Patana News Volume 23 Issue 2

Our mission is to ensure that students of different nationalities grow to their full potential as independent learners in a caring British international community.

Patana

NEWS

Friday 28th August 2020

Volume 23 Issue 2

www.patana.ac.th

THE IMPORTANCE OF PEOPLE

BY PRIMARY PRINCIPAL MR JASON COOPER

Page 2

Also in this issue...

Year 5 Student Wins Creative Writing Prize/New SSRC Board/Teenworks Keeps up the Good Work 28/08/2020

Bangkok Patana School News

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

1

The Importance of People

Jason Cooper, Primary School Principal uring our ‘Back to School Primary Staff Meeting’ I asked the Primary Teachers to create an elevator pitch explaining one of the following:

D

• Why people should come and work at Bangkok Patana • Why families should send their children to Bangkok Patana After the meeting I collated the pitches and identified five main themes explaining what makes Patana so great. You can see the themes in the chart below, and also the level of importance placed on each theme based on the number of responses relating to each one:

The themes themselves are not that surprising, but what is significant is the level of importance placed on ‘people’ and ‘community’; 69% combined! Lots of schools have amazing facilities and fantastic resources. Lots of schools also provide a range of opportunities for their staff, students, and parents. What really sets Patana apart is the people and community that we have here. Some of the specific responses highlighting the importance of people and community were: • Friendly, enthusiastic, respectful, confident, happy, caring and supportive students • Friendly, dedicated, highly professional, passionate, creative, respectful, supportive, caring, kind, and warm teachers

2

Bangkok Patana School News

28/08/2020

• Friendly, supportive, caring, engaged, and involved parents As you can see, what is really valued is a friendly, caring, and supportive community. Given the current world events it is more important than ever for us to support and care for each other in a friendly and respectful manner. Many of us are away from family and friends and we don’t know when we might be able see them again. This means that our Patana community is now more important than ever. I am so very thankful that I belong to a community of friendly, caring and supportive students, teachers, and parents. This is the perfect environment to ensure that all of our students grow to their full potential.

! e t a d e h t e Sav

The Fun Run is going Virtual in 2020!

Registration is only THB 100 per person. Entry will give you a unique completion medal and a chance to win prizes! Registrants can also opt to purchase a souvenir event shirt for THB 300.

Registration will be open soon. You can register for a 3K or a 5K. You must complete your run between 26th September and 4th October and upload a screenshot recording your run.

The Fun Run is a charity fundraiser for the school’s charity clubs.

Sponsorships are available from THB 5,000. More info on sponsorships here! Stay tuned to find out how you can win a prize at the Fun Run 2020!

28/08/2020

Bangkok Patana School News

3

Meet the New SSRC Board 2020/21 E

ach year a new group of students in Years 10 - 13 are elected by their peers to the board of the Senior Student Representative Council. Each tutor group elects one student to represent them at the councils which meet once a week where they discuss student concerns and issues. The Council may then share those issues with relevant staff in school.

MEADOW ARMIGER I’m Meadow Armiger from 11M, and I am honoured to be taking the role as President of the Senior Student Representative Council. My lunchtimes are usually spent in several school life related groups as I believe it is crucial for student voices to be heard in order to provide a sense of community and care for one another- both of which are values Bangkok Patana places great emphasis on.

Having previously been vice-chair of the JSRC, I can assure you that I am very excited to continue working with such a brilliant and devoted group of students, making changes to enrich school life.

I am also co-chair of the Academic Integrity Committee alongside Mr Roff, as well as a Patana Digital Leader, so I hope my knowledge in these fields will help me further understand certain issues brought up at meetings.

PATRICK LEDOIT Hello, my name is Patrick Ledoit from 12G and I will be serving as the Vice President of SSRC for this academic year. I am very passionate about helping students get their voices heard at Bangkok Patana School. SSRC is the perfect forum for discussions; student representatives can share their feedback, whether it be positive or negative. Not only is this process essential for the school, constantly improving and adapting as times change, it also important for students to gain awareness of the reasoning behind certain key decisions. Overall, I am very proud to run this committee together with my fellow board members.

RISAKO KUSUMOTO I’m Risako Kusumoto from 13K, and I will be taking on the responsibility of Secretary of the SSRC. I believe that student voice has been a constant drive to making important changes around Bangkok Patana and I have personally been privileged enough to watch and embrace these positive changes on the well-being of the students. SSRC provides the perfect opportunity to enable students to voice their feedback about the school freely, without the barrier of judgment. I think that this is what strengthens and solidifies the kind and compassionate community that our secondary students have. Having seen a myriad of changes throughout my many years in Bangkok Patana, I am excited to observe new promising developments that our student body will generate.

