Patana News Volume 20 Issue 7

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 29th September 2017

Volume 20 Issue 7

www.patana.ac.th

Curriculum Enrichment in Key Stage 1

Page 2

2017/18

Also in this issue

Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards / Gesture and Movement in Singing 29/09/2017

Bangkok Patana School News

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

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Curriculum Enrichment in Key Stage 1 Jason Cooper, Primary Principal

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he introduction of the extended school day, with Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 now finishing at 2:30pm, has enabled us to implement the Curriculum Enrichment Programme for our students in Year 1 and Year 2. This programme provides the children with two one hour sessions each week where they have the opportunity to participate in activities that enhance the skills being taught through the daily curriculum.

So why did we do this instead of using the time for more mathematics or more reading? For those of you who have ever tried to learn a musical instrument, or learn a new sport, you will know that more of the same type of practice doesn’t always lead to improvement.

Simply doing more maths is not necessarily going to make you a better mathematician, but applying maths to different situations can help with consolidation and understanding; sometimes we need to practice differently, to apply our skills and knowledge in different ways. This is the aim of the Curriculum Enrichment Programme, to give the students the opportunity to apply

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their skills, knowledge and understanding in different ways, which will ultimately lead to a stronger foundation across a broad range of areas.

The activities on offer for the current Year 1 programme are: • Motor skills • Art • Design and Technology • Storytelling • Science • Outdoor Education • Robotics • Global Citizenship In Year 2, the children are involved in: • Fine and Gross Motor Skills • Art • Design Technology • Book Club/Book Making • Science Investigations • Role Play

Bangkok Patana School News

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Transport Corner Weekly news from the Transport Department

• ICT • Global Citizenship Every student will have the opportunity to participate in each of the activities during the year, ensuring that all students are challenged and supported to try activities that they may not have considered before. Providing these opportunities for all children will also help to break down some of the gender stereotypes that can often be associated with certain activities, enabling both boys and girls to explore activities that they may not have considered before. Giving students this broad exposure will help them to become more informed about what they like, and will ultimately help them to be more involved in their ECA choices when they enter into Key Stage 2.

Items left on buses The amount of items left on the school bus is increasing. Please help by reminding your child to ensure they check the bus area around them before getting off the bus to make sure they have all of their belongings with them.

11.00am Deadline for changes All students should be aware of their afternoon transport arrangements before coming to school.

Please help to ensure your child knows if there is a change to the normal routine and Transport have been contacted in advance .

Please be aware that 11.00am is the deadline for changes to afternoon buses but please endeavour to let us know as early as possible. Late changes can cause disruption that can affect your child and ther students. Your help in planning ahead is very much appreciated.

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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Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards Suzanne Lindley, Secondary Assistant Principal Curriculum and Assessment

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ou will remember that we recently published our superb (I)GSCE results for this summer whereby our students achieved over 81% of grades at A*-B, 57% percent of which were at A*/A. Today we celebrate the additional success of our highest performing students in their Cambridge International Examinations.

The Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards recognise exceptional achievement in Cambridge examinations, not only here in Thailand, but also around the world. Last year more than one million learners sat Cambridge examinations in more than 10,000 schools in over 160 countries.

Therefore, this makes it very special that the following students have been recognised as being amongst the best performing learners in the November 2016 and June 2017 examination series across the globe: Award

Subject

Student

High Achievement

English as a Second Language

Nopasorn (Mei Mei) Boonprapakorn

High Achievement

Chinese as a Second Language

Yuqing Wu

High Achievement

Foreign Language Portuguese

Anna-Maria Woodrow

High Achievement

Music

Anna-Maria Woodrow

Top in Thailand

Design & Technology

Yuqing Wu

Top in Thailand

Foreign Language Spanish

Armand Dogra

Top in Thailand

Geography

Chotipha (Titi) Sukamongkol

Top in Thailand

History

Chotipha (Titi) Sukamongkol

Top in Thailand

Literature (English)

Anna-Maria Woodrow

Top in World

Mathematics (AS)

Hoang Huy (Henry) Phan

This year we are proud to be hosting the Cambridge Outstanding Learner Awards Ceremony in the Rosamund Stuetzel Theatre on 22nd November.

