Assumption College (Thailand)

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)
Grades	1-Matayom 6
Gender	Boys
Colour(s)	Red, White
Fight song	Boom Assump
Mascot	Red Eagle
Website	www.assumption.ac.th

Assumption College (Thai: โรงเรียนอัสสัมชัญ) (Sometimes called "Assumption Bang Rak", "Assumption College Bangkok", "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. Assumption College is the third-oldest boys school in Thailand.

The school provides education for students from grade 1 through 12 (K-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 and 15 privy counselors.

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 such as Suankularb Wittayalai School, Debsirin School, and Bangkok Christian College.

History

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 high-level 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 down 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 take over 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. Subsequently, Assumption College was the first boy's 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 rais.

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.

Directors of Assumption College

Buildings

Assumption 2003 Building

• Tuek Gao (ตึกเก่า) (1890 - 1970) the first building of Assumption College. King Rama V made a contribution of 50 chang and the queen 25 chang. On August 15, 1887, Crown Prince Maha Vajirunhis laid the foundation stone. On December 17, 1970, the "Tuek Gao" was demolished to make space for the F. Hilaire Memorial.
• Suwan Somphoch Hall Building (หอประชุมสุวรรณสมโภช) (1951 - 2001) built for the 80th anniversary of Assumption College. The first hall of the school.
• Assumption 100 years Building (ตึกอัสสัมชัญ 100 ปี ) (1985 - 2004) built for the 100th anniversary of Assumption College, it is a multipurpose building.
• Colombet Building (ตึกกอลมเบต์ ) (1936 - present) is the oldest building of Assumption College, used for English Program students
• F. Hilaire Building (ตึกฟ.ฮีแลร์) (1972 - present) is the second oldest building. This building was opened by King Bhumibol Adulyadej. This building is used for lower secondary students (grades 7-9).
• Assumption 2003 Building (อาคารอัสสัมชัญ 2003 ) (2003-present) is the tallest building in school, used for upper secondary students (grades 10-12).
• Saint Louis-Marie memorial building (อาคารนักบุญหลุยส์-มารีย์) (2007-present) is the newest building in the school, the building consists of a canteen, library, and grand hall.

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". (labor conquers all things or by hard work we can overcome all obstacles and be successful.)

Campuses

Assumption College has several branches in Thailand, including:

• Assumption College "Primary Section", Bangkok
• Assumption College "Secondary Section", Bangkok
• Assumption College "Rama II Campus", Samutsakhon

Other Assumption College campuses in Thailand

• Assumption Commercial College
• Assumption College Thonburi
• Assumption College Sri Racha
• Assumption College Samut Prakan
• Assumption College Rayong
• Assumption College Ubon Ratchathani
• Assumption College Nakhon Ratchasima
• Assumption College Lampang

References

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