Thanyapura Phuket Opens Boarding School and Elite Junior Sport Academy

A leadership team of educators and courses has been assembled to run Thanyapura Phuket's Boarding School and Elite Junior Sport Academy.

Located on 23 hectares of land at the foothill of a tropical mountain range and close to Phuket International Airport, Thanyapura's Phuket International Academy (PIA), an International Baccalaureate (IB) boarding school, is offering full board and week-day boarding options for 13 to 18-year olds at a purpose-built facility.

Executive Chairperson of the School Board is Mr Philipp Graf von Hardenberg, who established Steven Spielberg's Shoah Foundation in Germany and played a leadership role in the world renowned Ritz-Carlton Hotels company. He also headed up the Advisory and Executive Board at the International School Berlin/Brandenberg, as well as Louisenlund, one of Germany's most prestigious traditional boarding schools.

"Phuket International Academy and the Boarding School are an extension of our commitment to excellence," Mr Graf von Hardenberg said. "We are providing a premier learning environment and a home away from home. Our teachers are also mentors, nurturing and guiding students' academic and co-curricular lives and serving as role models."

The Head of School is New Zealand-born Mr Riki Teteina, who has a Master's degree in Education Administration. Most recently he was Head of School at the International School Bogor in Indonesia, where he increased enrollment to the highest level in its 45-year history.

Thailand-born Ms Kanittha Suksawaschon, the School Director, holds a Master's degree in Education Administration and has spent the past 13 years working at several international schools and institutions in Thailand, while the Secondary School Principal Mr Dan Magie has a Master's degree in Science and Education Administration and has 17 years' experience as an educator.

A new member of Phuket International Academy's board is UK-born Mr Julian Whiteley, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of School Development Services. He recently served as Head of School of the United World College of South East Asia (Singapore) for the last 9 years.

The school's more than 310 students come from 35 countries, meaning students benefit from forming close connections with children from different cultures.

Thanyapura's sports facilities include a 50m Olympic competition pool, a 25m training and teaching pool, 6 plexi-cushioned tennis courts (4 under roofs), 500m cushioned athletics track, an International Rugby Board-standard artificial rugby pitch, Floodlit Limonta 'Soccer [Football] Pro' FIFA-standard pitch, 2 volleyball beach courts, a 17 station Project Xtreme boot camp and assault course, a fully equipped Technogym fitness centre, wellness studios and a Thai boxing studio.

Parents and families of students are rewarded with Thanyapura sports club membership, giving them access to world-class sporting facilities, coaches and sports scientists.

The school's motto is: Good Heart, Balanced Mind, Healthy Body.