Patana
NEWS
The Monthly Blog Including tomorrow’s Fun Day! Bangkok Patana is an IB World School, accredited by CIS and NEASC
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It’s great to be back in the sunshine but I won’t say warmth; as I’m writing my first blog it is actually 17 degrees Celsius outside and the first time in an eternity that I don’t have my air-conditioning blasting in my office. Still, the sunshine is much appreciated after spending two weeks in the UK recruiting teachers and looking outside my hotel window to grey and blustery weather most of the time. On the recruitment front, we interviewed some very strong and passionate teachers aspiring to teach at Bangkok Patana School. We have made a number of appointments in London and are now down to single-digit vacancies which I’m confident we will fill over the coming months.
A blog (a truncation of the expression weblog) is a discussion or informational site published on the World Wide Web consisting of discrete entries ("posts") typically displayed in reverse chronological order. My aim with my Head of School posts is to keep the Bangkok Patana community up to date on all areas of the school focusing on learning and daily school life. I heard on the grapevine that the Senior Play 'A Midsummer Night’s Dream' and the SEASAC Arts Festival were both amazing arts celebrations. Congratulations to all involved and I was sorry that I was recruiting in London and missed the events. Congratulations to all of our incredible Super SEASAC sports students for a fantastic sports weekend last week where we celebrated the 20th year of SEASAC in fine fashion including two Bangkok Patana championship wins in Girls' Tennis for the sixth year in a row and the Boys' Basketball team; a special Hawaiian night concluded the exceptional sports weekend.
As you will be aware we have had another wave of Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease (HFMD) impact our school over the past four weeks, so what is HFMD? HFMD is a common viral illness that usually affects infants and children younger than five years old. However, it can sometimes occur in adults. Symptoms include fever, mouth sores and a skin rash. Our wonderful Head Nurse, Khun Patama, has become almost an expert on this common disease as she has been tracking HFMD numbers at our school over many years and regularly liaises with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) whenever we have any cases, whether they are isolated or a wave impacting many students. The BMA protocol is if we have three or more cases in a class or in a Foundation Stage learning zone, we must close down the class/zone for a minimum of five consecutive days so that the virus cannot spread. Children who have the virus must stay at home for seven consecutive days. Here is an example of our HFMD
letter that gets sent home to parents when the first case is discovered. HFMD mainly affects children five years and younger but it spreads so quickly that if a slightly older sibling is in close proximity, there is a high chance that they will catch it too. This year alone we had 14 confirmed cases in Term 1, which impacted some Foundation Stage classes and just this term we have had 16 cases resulting in once again having to close some of the Foundation Stage classes and Class 2C. The school takes a very serious stance on HFMD as it impacts learning. We keep the school very clean: bleaching toys and equipment on a regular basis. Unfortunately, whatever we do at school doesn’t stop the virus from entering campus at any given time. One parent asked me why Bangkok Patana seems to get more HFMD cases than other schools. The simple answer is that we have the largest student population of three to five year olds of any international school in Thailand so we are inevitably going to get larger numbers of infections. The key instruction to parents is to regularly check their children for any fever and keep students at home if they display any symptoms. Seeking medical advice is always a good strategy when your child has any form of fever. Informing the school that your child has a fever is important as our nurses can also track the virus and conduct regular inspections in affected Year groups. The school also in turn communicates to all parents in the specific area of the school that we have HFMD absences so all parents can start regularly checking for fevers or possible mouth sores. Making sure students regularly wash their hands with soap and warm water is always a good HFMD preventer as well. This also means that a child that has been sent home from school for a certain period cannot then attend a birthday party over the weekend as the virus can spread easily in large student gatherings. Although some children recuperate very quickly from HFMD, they must stay at home for the specified time so that they don’t spread the virus. It is very important to adhere to this. We are continuing to regularly liaise with local health authorities and the BMA but one thing is for certain: HFMD is not going to suddenly vanish and we need to work together to minimise the impact to our students' health and learning. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Khun Patama and all of our wonderful nursing staff who do such a good job looking after the health of our student body.
I’m very much looking forward to my eighth Fun Day this Saturday. Obviously, our annual Fun Day takes a great deal of time and effort to plan and organise and this year our PTG Fun Day organiser is Daphne Seiler who has now run a number of Fun Days. She has a hardworking team who do a superb job and on behalf of everyone at Bangkok Patana School, I wish to personally thank Daphne and her team in advance. Special thanks to Khun Prawit, Genevieve Ahl and all of their teams who do a great deal of preparation work setting up this large-scale community event. I hope to see all of Bangkok Patana School community in attendance on Saturday as we celebrate an amazing school and our amazing students.
