Patana News Vol 26 Issue 10, 3rd November 2023 by Bangkok Patana School

PATANA NEWS

Friday 3rd November 2023 Volume 26 Issue 10

Belonging at Bangkok Patana School By Richard Kirtland

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Also in this issue... Retrieval Practice at Bangkok Patana Page 4 Page 7 Reflections from Patana Plugged Page 8 Patana Page Turners Meet our Season 1 Sports Captains Page 10 Page 14 Year 13’s Go Whale Watching Page 16 Patana Participates The Heart of the Community

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www.patana.ac.th

03/11/2023

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

Belonging at Bangkok Patana School Richard Kirtland, Primary Senior Teacher, Inclusion

n our amazingly vibrant international school communi- ways. For example, when our children know they are part ty, every day is a new opportunity for our young learn- of a caring and supportive community and feel safe and ers to thrive and grow. secure, they are more likely to take risks and step out of their comfort zone. This may mean they participate more But amidst the hubbub of academic pursuits, the excite- actively and deeply in class, enjoy a wider range of exment of extracurricular adventures and the social moments tracurricular activities or take on leadership roles. These that shape our children’s minds and lives, there is one core experiences combined create more confident, critically idea that influences their experience more than anything aware and competent children who go on to reap treelse: mendous benefits in the present in future. A SENSE OF BELONGING This feeling of being a respected, celebrated and integral part of a close-knit and positive community – the feeling of truly belonging – is essential in all our lives. It always has been. Naturally, then, it’s also the emotional foundation stone for promoting a thriving Primary or Secondary school experience. At Bangkok Patana School, the idea of belonging to a rich and diverse community is something we not only actively promote but truly cherish. THE RICH TAPESTRY OF BELONGING Maya Angelou expresses this idea beautifully when she says, “We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter their colour.”

PROMOTING BELONGING AND COMMUNITY Creating a nurturing environment where every child belongs is not just a mission statement; it’s a lived commitment. Our teachers and staff are dedicated to ensuring that every child feels valued and cherished in their unique way.

Our Primary PSHE curriculum, in particular, is centred on reinforcing our school’s three main values of Global citizenship, Learning and Well-Being as well as fostering This quotation is relevant on so many levels, but par- the children’s independence, empathy, creativity and crititicularly pertinent to our intercultural community given the cal thinking. We also promote belonging and community breadth of backgrounds, languages, beliefs and experi- through a number of projects (such as our current ‘living ences we share. habitats’ project) and special days that are celebrated As educators, we understand that children are not just throughout the year, such as Tiger Spirit Day, Friendship here to study; they are here to learn, grow, and flourish as Friday and International Day. individuals. In this respect, the school years are a crucial Our recent Tiger Spirit Day was a resounding success formative period in a child’s life, during which they devel- (and great fun!), showcasing the incredible sense of uniop a profound sense of identity and self-worth, as well as ty and pride our students and staff share. These moments important attributes like responsibility, resilience, honesty, of togetherness instill in our children a sense of ownership kindness, compassion and respect. and love for their school community, and help them to unThese attributes manifest themselves in several important derstand that they are not just students – they are each an

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essential thread in our school’s ‘vibrant tapestry’.

leagues are so professional and friendly, or where parents are so engaged and present (due, in large part, to As we approach Friendship Friday (Friday 10th Novem- the amazing PTG!). So, a sincere thank you to you for ber), we invite you to join us in celebrating it significance. helping us create an environment where fostering a sense It’s a day when your children will be encouraged to reach of belonging goes beyond the words in a policy or glossy out and make new friends, appreciate the diversity of our poster and, instead, breathes through our everyday expecommunity, and learn the art of building relationships. It’s riences in school. also a day on which children learn about our wider communities and the charities we support across the Primary By continuing to work together as one extended famSchool. ily of parents and educators promoting the same set of shared values, we can provide our children with the comIn just a few weeks’ time we also enjoy International Day prehensive, firm and flexible foundation they need to en(Monday 20th November), which is always an amazing joy the very brightest of futures. opportunity to see all our wonderful cultures in full flourish and celebrate the things that make us each so unique! And that, really, is all any of us – and any of them – really want. We hope you will celebrate with us. FOUNDATIONS FOR THE FUTURE In this interconnected world, our children need more than ever to develop a deep sense of belonging, not just to their immediate families, but to the larger family of the school and the world beyond. And that goes for us adults, too. I, for one, have never worked in a school where col-

