, the founder, wasHistory
The school was founded on 29 December 1910 to provide education but also as a "reign monastery". Normally, A King would build a temple as his reign monastery, but because as there were already many temples the King decided to build a school instead based on the system of Public School in England.In establishing, His Majesty donated his wealth to build a temporarily wooden study building on his land at Suan Krajung near Khlong Prem Prachakon at Dusit district. Then moved in the Royal Pages's students which were temporarily located near Brahman ceremony hall in Royal Palace on 11 June 1911. Then later in 1915, His Majesty donated his wealth to build a permanent Royal Pages's study building, which was composed of an assembly hall and four houses at the four corners of the school. Then His Majesty set the first stone on 20 December 1915, then in 1916 Ratchavittayaluy from the Ministry of Justice was moved onto his caring. His Majesty also established Chiang Mai Royal Pages College at Chiang Mai in 1917. Now the college in Chiang Mai is known as Yupparaj Royal's College.
The expansion of this school was stopped by the heavenly rest of Phra Mongkut Klao Chaoyuhua King Rama VI on 26 November 1925. In the next reign Siam was having economic problems, caused Phra Pokklao Chaoyuhua Rama VII to cut His Majesty's expenses. To keep the country's money in balance, His Majesty decided to close Royal Pages College and King's College and merge them all with Royal Pages College in Bangkok in 1926. Then His Majesty gave the school a new name, Vajiravudh College, in the honor of Phra Mongkut Klao Chaoyuhua, King Rama VI or King Vajiravudh.
Admissions
Vajiravudh College is a leading boarding school in Thailand that would provide general education from primary to secondary level, including moral training in the style of British public schools. A board of directors was founded to manage the school, and this tradition continues to the present day.The all-boys boarding is exclusive for boys. The school introduces more discipline, something like military boarding style, so that they can really change themselves to become responsible citizens in the future. The school provides students with high standards of academic instruction, opportunities for service to others, and a range of activities directed toward the development of their skills, talents, and self-confidence for lifelong learning. It also provides students with ample scope for supervised leisure and sport as well as studies. The school prepares students to become leaders for the ever-changing world and equips them with the knowledge to face challenges in a cross-cultural environment.
Boarding life
School houses
Students normally stay in the school for 12 days and back to the parents for 2 days. There are 9 boarding houses in the school and separated into the senior and junior houses. There are 6 senior houses that each house is accommodated about 80 students and equally divided for each grade from year 8 to year 13 and 3 junior houses that are accommodated around 40 students from year 5 to year 7. Most of them were named after the royal palaces in Thailand, where King Rama VI used to stay. Every boarding house has its own house color as a symbol.Senior houses:
The regularity in senior houses mainly is arranged by prefects that given authorities by the Headmaster and Head of house. The system is described as "good leadership come from good follower experiences".
- The Headmaster's House, Light blue
- Dusit House, Dark blue
- Chitlada House, Dark green
- Phyathai House, Pink
- Chongruk-Bhakdi House, Light green
- Saksri-Mongkol House, Red
The regularity in junior houses is different from senior houses that authorities are given to the head of house and teachers.
- Sanamchan House, Yellow
- nanthauthayan House, Purple
- Saranrom House, ''Gray''
Sports
All Vajiravudh students are required to do some kinds of sports every day from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. according to the schedule. In each semester there are competitions between houses.First semester, Rainy season, there are badminton and rugby competitions.
Second semester, Winter Season, there are basketball, football and swimming competitions.
Third semester, Summer season, there are tennis, athletics, fives and squash competitions.
The school's main sport is rugby, which is dominant in Thai's under-15, under-17, and under-19 rugby tournaments for years. The reason that rugby becomes the school's main sport is that Phra Mongkut Klao Chaoyuhua King Rama VI thought that rugby would teach men sportsmanship, would teach them how to be a gentleman as rugby is described by the English as "Sport played in heaven". A traditional friendly fixture against Malay College Kuala Kangsar of Malaysia is held annually since 1960. The rugby boys of Vajiravudh have dominated the yearly test matches, with their Malaysian counterparts only winning years were in 1963, 1999, 2013, and 2017. Essentially it is an Under-17 boy of MCKK up against the Under-19 boys, over the years being conducted to be in favor of the school.