4

Bangkok Patana School News

28/08/2020

Teenworks Keeps Up the Good Work Hang Ching J. Kanjanapas, 11A

D

uring the summer, we decided to take initiative and try to improve the well-being of people left most vulnerable by COVID-19 due to their social situation. So, we chose to help the Nong Mai community, a suburb consisting of 300 homes in the district of Klong Toei, as we still have a close relation to them from previous projects working with the Lutheran Christian Foundation and Home of Praise. The hardships of minimal work during this time is potentially life-threatening for people living in rural areas of Bangkok and many of the residents there earn minimum wages on a daily basis. Most of the adults, if not all, also have small children or elderly to take care of.

items for the Nong Mai community had been sent to us, we compiled them into individual boxes and added the sponsors’ and Teenworks’ logo stickers.

On August 9th, with the help of our whole team, we set up a pickup station just outside the main community, where we handed out our care boxes to the people waiting. As we watched people of all ages come and collect a box to support their family and neighbours, we felt extremely grateful to have the chance to make a difference in their lives. It was also very heartwarming to see the smiles on their faces as we went around the community to listen to the elderly share their stories and learn more about other’s So, we came to the idea of creating care boxes that lives. we filled with necessities such as rice, diapers, soap, etc.

It was a pleasure to work with the Lutheran Christian Many of the items in the boxes were given to us by sponsors from a range of different companies. This group of Foundation again and with our new primary members. sponsors were glad to help our cause and kindly donated We have also started a website that we would be glad most of the items included our care boxes. Once all the for you to visit if you would like to: https://teenworksth1. wixsite.com/teenworks

28/08/2020

Bangkok Patana School News

5

Welcome Back From Secondary EAL Iain Murphy, Head of EAL Faculty

F

rom the Secondary EAL department, a warm welcome back to all our returning Key Stage3 EAL, Key Stage 4 ESL and Senior Studies IB English B students, and an especially warm welcome to all the students transitioning up from Primary EAL and to those joining us new to the school.

international educational setting. What makes them such a unique and particularly talented group of individuals, too, is their ability to access all part of school life and the academic curriculum in a second language, English. Imagine yourselves going to school in a country where everybody speaks a different language and trying not just to keep up, but to do as well as you peers. No easy feat! This is the By now, students will have seen the fantastic newly-re- challenge that our EAL learners, our Bilinguals and even furbished EAL / Thai shared area and I am sure they will Trilinguals (!) face day in day out, and their achievements agree, it looks absolutely stunning. We are very proud to and successes across the school, both inside and outside have such a positive learning environment and this reflects the classroom, are a real cause for recognition and rethe positive attitude that we encourage and recognise in spect. all our EAL students.

Of particular note last year were two of our students, With this fresh start back to school and in celebrating Thames and Ola, who both gained a 7 in their IB Engour brand new space, now is a good time to take a mo- lish B HL Diploma and over 40 in their overall IB grades. ment to acknowledge and celebrate just what it is the Many congratulations to them and it just goes to prove to EAL students add to the school. Coming from a host of our current students - having English as a second or addifferent countries with different first languages, the EAL ditional language is a wonderful asset - there really is no students bring rich diversity and multiculturalism to this truly limit to what you can achieve.

Student Takes Home FOBISIA Creative Writing First Prize O

ut of nearly 600 entries for the FOBISIA COVID-19 Silver Linings Creative Writing Competition, now Year 5 student Garam (Momo) Lee took home the first prize for Years 3 and 4. Four other Bangkok Patana students earned “highly commended out of their age groups.

Judge Angie Wigford from International Educational Psychology Services (IEPS), and supporting judges Andrew Wigford and Louise Short read through every entry and chose Momo’s poem as first in her age category. They said it "was marvellous. Writing from the perspective of the virus is novel: we could imagine someone rapping your poem."

Congratulations Momo! Read one of Momo’s short stories on Page 12.

FOBISIA has a wide range of competitions coming up, including this three day online English Language competition in October, a photography competition and a short film competition. Learn more here

6

Bangkok Patana School News

28/08/2020

Help Traffic Flow: Use the New Car Park

T

raffic is always heavy during the first weeks of school. Please help us by (If you have a driver, please give them this info):

• Using the new car park on Lasalle soi 35. Enter on Soi 35 and exit on Soi 37 • Cars need a blue Patana parking sticker to enter, this is the family pass you use to enter the Sports Complex parking. If you do not have one please contact reception@patana.ac.th • Do not park on the school side of the road and the PTT parking area next to the school, there will be police checks.

