PATANA NEWS
Thursday 2nd June 2022
Standardised Test Results In Primary By Peter Taylder
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Also in this issue... International Jubilee Choir Year 6 Transition Experience Year 12 Teaches Year 8 Libraries: Summer Reading Gymnastics Academy Wins
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02/06/2022
Bangkok Patana is a not-for-profit IB World School accredited by CIS Bangkok Patana School News
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Standardised Test Results in Primary Peter Taylder, Senior Teacher - Student Progress
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ach February (well, in non-COVID years) the Year 4, 5 and 6 students sit online standardised tests in Maths and Reading. We missed the 2020/21 test period because of COVID; however, we were very pleased to see that this year's results are higher in Years 4 and 5 than they were in 2019/20. The Year 6 Reading results are slightly lower than 2019/20. However, this cohort first sat the tests in 2020 when they were in Year 4. Their Reading result then was 309, which was
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similar to regional schools at the time. Since then, their Reading result has increased by 149 points, which is well above regional schools. These results are a testament to the commitment of our community to keep learning happening whether in school or online. Standardised tests are assessments that are designed to give a common measure of students' performance. Generally, the same standardised test would be taken by a large group of students across a country. This then
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gives a common "standard" of measure. They can do with reports on their child’s performance. This year’s rethis because the tests contain the same questions and sults show that we outperformed both regional and all are marked in the same way, which gives objective re- schools in both subjects. sults. Standardised tests are one tool that teachers use to There are two types of standardised tests: stand- get an understanding of students’ strengths and areardised achievement and standardised aptitude tests. as for development. Teachers combine the results of Standardised achievement tests measure how much many methods to gain insights into how well students students have learned about a subject. Standard- are learning, such as observations in the classroom; ised aptitude tests measure students' abilities to learn evaluating day-to-day class learning and meeting with in school that is how well they are likely to do in fu- parents. ture schoolwork. Instead of measuring knowledge of As this academic year draws to a close, please take subjects taught in school, these tests measure a broad range of abilities or skills that are considered important some time to reflect on your children’s achievements over the last twelve months. to success in school. Have a safe and happy holiday! In the Primary School, we use standardised achievement tests designed by the Australian Council of Educational Research’s (ACER) International Students’ Assessment (ASA), which enables us to compare our students’ performance with other international students around the world. We are particularly interested in comparing our school and other similar schools in the Asia-Pacific region, such as China and Singapore, which often score at the top of the PISA rankings. This allows us to test the quality of our curriculum, teachers to calibrate their assessments and provide parents
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International Jubilee Choir
Duncan Ferguson, Year 4 Teacher
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o celebrate the Platinum Jubilee for HRH Elizabeth Windsor, the Queen of England, nine Bangkok Patana students were selected through an audition to join the International Jubilee Choir Thailand. The choir consists of forty-two students aged 7 to 15 from schools across Bangkok representing different nations. They have shown excellent resilience and worked hard, spending many hours engaged in rehearsal, in preparation for a performance today, 2nd June, at Bangkok Prep School.
Very well done to all choir members, and to Miss Lulu, for such a marvelous achievement. Here are the Bangkok Patana students in the choir - what a fabulous way to collaborate and communicate through the medium of song for such an historic event.
The song, A Life Lived with Grace, has been written especially for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and will be performed simultaneously by choirs around the world. At 70 years on the throne, HRH Elizabeth Royal is the longest reigning monarch in England’s history. Choir director, Miss Lulu, who is a Bangkok Patana alumni, has skillfully created a beautiful musical arrangement including musicians, solos, duets and groups singing in many layers. The live concert will be recorded by British film director, Paul Spurrier, who has just returned from the Cannes film festival. It is hoped that his video may be featured on TV A music video of the song has been produced feain England to show how the Platinum Jubilee is being celturing an introduction by Ben Morley, a representative ebrated around the world. from the British Embassy. You can see the video here. The music video now also features on the Commonwealth Resounds Facebook page, which showcases versions of the song from all over the world and in different languages - a real global community. It has also been sent to the Queen’s Pageantmaster and The Master of the Queen’s music. They both love the video very much and it has already been shortlisted to be shown to the Queen!
