On 25 September, Panyathip British International School (PBIS) in Vientiane held “Legacy Night” to celebrate its 25th anniversary, under the theme “Growing Generations: From Laos to the World.”
Founder Pathana Panyathip established the school in 2001 after she could not find one where her own children enjoyed learning.
Pathana said that 25 years ago, all she wanted was a school where her children would love to learn. She said the trust of parents, the hearts of teachers and the belief of partners have made PBIS grow.
She said the legacy belongs to all of them and that the night was a chance to thank them.
The school called Legacy Night the flagship event of its anniversary year. Guests included parents, alumni, teachers, staff and members of the PBIS Board of Governors, along with international academic partners. John Gwyn Jones attended on behalf of the Federation of British International Schools in Asia (FOBISIA).
Guests first toured “Growing Generations,” an exhibition that traced the school’s history from its first classrooms to the present through the stories of students, teachers and families. They then moved to the ballroom for dinner, where students took centre stage. They performed a traditional Lao dance, sang with the PBIS School Choir and presented a contemporary “Legacy Dance” that retold the school’s journey through movement.
Pathana also introduced her pocket book, The School I Built for My Children, which recounts in her own words how a mother’s hope became an institution. She signed copies for guests. The school then premiered From Love to the Legacy, a 25-year documentary featuring students, alumni, parents and teachers who have lived the PBIS journey.
CEO Palinyakone Panyathip used her address to look ahead. She said PBIS is proud of what it has achieved and carries that pride with humility. She said the school’s students are Lao and are ready for the world, and that over the next 25 years the school’s role is to help them get there faster, with confidence in who they are and where they come from.
The evening ended with students, staff, partners and families gathering on stage for a group photograph, which the school described as a shared pledge to keep growing generations from Laos to the world.
PBIS serves Lao and international families through the British curriculum. The school says it aims to help students grow with confidence in their Lao roots and a global outlook.
