Inauguration of Class 11 & 12 and Graduation Day of SEE Students (2079 B.S/ 2022-23)
We proudly marked a significant milestone on August 15, 2023, as we inaugurated the Grade 11 and 12 classes at SMD School. The day was also a moment of celebration as we congratulated 40 exceptional students on their graduation this year.
Heartiest Congratulations to our Outstanding Students ~ Our students have demonstrated unwavering dedication, hard work, and perseverance, making their exceptional performance a true testament to their abilities. Our school deeply cherishes this remarkable achievement, and we are filled with immense pride and admiration for their accomplishments. Every SEE graduate was gifted a portrait of our beloved founder, Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche.
Among the 40 students who appeared for the SEE exam, 5 achieved the prestigious A+ grade, 18 earned the commendable A grade, and 15 were honored with the B+ grade. Ultimately, 2 students performed exceptionally well, securing the B grade.
Grade 11 kids taking their regular classes.
Grade 11 classes have started
A total of 32 students, including nuns and monks, have begun their Grade 11 studies. We are excited to announce that we will be introducing Grade 12 next year. Our students have the opportunity to pursue studies in Humanities, Management, and Buddhist traditional education.
In response to our ongoing issue of overcrowding, the Grade 11 classes are being conducted in shifts. Students attend classes in the early morning and then engage in service at SMD School during the afternoons.
Sponsorship Rates For Seniors Have Changed
We’ve brought sponsorship rates for Seniors in line with Boarders’. To see our sponsorship rates, click here: https://himalayanchildren.org/how-to-help/make-a-donation/
Pasang Lhamo and Pema Choden gave service at Hinang Thrangu Tashi Chopheling Monastery teaching and caring for the young monks
The SMD Senior Programme
The Senior Programme was started many years ago in a talk with Rinpoche, when he was marvelling how helpless our Grade 10 graduates were – like baby birds! Rinpoche envisioned a Gap Year, to give SMDers a chance to gain autonomy, learning how to cook, clean, budget and to communicate clearly.
The Senior Programme gives SMDers a chance to learn life skills and a chance to give service helping Rinpoche’s aims. After their year of service, we try our best to help them continue their education.
Everyone gets a chance to be a Senior. Every year, half our graduates (except those in robes) choose to help younger kids as they have been helped.
Urgen Tsomo is teaching a Ghap Basic School because there are not enough teachers. “ Help if you can help, and if you can’t help, at least don’t harm” – The Buddha
Urgen Tsomo Gave Service In 2021. Read Why She’s Volunteering Again
During her holiday after Grade 12, Urgen Tsomo D12.8 chose to extend her service at Ghap Basic School in Nubri.
“I want to look in the sky and feel that Rinpoche is happy to have me fulfill a piece of his aim. As I dig deeply into his aim of helping the children in the remote regions like Nubri, I have come to realize that his aim is benefiting me and so many others through learning and sharing….
It might be selfish of me if I apply for scholarships abroad in the field of literature and Instructional pedagogy, I still want to apply for scholarships carrying the aim of helping these children with more competitive mind, different skills, practical life and with more capabilities. My aim would not change if I am able to go abroad, study and come back.”
Urgen achieved a GPA of 3.5 in her Grade 12 national exams, a notable feat considering that only 51% of the students passed. Note: Ghap Basic School receives funding from two Buddhist foundations, while staffing is overseen by the government. Consequently, the school faces a chronic shortage of personnel, as individuals from lower altitudes tend to avoid working in mountainous areas.
Photo college of Subject Department Activities held on 25th August 2023
Monthly Subject Department Activities at SMD
This month’s subject department activities were held on Friday, August 25. Students now have the opportunity to engage in activities that resonate with their interests. Each subject department offers a rich variety of options, with these engaging sessions occurring once a month, specifically on the last Friday.
The activities span across various departments: Computer Science hosts Typing Tests, English focuses on Anchoring and Emceeing skills, Tibetan delves into Traditional Buddhist Debate, Nepali presents Pickle Making, Science dives into Electronic Repairing, and Social Studies hones Public Speaking abilities.
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In case You Missed It…
If You’re Coming to Nepal, Be a Yak & Bring:
- Mosquito repellent
- Supplies for our school dog Max and our rescued cats
- Art supplies (no glitter, please)
- Non-chewable multivitamin tablets (so we can cut them)
- Board games
Shirley’s (Director, SMD School) new Facebook: Shirley has created a new Facebook account for SMD, as she no longer has access to the old account. Here’s the link to her new Facebook: Shirley Blair
Nepal Post Office is currently unable to process outgoing mail to different countries: While we understand the inconvenience this may cause, we want to assure you that all incoming mail services remain unaffected. The Nepal Post Office will continue to handle and deliver incoming mail from around the world without interruption. However, outgoing mail services to destinations outside of Nepal will be temporarily unavailable until further notice.
Here is the list of the country where outgoing mail is fine: Austria, Italy, United Kingdom, Belgium, Denmark, Norway, France, Netherlands, Spain, Finland, Switzerland, Sweden, Germany, United States, Qatar, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, South Korea, Thailand, Maldives
Join The SMD Family: Help us widen our impact on Social Media: Instagram | Linkedin (Shirley) | Facebook