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Introducing Gesture and Movement to Singing Laura MacRitchie, Secondary Music Teacher and Curriculum Coordinator

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e were very lucky to welcome back Mr Randy Stenson and his wife Rachel to Bangkok Patana. Randy had previously visited the choral singers in 2015 and started us on our journey of movement in singing. We began on Saturday with a teachers’ day titled ‘Creating a choral education toolbox’. We had 30 teachers from all over South East Asia join us here at school where we worked on gesture to shape sound and techniques as well as tips for working with our singers of all ages. We were delighted to be given a reading packet of recently published choral music

by Pavane and Santa Barbara Music Publishing. Our adult choir sight read the pieces and discussed ways of incorporating gesture into the rehearsal process. Everyone left the workshop inspired and excited to put these techniques into practice in their own schools.

On Sunday, the Senior Choir had an intensive workshop where they worked on selected pieces with Mr and Mrs Stenson. The students were surprised by the large sound they could make with the help of including gesture into their singing. They built on their existing skills and experience with movement and found huge success in the techniques suggested to them. On Tuesday they performed their learning to Mr Mills. The student feedback was extremely positive and the choir have been given a real boost to start their year.

Key Stage 3 Vocal classes were also given the opportunity to work with the visitors as Year 7s were introduced to gesture for the first time and found moving a very natural part of the singing process. Mrs Stenson introduced her rhythm games into the lesson and the students really enjoyed it and were able to make their learning visible straight away.

All of our Bangkok Patana singers were very grateful to get the opportunity to work with Mr and Mrs Stenson and are looking forward to a great year of choral singing.

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CATs Corner Tania Leyland, Youth Club and Community Services Coordinator

Embedding our values through awareness and action at Bangkok Patana School

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nvolvement in Community Action Teams provides so many opportunities for students to develop the values integral to being a good global citizen.

Taking responsibility for seeing things through and ‘doing what you said you would do’ shows a commitment to integrity, even when the going gets tough and there are so many other things to do. Communicating with the external community in the development of action projects shows that our students are respectful contributors to local communities as they understand that sustainable impacts can only be created through consultation. Their ethical decisions are informed through the consideration of how academic models and theories can help provide solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems at a local level. Although some of the projects require large amounts of funding, they also provide opportunities for students of all ages to be active volunteers and give up their time to help others. This can be through supporting fundraising events, giving up time during the afternoons or weekends and using their skills in a positive way.

Through the development of our core values, our students are empowered to become strong leaders with the skills and aptitudes to make positive contributions to local and global communities and shape the world in which they will live.

Volunteering at Fun Run A massive thank you to every one of our 149 volunteers who gave up their Sunday morning to support the Fun Run. The event could not happen without you!

Patana Marine Conservation Group - Reef and Beach Clean-up On Saturday 9th September, 24 students and four staff members travelled to Pattaya for one of the Patana Marine Conservation Group’s (PMCG) bi-annual reef clean-up. After a long bus journey, we finally arrived at the Mermaid’s Dive Centre in Pattaya where we signed in and collected our breakfast. Once on the boat we were separated into dive teams and were briefed on our dives. It was really fun to work in small teams that we got to know really well. Throughout the dives it was clear that we were here for a reason as we collected masses of pollution.

Emerging from the water with a bag full of plastic and glass is incredibly fulfilling. Over the past five years of dive trips with PMCG, I have seen the difference we have made to the area and every time I leave with a sense of achievement and having made a difference. It fills me with joy to see the Year 7s getting involved and showing great interest in the environment and their willingness to make a difference.

