PHNOM PENH: Golden Gate American School (GGAS) organized its fourth annual Family Day at its Porsenchey branch to build closer relationships between students and parents, as well as to boost the school's humanitarian efforts to build schools in rural areas.
This Family Day was held on May 27 and 28 with the participation of many students and their families. Speaking at the opening ceremony, GGAS Deputy Principal, Ms. Bouch Bunphan, stated that the event is meant to cultivate the minds and spirits of students to understand the value of respect for parents, grandparents, ancestors and teachers in the hopes of preserving Khmer cultural values for the next generation. "A nation can train quality human resources, but it is only possible with participation of the family," she said.
The day also featured parent testimonies, highlighting the value their students have gained through the school’s programs and performances. GGAS parent Ouk Villa told EAC News that Family Day is very important to the students’ studies, adding that providing students with an understanding of family and cultural values strengthen children’s morals through gratitude to their elders. He Said, “Actually if this keeps being practiced all the time or [at least]very often, I think it’s a great attitude and also inject the mindset for children toward their parents and also parents feel very proud [which brings] closeness in the relationship among the family.”
The two-day event also featured exhibitions of student work and art activities, such as fingerprint families and piggy bank painting. The proceeds from these activities will be donated to the Golden Gate American School Foundation to help fund the Samaki Preah Athit Primary School in Kampong Thom.
Eighth-graders Noung Chheng Heang and Lim Poch Rothana enjoyed spending time together before leaving for secondary school. "That is fun and enjoying the time we playing together and doing good stuff and remind of the memory that we have with each other, because this is our last year," they said. When asked by EAC about respecting their parents, they said: “It feels good [when] you give them flowers and stuff. It feels good to show how you appreciate them for what they did for you. My mom [is] so pretty and my dad so handsome. I’m not gonna lie, I love my parents.”
Eight-year-old Nak said that he was very happy to participate in the day because he was able to hang out with students and enjoy a lot of fun activities. “I think this will be a great day for the students,” said Nak.
In the painting room, colorful ink covered the hands of students decorating piggy banks, often with their favorite characters. One student was very excited to put money in his Mickey Mouse piggy bank when he got home.
Ms. Sophea, who is painting piggy bank with her children, was happy to see them involved in such activities as they make her kids more confident and focused, especially when they are able to participate with their friends. "It’s a good program," she said, "My child is happy. They are socializing and know a lot of people. They have fun with their friends."
Parents and students alike enjoyed their time at Family Day, which provided activities for students to bond with family and friends. Parents often remarked on the confidence they had in their student’s education at GGAS in preparing them for life after school.
Ms. Ha Sokunthea said, “I see a lot of kids that study at GGAS get great results. My friend recommended the school. They have three children who go here and they speak English well, are independent and can be themselves. That’s why my husband and I decided to send our children here.” The mother of two added, “This school is great. We see our children developing every year! So we keep them enrolled here because when my son first started, his performance was weak, but year after year I see that his results keep improving”.
