Patana News Volume 20 Issue 6

Our mission is to ensure that students of different nationalities grow to their full potential as independent learners in a caring British international community.

NEWS Patana

Friday 22nd September 2017

Volume 20 Issue 6

www.patana.ac.th

Positive and Respectful Contributions to Local and Global Communities Page 2

2017/18

Also in this issue

EARCOS Global Citizenship Award / Lego Challenges / CATs Corner 22/09/2017

Bangkok Patana School News

Bangkok Patana is a not-for-profit IB World School, accredited by CIS and NEASC

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Taking Responsibility For Positive and Respectful Contributions to Communities, From Local to Global James Penstone, Cross Campus Principal

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his week I would like to share some inspiring stories about people working with disadvantaged communities, with whom members of our school have recently had the privilege of meeting. I’d like to thank Robine Johnson and Tania Leyland who worked hard to make both of these recent connections happen.

On Tuesday afternoon this week, I accompanied a group of Primary teachers and teaching assistants to two nursery schools in Klong Toey, a residential area that is often referred to as Bangkok’s oldest slum. Many families living here contend with adversity in the forms of poverty and despair, drug addiction, and the prevalent rubbish and sewage that fill the cracks of this former swamp. In our brief snapshot visit, we found amazing inspiration here.

ago (Patana News, 8th September 2017). Anticipating the complete rebuild of our Nursery and Foundation Stage buildings, Anne approached the school asking if it would be possible for some of the older furniture and equipment to be donated to Hope of Praise and their nearby sibling school, Immanuel Nursery School. During our visit Anne made it abundantly clear that the resources have been of huge benefit, and there could be no doubt of this as we saw them installed in Immanuel Nursery School. However, as I said to Anne, it is people rather than resources which seem to be making the most important difference here in this community.

We met Kru Sao, a teacher who Anne said has completely energised the school with her passion for teaching and complete dedication to these young children.

“It is people rather than resources which seem to be making the most important difference here in this community.”

We met Mrs. Anne Storstein Haug, the Director of the Home of Praise which is a nursery school for 35 infants and toddlers from some of the most disadvantaged families within the surrounding neighbourhood.

These are the kind of young children who are already facing untold challenges in life. To see the commitment of Anne and her colleagues to providing a caring, nurturing environment on a daily basis was testament to the way some people are prepared to dedicate their time, optimism, and expertise to communities in need. Kru Sao addressed us with a big heart and we could tell Avid readers of Patana News may recall that Anne sub- that the school was thriving under her contributions. mitted a note of thanks in this publication two weeks Later, at the Immanuel School we met Kru Kluay (Varin).

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He is a young music teacher who was able to follow his passion and talents as a musician having attended both of the schools which we visited today. He has gone on to some very impressive things and experiences, having graduated from Mahidol University. It was great to hear how, in spite of all the opportunities which have now opened up for him, he has committed himself to teaching music in the same school in which he was given so much support as a child. Hearing this kind of circular investment of time, care and talent in a community was very inspiring.

On Wednesday this week, we were visited by members of the extraordinary Kliptown Youth Program. Kliptown is the oldest township in Soweto, South Africa. It is, according to the KYP website, “a community without even the most basic needs such as schools, health clinics, electricity and proper sanitation”.

Despite an intensely stormy afternoon, the visiting group lit our school up with some brilliant dance performances. Their centerpiece was the unique gumboot dance which started out as a means of communication in gold mines when African miners were denied the right to talk to one another. They performed on the Secondary Hard Court during lunchtime and followed this with a dance workshop involving a mix of staff and stu-

families and community. They recognize that education is the best shot at a way out of the hardships surrounding them. Their mission is “to provide opportunities that will enable our young people to rise out of poverty”. They provide tutoring, ongoing support, and various arts and sports programmess. Listening to Thando

dents. Afterwards, they spend some very special time with Year 6, culminating in a fun workshop in which the entire Year group mastered a few of the gumboot dance moves.