By Mariela Bianciotti, Primary Spanish Teacher Have you ever heard of Fernando Botero, Frida Kahlo, Ricky Martin, Isabel Allende or Oscar de la Renta? What do they all have in common? Yes, you are right! They are all famous Spanish-speaking people! When students in Year 4 were learning about famous painters, actors, fashion designers, writers and singers from different Spanish-speaking countries from Spain to Latin America, we never imagined that among our culturally-diverse Bangkok Patana community we would have the pleasure of meeting with a famous chef from Venezuela. Mrs. Carmen Rawstron, who has recently launched her third Venezuelan recipe book, very kindly accepted our invitation to come and talk to the children about the steps needed to publish a cookbook and to share two of her traditional family recipes: “Arepas” (Corn Pasties) and “Chocolate Caliente” (Hot Chocolate).
Once the filling was cooked, students were challenged to fill the Arepas with chicken or cheese and those who managed to get the highest number were crowned “Master Chef of Arepas”. We had so much fun and if you decide to try the delicious recipe below at home, we hope you enjoy it as much as we did! On behalf of all Year 4 Spanish students, I would like to say a big thank you to Carmen for sharing her talent and her passion for cooking.
Corn pasties filled with shredded chicken or Haloumi cheese (Serves 25) Arepas are a staple in Venezuela. They are eaten every day, especially at breakfast and are simply delicious. In this recipe we are going to make a filling of Pollo or Haloumi cheese. You can also use beef or any other filling you like. For the Arepas dough Place the flour in a deep bowl. Add in the water and salt and mix with a spoon until combined. Later use your hands until it forms and nice soft dough. Cover with a cloth to keep it moist. Method 1. In a medium size pot, add water to a half and boil the chicken breast until cooked. At least 12 minutes. 2. Take the chicken out of the pot and leave it to rest 5 minutes, shred with your hands and set aside. 3. Using the olive oil, sauté all the ingredients, which has been finely chopped and condiments in a sauté pan. 4. Add in the chicken and stock and let it simmer until all the ingredients combine. Season well. Just before serving add a little butter. 5. Make the Arepas into flat circle shapes of 7 centimetres diameter each and 1 cm thick. Sear them in a flat non-stick hot pan with a little corn oil 3 to 4 minutes each side. 6. Bake in the oven around 12 to 15 minutes until cooked inside. 7. Fill the Arepas with the chicken or grated Haloumi and serve slightly warm. Enjoy!
For the Arepas dough • 1 kilogram of Arepa flour • 2 litres warm water • 1 tablespoon of salt • ¼ cup corn oil Pollo filling • 1 kilogram of boiled and shredded chicken breast • 6 cloves of garlic finely chopped • 1 medium size white onion finely chopped • ½ red bell pepper finely chopped • 1 red chilli finely chopped • 2 tablespoons coriander leaves chopped • Salt, pepper and cumin to taste • ¼ cup olive oil • ¼ cup of chicken stock • 2 pack of 180 grams of haloumi cheese
tivities! But how should adults participate in roleplay? By Sarah Gaughan, Foundation Stage Leader of Learning and Development Sometimes it is most appropriate to simply observe and assess the learning taking place. On other occaoundation Stage children have been engaging sions, adults can take on a role facilitating learning in a range of different role-play experiences this through effective questioning and introducing new term. Imaginative role-play supports a broad range of learning concepts into play. For example, using opendevelopmental areas in young children. In particular, ended questioning such as, “What’s your patient’s communication, language and literacy and personal, temperature?”, “Why can we not see any plants or social and emotional development. Role-play is an trees in the Arctic?” or “How much will it cost if I buy effective learning tool as it encourages children to become active participants in their learning. Children are able to make sense of the world around them whilst engaging in sustained, shared thinking. In any role-play area there can be opportunities to develop writing, reading and mathematics skills. Just leaving a pen and paper out will encourage the children to write or ‘mark-make’ without fear of getting something wrong. Simple concepts such as setting the oven to bake for ‘10 minutes’ or checking height and weight at the doctor’s provides very natural mathematical learning opportunities. Role-play can take many forms from simple, representational play using cardboard boxes to more elaborate, enhanced ‘role-play’ areas such as a hospitals three ice creams?” (or recently in Foundation Stage, an ice cream parChildren negotiate, make plans, explain their thinklour!) Whether it be using your imagination to go the ing and develop their own narratives as they play. All moon in a cardboard rocket ship, trekking across the the more reason to promote our philosophy of Arctic or pretending to buy and sell ice cream, chil‘Learning through Play’. dren simply love to take on roles and characters in Why not try role-play with your child at home? You their play. can use everyday household items to set up a simple In the past few weeks here in Foundation Stage we shop, a hairdresser’s or even a car wash! Simply folhave seen children performing manicures and hair low the interests of your child. Encourage them in treatments in the spa, washing clothing in the launwriting labels, counting money and, most of all, have derette, making soup carts outside and sailing to the lots of fun! We would love to see photographs of you Arctic to look for polar bears to name only a few ac- engaging in role-play at home!