WHAT’S NEW IN THE LIBRARIES Books & Chapter Books Early Years’ Library Comic Fiction Non-Fiction

Primary Library

Chapter Books and Comic Books

Secondary Library

Fiction Senior Fiction Life Collection Non-Fiction Home Languages Graphic Novels

Fiction

Non-Fiction

Parents Collection Magazine Subscriptions Professional Learning (CPL) 03/11/2023

Bangkok Patana School News

Retrieval Practice at Bangkok Patana Todd Thornback, Leader of Learning and Curriculum, Year 6

etrieval practice is the act of recalling previously By returning to new taught information so it can be thought about, ap- learning regularly, plied, and committed to our long term memory. we are more likely to remember it forever. This is arguably the most exciting time in history to be This is the antithesis a teacher. The 21st century has pro- of ‘cramming’. vided us with a plethora of scientific research into teaching strategies and Instead, we should a greater understanding of how our be encouraging our brain works. Teachers at Bangkok- children to return to previously taught concepts regularly. Patana have the skills, tools and lib- In school we try to ‘hide the broccoli in the brownies’ by erty to apply evidence-based strate- using low stakes quizzes (such as Blooket), recap starters gies to enable them to enhance the and home learning for consolidation. By tapping into prelearning of the students in their class- viously incomplete schema we help weld new long term es. Adopting different approaches to memories. We regularly hear ‘I know how to do this but retrieval practice is perhaps one of I have forgotten’ the most widely used teaching habits before a moment in our school. This is also something of realisation: ‘Oh that can enhance learning at home. yeah, I can do that’. We would encourOne of the greatest challenges for age parents to help teachers is to distinguish between consolidate learning at home by asking the children what what is being taught and what is ac- they have been taught and revisiting these knowledge and tually being learnt. That is, how much skills again in a fun and engaging way. of what we are teaching is committed to the long term memory of our HOW CAN PARENTS HELP AT HOME? students. Studies have suggested that, Ask questions about content studied in class. Any when taught something new, 40% of time a learner thinks about something, they are reinforcing us will forget the key components of their learning. that learning within three days, unless Encourage your child to quiz themselves (use rewe revisit it. If we forget something, sources online such as Blooket and Quizlet). we have not really learnt it at all. Ask questions about learning from the previous Retrieval practice is designed to help reinforce memory so that, if we are thinking about something regularly, term or academic year. we are more likely to commit it to our long term memory. We need to consider that we, as humans, have a limited capacity in our working memory and that this is replaced with new stimuli when we are exposed to something new.

A provisional calendar for the 2024/25 school year is now available on our website. It is recommended that individuals and families avoid making final travel plans for August 2024 until it is fully approved in December.

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Services Updates Transport Preparation for Secondary Residentials Transport Department END OF BLOCK A ECAS Today is the last day of ECAs for Block A. From 6th until 10th November we will only have 2.30pm and 4.30pm buses. The only ECAs running during this week will be selective sports, year long ECAs (Swim, Tennis and Football) and Home Languages. If you are unsure if your ECA activity is running, please contact the ECA teacher. All students not involved in the ECAs listed above will be put on their normal 2.30pm bus home. ECAS BLOCK B Transport will be amended according to each student’s ECA confirmed selections. Please ensure that you are aware of what ECAs your children will attend for Block B. These will commence on Monday 13th November for Primary students and Monday 20th November for Secondary students.

YEAR 9 STUDENTS All Transport has been cancelled for the week of Monday 6th – Friday 10th November.

