PHNOM PENH: On May 6, Shrewsbury International School of Phnom Penh held its Scholarship Audition & Assessment Day. The event was attended by over 50 students from all over Cambodia who were vying for a scholarship to attend the school.

Student applicants and their parents arrived at the Raffles Hotel Le Royal over the weekend to audition and be assessed in three scholarship categories: Academics, Performing Arts (which includes music, drama or dance) and Sports & Swimming.

British ambassador Dominic Williams was there to show support for Shrewsbury and its scholarship program and to promote UK relations with Cambodia on education. He said,

“I am delighted to be here today to support Shrewsbury and its scholarship programme; and I’m very keen that education is a key part of the UK’s relationship with Cambodia.”

Some students showed off their skills in music, drama, dance, sports and swimming, while students applying for the academic scholarship underwent interviews.

EAC News spoke to some of the parents at the event to find out why they chose to have their child apply for Shrewsbury International School. Mr. Thoura’s 11-year-old son is applying for an academic scholarship. He is impressed by Shrewsbury's historic reputation and wants his son’s education to meet international standards. He said, “Today I am very happy to know the Shrewsbury International School that is very famous in the UK and [has] now come to invest in Cambodia and I hope that my son’s academics will improve and reach the international standard.”

Miss Sim Somanita has a daughter applying for an academic scholarship. She is excited to see Shrewsbury is available to Cambodian students and thinks highly of the UK education system. “Just seeing the name Shrewsbury-I feel excited. I know the Shrewsbury school from many years ago. And I think Shrewsbury school is quite nice…I love the education from the UK,” she told us.

We also spoke to some of the children applying for scholarships to find out why they want to attend Shrewsbury International School and what they want to be when they grow up.

Sim MoniElitsa, a 9-year-old applicant, already knew some background information about the school, saying, “I know that Shrewsbury school is from the UK and was founded by King Edward.” She is also interested in having a teacher from the UK and added that she would like to learn how to swim, which is a program offered at the school. Sim MoniElitsa would like to go into business and work in an office when she grows up so that she can take care of her family. She also has a love for animals and wants to look after them.

Nine-year-old Aiden Chea is applying for an academic scholarship as well and said that attending such a famous English school sounds “fun and interesting!” Founding principal Toby Waterson said he was happy with the event’s turnout and that he and the staff were looking forward to meeting the applicants and their families.