Maya Lemaire, Year 11

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Upcoming University Visits University / College

Penang Medical College University of Toronto (Undergraduate Only) Carleton University New York University Boston University Paris College of Art Kwansei Gakuin University

Country Rep

Malaysia

Location

Date

Time

Senior Studies, 2nd floor 03.10.17 12:15

Canada

Valerie Michaud

Senior Studies, 2nd floor 03.10.17 12:15

Canada US US France Japan

Kevin McEwan Beau Benson Anne Corriveau Kaamna Patel Ayano Matsushita

Senior Studies, 2nd floor Senior Studies, 2nd floor Senior Studies, 2nd floor Senior Studies, 2nd floor Senior Studies, 2nd floor

04.10.17 04.10.17 05.10.17 09.10.17 12.10.17

12:15 12:15 12:30 12:15 12:15

Internship at Bumrungrad Hospital Keyaa Sharma, Year 12

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was given the opportunity along with a group of nine students to attend the medical internship at Bumrungrad hospital. During this internship we were able to explore various departments and ask questions from the doctors to get an insight into their working lives, and the steps needed to achieve our goals of becoming doctors. We were given the chance to use the machinery and tools which are used in the processes, making me realise the importance of technology in the medical field. The information we gathered from the doctors made me appreciate other factors in life which we should take in account when pursuing a medical career: such as family life, daily routine, mental and physical strength. These factors play an important role in determining which medical field is suitable.

After considering the importance of these factors, I realised that some medical fields such as surgery would not be suitable for me. However, this internship made me decide that other than dentistry, gynaecology is another field that I could pursue.

After doing this three-day work internship at Bumrungrad, I learned that medicine is a field in which you have to keep learning throughout your life and that it takes a lot of patience, determination and hard work to succeed. This enjoyable experience has helped me to have an overview on work life in hospitals and gave me an insight on doctors’ lives, as well as a clearer idea of which medical area I would like to pursue in the future. I now have a much stronger sense of which path I would like to take in Medicine and I am certain it is the path for me.

Click here for the Canteen Menu 29/09/2017

Bangkok Patana School News

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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 8

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Bangkok Patana School News

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Recent Events: Fun Run

behalf of the Athletics Council we would like to say thank you to everyone who participated in the Fun Run, whether running or volunteering.

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Sri Hollema, a member of the athletics council, ran the 5km and came first in her category.

We would also like to say a huge congratulations We would like to congratulate all the winners, to Matthias Spruyt, who was in the 15 years old well done everyone! Shout out to Mr Simon and below category, achieving a whopping time of Chandler who achieved an unbelievable time of 38:26 in the 9km, coming in 6th overall and 2nd 33:50 minutes for the 9km run, coming in first in his category. not only in his age category but also his gender group.

finally, we would like to applaud all the teachers who ran!

Patana

Tiger Spirit Day Don’t forget! Next Friday 6th October is Tiger Spirit Day!

Please remember to wear as much orange and black as you can, however; still following the school’s dress code, that being, no midriff, no spaghetti straps, flip flops and any skirt or shorts shorter than the regular school skirt.

At lunchtime on Tiger Spirit Day on the Front Hard Court, we will have a friendly match of dodgeball. Under 13 and Under 15 will play against each other in one game, whilst Junior Varsity and Varsity will play against each other in a another game. If there’s time, the winning teams from each game might even be able to play each other at the end!

Please come along to support our players and enjoy the game. Also, if you are a part of any sports teams in Season 1 please come join us on Tiger Spirit Day on the front hard court at lunchtime and represent your teams.

Keep up

with the action...

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@bps_athletics _council

@BPSSPORTS

@BPSSPORTS

Tiger Sports Teams

Bangkok Patana School News

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Junior Varsity Girls’ Volleyball vs Harrow Natchaya (Cream) Ramanat, Year 12

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n 20th September, the Junior Varsity Volleyball girls won against Harrow, 3-0.