If you would like to attend the live performance on Thursday 2nd June at 9:00 pm, tickets are available at this link.
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Year 6 Begin the Transition to Secondary
Subject Lessons Experience
Sarah Dibley, Year 6 Leader of Learning and Grant Robertson, Secondary Senior Teacher - Student Welfare
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his year, we began a new and exciting model aimed to support students with their transition to Secondary. One that hopefully provides Year 6 students with a more tailored and supported experience. The Secondary team have been thinking about exciting and motivating students as they move to Secondary by providing them with lessons that will be most different to those that they experience in Primary. With that in mind Science, DT, Art and Drama were chosen as subjects where specialist facilities and teaching is likely to be most different for them and give them an experience of these subjects during Term 3. The lessons were scheduled to link from or into break and lunchtime so as to allow the Year 6 students to spend some breaks and lunches in Secondary. Year 6 students had some space (and a couple of Ping-Pong tables) reserved for them in the lounge, in addition to eating their lunch in the Secondary Canteen.
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Year 8 Connected Learning with Year 12 Andy Roff, Senior Teacher, Curriculum and Assessment; Sonya Pang, 12D; and Celine (Gem) Ninsuvannakul, 12E
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s part of the Year 8 Science and Connected Learning curricula, the Secondary Science Faculty collaborated with the Society of Women Engineers (SWEnext) on a two-day Rube Goldberg experience led by Year 12 students. Bangkok Patana School’s affiliation with SWEnext is a student-led project encouraging participation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). The Rube Goldberg experience was planned and organised by a group of Year 12 students, with Mr Roff, Senior Teacher Curriculum and Assessment, with the intention to stimulate Year 8 students’
interest in STEM, as well as to build leadership and critical thinking skills. This two-day experience was a flourish of fun, friendship and team building. As a worthwhile adventure for the students, they were challenged to a Rube Goldberg machine-building contest. The aim? To complete a simple contraption in the most creative way with as many steps as possible. This event also provided a great opportunity for students to form connections across year groups, with each Year 8 team supervised by a pair of Year 12 student role-models.
“Having the opportunity to be able to lead and organise such a wide-scale event for the Year 8 students was challenging but very rewarding; many hours were put into our judging criteria, the material list, lesson plans and logistics of who and what went where - it was pretty overwhelming. But as we were making rounds to each Year 8 group, we were blown away at just how creative and enthusiastic they were. The Year 8 students were completely engaged and persevered even when their machines would not work. For them, it was trial after trial and when their machines finally worked - everyone exploded in cheers. We believe all the sweat and tears put into this project culminated into a very gratifying experience that we will never forget. We are incredibly grateful to Mr Roff, the Science Faculty, and our wonderful cohort of Year 12 volunteers for helping us make this project possible!” Sonya Pang and Gem Ninsuvannakul, Co-presidents of SWEnext
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Instrumental Music Teacher Feature David Larking, Curriculum Leader, Instrumental Music
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hun Lek, our guitar teacher, is retiring after 27 years of teaching guitar at Bangkok Patana! Chainarong Ukosakul, or Khun Lek, has been playing guitar for 55 years and says that music has always been a source of entertainment for him. The lyrics, tune, atmosphere and ambience fulfil his life, and are what inspired him to begin playing the guitar. Through learning to play an instrument, he has grown his appreciation for music through discovering the diversity of music and genres and how they merge from all around the world. “Music education has been my career and my life!” “When I was young, I listened to one of the greatest guitarist of the world, Andre Segovia the Maestro, playing classical guitar pieces on my turntable. It was the first time in my life that I realised that classical guitar could produce more than single melodies and chord strumming. It could play multiple notes, similar to a piano. I told myself this is my goal of life; I will learn to play classical guitar. I would like tell the Bangkok Patana community that classical does still exist together alongside with many other kinds of musical styles. This is my inspiration to be a guitar teacher and share my music.” Khun Lek enjoys teaching in the ensemble setting as it allows him to be creative when arranging and adapting songs, especially songs from modern pop music. “I feel a strong sense of satisfaction when students enjoy playing these pieces and I am excited when they can produce the sound and musical concept that I have in my mind. It does look like not a loop or repetition, rather, I feel that music is a stairway to move up to the next level” he said. On behalf of the Instrumental Music Department, the Secondary Music Department, his students, parents and Bangkok Patana School, we would like to thank Khun Lek for his inspiration and dedication to our students and community for the past 27 years.
