Patana News Volume 25 Issue 21

Residential RolleR-CoasteR

Ilove watching our students return from their Residentials. The dominant emotions on departure days are trepidation and excitement – whereas arrival days are all about joy and relief.

There are the whoops of excitement from waiting parents as the first minibus turns into school. The hum of anticipation as the big buses pull through the gate, the cheers when the doors finally open and our (somewhat weary looking) staff start to emerge.

Many of our students will have slept all the way home and can look a little dazed and confused to find themselves suddenly at school. They start scanning the crowd for a familiar face, excited smiles on faces, and maybe just a little less fragrant than when they left.

There’s the joy of seeing children reunite with parents –that brief beautiful moment when they desperately want a hug – just before asking for a snack. Note to all parents – yes, we did feed your child.

There’s the satisfaction in watching our brilliant Transport, Administrative and Security teams function as one very well-oiled machine. Communications work. Buses depart and arrive more or less on time. Heads are counted, medicines returned, forms signed and collected.

Finally, there’s the blessed relief of watching our staff and students come back safe and sound. Residentials are magical times in the school year, but they are also long and tiring days. For those who lead and organise, it’s a mighty responsibility.

Carol Battram, Primary Assistant Principal, Learning and Welfare

Thank you to the many staff who work together to make our Residentials an immensely valuable experience for our students.

Thank you to all the parents who trusted our staff to look after their children. Being away from the family is a very big step, and I always hope that they come back with a new-found appreciation for home. Give them time to share their stories, take pride in their achievements, and don’t be too alarmed by hair-raising tales of derring-do.

Not everything will have gone to plan, but please do contact the class teacher if they come back with a story that genuinely worries you.

We missed our Residentials last year. It’s good to have them back.

sUPeR seasaC

Rich Molloy, Cross Campus Head of Sports Season

2 came to a close over the weekend with the return of SEASAC tournaments to Bangkok. As always, schools were excited to come to Bangkok Patana’s campus to play Tennis and Rugby. Following a welcome dinner on Thursday evening, the teams embarked on three days of competition. Teamwork and courage took centre stage as the teams battled to be crowned SEASAC Champions. Bangkok Patana finished the weekend in style with the Girls’ Tennis (on home courts) and Basketball (at NIST) winning their exciting final games. There were also excellent finishes for Girls’ Touch (4th), Boys’ Basketball (4th), Boys’ Tennis (4th) and Boys’ Rugby (7th). Fantastic achievements and an amazing atmosphere at the Sports Complex made for an exciting weekend!

BASKETBALL

Following the pool announcements back in November, our Tigers knew they were in for a tough tournament having drawn both UWC schools in the pool stage. The teams worked hard to prepare and knew they were ready to peak at the big tournament.

Day 1 began with one of the toughest matches, UWC-Dover. The Boys were first on court and played an incredible match, ending in a 49:47 win for Bangkok Patana. The Girls followed against the same opponent and showed their true championship credentials winning 26:21. These results gave both teams a real boost as the energy remained high approaching the next round. The next match to play was UWC-East – such a tough start! The Boys weren’t quite able to match the first game’s intensity and faced a huge Centre that dominated on rebounds. The team went down 41:64, with plenty to work on before the KLASS game to end the group stage. The Girls were back at it as they turned on their offensive talents and finished with a 50:29 win. The group stage was then complete, with wins over KLASS: 60:25 for the Boys and 66:12 for the Girls. This set up some great quarterfinal match-ups on Day 2.

The Boys were first on court against another Singapore powerhouse, Tanglin. With knockout Basketball now the focus of the game, the Boys were determined and pulled a win of 47:30, guaranteeing themselves a Top 4 finish at SEASAC. The Girls were drawn against ISY – with their confidence high, they dispatched ISY in an impressive fashion, finishing 40:14 to head on to the Semi-Final Round. Next up, NIST for the Boys and UWC-Dover (again) for the Girls. Both tough

draws, requiring the Tigers to be at their absolute peak performance. The Boys pushed NIST and kept pace for much of the game before falling to a 65:45 defeat. Much to learn for the Boys and lots to look forward to as the team graduates very few of this current squad and a few injured teammates will return for next years’ competitions.

The Girls knew exactly what to expect from UWC-Dover and Coach JJ had a plan to ensure they were in the best possible position against their tough opponents. The Girls played one of their best matches of the season as they took control of the game early and came away as winners with a score of 40:25, advancing to the Championship game. This was a massive achievement that was truly deserved by a team who had chosen to practice double sessions over the past three weeks to prepare!

