Patana News Volume 19 Issue 18

Patana

NEWS

Student Voice: What Should we be Doing to Serve the Next Generation of Students?

Page 2

The Outdoor Classroom is Back! / Respecting our Environment Through Poetry Bangkok Patana is an IB World School, accredited by CIS and NEASC

I

n one month’s time, our school will receive two visitors, one each from Council of International Schools (CIS) and New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). In 2012, we received a much larger visiting team from both organisations following a year and a half of self-evaluation by the school. We were reaccredited by both CIS and NEASC as a result of the 2012 visit, and the team left us with a number of recommendations, 96 to be precise.

When Bill Parker (CIS) and Mark Stapleton (NEASC) visit at the very end of February / beginning of March, they will essentially provide objective feedback on how well we are doing in meeting the recommendations as well as on our school improvement procedures in general.

To prepare for their visit, we will share our Five Year Report with them today. The report has a large number of contributors across the school – academic staff, business staff, parents and students. Last term I visited four student councils (from Year 5 upwards) and two groups of Secondary student delegates. I asked them key questions which the report has asked of us, including what they consider to be the opportunities and challenges which the school might face in meeting the needs of the next generation of students. I always admire and appreciate the frank, constructive and perceptive responses that our students willingly provide for such questions.

Below, I have summarised just 10 of the key points that the students raised. A fuller version of their opinions is contained in the report itself. The issues that they raise capture much of the spirit of the school’s current and ongoing development. It seems to me that they are often commenting on solutions which they have experienced to some extent in recent times, but that they would like to see greater focus on in the future.

1.

We should consult students more on how to improve learning.

2.

We should focus more on skills rather than facts.

3.

We should ensure that students receive individualised feedback.

4.

It is recommended that we build a more ‘hands on’ experiential learning model, so that learning is not confined within the walls of the classroom but that there are opportunities to apply theory outside of the classroom.

5.

We could let the Secondary students interact with the Primary students more (e.g. Secondary students prepare mini-lessons for Primary students).

6.

We should make sure technology is for learning’s sake only and has a useful purpose.

7.

As we rely increasingly on technology, student delegates cautioned against digital communications dominating at the expense of face-to-face social interactions, stating that the latter should be prioritised where possible.

8.

Student delegates suggest that students should be encouraged to find an issue that they are passionate about and engage with at as young an age as possible. Overall, the delegates argue that community participation opportunities should be embedded more widely and thoroughly across students’ learning and introduced lower down in the school.

9.

While some progress has been made with environmental awareness, the environment must be prioritised as worldwide environmental problems are a pressing issue.

10.

Delegates emphasised the importance of maintaining strong and supportive relationships between students and teachers.

As we prepare for our 60th anniversary celebrations later this term, I can’t help but wonder how many of the above recommendations would still feature if we were to ask the same question to a future generation of students in 10, 20 or even 60 years’ time. In any case, I think they help provide us with precious feedback on how we can steer our school forwards right now.

James Penstone

W

hen I was first thinking about working at Bangkok Patana, one of the most attractive features for myself, an Environmental Science educator, was that the school had its own functioning Outdoor Classroom! I was simply amazed that an international school in such an urban setting would have such a powerful instructional feature and I was eager to be part of it.

Originally, the brainchild of Mr Adrian Palmer, the Outdoor Classroom has become one of the most exciting learning experiences we can offer our children at Bangkok Patana. After a couple years of relative quiet, we should all be excited to learn that the Outdoor Classroom is back in full swing! The ecosystem has been restored to full health and functionality and many of the structures have been rebuilt as well.

The Outdoor Classroom features a sala which serves as a central learning space for discussions and academic work with the surrounding area a veritable jungle allowing students to focus on numerous topics ranging from nutrient cycles, plant adaptations to succession and evolution and so much more – all with real hands-on, experiential learning involved!

I’ve personally had the privilege of working with many Year groups in the Outdoor Classroom over my first months here at Bangkok Patana, and the one thing that stands out the most for me, is the absolute joy of discovery and learning our students show while spending quality time there. For some of our students, this is their first experience in a natural ecosystem. For others it is a place where they can show others and reinforce what they have learnt and experienced from other trips they have done to larger systems.