The huge smiles on the faces of all who met our visitors spoke volumes about the extraordinary power of connecting across cultures through dance. But both leaders of the KYP group, Thando Bezana and Thulani Madondo, took care to remind us that dance performance is not their main work. The KYP was founded as an organisation to provide support for school age children who might not otherwise get it from their own

all members of the Kliptown Youth Program. He likes to remind the youngsters around him that while they may go hungry one day, there is always a chance they will find food the next. And this, he says, is a far better situation to be in than the dire circumstances faced by wartorn communities or those ravaged by natural disasters elsewhere in the world. We have an obligation, he tells them, to be optimistic and work hard for our futures because we can do so. He also explains to the youth of Kliptown that we should try to support other communities less fortunate than ours in any way that we can.

Inspiring stuff indeed.

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“We have an obligation, he tells them, to be optimistic and work hard for our futures because we can do so.” speaking about the educational and career successes of some former beneficiaries of the programme is inspiring enough, but the fact that some of these people have returned to directly support the programme so that they too can help others in need is a very special fact.

The group have recently been touring Bangkok under sponsorship in an effort to raise awareness and funds, but most importantly to make connections with communities elsewhere in the world.

I enjoyed listening to Thando’s interpretation of being a Global Citizen, something he explicitly refers to with

Bangkok Patana School News

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EARCOS Global Citizenship Award

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he EARCOS (East Asia Regional Council of Schools) Global Citizenship Award is presented to a student, nominated by their school, who embraces the qualities of a global citizen. This student is a proud representative of his/her nation while respectful of the diversity of other nations, has an open mind, is well informed, aware and empathetic, concerned and caring for others encouraging a sense of community and strongly committed to engagement and action to make the world a better place. Finally, this student is able to interact and communicate effectively with people from all walks of life while having a sense of collective responsibility for all who inhabit the globe.

We are delighted to announce that Chada (Jessy) Mahadumrongkul from Year 13 is one of just six winners of this prestigious award and has won a $500 grant to donate to Palliative Care Centres in Bangkok and Thailand.

Congratulations Jessy, a very well-deserved award for a true global citizen.

Name of THE Community Service Project THAT BenefitS from the Grant: Palliative Care (Youth Association of Thailand)

the applicant’s role in the project:

Jessy was the project founder and lead coordinator. She established this club and recruited friends who were also passionate about this cause. Together, they then came up with ideas to raise awareness on palliative care and they also fundraised by selling T-shirts they have designed themselves at different events and online.

a brief explanation of the goals and activities of the project including an

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estimate of the number of people affected: Â Jessy writes: Our initial goal was to raise sufficient donations to buy an oxygen generator which costs $1,285 for underprivileged palliative patients (patients at their last stage of life) at King Chulalongkorn Public Hospital. This is because palliative patients have the option of spending the last stage of their life at home or in the hospital to fulfil their last desires. In order for patients to spend their last moment of life at home, they need an oxygen generator and other medical equipment, such as syringe drivers, which enable them to die without any suffering or pain.

At the time we started the project, there were only two oxygen generators at the hospital for the patients to borrow and hence, only two patients could go home at a time. We thought that this was not enough. To ensure the completion of our aim, we started by creating a Facebook page to bring attention to the issue and brainstorming fundraising methods. We then designed T-shirts and sold them by holding booths at different locations around Bangkok as well as online (through our Facebook page). Through a six month period of fundraising, we successfully managed to raise $11,385 in donations for eight oxygen generators.

Each oxygen generator can be reused by uncountable patients, improving their quality of life one by one. From this, we plan to continue our journey of raising awareness to support other palliative care centres in Thailand by incorporating music or life philosophy onto palliative care as a volunteer platform for high school students to learn about the inevitable nature of death but also connect youth and the wise elders in a way that fosters multi-dimensional friendships  Described how this one-time grant will be utilised by GCCSG applicant to benefit the greatest number of people: Jessy writes: This one-time grant will be used in conjunction with donations to buy other medical equipment including syringe drivers and hospital beds. This equipment, in addition to the oxygen generators, is vital to palliative care patients and will greatly benefit those underprivileged patients who are unable to pay for the expenses. This grant will be donated to the Cheewabhibaln Centre in Bangkok as well as other palliative care centers in the rural areas of Thailand to support many more underprivileged palliative patients enhance their quality of life in their last moments.