Finals Sunday arrived and the Boys were once again up against UWC-Dover. After a narrow win in the group stage, the Boys were not quite able to to get over the line as they fell 34:30 in another tight battle. The Girls came up against a surprise ICS team, who were a late replacement in the tournament. Having played ICS during the season, the Girls were very aware of what their opponents were capable. The Girls pushed hard from the start, edging away from their opponents on the scoreboard throughout to take the title in emphatic style – 40:20! SEASAC Champions 2023! What a fantastic end to the season for graduating seniors Priscilla, Cheyenne and Neen who have been fantastic role models across their time with Bangkok Patana Basketball. Congratulations also to Coach JJ and Bim, who prepared the team and took on extra sessions to make this all possible! #gotigers

RUGBY

Rugby 7s is a game of small margins – one missed tackle can significantly change the match. On Day 1, the Tigers endured frustrating play as small errors cost them in games that they were on track to win. Unknown challenger AIS arrived for the opening game and early exchanges showed that they were going to be a tough prospect. Whilst the Tigers were able to manage the territory battle, a few slipped tackles meant that the AIS team got away with a 19:0 win.

Next was an even tougher battle against perennial winners, Tanglin. A much-improved performance from the Tigers meant

a half-time score of 7:7. The second half of the match was still well-contested before a flurry of late tries gave Tanglin the win 24:7. The team, understandably deflated, faced another surprise package from KLASS. Putting on huge pressure throughout throughout the game, they took the win with 19:7 and left the Tigers needing a miracle to advance in the top half of the draw. With RIS as the final opponents, the Tigers let loose and scored some excellent tries to win comfortably 41:0, though unfortunately not enough to advance.

The Boys turned up with a point to prove as they faced Stamford in the Plate. Winning the contact area and spreading the ball well, the Boys finally showed their ability to pull away and win 29:5. Next up was Garden School – sadly issues from Day 1 crept in again and the opposing team was able to impressively exploit gaps to win 17:5. With Garden School and Stamford to play on the final day and Bangkok Patana facing RIS to decide the 7th – 10th positions, the Tigers needed a Stamford win to keep them in the fight for 7th place. The team did their part as the graduating seniors took to the field for their final game and really put on a show, dominating RIS 52:0. An exciting game followed as Stamford ran in two early tries and defended well to take a 15:0 win over Garden School – handing Bangkok Patana a Plate win and 7th in the overall standings. Thank you to Coach Graham and Robb for all their support – lots to work on in the next 12 months to get back into that Top 4 next year!

TENNIS

SEASAC Tennis finally returned to the Bangkok Patana courts four years on from the Girls’ Championship win in Jakarta 2019. With Division 1 and Division 2 both being hosted, we welcomed 14 Boys’ Teams and 12 Girls’ Teams to Bangkok Patana. This meant 325 matches scheduled and the use of four additional courts. Both Boys’ and Girls’ Teams took part in Division 1 and for the first time since 2009, both the Boys’ and Girls’ JV Teams participated in Division 2.

All events, except the Boys’ Division 1, were played in groups of six with the group standings deciding final positions. In the Boys’ Division 1, however, eight teams took part and were split into two groups of four with the Top 2 teams advancing to the last four. Day 1 saw the Varsity Girls start comfortably, beating the British School Jakarta and Harrow whilst the other three teams all won one and lost one, with both JV Teams defeating AIS before losing to SAIS. The Boys’ Varsity Team beat Tanglin in their opener, but then found UWCD too strong. Day 2 was no different for the Varsity Girls, with UWCE and NIST defeated. Although matches were certainly tougher, the Girls’ fight and determination were clear for all to see. The Boys’ Varsity Team won easily against NIST to claim a semi-final berth, where they were just beaten 3:2 by UWCE, leaving a Final Day 3rd:4th Place playoff. The JV Teams also continued to impress against their Varsity opponents, with the Boys drowning RIS and ISY, whilst the Girls had two close encounters edging past GIS 3:2, but then losing to KLASS.

Day 3 saw all four teams in with medal chances in their respective divisions. The Girls’ Varsity Team took centre stage in a winner-takes-all battle with UWCD, who also went into the final day with a 4-from-4 record. The match didn’t disappoint, with Bangkok Patana taking a narrow 2:1 lead after the singles with Mila and Rinka winning. This meant that one of the two doubles matches needed to be won in order to take the title. Both pairs were understandably nervous, but Pin and Pam overcame a slightly slow start to take control. Once ahead, they never looked back and finished the match off in style with some excellent serving and volleying to claim the title, as well as the SEASAC Championship!

