Patana News Volume 18 Issue 9

Patana

NEWS

Give Gratitude the Limelight it Deserves!

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Bangkok Patana is an IB World School, accredited by CIS and NEASC

Letter from the Head of School reetings Everyone, have had some fruitful conversations with our students over the past month covering a wide array of topics including how much time they spend on Facebook, the environment, Roald Dahl, Shakespeare, uniform, chewing gum, flip flops, university applications, exams and school rules/policies.

We also discussed the importance of being polite and respectable which leads me to my main reflection for my Patana News article this week.

Teaching our children to say “thank you” is important, but truly instilling a sense of gratitude in them is another matter entirely. Gratitude goes deeper and beyond good manners; it’s a mind-set and a lifestyle. Studies show that children who count their blessings reap concrete benefits, including greater life satisfaction and a better attitude towards school.

So why is it important to cultivate an attitude of gratitude?

First of all, gratitude is healthy for us, adults and children alike. Cultivating gratitude increases happiness levels. Gratitude can also help individuals live happier, more satisfied lives and enjoy increased levels of self-esteem, hope, empathy and optimism.

Children who practise grateful thinking have more positive attitudes toward school and family.

Gratitude gives perspective. When you take into account the sheer number of opportunities, privileg-

es and material possessions most children at our school enjoy through no effort of their own, it’s easy to see why many of them feel entitled. After all, they get used to receiving materials without knowing or caring where it comes from. Practising gratitude, on the other hand, underscores the fact that all those toys, mobile devices and creature comforts don’t just pop out of thin air. I personally feel when children recognise that the things they own and the opportunities that have come from someone other than themselves, it helps develop a healthy understanding of how independent we all are. Then they may be more inclined to treat others with genuine respect.

Gratitude improves relationships. Would you rather show up at work every day to colleagues who freely acknowledge and appreciate your contributions, or colleagues who take your efforts for granted with a routinely grunt of thanks? It’s a simple principle; gratitude fosters stronger, more positive and more genuine relationships.

Finally I think gratitude counteracts the ‘give me’ mentality. Fundamentally, gratitude is about being aware of who or what makes positive aspects of lives possible, and acknowledging that. When children learn to think in those terms, they can be less apt to make mindless, self-centred demands. Plus, they begin to appreciate what they have rather than focusing on what they wish they had.

“He who receives a

benefit with gratitude, repays the first instalment of it.” Seneca, Roman Stoic philosopher Have some enjoyable family time over the midterm break.

Best wishes, Matt Mills Head of School

by Tavisha Khanna, 7W ince Term 3 last year, the members of the Student Environmental Committee (SEC) have been encouraging all of Year 7 to have a water bottle by 1st October 2015. Our goal was to make Year 7 the role models for the rest of Secondary School.

To make sure all Year 7s had agreed to this, most students signed a pledge last year; we also needed to make sure parents were aware this was happening. We also spoke to the Heads of Year about what we were doing and asked if we were allowed to take action. At the start of the school year, the Year 7s needed to be reminded. Natasha Zimmerman in Year 13 and I spoke to the Heads of Years, Year 7 students and the Year 7 parents to make sure everything was in place.

So what exactly did we tell them? We recommended that all students bring a water bottle to avoid using disposable cups and bottles. Natasha and I explained

how plastic is having a devastating impact on the environment. . Animals are dying due to rubbish in the oceans and on land. Having a water bottle would solve some of these problems. Besides, having a water bottle encourages better drinking habits.

We also discussed some problems students may face, for example, losing water bottles, not having a clean water bottle and choosing sugary drinks over using a water bottle. Solutions to these problems include having a name on the water bottle, taking the water bottle home on set days to be washed and then bringing it

back to school and finally, we could increase the price for sugary drinks, so most people will hopefully stop purchasing them and use their own water bottle.

As the deadline approached, students were regularly reminded to bring their water bottles. In addition, during Tutorial last week we had a House Sports event and everyone who had their kit and a water bottle earned a house point. Almost everyone had a water bottle. I am personally very impressed with the final result; I now see most Year 7s walking around with a water bottle in their hand or in their bag.

Will you buy a water bottle?

There will be no school for students from 17th October until 25th October. See you back in school on Monday 26th October!

By Alec Bien, Head of Arts Faculty n 9th - 10th October, Bangkok Patana School hosted the sixth annual Key Stage 3 String Orchestra Festival. This festival gives our student musicians an opportunity to experience firsthand what it is like to play in a large string ensemble. Bangkok Patana string players were joined by

students from ISB, ICS, St. Andrews and Berkeley.

We learned eight pieces and performed to an appreciative audience of parents and friends on Saturday.