Please note that any activity that finishes after 4.30 will require private transport arrangements home. If you make YEAR 11 AND 13 any late changes to Block B ECAs, please ensure that you Year 11 and 13 students – normal Transport service to inform the Transport office. and from school will operate. Please request any Transport changes in advance. Please note not all requests can be SEASON 2 SPORTS TRYOUTS Under 12 – Varsity, accommodated due to limited bus routes for the week of Monday 13th November to Friday 17th November 6th – 10th November. All requests are subject to route Secondary students who plan to tryout for Season 2 and seat availability. Sports should have signed up to do so already. If you have not signed up, please remember to inform Transport PRIMARY STUDENTS to cancel or change your bus on the day you will attend Transport for Primary students will run at the normal times a tryout. Please note that limited 4.30pm buses will be in the morning and afternoon for next week. Please inform running and late requests are subject to route and seat your child(ren) that the combination of students on the bus availability only. and the afternoon bus number may change during this week. You will not be notified unless it affects your bus SECONDARY RESIDENTIALS pick up time. Students will be informed at the car park if Please plan ahead and inform Transport if you know you their bus number changes in the afternoon. Please remind will bring your child to school on the morning of departure students that at any time if they are unsure about their bus of your child’s Secondary Residential on Monday 6th Noall they need to do is ask a member of the Transport Staff vember. This will avoid unnecessary delays to other users. at the car park who will assist them. Transport on Monday 6th November will run as normal for Secondary students. TRANSPORT @PATANA.AC.TH When students return on Friday 10th November, all afPh: 02 785 2470 ternoon transport home has been cancelled. If you would like your child to take the bus home on this day please ensure that you inform Transport in advance. 03/11/2023

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Reflections from Patana Plugged “Performing in Patana plugged was an unforgettable experience. We got to express ourselves through music whilst having fun performing on stage with friends. It was also inspiring to see how much musical talent there is from all the different Year groups. But one thing I regret is not taking part in it sooner, and it’s quite unfortunate that I won’t be able to experience something like it with the same people again.” Miles Tang

“Patana Plugged this year was the most fulfilling concert I have done at this school, as I felt that I could fully showcase my passion for the guitar. It was also a very emotional experience, as this concert will be one of my last times performing for the school before I graduate. While watching the other bands, I was extremely impressed by the amount of musical talent our school has to offer, particularly with the younger years. This made me very hopeful for the bright future of music here at Bangkok Patana.” Tawin (Finn) Habanananda “Playing in Patana Plugged was simply something new and exciting. I was able to play in front of a large audience and perform something I truly cared about with my friends that helped me through out the way until my performance. It was an unforgettable experience and something that I am extremely proud to have done.” Swasakorn (Payton) Sapayanon

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Patana Page-Turners

Your monthly round up of reading recommendations. This month’s theme… Internationalism INTERVIEW: MR. JAMES SOWERBY, SECONDARY, ENGLISH AS AN ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE TEACHER 1. What is one of your fondest or most favourite reading memories? One of my fondest reading memories takes me back to my childhood and reading The Night Before Christmas on Christmas Eve. The magic of the story and the anticipation of the day ahead really built up my excitement. As an adult, I can clearly remember when I discovered the works of Haruki Murakami. I was utterly transfixed; his unique blend of reality and surrealism was like nothing that I’d read before and really captured my imagination. 2. Which fictional character would you most like / least like to meet in real life and why? Tough question, but if I had to pick one, I think I’d go with meeting Jay Gatsby from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. Fitzgerald paints an amazing picture of the Jazz Age and the 1920s through the mysterious and enigmatic Gatsby. I’d also love to attend one of his legendary parties! 3. What does internationalism mean to you? Do you have any book suggestions for this theme? Internationalism, to me, embodies the spirit of global cooperation, the celebration of diverse cultures and experiences, and the pursuit of common goals. In terms of books related to this, I really enjoyed The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, which delves into the impact of international events on personal lives, and The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri, which beautifully portrays the complexities of immigrant experiences in a globalized world. Both books resonate with the idea of interconnectedness and the human experience across borders.

FS AND KEY STAGE 1 RECCOMENDATIONS: FS & KS1: Ms Newman (Secondary English Teacher) Me and My Fear by Francesca Sanna This is a recommendation given to me by my brother and sister-inlaw, who recently read this story to my lovely ten-month-old niece back in the UK. A young girl moves to a new country and finds things are very strange; she doesn’t understand the language well and people can’t pronounce her name properly. She struggles to make friends and her fear is a huge blob holding her back. This is a subtle story with lovely illustrations which can help young children empathise with others and understand their feelings about moving to a new place. KEY STAGE 2 BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS: Srinkia Kumar (6B) Tales of the Caribbean by Trish Cooke Once upon a time, there was a spider named Brer Anansi who loved to go to parties and dance. He thought he was the best dancer in the Caribbean, and he loved to show off. This made him very popular,

