Tashi Lhunpo Monastery School

There are over 180 students who are divided into four Houses: Shartse Tratsang, Kilkhang Tratsang, Thoesamling Tratsang and Gyuepa Tratsang, which have a healthy rivalry in the annual inter-house competitions in Drawing, Debate, Public Speaking and General Knowledge. There is a Computer Room and a small lending library and (completed in 2020) a large hall on the top floor.

The classes range from Kindergarten to Year 8, and the students study Tibetan language and literature, English Mathematics, Social Science and General Science. There is also an option to study Chinese and Copmputer Studies. Exams are held three times a year in all subjects, and some external national exams are now also set. Academic years begin in May with holidays after Losar and during the summer retreat period in August.

The school is keen to build connections with institutions in the UK and one very successful example is the relationship with Queen Elizabeth II High School in Hexham, Northumberland. Students and teachers from the UK have visited the monastery on several occasions and have been involved in special workshop in science, general studies and the environment, as well as developing exchanges of letters between individual students which helps to improve English skills. The school magazine, produced annually, contains a collection of written work in Tibetan and English, as well as images of the school’s activities during the year.