Druk White Lotus School

Wednesday, 27 October 2010 17:50

Working with nature

Written by Philip Cornwell

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Mudslide specialist Richard Hughes visited Shey in September 2010 to investigate the characteristics of the August mudslide, and started to prepare design concepts for protective measures, working with nature.

The school sits on the edge of an ‘outwash fan’ that has evolved over thousands of years and it is likely that water, rock and mud flows will happen again at some time in the future. The Arup Design Team has worked on the design of protective measures that will be implemented in 2011. Funding has been secured for these works.

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Friday, 22 October 2010 00:00

Structural assessment - Latest News 22nd October 2010

Written by Philip Cornwell

Structural engineer Nicola Perandin from the London-based Arup Design Team visited the campus for a week in September 2010 and examined each and every building and piece of infrastructure. Although the mudslide caused considerable internal damage and destroyed a lot of equipment, the only structural damage he found was an end wall of the Junior South Block that is 3cm out of vertical at the top.

Published in Emergency news

Monday, 25 October 2010 00:00

All classes fully operational again - Latest News 25th October 2010

Written by Philip Cornwell

All classes are functioning again even though some classrooms are still being repaired. Following the loss of furniture and educational resources, there is much ‘making do’ until funding becomes available to complete the re-equipping.

Against this background, it was nice for students and staff to be able to celebrate Founders Day on 24th September, marking the 9th anniversary of the opening of the school. The event was celebrated in a quiet way out of respect for those who lost homes and loved ones. The children sang, danced, performed plays, enjoyed samosas, and took part in competitions. Each class prepared a display on a given topic - such as nomadic life, or the costumes or food of Ladakh. The nomads won!

Everybody was so enthusiastic and involved that sports day and prize-giving had to be postponed until the next day. All this was a great way for the school community to come together in celebration after the traumatic events of early August.

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Monday, 04 October 2010 00:00

Ladakhi Pavilion goes to London - Latest News 4th October 2010

During the summer of 2010, a volunteer group of US architectural students from BaSiC Initiative came to the school. One of their projects was to design, fabricate and erect a large canvas tent structure from recycled parachutes. The structure was then taken to London and re-erected in the garden of Marlborough House as the Commonwealth Pavilion during The Earth Awards and His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales' START garden party in September 2010.

The Pavilion will return to Ladakh and take its place on the Shey campus once again in 2011.

Friday, 01 October 2010 00:00

Illuminated Model School - Latest News 1st October 2010

Illuminated Model School

During September 2010 the Royal Academy of Engineering hosted an exhibition about Druk Padma Karpo School as part of the London Design Festival. Arup Associates prepared a stunning display of school images before and after the mudslide damage, and built an illuminated model of the Master Plan showing how the campus will be when complete. The exhibition was open to the public.

Tuesday, 05 October 2010 00:00

Books, books and more books - Latest News 5th October 2010

Books, books and more books

Most of the books on the campus were destroyed in the August mudslide. Members of the Arup Design Team visited Shey in September 2010 and brought 80kg of reading books collected by Darrick Wood School, London, and Pilgrim School in Bedfordshire, UK. The Druk Padma Karpo children were very excited to see so many books and were soon engrossed.

Thursday, 02 September 2010 15:35

Four weeks on ... - Latest news 02 September 2010 17:00

Written by Modesto Vega

Four Weeks On …

17h00 London time, Thursday 2nd September 2010

The disaster occurred during the night of 5th-6th August: four weeks ago. All classes are now functioning again at Druk White Lotus School – some in recently cleaned classrooms, others in tents and dormitories. Staff managed to salvage some furniture, but a huge amount remains to be done to provide furniture, learning materials and equipment to restore the school to a fully functional level.

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Tuesday, 24 August 2010 17:17

Back to School - Latest news 24 August 2010 12:00AM

Written by Modesto Vega

12h00 London time, Tuesday 24th August 2010

Back to School

All day pupils appear to be safe. Two DWLS day-pupils who are currently in a relief camp will be moving into the school hostel for 2 months while their homes are rebuilt.

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Thursday, 19 August 2010 13:29

Aamir Khan visits the school

Written by Modesto Vega

Bollywood star Aamir Khan visited the school yesterday in the company of the school’s founder, His Holiness Gyalwang Drukpa. The school was the location of several scenes in ‘The 3 Idiots’ movie.

Aamir said, "All is not well. But for the sake of humanity one should help others. One should raise the morale of others." He asked people to “reach out and help the people of Leh and Ladakh.”

Published in Emergency Photo galleries

Thursday, 19 August 2010 11:19

Flash floods - Latest news 19 August 2010 12:00

Written by Modesto Vega

12h00 London time, Thursday 19th August 2010

“All is not well” says Bollywood star Aamir Khan

Bollywood star Aamir Khan visited the school yesterday in the company of the school’s founder, His Holiness Gyalwang Drukpa. The school was the location of several scenes in ‘The 3 Idiots’ movie.

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