so he was always being invited to parties. One day, Brer Dog and Brer Goat each decided to have a party on the same day and at the same time. They both invited Brer Anansi, and he accepted both invitations. Brer Anansi couldn’t decide which party to go to, so he decided to try to go to both. He told his sons not to cook dinner for him, and he took them with him to the parties. Brer Dog’s house was in the west village and Brer Goat’s house was in the east village. Brer Anansi tied himself to a rope and told his sons to go in different directions. He said, “Pull the rope when the dinner starts.” Brer Anansi walked in the middle, holding the rope. When the dinner started at Brer Dog’s house, his sons pulled the rope. Then, when the dinner started at Brer Goat’s house, his sons pulled the rope again. Brer Anansi was pulled back and forth, but he couldn’t decide which party to go to. In the end, he was so tired and confused that he couldn’t go to either party. Moral of the story: Don’t be greedy. If you try to do too many things at once, you won’t be able to do any of them well. Isis K. (6B) Quill Soup by Alan Durant and Dale Blankenaar Noko, the porcupine, had traveled far and wide around the world. He was tired and hungry when he came to a village. He asked the villagers for food, but they were all selfish and refused to share. Noko was disappointed, but he didn’t give up. He found a large pot and filled it with water. Then, he plucked three of his quills and added them to the pot. He pretended to be stirring a delicious soup, and he told the villagers that it was his famous quill soup, which was beloved by the king. The villagers were intrigued. They had never heard of quill soup before, but they were curious to try it. One by one, they started to contribute ingredients to the soup. The monkeys brought carrots, the meerkats brought mealies, the aardvarks brought beans, and the warthogs brought spinach. Soon, the pot was overflowing with a delicious-looking soup. Noko invited the villagers to share it with him, and they all agreed. They gathered around the pot and enjoyed a delicious meal together. In the end, Noko taught the villagers a valuable lesson about the importance of generosity and sharing. He also showed them that even a simple soup can be delicious when it is made with love and friendship. Moral of the story: Never be greedy. When you share with others, everyone benefits.

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Curious if we have any of these books available in our libraries? Come and Visit us of a cosmopolitan culture is unlikely to emerge unless we respect cultural differences and share a common sense of commitKEY STAGE 3 ment about the world. I recommend this book as it not only BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS: draws from the author’s personal life experiences but also Sara Tajimi (7S) effectively explores the theme of internationalism, highlightTales of the Caribbean by Trish Cooke ing the need for cultural diversity and a shared global comThis is a fantasy book about a hobbit and his adventures mitment to help us as global citizens better comprehend with other people from different places in Middle Earth. I our interconnected world and shared responsibilities. like this book because despite being from different places, the characters join together to help each other. Emily Ireland (12G) Mia Zhou (7S) Dreamer (Graphic Novel) by Akim Aliu I recommend this book because it deals with the fact that racism is unfortunately still an issue we are living with today. This book is about a boy who moves to Canada and is mistreated because of the colour of his skin. It is based on Akim Aliu’s own experiences as a professional ice hockey player and is very inspiring. Yui Tatsumi (7S) Barefoot Gen (Manga) by Keiji Nakazawa I recommend this Japanese historical manga series because it deals with the aftermath of the 1945 atomic bomb in Hiroshima and follows the story of a six year old survivor, Gen. I think it is important to understand how people feel when they lose their family and how they show resilience. Tete Penglum (7S) A Walk in Paris by Salvatore Rubbino I liked this book because it gave me lots of interesting information about Paris. It helped me to understand more about French food and landmarks. I really liked the pictures too! KEY STAGE 4 AND 5 BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS: Neil Kumar (10R) A Life in Peace and War by Brian Urquhart Written by Sir Brian Urquhart, the former Under-Secretary-General for Special Political Affairs, “A Life in Peace and War” (1987) questions how peace can be maintained in an increasingly violent world. In this book, Urquhart investigates the limitations as well as the possibilities and effects of peacekeeping missions, scouring the history of UN missions all the way back to their inception, which he witnessed. This book is highly recommended, especially for school-age individuals today, as it not only draws from the author’s personal life experiences but also effectively explores the theme of internationalism, shedding light on the challenges and importance of international cooperation in our modern world. Globalisation and Culture by John Tomlinson This book analyses the wide-ranging cultural, social, and moral aspects of globalisation. He discusses that the growth