We wish you the very best in your retirement!
WHAT’S NEW IN THE LIBRARIES Early Years’ Library Primary Library Secondary Library
Fiction Non-Fiction
Fiction Non-Fiction
Fiction Non-Fiction Life Collection Senior Fiction Graphic Novels
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING All Library and magazine subscriptions listed here
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SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS:
ISIT Acer Computers are now available for parents, students and staff for the same discounted price provided to the school. If you are interested, please contact the IS/IT Department directly.
SCHOOL SHOP The School Shop will be closed from 1st July to 31st July 2022. It will open again on 1st August 2022. The post service will be closed from 1st July 1 to 16th August 2022. It will be available again from 17th August 2022.
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DiabOne - DI A B E ON E -
COMPLICATIONS OF TYPE 1 DIABETES HYPERGLYCEMIA - THIS OCCURS WHEN THERE'S TOO MUCH SUGAR IN THE BLOOD (HIGH BLOOD GLUCOSE)
D IA BE T IC NE P HR O P A TH Y
D I A BE T IC N E U RO P A T H Y
Over time, poorly managed diabetes can cause damage to small blood vessels, which can cause the kidneys to be less efficient or result in kidney failure.
When blood glucose and blood pressure are too high can cause damage to the nerves throughout the body ➞ injuries can go unnoticed and can lead to infection or possible amputations.
CAT/CAS CORNER
DiabOne is a CAT club that aims to raise awareness for type 1 diabetes as well as fundraise to provide life-saving equipment for those in need.
C AR D IOV A SC ULA R D I AB ET I C D ISE A SE RE T I N OP AT H Y High levels of blood glucose can make the blood coagulation system more active, paired with high blood pressure therefore increasing risks of blood clots forming.
A direct result of Hyperglycemia which causes damage to retinal capillaries ➞ capillary leakage/blockage ➞ loss of vision.
HYPOGYCEMIA - THIS OCCURS WHEN THE AMOUNT OF SUGAR IN THE BLOOD IS TOO LOW (LOW BLOOD GLUCOSE)
MI L D
M OD E R AT E
SEVERE
Early symptoms to be aware of are sweating, shakiness and hunger
Moderate symptoms include weakness, fatigue, trouble walking and blurry vision
On the severe end of hypoglycemia, one will experience symptoms such as fatigue, fainting, confusion and seizures
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Gymnastics Academy Rebecca Maw-Dzatkowski, Head Gymnastics Coach
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n 14th and 15th May, the Bangkok Patana Tiger gymnasts travelled to Harrow International School Bangkok for an invitational meet. This was the largest meet of the season, with nine international schools and clubs joining. This meet was also special as it was the first indoor gymnastics event which allowed spectators to attend. Our Bangkok Patana gymnastics parents turned up in full force, cheering on the student-athletes, creating a wonderful atmosphere for the gymnasts.
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The Tiger gymnasts brought their A-game and our teams made the podium in every division! Unfortunately, Harrow experienced some technical difficulties, so they were unable to present the awards on the day. However, we ensured the gymnasts got that special podium moment back at Bangkok Patana in front of their teammates.