With the Girls’ Varsity Team having won eight SEASAC Championships between 2011 and 2019 before the enforced COVID-hiatus, this win featured an entirely new team of girls who played so well together. The oldest of this team is only in Year 11, so they are set for a bright future! The other three teams also battled well on the final day, and although the Boys’ Varsity Team lost out in their Bronze Medal Match to UWCD, the JV Teams finished in style with the Girls beating RIS and the Boys seeing off KLASS, both ending the weekend in medal positions with the Boys 2nd and the Girls 3rd.

With matches starting at 8am and finishing at 8pm on Days 1 and 2, followed by a nervous Day 3 in which play has to finish by 1pm so that overseas teams can fly home, the courts were constantly full. This was so nice to see after such a long time spent away from such events. Miraculously, all 325 matches were played! Finally, as these events can’t run without a massive behind-the-scenes effort from so many people, a big thanks goes out to Alice and the Sports and Activities Team, who were invaluable throughout. I’d also like to thank my coaching team, Gift, Ball, Pie and Rung, who not only helped in countless ways off the court, but also dedicated themselves to making sure the students had a great time.

one GReen Goal ChallenGe with Year 2

Alexander Coke Smith IV, Secondary Environmental Sciences Leader

Our Year Two students are in full action mode for their One Green Goal Challenge! Students from all Year Two classes have committed to increase awareness and action in the area of recycling paper products. During lunch, I had the distinct honour of interviewing several of our Year Two students to find out what they think about why we are trying to so hard to increase our recycling efforts at Bangkok Patana School. Here is what they said:

• “Many animals around the world can get sick and die if we create too much rubbish. Recycling helps reduce this rubbish and makes the world a better place.” Punn, 2P

• “We all have to recycle more. It makes the world less dirty and better for everyone!” Tess, 2C

• “In Year 2, we all have recycling boxes in our classrooms that make recycling so easy. Everyone can do it.” Jasmine, 2A

• “Our recycling boxes in our classes allow us to save trees!” Montana, 2M

• “Recycling helps protect the world.” Thomas, 2W

• “You can reduce the number of trees we need to cut down if we recycle our paper and in Year 2 we recycle!” Eton, 2F

• “To make the world better than before, we need to reduce the amount of rubbish we make. Recycling helps reduce!” Alex, 2P

These Year 2 students are spot on! I was very happy to hear so many great thoughts coming from these young kids. Next week is our Waste-Less-Week here at Bangkok Patana and I am very hopeful their enthusiasm spreads far and wide!

What tiktok says aboUt GoinG Wasteless

Ana Bolakoso, SEC Key Stage 3 Representative

Goingwaste-free is becoming increasingly popular as people become more conscious of the impact their actions have on the planet. In pursuit of a more sustainable lifestyle, people are coming up with quirky and innovative solutions to reduce waste.

As wasteless week is coming up at Bangkok Patana, I thought it might be fun to go down a rabbit hole on TikTok and find out what ideas the TikTok algorithm served up. I found one user who had managed to reduce their annual waste to a few scraps of plastic in a mason jar!

Here are some of the most fascinating waste-free ideas people are trying:

"I love munching on coffee grounds, it's a great way to reduce food waste and it's also a good source of energy." - TikTok user @zerowastelifestyle

"I bring my own reusable containers when grocery shopping to eliminate packaging waste. It's a simple change that makes a big impact." - TikTok user @planetfriendly

"Composting toilets are a game-changer. They use natural processes to turn waste into fertiliser and reduce the need for

water

usage." - TikTok user @sustainableliving

"Reusable cloth pads and menstrual cups are a waste-free solution for women during their period. They are durable, eco-friendly, and cost-effective." - TikTok user @periodpositive

"Trash-picking is a great way to reduce waste and save money. I always keep an eye out for items that can be reused or recycled." - TikTok user @thriftyliving

These are just a few examples of the ways people are striving to live waste-free. Although some of these ideas may seem unusual or even extreme, they demonstrate the lengths people are willing to go to minimise their impact on the environment.

Now time to have your say which of the Rs are you going to work on next week during #WLW8?

Kim Ekstrom, Careers and University Counsellor

Weencourage parents to have conversations with their children about budgeting and financial support while in university. Going to university is a significant transition. Students are always excited and a bit nervous about the freedom and responsibility that awaits them in their next chapter. Whether their financial support will come from parents, student loans or scholarships, they should still consider establishing a budget. They should consider expenses related to school, accommodation and social life. Knowing what kind of income and expenses they will have in college can reduce stress and help them form healthy financial habits even before they leave Bangkok Patana.