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Babel by R.F Kuang After a boy’s family dies from Cholera, an Oxford professor takes him from China to London, and makes him study Latin and Greek intensively, in hopes that he will, one day, be accepted into Oxford University. He is a very shy boy, and we get to see his experience coming from Canton (Guangzhou) and trying to navigate the very busy streets of London. The book focuses heavily on colonialism, the impacts of the British empire, and the perspectives of the colonies from the western world. As well as feelings of isolation of moving into this completely new society, not feeling welcomed and being constantly reminded of that. Felix Darley (12G) Homage to Catalonia by George Orwell One of the lesser-known books by George Orwell, this piece of literary nonfiction documents Orwell’s time in, and the social and political atmosphere of, the Spanish Civil War. With masterful writing and significant flair, Orwell jumps between several warfronts and the city of Barcelona, encountering life-threatening situations and moments of camaraderie. In addition to this, Orwell provides commentary on the politics involved in the war and dedicates two appendices to complications of party politics. As an Englishman, his view of the Spanish, how they work and fight, is exhibited here as well as his view of the several other international combatants. While possibly being a challenging read for one not accustomed to the genre, ‘Homage to Catalonia’ is certainly a fine read for those who try, especially those interested in modern history. Pearie Boonsombat (12G) Yellowface by R.F Kuang In her acknowledgments, Kuang describes Yellowface as a ‘horror story about loneliness.’ June Hayward, a struggling white writer in her 20s, battles through the aftermath of stealing the manuscript of her incredibly successful Asian “friend” who seemingly had everything. The book uncovers various themes, such as how professional jealousy can masquerade as politically informed critique, especially on social media. It also explores the nature of authorship, fiction writing, and friendship, as well as the concept of tokenistic diversity, and the internal battles a person faces as June Hayward deals with the inevitable guilt that follows.

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Meet our Season 1 Sports Captains Ana Bolakoso Head of Student Voice, Sports Council

tepping into the role of Season 1 Sports Captain at Bangkok Patana School is not just an honour; it is a golden opportunity for these individuals to acquire and practice essential leadership skills that will serve them throughout their lives. Taking on the responsibility to lead, inspire, and unite their teams to achieve collective goals on the court or field, these captains are the embodiment of Tiger Spirit. Together they demonstrate the tenacity and resilience required to succeed. Whether it’s reminding the team about photos or their next fixture, giving a rousing pep talk at a crucial time in a fixture, coordinating team transport via their group chat or supporting the coach by helping to pack up the equipment at the end of a session - these hard working individuals are fantastic role models and student-leaders. “BEING A GREAT CAPTAIN IS…” VARSITY FOOTBALL

Amelia Ahl “...making sure everyone comes to training, shows commitment and puts in 100% effort.”

VARSITY VOLLEYBALL

Marwin Banluelap “...making sure the team is working together in cohesive ways, following our tactical plan and keeping our heads up during difficult times.”

Sharnipa Tantiponganant “...leading your team so that everyone feels included and knows they are important to the team.”

JV FOOTBALL

Isabelle Graindorge “...helping the team stay organised and motivated.”

Hugo Leelerdphun “...making sure everyone comes to training and is aware of their responsibilities on court.”

JV VOLLEYBALL

Alex Janssen “...lifting the team’s spirits when they need it, creating a fun and happy environment and working together to develop our skills so we can secure victory.”

Ada Chanyarasakul “...making sure everyone is having fun and enjoying being part of the team.”

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Oden Stalberg “...making sure everyone is collaborating together so we can achieve our goal - to win BMAC!”

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UNDER 14 BASKETBALL

Ana Bolakoso “...creating positive vibes at training and fixtures and mentoring the younger players.”

UNDER 14 TENNIS

Marcus Helleman “..leading by example on the court and supporting the Coach.”

Mila Chakrabandhu “...supporting my team, making sure they are all informed about our schedule and having fun.”