• The school will allow parents/drivers in Nursery and Foundation Stage to come on the campus at 1.30pm while other parents/drivers can come on the campus at 2.00pm.

• If you are on the far lane and would like to make a left turn into the front of the school, please make sure you use your signal. This prevents accidents, which further clog the traffic.

Let’s all be good neighbours in our community!

Secondary Uniform Shorts SHORTS FOR BOYS AND GIRLS IN KEY STAGE 3 ARE STILL AVAILABLE AT THE SCHOOL SHOP! THE SCHOOL SHOP IS OPEN FROM 7.30AM TO 3.30PM WEEKDAYS.

28/08/2020

Bangkok Patana School News

7

Want to Help the Oceans? Join PMCG!

Thursdays at 12.30pm in SEC205. Contact YVBR for more information and how to get involved.

8

Bangkok Patana School News

28/08/2020

the m o r f t es The lat

PTG

Click here to join the PTG Facebook Group

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE TRYOUTS, TRAINING SCHEDULE AND SIGN UP ON FIREFLY HERE

28/08/2020

Bangkok Patana School News

9

UNI COUNSELORS’ CORNER How can parents support the university search?”

Kevin Keller, Head of Careers and Universities

M

ost think the university search process begins during Senior Studies, maybe even during Year 11 for the most ambitious of students. In fact, the most successful candidates begin thinking about life after school much earlier. Let me be clear: I’m not suggesting that a student chooses their university application list on the same day as they make their (I)GCSE course choices!

they learn best? How do they study? What kind of support do they need to be successful academically? These are all questions that parents can help their students answer as they move through Secondary school by giving them the space to make decisions and learn from small mistakes.

This can help a student not only build a necessary level of maturity and resilience necessary for university study, but they’ll also have a list of essential features and services What younger students should be doing is launching a that they’ll need to have at their university of choice. journey of self-discovery. What subject gets them really excited (and I mean really excited), which topics inspire PARENT INFLUENCE IN DECISION MAKING them to pick up a book outside of their assigned readUpon entering Senior Studies, I always recommend ing, and which ECAs lead to self-directed activities be- that parents have a candid family conversation about yond the confines of Bangkok Patana? The answers to university study. Students should know the limitations and these questions can help a student determine their future preferences that you have as their parents. What are university course/major and as parents it’s important to the geographic or financial limitations that your student support the “trial and error” process of finding these inter- should keep in mind as they create their likely list of univerests. Having a well-established university course/major sities? This will help to avoid difficult and often emotional interest will help to narrow the university search later on conversations later on in the process. and help significantly with the overwhelming nature of the Research has shown that parent influence is the most process. powerful factor on students making their university deciThis time of self-discovery also requires a certain amount sions. This is a tool that should be wielded carefully and of space for students to get to know themselves. How do 10

Bangkok Patana School News

28/08/2020

with attention to the well-being of your child. Are the decisions they’re making because of my influence? Does my child feel empowered (within reason) to make their own decisions? Does my child know that I will support them in any case? The most successful students are those who find universities that fit their needs, engagement and academic ability.

We must encourage each student to aspire to their “dream” university, but also encourage a realistic and thoughtful university list that has a variety of institutions within reach.

offering “the secret” to admission - it simply doesn’t exist!

They very often have no connection to current admission personnel, trends and institutional goals leaving much of their “advising” to intuition and luck. Globally, there are thousands of ethical, recognised university counsellors based in schools or working independently (Bangkok Patana has six!), keeping up-to-date in enrolment trends, admission procedures and with direct connections to global admissions offices.

In order to safeguard students and their families, there are professional organisations who accredit these experienced and ethical university advisors internationally like NACAC (National Association of College Admission Can they find a university that will most certainly make Counselling), IACAC (International Association of College an offer while also knowing they will be happy and suc- Admission Counselling), Council of International Schools, cessful there? It’s important to remember to support a HECA (Higher Education Consultants Association), and well-researched university list containing a variety of in- IECA (Independent Educational Consultants Association). stitutions, and to remind the student that you will celebrate ALL of their offers when they come in and support their final As a parent, this is a great time in your child’s life to begin decision. turning over some of the responsibility of life to them. Being there, listening, offering support, a safety-net, advice WHERE TO TURN FOR ADVICE? and motivation will all be appreciated by a stressed-out I must caution against seeking out advice from faceless teenager in the depths of a university search. You’ve got names on blogs or “experts” on university admission, when a partner in their Careers and Universities link counsellor their only qualification is a diploma from a specific, often and we’re happy work as a team with each family to deselective university. Typically, this is an unnecessary at- termine the best path for your child. tempt to monetise a very personal experience, preying on nervous teenagers and their parents. Beware of anyone

In the Spotlight...