As a school, we are invested in making sure we use this asset to its fullest potential. Next academic year, we will have a full time Outdoor Learning Spaces Technician who will aid in upkeep and maintenance and help our classroom teachers in their own environmental education goals and objectives. I have been working with various Year groups across the school to ensure that the Outdoor Classroom and its learning possibilities have been included in their schemes of learning.

There is still some room for improvement, but we are well on our way to have one of the most impressive Outdoor Learning facilities of any international school in Asia, Bangkok Patana has much to be proud of!

Teachers, if you are interested in booking the Outdoor Classroom, please do so on Firefly or contact Coke Smith directly at cosm@patana.ac.th

O

n 18th January, the Girls’ Varsity Tennis team played ISB at home. It was the final league match that, if we won, would put us in a strong position going into BISAC. The layout of the match was three singles and two doubles. Balloon played first singles, Moniqa second, Rhea third with Savanah and Zahra playing doubles one and Clara and Tess doubles two.

The first players to hit the courts were Moniqa, Rhea, Savanah and Zahra and Clara and Tess. Moniqa took the lead quickly, hitting good serves and backhands. She won her match comfortably only giving a game away. Rhea also eased into the lead, serving and volleying a lot with many good rallies. She won her match 6-1. Savanah and Zahra led 5-0, communicating and volleying well but eventually slipped up in a game, eventually winning 6-1. Clara and Tess were hitting angled groundstrokes and intercepting well, their final score was 6-1. Balloon was next. Getting straight into it, she had a good match hitting hard balls into space, eventually winning 6-3. This meant a 5-0 victory for the girls and a first place finish in the league, putting us in a strong position going into BISAC on the 27th January. Well done everyone!

T

he STOP team were selling fantastic baked goods to raise funds for their annual fashion show, which always a highlight of the Patana social calendar. Their bake sale coincided with “Human Trafficking Awareness Day’ and it was an ideal opportunity for the team to raise awareness of the social issues around human trafficking as well as promote the fashion show. I particularly enjoyed the brownies and had to go back twice; purely under the pretense of supporting the team of course.

Another exciting event coming up is the LETS TED which will be held in the Black Box on 31st January.

This event provides opportunities for our students to deliver a talk on a mental illness related issue and is an ideal introduction into public speaking for anyone interested in participating in either a MUN conference or the annual servICE conference. Both of these events require confidence, clarity and passion in order to stand up and present your views to an audience of peers.

We look forward to seeing you in the audience.

Finally for this week, if you are passionate about a social issue and can encourage others to join you then why not consider setting up a CAT of your own. You do not need to organise large scale events, sometimes simply raising awareness is enough to make change happen. You could be the inspiration that others need. Come along to HUM312 and have a chat with me anytime.

A

s part of our bi-annual RAP and READ celebrations Year 1 and 2 are invited to write a poem about respecting their environment. These will then be turned into a real published book that will be available for sale raising fund for our school charities.

Please do encourage your children to get involved. Our visiting author for Year 1 and 2 will be Gail Clarke.

If you would like an early peek about Gail and her writing visit her website here www.gailclarkeauthor.com

Congratulations to our FOBISIA Swimming team and to our Varsity Tennis players!

The Swimming team won the Overall Championship and the Team Achievement Award. A huge well done to Prin, Puddy, Lachlan and Ela who won their age group championships.

Our Varsity Tennis players competed in BISAC singles. Reo won the Boys’ A draw, and Jonah placed third. Balloon won in the Girls’ A draw, beating Rhea in the finals.

Our Season 2 Varsity teams will soon be off to compete at SEASAC! The Tennis team is going to UWC Dover, Basketball to UWC East and Rugby and Touch to CDNIS. Only 13 days to go!

FOBISIA Gymnastics and Varsity BISAC Good luck to our Varsity teams competing at BISAC this weekend and to our Fobisia Gymnastics team.

Follow our Instagram @ bps_athletics_council

BPSSPORTS

BPSSports Tiger Sports Patana Tennis

Leo has been representing the Bangkok Patana Tennis team for over 8 years, and he participated in his last ever BISAC singles this weekend.