Justin Miller “...making sure there is good team morale whether we are winning or losing.”

UNDER 12 BASKETBALL

Thank you and congratulations Captains!

Yui Tatsumi “...using your leadership skills to build a strong team culture.”

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Patrick Helleman “...helping your team get organised and ensuring they know what they need and where they should be.”

good luck at SEASAC and BMAC this weekend!

Bangkok Patana School News

Year 5 Debate Team Makes Their Mark Teera Sritrakul, Year 5

he World Changer Cup 2023 was held for three days on the 21st to 23rd October, with 16 teams from Thai and international schools.

ply teamwork to the highest potential. Most importantly, I made some new friends and learned that debate is an art of learning, not winning.

My team consisted of Kayla, 5D, Hannah, 5A and me (Teera, 5L). Our roles were well-organised with Kayla who started the debate. Hannah continued and started to rebut and I wrapped everything up, rebutted and pointed out the flaws in the opposing parties’ speech. Interestingly, the topics were about technology, AI, education, environment, social media, business and politics, and we had one hour before each round to prepare for the debate. In fact, we were assigned to research and plan both in terms of advocating and going against each topic, so we could think of the most appropriate response when we are confronted by some difficult-to negate ideas from the other parties. Mostly, we only won by one point. We also had to speak a minimum of one and a half minutes and maximum of three minutes. Also, we had the opportunity to utilise technical words like proposition to support the topic and opposition to go against the topic. Overall, it was an impressive experience for the three of us because we not only got to learn more about these topics outside the box, but we also got to learn to ap-

Niall de Búrca: Storytelling Author Visit O

n Monday November 20th, Niall de Búrca will begin his 2 week storytelling residency at Bangkok Patana School. Niall is a bilingual (Gaelic and English) Irish storyteller, who has told his stories all around the globe - his huge repertoire of both traditional and fantastical stories have wowed children, students and adults alike.

excite and inspire them in the art of using their words creatively. He will be telling stories, leading workshops and working with teachers, so that he spreads his message about the immense power of words, and how you share them is the key to keeping people engaged, enthralled and interested.

If you would like to learn more about him, please visit his website here. Niall will start his visit as the MC in the Cultural Show on International Day, weaving his magic in between the different country acts we will be enjoying. He will then spend the next 2 weeks visiting children and students across the school sharing his specific brand of storytelling to both

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Four Haikus Garam (Momo) Lee, 8H

A land full of youth Sanguine, free and undisturbed Her cool gentle breath

With lungs full of ash Seeping down like an hourglass She accepts her fate

The green is fading Her exhales have become warm Tears melt down her face

A lone seed remains Catching a drop of sorrow A burst of emerald

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Bangkok Patana School News

Thar She Blows Year 13s Go Whale Watching Alexander Coke Smith V, Secondary Environmental Sciences Leader

s. Caroline Ferguson’s and Mr. Coke Smith’s Year 13 ESS (IB Environmental Systems and Societies) classes spent last Friday out on the northern Gulf of Thailand searching AND finding our local population of leviathans – the famous Eden’s (Bryde) Whales that roam our waters offshore from Bangkok. Every year in October, our Year 13’s venture out to learn about the natural history of one of our region’s most amazing creatures. We received a fascinating lecture about the biology of Eden’s Whales from cetacean experts and we engaged in discussions about the issues facing these large mammals as well as the ecosystem in the northern Gulf in general. We also observed and discussed aquatic food production systems such as the “bamboo-pole mussel farming” that is common along our coastline. And we learned about the importance of keeping a vibrant mangrove system along our coastline and why without it we would face a whole range of challenges on top of what we are facing already.

hunting, sprinting, semi-porpoising (large splashes!) and even a mother nursing her year-old calf. Our students had an amazing time out at sea with our cetacean friends. Here are some thoughts by our Year 13’s: Kashish Shah: “Being so close to a whale in its natural habitat showed me the true beauty of a species thriving in its environment. A great experience!”