There was a lot of support from our peers and parents, which was highly appreciated.

In the first set, we were making a lot of mistakes and were behind by approximately 10 points, but after we loosened up and got the ball back, we caught up with them and won the set. The next set went rather well, with only a few mistakes from our side every now and then.

We finished over 10 points ahead of them and won the final set.

Under 15 Girls’ Touch vs Harrow Maddie Dewse , Year 10

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his was our second match of the season, this time we were playing Harrow at home. This meant that our team had time to warm up properly, do some stretches and play some friendly matches with each other before the competitive game. We didn’t actually start playing until 4:00pm so we had plenty of time to prepare.

Despite our preparation, we kicked off to an unfortunate start with Harrow scoring five tries in the space of 12 minutes, which was very impressive. We defended really well but our attack was weak and we still need to improve that side of things.

With all this said, Harrow girls won with eight tries to our zero not including the scores from the friendly match we played at the end. Some improvements we could make are keeping the wings wide and on their component during defence, using a distraction method and drawing in the opponents more.

Reminder to all parents and visitors to campus that you must have your Patana ID Badge showing.

Please be aware that, in keeping with our Safeguarding policy, members of staff may ask to see it if not visible.

Thanks for your help keeping our campus safe!

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Bangkok Patana School News

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#70 Movie Time

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n the flight back last night from a technology conference in Singapore, I was watching a documentary about British children in their middle school. It struck me that there is probably a lot of inspiring material out there that we could be tapping into. So here are some great movies for middle school aged children (aged 10 to 14) that you could sit and watch with them.

Girl Rising The stories shared in this informative, intense film aren’t always easy to hear -- it touches on topics ranging from inequality to human trafficking, child marriage, and more -- but nothing graphic is shown, and kids who watch are guaranteed to want to talk about it.

He Named Me Malala Moving, intense, and also delightful, this film about Nobel Prize-winning Pakistani teen Malala Yousafzai introduces viewers to the inspiring role model while simultaneously making her a relatable teen. Meet your students’ new BFF. I Am Eleven Powerful and poignant, this film follows 11-year-olds from around the world (Australia, Bulgaria, China, France, Germany, India, Morocco, Japan, Sweden, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the United States) as they share their thoughts, triumphs, and challenges.

More movies are available on this link: https://www.commonsense.org/education/blog/9-great-movies-forthe-middle-school-classroom Have a great weekend, Brian Taylor Assistant Principal, Campus Curriculum Technology Integration

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Important Reminder to Update Medical Records Dear Parents, As you may be aware, the school must maintain up to date and accurate records of your children’s basic medical information to ensure that we can deal with any medical issues that may arise whilst attending school or taking part in school related activities. Unfortunately, if the school does not have up to date medical information on your children, they may not be allow to take part in certain school activities.

You can check the information that we hold and if necessary add your medical records simply by logging onto the online Parents Gateway (if you do not have a username and password, please contact Admissions admissions@patana.ac.th ) Once in the gateway, click on the students name and then select “Update medical records” from the right hand menu. You should update these records every six months.

I would be grateful if you could do this as soon as possible as students can be prevented from taking part in some activities if this information is not complete and up to date. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need any further information or assistance.

Kind regards, Patama Chutima Head Nurse pach@patana.ac.th , Secondary Nurse: 02 785 2479

Dates for your Diary...

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Friday 6th October Tiger Spirit Day Saturday 25th November Ploenchit Fair Wednesday 29th November International Day Bangkok Patana School News

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Creating Flourishing Individuals & Organisations ‘Well-being in a VUCA World – How We Can Survive and Thrive in Times of Change’ Bangkok Patana School Parents

Thursday 2nd November 2017 (08:00-09:00) Venue: The Theatre Positive Psychology, the science of ‘what makes life worth living’ can help both adults and young people to manage better in an increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) world

Fresh from attending and presenting at the 5th World Congress on Positive Psychology in Montreal we are delighted to welcome back international organisational coach Clive Leach to talk to our parent community. Clive will share some of his key takeaways and learning from the congress and show how they can relate to both parent and student well-being.

