Patana
NEWS
Getting the Balance Right Pg. 2 Bangkok Patana is an IB World School, accredited by CIS and NEASC
Letter from the Primary Principal
W
e have just returned from interviewing in London and have spent time listening to potential candidates talk about the pressures that are now being placed on young learners and how the joy of learning and teaching is now limited in their school settings. One candidate even talked about having no library as the space was needed for something else! In the BBC News on Tuesday of this week, there was an article about parents not sending their children to school to undertake the National Curriculum assessments (http://www.bbc.com/ news/education-36188634) as they disagreed with this external pressure on such young children. As a school, we strongly believe in getting the balance right between the academics and the development of the whole child. Block 4 ECAs have begun this week and we are already looking forward to the Dance Extravaganza in June. I have to say, this is one of my personal highlights of the school year!
recreation.” (Principle 7, United Nations resolution 1386 (XIV) 20th November 1959).
“Use children’s games instead.” This is not a new concept. In the fifth century BC, Plato recognised play as a powerful vehicle for learning: “…. when you’re bringing up children don’t use compulsion in teaching them. Use children’s games instead.”
As play is an active form of learning where the brain and the body equally engage, we seek to build this into our learning concepts. Activities based upon play have shown to develop: Inquisitiveness Curiosity Exploration Explanation Negotiation Empathy Social and emotional responses Development of relationships
“The child shall have full opportunity for play and recreation.” As parents, we are all keen to provide the right balance of activities, home learning and playing – all essential aspects of the growing child. Providing children with time to play is also an essential aspect of their development. The United Nations Declaration of the Rights of the Child states “The child shall have full opportunity for play and
And also: Intellect Linguistic skills Physical skills So, as we progress through Term 3, we will aim to get the balance right at school by providing quality learning experiences where children can continue to progress academically and holistically. Clare Sharp Primary Principal
By Richard Thorpe, Head Swim Coach
T
he TigerSharks had a super late March and April in the pool with a successful Thai Nationals at the start of the month. Ton Kiangsiri (Silver 50m Breast), Coach Bank (Bronze 50m Breast) and the 12-13 Years Girls’ 4 x 200m Free Relay (Silver) were highlights but congratulations also go to Prin Chantarangkul, Lachlan Dibbayawan, Chloe Burkill and Max Stockdale for reaching finals at the meet. Krating Khemkon, Jasmina Barron, Max Stockdale and Lachlan Dibbayawan also broke school records during the event. Boys) winning their age groups after competing in eight individual events over the weekend. Chloe, Daniel and Weka Bhanubandh all broke school records at the meet.
The TigerSharks Team were crowned overall BISAC Champions 2016 with the Juniors’ winning for the first time since 2009. Ninety-three students competed at the event held at Harrow and Bangkok Patana School won the following age groups: Girls’ Under 8, 10, 13-14 years and 15+; Boys’ 9, 10, 11-12 and 13-14 years. The squad won their respective Junior and Senior meets as well. Sixteen new Short Course school records and over 200 personal best times were swum over the weekend! At the end of the Songkran holiday, 14 TigerSharks travelled to UWCEast in Singapore for their second Dragons Den meet. With a small number of swimmers the team finished fifth overall on points and picked up many medals in both relay and individual events. Two main highlights were Chloe Burkill (10 year Girls) and Daniel Fuchs (11-12 year
Finally, last Saturday the Under 15 and Under 19 Water Polo teams played ISB in a BISAC friendly and after two exciting matches Bangkok Patana School won the Under 15 game 8-7 with ISB taking the honours in the Varsity game 9-1. Well done to all the teams for playing so well on such a warm day and thanks to Coach Chris for all his hard work and training with the team.
Thai Schools will resume on Monday 16th May—please be aware that traffic congestion will increase, especially on Soi Lasalle.
If you will be joining the PTG AGM meeting on Wednesday, the Year 7 coffee morning on Thursday or any other school event and would like to join your child/ren on the school bus please remember to book ahead to avoid disappointment. We welcome parents on our school bus service and are always happy to hear feedback.
If there are any changes to your child’s ECA programme please email Transport to ensure the afternoon buses are amended accordingly.
Students have 15 minutes from the end of the school day or ECA to make their way to the bus. Please remind students to not delay unnecessarily when making their way to the bus. The bus will depart as soon as all students are on the bus.
Thai schools will resume from Monday 16th May. Traffic congestion will be increased, especially on Soi Lasalle. Please ensure all students are on time to the school bus in the mornings to avoid further delays. For all transport queries and requests please email transport@patana.ac.th or call 02 785 2470.
The PTG AGM will be held on Wednesday 11th May at 8:00am in Room SPH 201. All parents are invited to attend. For more information on nominations and the agenda, please click here.
University/College
Representative Location
Date
Time
New College of the Humanities
Elke Tinnacher
Senior Studies, 2nd Floor
11.05.16 12:15
Seoul National University
Hye Weon
Senior Studies, 2nd Floor
18.05.16 12:15
THE ROAR Produced by the Athletics Council
Now there’s even more ways to follow the action!
Tiger Sports
@BPSSPORTS
Patana Tennis
Athlete of the week: Clara Boucher
For outstanding performance @ BISAC Volleyball
BPS Sports
BIG UPCOMING EVENTS It’s almost that time of year again…
The Sports Award dinner is coming! When? June 2nd Where? Sports Hall
Year: 8
Be there to celebrate another great year of sports at BPS!
What is your favourite movie? Spy
There are 4 spots available on the Athletics Council. If you would like to join, please email us outlining why you want to be a part of the Athletics Council. Ms. Bebbington labe@patana.ac.th Marie Guest magu17@patana.ac.th Deadline for applications is 3rd June.
What is your most memorable moment of this sports season? Beating ASB in Volleyball What would you eat if you could only choose one dish for the rest of your life? Fruit What is your biggest fear? Heights
#30: Timer Tab and Lumino City After a brief hiatus I’m back with my weekly technology tips – I hope you find them useful. Timer Tab is a super simple timer/countdown/alarm that you can use in the background whilst performing tasks. Useful for students when they are practicing timed assessments for example. I’m sure you can think of many other useful ways in which it can be used. Click the image for a how-to-videotutorial. Lumino City is a BAFTA award winning puzzle adventure game, and the sequel to Lume. Three years in the making, it's handmade entirely out of paper, card, miniature lights and motors. It’s a fantastic game to play with your children, trying to solve the puzzles you’ll be impressed with both the concept and design. Click the image for a preview and read the review here. Have a great mindful-tech weekend. Brian Taylor Assistant Principal, Campus Curriculum Technology Integration SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
PREVENTION
WHO IS AT RISK
Anapana Meditation Course for Children Anapana or 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 as well as for every day life. The next Anapana Meditation course will be on Sunday 15th May for children aged between 8 - 16 years. The course is completely free! To enrol or for further information, please contact Eva Sophonpanich evasophon@hotmail.com You may also find this site useful: www.children.dhamma.org/en/children/aboutmeditation
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