He has been BPS’s number 1 singles player for 5 years now, and has played in 8 SEASACs, his first one being in Year 6!

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BEST SPORTING MEMORY AT BPS? Being undefeated as 1st singles for the first time when I was in Year 9.

AT WHAT AGE DID YOU START PLAYING TENNIS? When I was five years old.

WHO IS YOUR BIGGEST SPORTING IDOL? Roger Federer or Michael Jordan.

WHAT IS ONE THING YOU HAVE LEARNT FROM YOUR SPORTING EXPERIENCES AT BPS? That team chemistry really matters.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW? South Park.

WOULD YOU RATHER TRAVEL IN THE PAST OR THE FUTURE AND WHY? I would rather travel in the past to see how much I grew.

University / College

Location

Institut d'études politiques de Paris (Sciences Po)

Senior Studies, 2nd Floor

Date

Time

07.02.17

12:15

IMPORTANT NOTICE: There will be no regular Foundation Stage 2 – Year 6 ECAs during the Primary Residential weeks (Monday 30th January—Friday 10th February) unless your Coach/Teacher contacts you to inform you otherwise. Only a small number of selective and government mandated programmes will continue.

For Residential Visit transport information see Transport Corner on page 14.

WhatsApp Features & Screen2Gif WhatsApp is a popular messaging app and has lot of features you may not know about.

There were several on here that I was not aware of. Take a couple of minutes to watch this CNET video and learn a little bit more about an app that you probably use on a regular basis. For example, did you know you can star messages so that you can quickly find them from your WhatsApp dashboard? https://www.cnet.com/videos/11whatsapp-features-you-might-not-knowhow-to/

Screen2Gif is a free open source application available here for download.

It’s created by Nicke Manarin. There’s no installation required. When you click the .exe file it opens the application. You can record your screen, a webcam, or whiteboard. It defaults to screen recording, but you can change it to open in either of the recording options.

Animated .gifs are great for demonstrating simple steps and often play directly on the page or within the email.

They’re easy to create and now you can do it for free.

Brian Taylor, Assistant Principal, Campus Curriculum Technology Integration

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ECAs for Foundation Stage – Year 6 students finish today.



Secondary ECAs will continue until Friday 10th February.

Dear Primary Parents, Please read below and plan in advance for your Transport arrangements on the departure and return date for your child/ren’s Residential Week. Email Transport any changes in advance.

Primary Residential Week 1 and 2: Transport and ECA Information for Primary Students in Years 3 6.

During Primary Residential Trips (30th Jan – 3rd Feb and 6th – 10th Feb) there are no regular Foundation Stage 2 – Year 6 ECAs unless your Coach/Teacher contacts you to inform you otherwise. A small number of selective and government mandated programmes will continue.

Students not on Residential who are in school will travel home on a 2:30pm bus unless they have one of the above ECAs. During this week, the mix of children on each bus or the bus children travel on may change. You will only be contacted via email or SMS if it is necessary to amend your normal pick up time in the morning.

Year 3 Residential Transport Monday or Wednesday departure day - Buses will be provided to school as normal. If you wish to bring your child to school using your own transport, please CANCEL the bus in advance to avoid delays to other users.

Wednesday or Friday return day – All school transport home is cancelled for students coming back from a Residential. If you wish your child to get a 2:30pm school bus home, please contact transport to book them a seat.

Year 4 Residential Transport Monday of Residential Week – School transport to and from school as usual. No ECAs – 2:30pm bus home.

Tuesday of Residential Week – Buses will be provided to school as normal. If you wish to bring your child to school using your own transport, please CANCEL the bus in advance to avoid delays to other users.

Friday of Residential Week – All school transport home is cancelled for students coming back from a Residential. If you wish your child to get a 2:30pm school bus home, please contact transport to book them a seat.

Year 5 and Year 6 Residential Transport Monday am School transport provided as normal. If you will be bringing your child to school please CANCEL the bus in advance to avoid unnecessary delays to other users.