The University of Tokyo

T

he University of Tokyo was established in 1877 and was the first Imperial university in Japan. With five campuses in Tokyo, the university has ten faculties, 15 graduate schools and about 30,000 students, 2,100 of whom are international students. The university has just over 450 international exchange agreements with universities from all over the world.

The University of Tokyo is ranked 36th in the world in the Times Higher Education global ranking and has the top law school in the country. The University of Tokyo can count ten Nobel prize winners across a range of disciplines including one Nobel Peace Prize winner, winners in Physics, Chemistry, Literature and Medicine. Other alumni include 15 Japanese prime ministers, five astronauts and Empress Masako.

28/08/2020

Bangkok Patana School News

11

STUDENTS SPEAK

Saving Unicornia - A Short Story Garam (Momo) Lee, 5W

I

t was a regular day in Unicornia, and Jellybean was The unicorns noticed Jellybean and went silent. sitting alone while the other unicorns played games.

“Oi! Why’s she here?” asked a short unicorn, with a Because she was multi-coloured, Jellybean was never allowed to join in with any of the tribes. There were Blue confused expression.

Techies, Yellow Educators, Red Healers, Purple Arties and “Wait! She’s one of us,” explained Gony. “Look at her Green Growers. Each tribe consisted of unicorns who had arm!” the same colour and skill. Tribes were very competitive “My bad!” replied the unicorn, and the group continand never mixed. ued to imagine new terrifying ways that the sickness might “Hey, Multi! This is Blue territory!” shouted a Techie uni- affect them. corn wearing futuristic glasses. “Get out of here!”

“I have a suggestion,” said Jellybean hesitantly. “What if Jellybean strolled down to the fields to get some air. all of the tribes worked together to cure the Blurchie Flu?” Once she found a quiet spot, she noticed a green unicorn The unicorns went silent again. walking towards her.

“Just minding my own business,” announced Jellybean.

“Sorry, you can’t stay here. This is green territory,” replied the Grower.

“That’s bananas!” said a tall unicorn. “We don’t wanna work with them! And who knows if they’d even talk to us?”

“There’s only one way to find out!” replied Jellybean.

She wasted no time visiting the other tribes. They all accepted her as one of their own and agreed to work together for the sake of Unicornia. Jellybean had it all She had an idea. planned out: Healers and Growers would find a cure, Te“Wait! I am green! Look!” exclaimed Jellybean, point- chies and Educators would spread awareness, and Arties would create fun things for unicorns stuck at home. ing to a green patch on her arm.

Weeks went by. Although it was challenging, the uni“Oh! I guess you can stay then,” replied the green unicorns were working together for the first time, and on the corn. “By the way, I’m Gony.” thirty-third day of Jellybean’s operation they discovered “Nice to meet you, Gony. I’m Jellybean.” a cure.

“But where can I go? I’m not in any tribe,” said Jellybean gloomily.

Not far away, an old Blurchie Sandwich had been sitIt was a new beginning for all unicorns. ting on a bench in Unicornia Park all summer. It created a “Good job, Multi… I mean Jellybean!” exclaimed a new sickness that scientists believed would affect half the population. Symptoms included horn glowing, insomnia Blue Techie. and hoof pain.

“Well done, Jellybean!” said Gony.

The two new friends walked into Grower Headquarters, where they found a group of green unicorns discussing the strange sickness sweeping Unicornia.

The tribes agreed to continue to work together to build a better society for all unicorns.

A smile spread across Jellybean’s face as she watched the unicorns celebrating – all of their bright colours mixing “I heard that it makes you dance the Hokey Pokey for- together in the crowd. ever.”

“Everyone is the same by being different,” she thought.

“I heard that it makes you speak gibberish!”

12

Bangkok Patana School News

28/08/2020

Thai Basic Conversational Course for Adults (Parent) in Block 1/2020

T

he course is designed for non -Thai speakers who have absolutely no previous experience in the Thai language.

Students will learn how to greet and introduce themselves, basic vocabulary for social contexts including food, drinks, shopping, asking for directions, the date, the time and engagement with Thai culture.

Block 1/ 2020 Places : 6-12 Day: Every Thursday Teacher: Khun Nittaya Time: 8.00 - 10.00 am.

Venue: CON 426 Period : 17th September - 29th October (6 sessions) Please email thai@patana.ac.th to register by Monday 31st August 2020. The invoice will be submitted in class.