Amy Burrell: “Being able to witness the whales in real life rather than pictures/videos The trip started very early really provided a in the morning when we left surreal experience.” Bangkok Patana School before Gaia Bruno: “Never knew there were whales in ThaiBangkok traffic got too bad. We are generally out on the land!” sea by 8.30am. Finding whales Shiang Wang: “A magnificent abundance of whales is both art and luck. Now that I have been out over 40 gracefully navigates the ocean’s expanse right off our times over the years, I can say there is no solid rule for coast!” how long it will take before encountering the whales. Five As a nature-loving instructor myself, nothing gives me hours or more is not uncommon. Luckily, last Friday we more personal and or professional satisfaction than seehad whales just over an hour out! ing young adults experiencing something as incredible as Our group spent several hours with at least FIVE these whales and them showing true fascination and apwhales! While the trap-feeding behavior (image includ- preciation. Hearing one of my Year 13’s say that she will ed for reference) for which our whales are famous, was “remember this moment for the rest of her life” is music to not on display for us, we did observe such activities as this teacher’s ears.

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F K A O I O R B NOVEMBER 17TH, 2023 COME AND VISIT KINOKUNIYA DURING THE 3-WAY CONFERENCES

15%

OFF

In front of the Primary Library 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM

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Bangkok Patana School News

Patana Participates!

Achievements from Our Community

BASKETBALL BONANZA!

TOPS IN TENNIS

Kamolsut Dabbaransi, Parent A big shout out to Ray, Year 4 who grabbed the championship trophy in his Alpine Tennis Club Championship, getting the top place from 32 other Under 8 competitors. This achievement puts him in place as the nation’s Number 3 for Under 8 Boys! Former World No. 9 Paradorn Srichaphan was present to give out the awards.

ongratulations to Bhornmanee (Amp) Visitsupanon, Year 8 and Nantikarn (Maple) Dhiranusornkit, Year 10 for taking the winner’s trophy at the TOA All Thailand 3x3 Basketball tournament for Under 14 Girls on 29th October!

MUSIC ON A HIGH NOTE! Chanya (Bayla) Somboonvechakarn Year 8 Last Saturday, I represented Thailand in 24th Osaka International Music Competition in the Section I Piano category. In that category, the participants were mostly students from music conservatoires, and the finalists were pre-selected in the preliminary round back in July. I feel extremely honoured and grateful that I was named as the Second Prize Winner. This event also granted me an opportunity to meet other talented musicians from all over the world. I got a chance to share knowledge, and experiences with them. Overall, this wonderful experience has broadened my vision and understanding as a young pianist. For me, joining competition is only one way to grow as a musician and winning the prize is just a bonus. I cherish the learning experiences and the friendships that come with it. As I quote one of my favorite composers, Beethoven, “To play a wrong note is insignificant; to play without passion is inexcusable.”

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Achievements from Our Community

SILVER IN BALLET SOLO Amp Thanapasuk, Parent During the recent half-term break, Peppermint (Year 1) had the incredible opportunity to participate in the International Arts Festival 2023. She proudly represented both Thailand and Bangkok Patana School in the Ballet Solo 5 years old category. We are delighted to inform you that Peppermint’s dedication, hard work, and remarkable talent were duly recognized at the festival. I am thrilled to share that Peppermint secured the Silver Award in the Ballet Solo competition. Her graceful performance not only demonstrated her exceptional ballet skills but also showcased the dedication and commitment that she has consistently displayed in her artistic pursuits. We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the school for nurturing Peppermint’s passion for the arts, dancing, and for providing an environment where she could develop her talents. We believe that her success at the International Arts Festival is a testament to the school’s dedication to fostering well-rounded and accomplished individuals.

GET ON BOARD WITH VERBAL SIGNS FOR HELP IN THAILAND Janista Charoonsmith, Parent Vanista (Venice) Charoonsmith, Year 9 and Narathippong (Vince) Charoonsmith, Year 7 participated in a project “Signforhelp in Thailand”. The project was initiated by a friend to promote the recognition of Hand Signs or Non-Verbal signals for Help in Thailand. The goal is to push this idea through the government. On Wednesday, 25th, the project was kicked off by a group of friends from various schools who presented to the Minister of Interior and the Minister of High Education and Science. The project presentation was supported by both Ministers. Vince and Venice hope to gain support at Bangkok Patana as well. More information about Signal for help can be found here