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Transport Corner Weekly news from the Transport Department

Changing address If you are moving house, please ensure that you check with Transport to see if we have a route and seat availability for your new location. Transport needs more than five working days notice of your moving date.

SEATBELTS! Please remind your child about the importance of wearing their seatbelt for the full duration of the bus journey. If they are aware of students who do not do this please report this to Transport who will then inform the teacher and notify the student’s parents.

Parent seat bookings If you wish to use the school bus with your child/ ren, you are more than welcome to do so. We simply ask that you please book one working day in advance so that the Bus Monitor can be informed.

Advance bookings help avoid confusion and disappointment if the seat has already been pre-booked by another parent.

Contact Us

Direct phone: 02 785 2470 Email transport@patana.ac.th The office is staffed from 6:00am - 6:00pm Monday to Friday.

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he t m o r f st The late

PTG

Click here to join the PTG Facebook page

T ‘n’ T drop ins - Tea and Talk!

Every Tuesday and Thursday 9am – 11am in the PTG Room

Drop in for a coffee, a snack and a chat 22/09/2017

Bangkok Patana School News

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She believed she could, so she did.

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hat do Serena Williams, Katinka Hosszu, Simone Biles, Hope Solo and Jessica Ennis all have in common? They are all phenomenal female athletes! Here at Bangkok Patana we want to do everything we can to encourage our girls to realise their sporting dreams, stay fit and have fun with friends. We now have dedicated areas of the Front Hard Court and Front Field in Secondary reserved for girls during morning break and lunchtime so come and shoot some hoops, have a kick about, play Volleyball with your friends and burn some energy during your busy day of learning.

Don’t be shy, bring your friends and look out for the flags!

Under 15 Girls Touch vs NIST Match Report Maddie Dewse, Year 10

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or many of us, it was our first match so when we arrived we began by doing some stretches and drills before playing our first match of the season.

The game actually took longer than a usual touch rugby match, in total we played on and off for 36 minutes.

In the first 12 minutes we didn’t score any tries whilst NIST scored three, so we were kicking off with a slow start.

We then had half time to reflect on the errors that were made on the field, for example we were sometimes too weak with our touchess and had to be more aggressive, we didn’t keep our wing players wide enough to prevent the other team from scoring and lastly we didn’t move in to the touch to stop NIST from covering more field space.

We then started the next 12 minutes and Mimi scored our first try of the season from the right wing. Although this was very good this was the only try we scored in the next 24 minutes. By the end of the game, the NIST Under 15 Touch Rugby Girls had scored 10 tries, Bangkok Patana scored one try.

During the game, we developed a lot of skills on the field and despite the defeat, it has definitely helped us with our knowledge of Touch Rugby.

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Get to know Lo...

Name: Lo Sidelind Year group: 13 Teams you play in: Varsity Football Favourite sport: Football Favourite alternative sport/fitness activity: Football, table tennis and badminton Favourite after workout snack: Fig rolls Your personal motto: Growing up is a trap Sporting aspiration: Jan-Ove Waldenr My workout playlist always includes: Oasis, RATM, Prophets of Rage, SOAD, RHCP, Limp Bizkit, Eminem and Action Bronsor If I’m not playing sport you’ll find me: On Instagram

Favourite way to score: Receive the ball from the back whilst moving slowly down the line, stroking the ball with my right foot, body facing the goal, head over the ball, strike - bottom right corner.

Best part of football: Forgetting about everything and getting carried away by the game

Attention Fun Runners

Volunteers

Sunscreen Reuseable water bottle Positive attitude

Thank you to everyone who has volunteered, and GOOD LUCK to all the runners.

If you are participating in the Fun Run this Sunday (24th) If you are taking the bus from Bangkok Patana to we advise you to bring the following: the Ancient City you must arrive at school before 5:30am, preferably at 5:20am, if you are not there Hat the bus will leave without you!

Keep up with the action...

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@bps_athletics _council

@BPSSPORTS

@BPSSPORTS

Tiger Sports Teams

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#69 Lego Challenges I’m pretty sure the lure of LEGO is universal.

With the new movie coming out soon I’d like to draw your attention to the ‘10 Things Parents Should Know About The LEGO Ninjago Movie’ post here.