Discuss money at home before your child gets ready to build a budget. Discussing their situation together will make sure you are all on the same page about what their monthly income will be and how they can manage their expenses. Think about what expenses to expect in addition to academic fees. Make a list of likely expenses, estimate the cost, and agree on how these expenses will be covered.

Here are some common university-related expenses that you can use to determine what kind of budget your child will need:

ChambeR ReCital

•Textbooks and school supplies. Students often don’t consider expenses related to course materials.

•Room and board. What are the options when it comes to food and living arrangements? Compare the cost of living on campus and getting a meal plan versus renting an apartment and cooking their own meals in combination with eating out.

•Transportation. If they live off campus, how will they commute? Will they take a bus, bike, or walk? If they need a car, think about funds needed to cover gasoline, maintenance and insurance.

•Clothing. Budget for seasonal clothing if they are moving to a country with four seasons.

•Flexible spending. They will of course take breaks from studying. Think about expenses related to entertainment, travel and social activities.

Track spending and cut back where you can. The basic principles of budgeting, like living below your means, still apply regardless of the source of their funds. Whether they make money from part-time work, receive support from parents or get financial aid, or all the above, try to determine how much money flows in and out. Here’s an easy-to-use family budget planner worksheet that they can copy and use to practice budgeting.

On 1st February the Secondary Music Department held a Chamber Recital. Here are a couple of student-musician’s reflections about their experience participating in the event:

“My preparation for this recital is similar to what I usually do whenever I have upcoming performance. I have a daily routine to practice after school. When I have a deadline to meet, such as a performance or recording, I spend a bit longer time on my practice. I also listen to how other pianists perform the piece to get an idea on how to improve my performance. I was looking forward for this Chamber Recital because it was my first time performing at Bangkok Patana. It is also good stage practice. In future, I am hoping that I get the opportunity to collaborate with other students as well.” Chanya (Bayla) Somboonvechak, Year 7

“The Bangkok Patana Chamber Recital was an excellent experience for me. I was very excited as I walked on stage as the intimate space was very different from other settings I had played in. The lighting gave an artistic touch to the setting, while also helping the audience concentrate on the performer. I think the others also did a fantastic job; the performers ranged from singers to clarinet players throughout Secondary. The recital was altogether a very enjoyable occasion and I am glad that I partook in it!” Jiyoo Kim, Year 10

Following the Foundation Board’s Used Clothing Drive, all donated items were taken to Tak and Mae Hong Son Provinces in January 2023. In addition to these items, dry and canned food was also donated. We would like to thank everyone who donated for their kind generosity.

All are invited to come watch the Tiger Cats Dance Challenge! Free Entry

Trapped by Hui Ying (Ying Ying) Han, 6B

Munch. Munch. Munch. I reached out to my jar of fortune cookies again and cracked another one open, expecting to see the strip of paper holding my fortune. So far I had picked ‘Be careful who you trust. Salt and sugar look the same.’ It wasn’t exactly a very cheery fortune. I looked down to see a slip of paper. But it wasn’t a fortune. It was a tiny map, and at the back it read: What’s lost is sometimes never found.

I had no idea what happened next, but suddenly, I felt an urge to pack a few necessities and follow the map. And before I knew it, I was inside the forest. The emerald canopy hung over my head, and the sweet noise of birds chirping filled the forest. For a few moments, I was hypnotised by its beauty. Then loud wails echoed through the forest, waking me up from my little daydream. What was that? The chirping stopped, and I was suddenly extremely aware that I was alone, with no one by my side. What if- What if it was a ghost? What if I were to be killed right here, by some wailing creature? The dark thoughts gave me goosebumps all over, and not being able to bear it any longer, I darted.

I dashed deeper into the forest, checking the map as I ran, terrified by the wails. Why did I even follow the map? It wasn’t as if I needed any money, or jewels! What was I thinking? Why had I gotten myself into this? Why had I followed the map again? Wait, why had I? I don’t remember… Lost in my own thoughts, I stumbled over a fallen branch and fell down to the ground.