It took a lot of concentration and practice, but it was definitely worth it. Every member made progress and enjoyed the process.

angkok Patana School offers Thai Language Courses for parents and staff. There are many levels offered from Beginner to Intermediate and Advanced. A minimum number of participants is required for each course to run. For more information and to register, please click here.

eam France have been busy organising International Day 2015. We would like to ask you for a contribution to cover the costs for both the Expo and the Food Hall.

Please send 400 THBper child - this can be paid at the Cashiers office at the front of school in a closed envelope marked "TEAM FRANCE'.

Merci d’avance, aborione@hotmail.com.

By Genevieve Ahl, Services Manager

he Transport team are very pleased to let you know that we have had three more days where everyone has informed Transport about changes and no buses have been delayed due to students forgetting to cancel their bus. Thank you for your help and cooperation in ensuring the Transport service operates smoothly at the afternoon departure times.

If you are moving house during half term or at any other time please ensure the Transport De-

partment is informed in advance of the new address and moving date.

Remember that there will be no bus in the morning for students! Enjoy the sleep-in and the half term holiday. We look forward to welcom-

ing everyone back to school on Monday 26th October.

THE ROAR Produced by the Athletics Council

Athlete of the week Balloon Year: 7

Team: Under 13 tennis Position: Singles Who is your sporting icon?

Maria Sharapova What is your favourite sporting quote?

"Every champion was once a contender that refused to give up" Food that you'll never eat:

Results and Highlights From Last Week Basketball U15A Boys’ vs. Shrewsbury: Won 49-39 U13A Girls’ vs. Shrewsbury: Won 23-13 Cross Country U11 Girls’ Team 1st Place U13 Girls’ Team 1st Place U15 Girls’ Team 1st Place Varsity Girls’ Team 1st Place U11 Boys’ Team 1st Place U13 Boys’ Team 3rd Place Varsity Boys’ Team 3rd Place 1st place finishes from: Laura Worthington, Ross Nicolson, Louie Kelly and Lily Boucher Football Varsity Boys’ vs. St. Andrews: Draw 6-6 JV Boys’ vs. Shrewsbury: Lost 5-7 JV Girls’ vs. Shrewsbury: Won 2-1 JV Girls’ vs. NIST: Draw 2-2 Tennis U13A Boys’ vs. Shrewsbury: Lost 1-2 U13A Girls’ vs. Shrewsbury: Won 3-0 U13A Boys’ vs. NIST: Won 2-1 U13A Girls’ vs. NIST: Won 2-1 Touch U15 Girls’ vs. Shrewsbury: Won 6-0 Volleyball JV Girls’ vs. Shrewsbury: Lost Varsity Boys’ vs. Makkasan: Lost Upcoming Fixtures

Plums nd

How long have you played your sport: 4 Years

14 days to go until SUPER SEASAC Football and Volleyball

Thursday 22 October Tennis – Boys’ U15A Away Tennis – Girls’ U15A Away Tennis – Boys’ U13A Away Tennis – Girls’ U13A Away Tennis – Boys’ U11A Away Tennis – Girls’ U11A Away

Monday 26th October Football – Boys’ Varsity HOME Football – Boys’-JV HOME Volleyball – Boys’ JV HOME Volleyball – Girls’ JV HOME Friday 30th October – Sunday 1 November Football – Boys’ Varsity SEASAC @NIST Football – Girls’ Varsity SEASAC @NIST Volleyball – Boys’ Varsity SEASAC @NIST Volleyball – Girls’ Varsity SEASAC @NIST

www.facebook.com/bpssports

By Stuart Welham, Coach (Bangkok Soccer Schools) his match saw a much improved Bangkok Patana team draw 2-2 with ISB. In a game where the Tigers had the best of the chances, the boys were unfortunate not to record their first win of the season. Both strikers, Constantin Ayrle and Cai Wilson, got the goals for Bangkok Patana with ISB equalising from a penalty in the last few minutes. Napat Pantawong put in an exceptional performance in defence and was this week’s Man of the Match. A lot of positives can be taken from the fixture with the play-

ers looking much more assured as individuals and more confident as a team.

Congratulations on a Great Weekend of Sport!

By Mike Balo, Assistant Principal Extra-Curricular Activities and Sports ongratulations to our athletes and coaches on a great weekend of sport on 10th and 11th October.

Balloon Ruamrak - Singles Champion Mark Neilson - Boys' Runner Up Te Pungpapong- Runner Up B Draw Toon Vanabriksha- C Draw Champion

Under 11 Boys and Girls - Champions Under 13 Girls' - Champions Under 15 Girls'- Champions Under 13 Boys'- 3rd Place Varsity Girls - Champions

Doln Narongdej - 2nd place Under 16 Boys Erik Appelberg - 4th place Under 12 Boys Guilhem Echivard - 2nd place overall

BPS 3 vs BIS Phuket 1

Jumble Sale Helpers Needed! (see poster on facing page)

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