I recommend subscribing the to GeekDad and GeekMom sites too, as there are always plenty of useful tips to keep yourself one-tech-step ahead of your kids!

Continuing the LEGO theme, here’s a handy printout of LEGO challenges from The STEM Laboratory you may want to use with your kids.

Read about how to use them here, or download directly from this link.

Image courtesy of Warner Bros

Have a playful weekend, Brian Taylor Assistant Principal, Campus Curriculum Technology Integration

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Fun RuN T-Shirt collection Before 4pm today (Friday 22nd) From the HR Help Desk near Reception OR pick up your running pack on Sunday morning (24th September) at Ancient Siam

Please hand your Chip band in If for any reason you don’t hand your chip band back in please leave at reception on monday

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CATs Corner Tania Leyland, Youth Club and Community Services Coordinator

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n Sunday, three members of Amnesty volunteered to help out, plan and manage activities at an event that was held by Amnesty Thailand. The venue was on the rooftop of a building in which urban refugees, mostly from Pakistan, are residing. For our members, it was an eye opening experience and an opportunity to learn more about the standards of living for a refugee living in Bangkok. It was a deeply enriching experience even though at times it was difficult to accept.

Conditions are poor and people live in fear of raids from the Immigration Police. Access to health care and education is non-existent, whilst any income earned by individuals is through unofficial, unregulated employment, meaning they are on an unstable pay. Employers often abuse their power through the threat of blackmail and deportation. For safety reasons, we were advised by Amnesty Thailand to avoid taking pictures and giving any personal information.

At the club after school we are working on art, games, posters and videos to aid future campaign days and the upcoming ‘Write for Rights’ campaign in December. We are exploring the possibility of hosting guest speakers from Amnesty International and Asylum Access; an experience that we think will be mutually beneficial.

Aaksh Ranjan 13M - Amnesty

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and 2 Heart is a CAT club at Bangkok Patana which aims to promote awareness of HIV/AIDS and support financially limited children in the Camillian Social Center in Rayong.

Through our activities we also try to help eliminate the stigma surrounding the disease. Our club recently organised a campaign day where we set up a Fact Pong booth. All Secondary students were able to participate, and it was great to see the enthusiasm displayed particularly by the younger Key Stage 3 students. Hopefully, our mixture of fun and education helped raise awareness of our cause as well as leave students with a clearer understanding on what exactly HIV/AIDS is. Ultimately, the event was a success as many students later came up and inquired on how to participate in the club, and by the end of the activity knew at least three different facts about HIV/AIDS. Thank you to all that attended!

Sarina and Momo (Hand 2 Heart Marketing)

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Hand2Heart:

FUN RUN 2017 PLEASE HELP DONATE UN-USED TRAINERS IN GOOD CLEAN CONDITION FOR YOUTHS AGED 4-24

FINAL DATE FOR ALL DONATION IS 29TH SEPTEMBER AT THE HAND2HEART DONATION BOX AT THE FRONT OF SCHOOL. 22/09/2017

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Upcoming University Visits University / College

Bangkok College and University Fair Studying Medicine at University College Cork (UCC) Bentley University University of Massachusetts, Amherst Tufts University American University Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland University of La Verne

Country Rep

US

Date

Time

Shangri-La Hotel, Ballrooms II & III

23.09.17 15:45

Shangri-La Hotel

23.09.17 18:00

Tina MacDonald Maggie Chen Brackenridge Gregory C Wong

Senior Studies, 2nd floor 25.09.17 12:15

Elizabeth Healy

Senior Studies, 2nd floor 26.09.17 12:15

Adam Wu Rebecca D Hansen Candice MacLusky

Senior Studies, 2nd floor 27.09.17 09:15

US

Maria Santa

Senior Studies, 2nd floor 27.09.17 12:15

US

Marco Dinovelli

Senior Studies, 2nd floor 27.09.17 12:15

UK

Prof. Gary Hawley SCI 304

US US US Ireland US

Northern Kentucky University

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The New School - All Divisions

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Indiana University at Bloomington Rutgers University - New Brunswick University of Bath UC Berkeley, Colby, Dartmouth and Virginia School of the Art Institute of Chicago University of California, San Diego Penang Medical College University of Toronto (Undergraduate Only) Carleton University New York University Boston University