Friday pm: All school transport home is cancelled for those students coming back from Residential Visits. If your child is getting a school bus home, please contact transport in advance to book a 2:30pm bus home.

Foundation Stage, Year 1 and 2 Transport to and from school as normal. ECAs have finished and all students will be on their default bus home at 1:50pm.

Secondary Students ECA programme will continue as normal until 10th February.

Contact Us The Transport Department’s direct phone number is 02 785 2470. The office is staffed from 6:00am - 6:00pm Monday to Friday. You can also contact us via email at transport@patana.ac.th

An inaugural writing competition for young writers aged 10-18 years.

Submission deadline: February 28, 2017 The Neilson Hays Young Writers Awards 2017 is now open for submission!

The Neilson Hays Library is pleased to announce the launch of "Neilson Hays Young Writers Awards 2017" and invites students ages 10-18 to submit illustrated children’s picture books or short stories in English to our inaugural children's writing competition.

The theme for this 2017 contest is “Hope” and children may choose to work on their own or form teams of up to 3 students (except for the last category, E, which admits only individuals and not teams).

The categories are as follows: A. Original picture books 12 years and under (12 pages, 300 words), Thai/Bilingual schools students B. Original picture books 12 years and under (12 pages, 300 words), International schools students C. Original picture books 16 years and under (16 pages, 500 words), Thai/Bilingual schools students D. Original picture books 16 years and under (16 pages, 500 words), International schools students E. Original short story 18 years and under (800-1,000 words) – All schools (individual work only) The judging panel features respected members of the literary and publishing community, including:  M.R. Narisa Chakrabongse, author, publisher, and environmentalist  Dr. Onchuma Yuthavong, writer, director, producer and associate professor of drama  Asst. Prof. Chaiporn Panichrutiwong, director and animator, Yak: The Giant King  Emma Larkin, journalist and author of Finding George Orwell in Burma  Janice Santikarn, author of The Little Blue Tuk-Tuk, Koko the Monkey; Lost in Bangkok, and more  Pieretta Dawn, author, Thailand's Writer's Hall of Famer  Kathy MacLeod, cartoonist and graphic novelist  Khun Nitta Chinalai, illustrator and publisher Furthermore, aspiring young writers and illustrators in the final round will be invited to participate in a workshop at Chakrabongse Villa, where the judges and other published writers and illustrators will critique and coach the students on their works. The workshop leaders include many of the judges, plus:  Khun Ngarmphan Vejjajiva, S.E.A. Write Award-winning author of The Happiness of Kati  Khunying Chamnongsri Hanchanlash, writer and translator  Alisa Tang, award-winning journalist at Thomson Reuters Foundation Winners of the competition will get to see their works read out loud by prominent figures in the literary and art world, as well as be presented certificates and a cash prize of 10,000 baht per category.

Salaya in the City: Classical Flute and Guitar Mahidol University College of Music presents flutist Hiroshi Matsushima and guitarist Paul Cesarczyk at Neilson Hays Library on Sunday 12th February 2017

WHEN: 6 pm on Sunday, February 12th 2017 WHERE: Neilson Hays Library, 195 Thanon Surawong, Bangkok TICKET PRICES: 400 baht, 300 baht for library members, 100 baht for students Mahidol University College of Music and Neilson Hays Library present Salaya in the City, a classical duet performance by Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra principal flutist Hiroshi Matsushima and Polish-American guitarist Paul Cesarcsyk. Their program includes pieces spanning continents and centuries: Gran Duetto Concertante, Op. 52 - Mauro Giuliani (1782-1829) Sonatina Mexicana (1986) - Carlo Domeniconi (b. 1947) Egloga - Ferenc Farkas (1905-2000) Trois Pièces - Eugène Bozza (1905-1991) Serenata al Alba del Dia - Joaquín Rodrigo (1901-1999) Aria from Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5 - Heitor Villa-Lobos (1887-1959) Acrobats (2004) - David Leisner (b. 1953) Seating is limited to 60 people. Please reserve seats by calling 02233 1731 or emailing neilson.library@gmail.com. Parking is available at the Voravit Building, about 20 metres before the library entrance.

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