Cost: 4,800 Baht (800 baht/session)

28/08/2020

Bangkok Patana School News

13

Japanese at Bangkok Patana PATANA JAPANESE GROUP 【ジャパニーズグループに参加しませんか】 バンコクパタナスクールのジャパニーズグループは、 日本人の父親あるいは母親を持つ生徒の保護者によ り運営されているグループです。 現在69家族が加入しており、 毎年行われるインターナショナルデーなどの 学校活動に協力しています。 また、情報交換の場として親睦会を年に数回行っています。 参加ご希望の方 は、 日野までご連絡ください。ptgjapan@patana.ac.th We are the Japanese group of Bangkok Patana School with our current members made up of 69 families. We actively take part in an International Day and other fun school activities, and occasionally hold get-togethers to get to know each other better! If you are a Japanese or your spouse is, or if you would like to inquire more information about us, please email to Mrs. Maya Hino at ptgjapan@patana.ac.th JAPANESE LANGUAGE ECA 【ＥＣＡ日本語のご案内】 日本人または日本語を母国語とする親を持つ生徒のためのＥＣＡ日本語が、新学期も引き続き開講され ます。 外部からの国語教師が授業を担当します。 これを機会に子供たちの日本語力を高めませんか。 詳細 はＥＣＡ登録画面で確認願います。 A Japanese language ECA will be offered to all students who are Japanese natives or those whose parents are Japanese speakers. A Japanese teacher (from outside Patana) will lead the ECA classes and help your child improve their Japanese skills. Please refer to the current ECA sign-up site for more details. Kind regards from Yuko Bunsokuwan Japanese group 2020/21.

Those interested in joining sessions of the Japanese ECA may check the contents of the Japanese ECA in the ECA sign-up site and may apply during this Block 1 sign up period.

14

Bangkok Patana School News

28/08/2020

Desert Island Discs With Kate Flynn, Head of Year 11

T

his column follows in the style of the famed BBC podcast which features a celebrity every week – here we feature our own Bangkok Patana celebrities! What eight songs, one luxury item and one book would you take with you if you were stuck on a desert island?

Today Kate Flynn, Head of Year 11, is stuck on a desert island.

MS FLYNN , IF YOU WERE STUCK ON A DESERT ISLAND WHAT EIGHT PIECES OF MUSIC WOULD YOU WANT TO HAVE WITH YOU? Pounding - Doves River Deep Mountain High – Tina Turner I Know What I Am – Band of Skulls Exit Music (for a film) - Radiohead No More Tears (Enough is Enough) – Donna Summer and Barbra Streisand Every You Every Me - Placebo

Listen to Ms Flynn’s playlist here

Gloria – Laura Branigan Common People – Pulp PICK ONE LUXURY ITEM YOU WOULD WANT TO HAVE WITH YOU. THIS ITEM MUST BE INANIMATE AND OF NO USE IN ESCAPING THE ISLAND OR ALLOWING COMMUNICATION FROM OUTSIDE. A very large hat!

WHICH ONE BOOK WOULD YOU WANT TO HAVE WITH YOU? The Unconsoled - Kazuo Ishiguro Catch the real Desert Island Discs on BBC. Now that you are stuck at home, what are you listening to? Have a list of your own? Let us know! Contact SHKN with your favourites.

28/08/2020

Bangkok Patana School News

15

COMMUNITY

email bjnetballacademy@gmail.com for more information

16

Bangkok Patana School News

28/08/2020

28/08/2020

Bangkok Patana School News

17

You can purchase tickets oneline HERE or email info@neilsonhayslibrary.org

18

Bangkok Patana School News

28/08/2020

N E OP ITIONS 0 2 D 0 2 U S A SHOR T T C B ONL I NE F E ST

N O F O I VAL

LA P T C E-A

YS

AN

H T 0 3 T S U G U A 3 3 Y O A R T D S N I B U T S 3 A 3 I M P O 0 S T I 1:0 V M U K U S ON

Haven't been onstage for awhile?

Miss the joy of working with other performers to create the magic of theatre?

---Come along and audition for a show featuring a range of one-act plays and physical theatre.

---To register for auditions, please email: Shorts@bangkokcommunitytheatre.com The minimum audition age is 16.

The festival will be shown online.

28/08/2020

Bangkok Patana School News

19

For daily updates, snapshots and news on life at school you can find us here...

643 Lasalle Road (Sukhumvit 105) Bangna Tai, Bangna, Bangkok 10260 THAILAND Tel: +66 (0) 2785 2200 Fax: +66 (0) 2785 2399 www.patana.ac.th Email: reception@patana.ac.th 20

Bangkok Patana School News

28/08/2020