School traditions
Uniform
For traditional ceremonies and official occasions, students are required to wear a ceremonial uniform prescribed by King Vajiravudh. Students also wear standard daily and sports uniforms.Ceremonial uniform
The ceremonial uniform consists of:- A white tunic-collar jacket with five silver Phra Mongkut buttons, two jetted pockets, and two breast flap pockets.
- Insignia, with variations for regular students, the music corps, and prefects.
- A nameplate worn on the right side; house colours vary.
- A silk formal collared shirt with plastic buttons, bearing the school insignia on the right chest pocket.
- Dark navy-blue shorts.
- A dark navy-blue side cap with two silver buttons.
- Long black socks and black leather shoes.
Daily uniform
The standard daily uniform consists of:- A silk formal collared shirt with plastic buttons, bearing the school insignia on the right chest pocket.
- Navy-blue shorts.
- A black leather belt with a silver buckle engraved with the school insignia.
- White socks.
- Black leather shoes.
Sports uniform
The sports uniform consists of:- A long-sleeved white collared shirt.
- Dark navy-blue shorts.
- Long socks.
Songs
Each of the school's songs would be sung at an important ceremony.มหาวชิราวุธราชสดุดี "Praise the Great Vajiravudh" written by Madam Dusadee Malakul Na Ayuthaya, rhythm Chaloke Netre-suit. This song would be sung for praising the greatness of King Vajiravudh the school's founder.
เราเด็กในหลวง "We Royal Page" is a song written by King Vajiravudh. The words are to remind students of the importance of being royal page students. The song is sung in old Thai style melody and played by Thai traditional musical instruments.
อีกสี่สิบปี Forty Years On" is the song adapted from the song Forty Years On of Harrow School. Changing its words to fit into the school by Madam Dusadee Malakul Na Ayuthaya. The song is to remind the old boys and the current students about life in school days.
Graduates Song Goodbye is an English song word and melody by F.Rico. The song is sung by the graduating students, the song is to think about the student's future life after graduation. จรรยานักกีฬา "Sportsmanship" is the song sung before each of the competitions between houses. The song is to remind the students of sportsmanship. The rhythm of the song is in old Thai rhythm.
Buildings
Buildings in the school are mainly Thai style constructed e.g. Assembly hall, Clock Tower, Vajiramongkut, and the houses. Prachatipok building is a sciences and mathematics education building.Phetcharat building was the science center but now it uses for language classes. The vejsukammasathid building is for computer science and arts ; Vajiramongkud is for Thai language and social science;. Suwattana is for music center and mathematic classes. Humanity and information resource center is for Recreation. There are a new gymnasium and music buildings.School's headmasters
The headmaster is entrusted, in the name of the King, with the authority to manage and lead the school in accordance with royal policy. Unlike most schools, the headmaster is titled ผู้บังคับการ, equivalent to a military Regiment commander.| Term | Commanding Officer |
| 1909–1911 | Phra Ohwadworakit |
| 1911–1917 | Phra Abhirakrajharit |
| 1917–1926 | Phraya Barombathbamrung |
| 1926–1933 | Phraya Prichanusat |
| 1933–1935 | Phraya Barombathbamrung |
| 1935–1942 | Phra Nichayasarnvithet |
| 1942–1975 | |
| 1976–1995 | Prof. Dr. Gal Isarasena na Ayutthaya |
| 1995–2007 | Prof. Dr. Chaianan Samutvanijja |
| 2007–2016 | Dr. Saroj Leesavan |
| 2016–2021 | Asst. Prof. Suravudh |
| 2021–present | Kiattikhun Chartprasert |
Global collaboration
Vajiravudh College has established the Global Collaboration and International Programs with over 20 schools from countries, including United States, England, New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia, India, and Singapore.A variety of international programs were developed, including international school cooperation and academic exchange, foreign teacher employment, school joint cooperation, teaching staff going abroad, and other international cooperation matters. Collaboration with other international schools benefits by increasing the opportunities available to students and teachers, as well as building strong foundations for dealing with academic collaboration and cultural exchange programs.