Bishop Olivier Schmitthaeusler of the Apostolic Vicariate of Phnom Penh attended the opening ceremony of the High School of Samdech Krom Preah [Ranariddh] and Princess Norodom Marie Ranariddh in Angroneab on the morning of 1 November 2019. Joining him were Say Vannak, deputy governor of Tramkak district; Yun Yong, deputy head of the Office for Education, Youth and Sport in Takeo province including nearly 2,000 teachers, staff and students.
Bishop Olivier spoke at the ceremony saying that he came to the ceremony as a friend of studies. He further said: “Mature people are the ones to nurture the brain, preserve the body, care for the spirituality and live in the world that we have been born into. So, knowledge is an important factor. We must care for our talents, show solidarity with people and society and nurture our spirituality.”
In addition, the bishop emphasised four words to all the students – Capacity, Excellency, Mercy and Charity. He added: “Education enables us to try hard in order for us to keep our excellence to take part in the future of the nation and maintain mercy and charity. All of this leads us to promote peace.”
The High School of Samdech KromPreah [Ranariddh] and Princess Norodom Marie Ranariddh in Angroneab is located along National Road 3, Tramkak commune’s Angroneab village, Takeo province’s Tramkak district.
A teacher Ou Heng, principal of the high school said that the goal of the school was to strengthen teaching skills and studies effectively, improve the environment of the school, promote life skills and obtain success.
The school also aimed to establish good relationships with the national and international community to help in the development of the school. The principal thanked the Catholic Church of Phnom Penh diocese with bishop Olivier as the head for always assisting and establishing good relations from the beginning. At the event, the bishop donated 25 computers, some stationery, 3,200 books to the students and agricultural produce of the Church as well as some money to the teachers and staff.