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Cinderella - A Twisted Story Hui Ying (Ying Ying) Han, 5G
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nce upon a time, a beautiful, stunning girl named Cinderella, her father and her mother lived happily in their mansion. They were very rich and happy, until one day, Cinderella’s mother died. Her last words to Cinderella were ‘Always be kind, but remember that people might not always be kind to you.’ Heartbroken, her father soon married another lady who was poor and had two (extremely repulsive) daughters. with. It wasn’t long before her putrid stepsisters and evil stepmother moved into the house. Everyday, Cinderella remembered her mother’s words, and lived up to them.
while, her stepsister glanced at Cinderella disdainfully, thinking that her dress would never be as beautiful as hers. When she caught sight of Cinderella’s shoes, she noticed that they had the SAME pairs! Frowning, Cinderella’s stepsister flounced off to the ball. Once all the guests had arrived, the Prince asked for his first dance to be with Cinderella. She was overjoyed and spent the rest of the ball dancing with the Prince.
The next day, the Prince arrived in Cinderella’s mansion, claiming that a stunning girl with glass slippers had won his heart, and that she would be his bride. Cinderella’s stepsister jumped up and ran off to find her glass Then, one fateful night, life took her father away from slippers, Cinderella reached into her pocket and pulled her. Things changed almost instantly, Cinderella’s step- out her pair. Confused, the Prince then asked both girls mother revealed that she had only married her father to dance with him, because he said the girl he danced for his money, and soon enough she had spent all of with danced flawlessly, and he would marry her. it! They didn’t have enough money for servants, leaving Cinderella’s stepsister smiled at Cinderella and ofCinderella to clean up the house. fered to let her try first. Cinderella danced flawlessly, One day, an invitation to a royal ball appeared on until her cheeky stepsister nudged a rock under her and their doorstep saying the Prince was looking for a wife. she lost her balance and… tripped. To make it worse, When Cinderella asked to attend, Cinderella’s step- her stepsister danced so beautifully that the prince bemother cruelly laughed at Cinderella and nodded, lieved that she was the one he danced with that night. thinking Cinderella would only embarrass herself. He and Cinderella’s stepsister got married and Cinderella was left all alone, heartbroken. The night of the ball, Cinderella had sewn a beautiful dress with glass slippers and was ready to go! Mean-
Patana Participates!
Achievements from Our Community Pasarin Chaisuparakul, Patana Parent
Congratulations to Nynn (Gor-Bua) Puttisombat, 10H, who won 1st and 4th place in the Thailand Dressage Championship 2022: Qualified Round 2 / Sub-Junior level (Under 21)!
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Desert Island Discs With Karen McGuire, Learning Support Teacher
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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 Learning Support Teacher, Karen McGuire, is stuck on a desert island. MS KAREN, IF YOU WERE STUCK ON A DESERT ISLAND WHAT EIGHT PIECES OF MUSIC WOULD YOU WANT TO HAVE WITH YOU? Colors - Black Pumas
Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond
Delete - DMA’S
Place Your Hands - Reef
Never Tear Us Apart - INXS
Hung Up - Madonna
Snowman - Sia
Tom’s Diner - AnnenMayKantereit, Giant Rooks Click to listen to Ms Karen McGuire’s playlist
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 barbeque! WHICH ONE BOOK WOULD YOU WANT TO HAVE WITH YOU? Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts 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 STML with your favourites.
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#220: Common Sense Media’s Best Podcast Recommendations for Families
Me and my family love podcasts, especially in the car journey to school. They’re hands and eyeballs free, screenfree, and often just plain free. There are literally thousands of podcasts out there but finding great ones for kids is not that easy. That’s why I’m recommending you take a look at Best Podcasts for Kids | Common Sense Media. They’ve done all the hard work so you can discover shows that match their age and interests. Read the expert reviews and parent content guides, then check out what other parents, caregivers, and kids are saying about them. Have a beautiful long weekend. Brian Taylor Assistant Principal, Campus Curriculum Technology Integration
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COMMUNITY
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COMMUNITY
MEET THE AUTHOR We are thrilled to host acclaimed Thai-American author Christina Soontornvat at our upcoming 101 Years Strong Celebration on 11th June. She will be our guest storyteller for our morning Story Time Special. Our exhibition Bangkok Chattana: Alchemy of Architecture and Narrative by award-winning architect Chatpong Chuenrudeemol is inspired by Christina's Newbery Honor book A Wish in the Dark. Signed copies of her young adult books will be available for purchase at the event.
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