Clive will also draw on his extensive experience applying evidence -based programs and tools through the design and delivery of Positive Education programs with leading international schools across SE Asia, China, Europe & the UK. This includes his ongoing work here with us at Patana.

An Evidence-based approach to increasing levels of optimal functioning in the education, government & corporate sectors.

Services include: Executive / Leadership Coaching Career Development Coaching Strengths Coaching Well-being Coaching Discover Your Strengths Mental Toughness Coaching Conversations Leadership Development

This valuable and unique session will be interactive and fun. It has the potential to have a meaningful and positive impact on how we see and embrace the future.

Clive Leach is a Global Representative for the International Positive Education Network (IPEN). He is a certified Realise2 Strengths Assessor & MTQ48 Mental Toughness practitioner. He is a global representative for the International Positive Education Network (IPEN) and a visiting lecturer at the University of East London reaching n the worlds first MSc Applied Positive Psychology & Coaching Psychology (MAPPCP) . He is a former Head of Community Education Services in the UK where he is now based.

For further information please visit: www.cliveleach.com RESERVE YOUR PLACE HERE

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Bangkok Patana School News

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Creating Flourishing Individuals & Organisations

Mental Toughness! What is it? Do we need it? Have we got it? How do we build it?

Y8 Parents at Bangkok Patana School st

Tuesday 31 October (08:00-09:00)

Venue: Conference Centre (CON 304 & CON 305) Whist not all situations require Mental Toughness, it has been shown to predict higher levels of:  Resilience & Hardiness  Positive Behaviours  Academic & Work Performance  Career Aspirations & Employability  Well-being & Flourishing We are delighted to welcome back Organisational Coach Clive Leach for this exciting workshop presentation targeting our Y8 community that will help you as parents to understand what mental toughness is, how it can measured and most importantly how it can be built in young people & adults alike.

An Evidence-based approach to increasing levels of well-being in the education, government & corporate sectors.

Coaching Services include: Executive / Leadership Coaching Career Development Coaching Strengths Coaching Well-being Coaching

Workshop Services include: Building Well-being, Resilience & Mental Toughness Discover Your Strengths Flourishing Young People Coaching Conversations

Clive will share the latest research and education-based approaches to enhancing mental toughness. He will share some great practical ideas, interventions and tools that he has helped apply through the design and delivery of Positive Education programs in schools in Australia, SE Asia, China & Europe. The presentation will be both interactive and informative and aims to help you and your families to perform at your best.

Clive Leach is an organisational coach & facilitator and a graduate of the Master of Organisational Coaching Program at the University of Sydney. He is a certified Mental Toughness MTQ48 Practitioner. He is a global representative for the International Positive Education Network (IPEN) and a former Head of Community Education Services in the UK. www.cliveleach.com RESERVE YOUR PLACE HERE

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Community

If you are interested in sending your children overseas during the winter or summer break for some additional educational experience, we would like to introduce you to our camp partner Les Elfes International Winter and Summer Camps with whom we have been organising our past ski trips to Switzerland.

This year, Bangkok Patana School will not be organising a ski trip due to structural changes, however, we will be skiing again in future years with Les Elfes. In the meantime, there is the opportunity to sign up to Les Elfes winter camp directly.

Since 1987 Les Elfes has organised international winter and summer camps in Verbier Switzerland, for students aged 7-18 years old. Every year, they welcome over 5,000 children and teenagers to their camp, from over 60 different nationalities. The students have the chance to take language lessons and learn skiing or snowboarding in winter and can also participate in a range of over 40 sports and activities in summer. Please do not hesitate to contact Les Elfes or visit their website would you require any further information: www.leselfes.com info@leselfes.com 16

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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

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

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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 22

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