03/11/2023

Bangkok Patana School News

03/11/2023

The heart of the community Nandini Mehrotra (13K) - student volunteer at the Tiger Shop olunteering is often seen as a great way to give things and get a chance to step out of their comfort zone, back to the community through directly contributing in turn boosting their awareness of their skills and abilities. to an organisation or service. However, volunteering can This can immensely boost their self-confidence. Overall, provide more than soft skills, academic experience or the synergetic effect of these factors can contribute to ingoodwill. On the contrary, it can contribute to an individ- creased happiness among individuals and communities. ual or community’s collective development in improved As well as improving well-being, volunteering can imwell-being, community spirit and sense of belonging. prove community spirit, sense of belonging and interconHere at the heart of BPS, the Tiger Shop, these characnectedness. Volunteering involves working towards alleteristics are evident in the work which takes place here. viating global issues or working towards a goal aligning with community values. Hence, through part-taking in such activities, individuals can be more exposed to the problems and values in their community and engage with them to better connect with the communities around them. Moreover, through the act of volunteering, students can get the opportunity to interact with other students who have different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives or with other members of the wider community. This can enable them to connect better with others and develop a sense of empathy and understanding of other cultures and perspectives, which can contribute further to the student’s sense of belonging in the community and raise their community spirit.

These benefits of volunteering are often what encourage students to join the Tiger Shop team. The Tiger Shop is an independent store run by the Parent-Teacher Group (PTG) and Secondary students. The student volunteers have designated roles aligning with their personal interests and together work towards the goal of curating functional yet practical pieces, to meet the community’s needs. Students part of the creation of products at the The act of volunteering can provide numerous bene- shop or the promotional material gain awareness about fits to one’s well-being due to its active and interactive the needs and values of the community which further ennature. Volunteering can provide an incentive for individ- ables them to connect to the community and further deuals to step away from their stressful academic or work velop their sense of belonging to the Patana community. lives and take part in activities which include developing, The use of these products by the wider community also collaborating, and solving a real-world problem, in a increases the students’ sense of purpose and well-being. creative and thoughtful way. This allows them to be more Additionally, regardless of their roles, each student volactive and fast on their feet, as opposed to sitting in front unteer gets to actively collaborate with other members of of a screen for long periods of time, allowing individuals the community, which helps to build the community spirit, to be more physically active. Additionally, contributing to and increase happiness. these issues and seeing the differences made in the priOverall, all students are encouraged to participate mary community can increase one’s sense of self-worth and purpose, in turn contributing to their emotional and in volunteering opportunities at Patana due to its wider mental well-being as a whole. Furthermore, by taking benefits to student life! part in volunteering opportunities, individuals can try new

03/11/2023

Bangkok Patana School News

PRIMARY

ip h s d n e Fri Friday

Friday 10th November

A community connection day celebrating the charities supported across the primary school Charity Market outside the Primary Library From 7 am THB100 suggested donation to go to Primary charities

Non-uniform Dress Up day in Primary School

Bangkok Patana School News

03/11/2023

PRIMARY PE AND SPORTS WEEK

N O T N I BADM

OPEN SESSION FOR PARENTS FRIDAY 10TH NOVEMBER 12.30 - 14.30 SPORTS HA LL

NO NEED TO REGISTER, COME AND ENJOY THE FUN ! Badminton coaches will be present for free one-to-one coaching if you want it!

03/11/2023

Bangkok Patana School News

The British Community in Thailand Foundation for the Needy (BCTFN) proudly presents

25 November 2023, 10 AM to 9 PM Bangkok Patana School Food and Drinks Meet Father Christmas Live Entertainment!

Children’s Games and Rides Raffles and Shopping

Scan and Save on Early Bird Tickets

Thank you to our Fair Partner

Adults THB 300 | Children under 12 years THB 150 *All proceeds to BCTFN Thai Charities

www.ploenchitfair.org | bctfn1992@gmail.com

Bangkok Patana School News

03/11/2023

COMMUNITY

Main venues: NEILSON HAYS LIBRARY THE BRITISH CLUB BANGKOK MARRIOTT HOTEL THE SURAWONGSE plus special events at Chakrabongse Villas The Standard, Bangkok

4 · 5 NOVEMBER 2023

bangkokliteraturefestival.com

celebrating books and ideas

TALKS · WORKSHOPS · BOOK SIGNINGS · MARKET

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