When I opened my eyes again, everything was blurry, and I felt dizzy and disoriented. There were splashes of red around me on the forest floor. Was I bleeding? If I wasn’t, what was the red? I tried to get up, but it was like an invisible force was pinning me down to the floor, trapping me. I turned my head, trying to make sense of the scarlet marks. Then it hit me. Every map has an X on it. A red one. I was at the treasure site. But then why was I blacking out, and why was everything blurry? Then the last of my consciousness faded, and I remembered. The weird moment when I had just followed the map, without even hesitating. What’s lost is sometimes never found. My fortune had come true. Salt and sugar look the same. This had all been a trap. But now I couldn’t get out of it.

Mike Brooks, Curriculum Leader, Theory of Knowledge

Atthe recent 29th BKK MUN Conference, 300 intrepid delegates from 19 schools across Bangkok competed at Bangkok Patana School. The UN Security Council debated the question of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, DISEC looked at the possibility of US intervention in Haiti and ECOSOC looked at the problems associated with unaffordable energy. The Human Rights Commission dealt with war crimes carried out by the Taliban and the UN Women Committee looked at women’s rights in Iran. There was even a simulation of the US Congress, looking at issues concerned with the housing crisis in the United States. Not content with contemporary issues, there was additional time to spend on simulations of events gone by, with two committees dealing with the Vietnam war and the Korean war.

As I circulated around the committees, I could not fail to be impressed by the level of debate and the enthusiasm of all the delegates and chairs. It is clear that there is a high level of global awareness amongst the young people of Bangkok.

Patana ParticiPates! Achievements from Our Community

Rodney Fountain, Secondary History Teacher and Patana Parent

LastJune, the L&D Racing team retired their 2022 bikes after the final round of the Thai National BMX Championship and reflected on WWW and EBI. In the hiatus, 2023 bikes were sourced, built and given custom paint jobs before off-season training began. Back then it seemed like a long time until the bikes would be rolled onto the start-gate and the riders would stand statuesque on the pedals, wheels pointing down the steep start-ramp whilst waiting for the words that make any BMX racer simultaneously nervous and excited: ‘OK riders, random start. Riders ready, watch the gate…’.

For Round 1 of the 2023 season, teammates Ed Smith (Year 12) and Freddy Minchin (Year 9) had unavoidable commitments, but Nico Lovegrove (Year 8), Frank Myers (Year 8) and myself got in the gate at the FBT Supercross Track. This was an extra special weekend since it was an Olympic qualifying event. Professional teams from all over Asia raced over three days for points towards Olympic selection, which made for an incredible atmosphere and allowed a rare opportunity to see the continent’s best close-up.

Whilst the professionals raced for a chance of representing their country in the Olympics, L&D Racing were

racing to feel they’d done their best. Countless components must be in place to win a BMX race and so L&D Racing’s philosophy is to race with one aim in mind and if it’s achieved then the journey home from the track is all smiles. Nico’s was to get effective, snappy gate starts. Frank wanted to go elbow to elbow with at least one of the other seven racers on his gate. I had three key features of the track that I wanted to ride smoothly. With these achievable goals in their minds, L&D Racing went into battle and set about executing them. Nico got out of the gate cleanly on two out of the three starts. Frank crashed ‘banging bars’ in a great display of ‘no risk – no reward racing’. I got my sections clean, meaning on Sunday I took the win and so L&D Racing chalked the weekend up as a success. As the other teams left the track, some smiling, a few limping and some dejected, one thing’s certain: they’ll all be back on 18th March for Round 2 because BMX is brilliant!

If you’d like to know any more about BMX just get in touch with me at rofo@patana.ac.th or follow the team this season on https://www.facebook.com/pedalsreadygo/

Wildlife sPotting with Coke Bovids of thailand

Alexander Coke Smith IV, Secondary Environmental Sciences Leader

Sowhat is a bovid, you ask? Doesn’t Coke usually write about birds? These are both great questions. Interestingly, although I do write a lot of articles about birds and bird-watching, my main area of expertise is the Class Mammalia, with special emphasis on Primates and Bovids. I think we are all pretty aware of what the primates are, but Bovids?

Simply put, Bovids are cows. The family Bovidae is technically comprised of hoofed animals that are ruminants (multi-chambered gut) that can have permanently attached horns (not antlers) and include, cattle, bison, buffalo, antelopes and goats. There are currently 143 species of bovid worldwide. While I have seen and photographed over half of these around the world, let’s focus on the six species that find their homes in Thailand.

INDOCHINESE GAUR

These massive beasts are the largest Bovids in the world! They are even bigger than the famous American Bison. And with their immense size, they are extremely dangerous and should never be approached and great care should be taken when trekking in Gaur habitat. There are several places one stands a good chance of seeing Gaur – Khao Yai, Kaeng Krachan and Khao Phang Ma, in Nakhon Ratchasima Province. Seeing a herd of over 100 Gaur is a sight one won’t soon forget.