Location

Senior Studies, 2nd floor 25.09.17 12:15 Senior Studies, 2nd floor 25.09.17 12:15 Senior Studies, 2nd floor 26.09.17 12:15

Senior Studies, 2nd floor 27.09.17 09:15 Senior Studies, 2nd floor 27.09.17 09:15

NIST US

Jackson Moore

27.09.17 12:15 27.09.17 18:30

Senior Studies, 2nd floor 29.09.17 09:15

Malaysia

Lindsey Fogleman Senior Studies, 2nd floor 29.09.17 12:15 Tran Senior Studies, 2nd floor 03.10.17 12:15

Canada

Valerie Michaud

Senior Studies, 2nd floor 03.10.17 12:15

Canada US US

Kevin McEwan Beau Benson Anne Corriveau

Senior Studies, 2nd floor 04.10.17 12:15 Senior Studies, 2nd floor 04.10.17 12:15 Senior Studies, 2nd floor 05.10.17 12:30

US

Click here for the Canteen Menu 14

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Freedom from Chemical Dependency (FCD) Helen Thew, Assistant Principal Student Welfare

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e are pleased to announce that two trainers from the Freedom from Chemical Dependency (FCD) organisation will return to Bangkok Patana from Tuesday 3rd October – Friday 6th October. Ms Sarah Burrill and Mr Ian Barney will be working mainly with Year 9 students, meeting with them every day, but will also give presentations to Years 8, 11, 12 and 13.

FCD is a non-profit organisation that provides substance abuse prevention education for schools. Since 1976, they have taught over a million students of all ages. Their mission is to: • Encourage and support the non-use of alcohol and other illegal or illicit drugs during the growing years • Empower young people to make healthy, responsible choices regarding alcohol and other drug use • Teach students and adults how to recognise the early warning signs of substance abuse and to intervene appropriately • Educate students, parents, teachers, and administrators on the physiological and psychological effects of alcohol and other drugs • Promote awareness of drug addiction, including alcoholism, as a progressive, chronic, and often fatal disease • Provide educational communities with the guidance and training necessary to implement comprehensive, effective approaches to substance abuse prevention The partnership between Bangkok Patana and parents has always been a vital and crucial element in the pastoral care we provide. To this end an FCD session will be offered to all parents to meet and discuss common concerns about substance abuse prevention for their children in Bangkok. Some of the topics to be addressed include: • Effective ways to communicate with your child about drugs and drug use • Up-to-date facts about current drug use and trends • What to say about your own experiences with alcohol and/or drug experimentation • How to spot early warning signs of trouble and effective ways to respond This meeting will take place on Thursday 5th October at 4.00 p.m. here at Patana in the Conference Centre. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to meet with the FCD educators and to hear their stories. If you would like to attend the evening session with the FCD educators we kindly request that you RSVP to Khun Bee at the Secondary Office beap@patana.ac.th

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Community

ANAPANA MEDITATION COURSE FOR STUDENTS Anapana (Mindfulness of breathing) teaches students improved concentration skills and enhances calmness of the mind. This technique helps to relieve anxiety and is very useful at exam time to calm those nerves, but also for every day life.

The next Anapana Meditation course will be given on Sunday 1st October for students between 8-14 years.

The course is completely free!

To enrol or for more information, please contact Eva Sophonpanich at evasophon@hotmail.com You may also find this site useful: http://www.children.dhamma.org/en/children/about-meditation.shtmlÂ

Sources: http://www.pirouetteblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/o-CHILD-MEDITATING-facebook-1080x540.jpg

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Community

BANGKOK ROLLER DERBY PRESENTS

S T S E GU

L and S! IZE R P WIN

IA C E P S

Saturday 30th September Sunday 1st October

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Community

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Community

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For daily updates, snapshots and news on life at school you can find us here...

643 Lasalle Road (Sukhumvit 105) Bangna, Bangkok 10260. THAILAND Tel: +66 (0) 2785 2200 Fax: +66 (0) 2785 2399 www.patana.ac.th Email: reception@patana.ac.th 20

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