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The Careers and University Department will offer two presentations for students in Years 10-12 and parents on Thursday 18th February. The lunch time presentation, 12:15-1:10, will be on Summer Enrichment opportunities. If you haven’t planned your summer yet, consider some ideas from the Careers and University Department. Location – SEC 302/303 After school the presentation will be on Visiting Universities, from 2:45-3:45. Visiting universities and touring university campuses is a powerful way to choose the most appropriate institutions to continue your education beyond Bangkok Patana School. The A-Z on planning, taking advantage of and recording your experiences visiting universities. Location – CON 304
THE ROAR Produced by the Athletics Council
BIG UPCOMING EVENTS NIST Friendship Tournament
Gilbert van Gerven
Donald Zhou
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For coming 1 at SEASAC Basketball
For winning all of his games at SEASAC Tennis
Boys’ Varsity Softball Girls’ Varsity Softball Boys’ Varsity Badminton Girls’ Varsity Badminton If you have the chance…. Go and support your friends!
Upcoming Fixtures… Wednesday 17th February
Year: 13
Year: 11
What position do you play? Centre
What is your most memorable tennis match? I won 8-0 in this year’s SEASAC Final against UWCD
Who is your favourite basketball player? Shaquille O’Neal What is your go-to shot on the basketball court? Steph Curry Magic What is your nickname? Why? MY BAD — because I say it all the time!
Who inspires you? Paul Wadsworth What would you eat after a tennis match? A big fat steak Who is your favourite tennis player? Roger Federer
What is your favorite sports brand? Nike
Badminton U19 Boys’ Away Badminton U19 Girls’ Away Badminton U17 Boys’ HOME Badminton U17 Girls’ HOME Softball U19 Boys’ HOME Softball U19 Girls’ Away Softball U17 Boys’ HOME Softball U17 Girls’ Away If you have the chance…. Go and support your friends and fellow TIGERS!
Other Sports websites to visit: Tiger Sports http://community.patana.ac.th/tigersports-teams Tiger Tweets https://twitter.com/BPSSPORTS? ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw Patana Tennis https://www.facebook.com/ patana.tennis?fref=ts
www.facebook.com/bpssports
By Genevieve Ahl, Services Manager Visiting 7-Eleven, Subway or True Coffee after school or after an ECA/sports activity is not permitted for transport users as it causes delays in the buses departure from school and is unfair on your fellow bus users, the driver and the bus monitor. Please plan ahead if you would like a snack for the bus ride home and either bring a snack with you from home or purchase one at the Snack Bar at break or lunchtime. Parents who are planning on coming to school for the Foundation Stage or Key Stage 1 Sports Days next week or other school events are always welcome to join their child/ren on the morning bus. Please book ahead to ensure seat availability. Students who do not cancel their afternoon bus in advance if they are not planning on using it will make the bus wait for them unnecessarily. This is also unfair on other bus users, the driver and bus monitor who are delayed in departing from school due to waiting for you. Please be considerate to other bus users and Transport Department staff and cancel in advance. The Transport Office is staffed from 6.00am – 6.00pm Monday to Friday and can be contacted on 02 744 2470 or transport@patana.ac.th
Anapana (Mindfulness of Breathing) teaches children 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 6 March for children aged between 8 - 16 years. The course is completely free! To enrol or for further information, please contact Eva Sophonpanich at evasophon@hotmail.com Interested in reading a little more? Click on the link: http://www.children.dhamma.org/en/ children/about-meditation.shtml
The UK-based International School Consultancy is looking for a part-time market researcher in Bangkok (ideally Bangna) who can work from home. The role will involve carrying out web-based and phone research with premium internationals schools throughout Asia. ISC is looking for someone with excellent spoken English and some understanding of international schools. Good skills with Microsoft office also required. Please send a cover letter and your CV to Richard Gaskell rg@isc-r.com Closing date for applications: 15th February 2016
Tickets available now at Neilson Hays Library. Library non-members 250THB/ticket Library members 200THB/ticket
12th March 2016 13th March 2016 19th March 2016 20th March 2016
3:00pm to 5:00pm 3:00pm to 5:00pm 3:00pm to 5:00pm 3:00pm to 5:00pm
To book tickets: Call: 02-233 1731 Email: neilson.library@gmail.com
The weekly canteen menu is available here. Please check the calendar on the Parents’ Gateway, Student pages and Staff Centre for up-to-date information on school events. Visit www.patana.ac.th and click on the relevant icon to log in