BANTENG

These wild cattle are the ancestors of the domestic variety of cows in much of Southeast Asia. They are still found in some very wild and remote regions of Thailand and one or two places in Indonesia. They are endangered and their habitat is very restricted. While they may not be as massive as Gaur, they should be considered equally dangerous. Huai Kha Khaeng is the best place for one to try for these.

GORAL

SEROW

There are two species of Serow in Thailand – the Indochinese and Sumatran Serow. Both are very rare and difficult to see in the wild. They find their homes in many habitats but tend to live in the mountainous limestone regions of the Kingdom. Thailand is fortunate however as there are a couple locations where one can have a very good chance of seeing them in their natural habitat. Both spots are in and near Khao Yai.

These little mountain goats are actually fairly common on many of the highest mountains in Thailand, although they are very rarely seen. Often they are little spots on a mountainside far off in the distance and only the trained high can find them. From time to time however, one might find one surprisingly close to the trail while trekking Doi Inthanon on a cool winter morning. Who knows!

WILD WATER BUFFALO

With less than ten or so remaining in Thailand, these critically endangered Bovids are basically impossible to see, unless you have permits to get into some of the most remote and wild parts of the country, deep inside the Western Forest Complex.

I challenge you to try to see these magnificent Bovids if you can break away. The trip to their world in itself is worth the effort. And even if you are not lucky in seeing them when you are in their world, chances they saw you!

BANGKOK PATANA SCHOOL

PTG PRESENTS

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Special thanks also go to:

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Desert Island Discs

With Damon Parker, Cross Campus Teacher Librarian

Throughout Terms 2 and 3, we will be revisiting previous contributions to the Desert Island Discs column.

Thiscolumn 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 Cross Campus Teacher Librarian, Damon Parker, is stuck on a desert island.

MR DAMON, IF YOU WERE STUCK ON A DESERT ISLAND WHAT EIGHT PIECES OF MUSIC WOULD YOU WANT TO HAVE WITH YOU?

God Only Knows - The Beach Boys

Life on Mars - David Bowie

Up the Junction - Squeeze

Inbetween Days - The Cure

Nothing Ever Happens - Del Amitri

Something for the Weekend - The Divine Comedy

Viva La Vida - Coldplay

The Castle on the Hill - Ed Sheeran

Click to listen to Mr Damon’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 gallon of bug repellent sunscreen!

WHICH ONE BOOK WOULD YOU WANT TO HAVE WITH YOU?

@NatGeo: The Most Popular Instagram Photos by National Geographic - “Every picture tells a story!”

Catch the real Desert Island Discs on BBC. What are you listening to? Have a list of your own? Let us know! Contact STML with your favourites.

bRonze dofe exPedition adviCe

Hello,

we are Group 2 (Amy 10Y, Ellen 10Y, Emily 10T, Myra 10Y and Zach 10Y) of the Duke of Edinburgh International Award (DofE) Week 1 Bronze Expedition. Our group participated in the DofE hike and would like to pass on our experience and knowledge to future participants with a few tips and tricks. We created the video below including the advice that we would like to share with future participants, including some footage of us on the hike. We hope this helps to make other students’ experiences on the trip a bit smoother! Watch our video here:

#239: 10 Ways gaming can suPPort Positive outcomes

Gaming, of course, is phenomenally popular with children and young people. In 2021, for instance, more than three-quarters of teenagers played online games, with almost 70% of Primary schoolaged children doing likewise.

If enjoyed in moderation and supported by a healthy routine (staying hydrated, good sleep habits, taking breaks and so on), gaming can actually benefit a person’s mental health. As long as we stay alert for potential risks, games can be much more than what we see on the surface: they can be a way to socialise, an avenue for creativity and a route to solving problems. These top ten tips outline how gaming online can sometimes work to your child’s advantage.

In this guide you’ll find a number of potential benefits including a sense of achievement, learning about teamwork and encouraging creativity.

My thanks to the 80+ parents that attended the PTG Tech Talk on Gaming this week – the presentation can be found in the Presentation section on the Parents’ Gateway. Please make a note in your calendar for the next PTG Tech Talk event on the 18th April: Embracing Artificial Intelligence in Education.

Have a playful weekend.

Brian Taylor Assistant Principal, Campus Curriculum Technology Integration