Patana News Volume 26 Issue 20

PATANA NEWS

Friday 9th February 2024 Volume 26 Issue 20 www.patana.ac.th

Why Maths Matters

By Mark Verde

Also in this issue...

Cancure Community Engagement FUN DAY is Tomorrow VEX IQ Robotics Competition A New PE and Sport Kit in August

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Page 4 Page 6 Page 10

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SEASAC Season 2 in Singapore

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Tech Talk

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Patana Participates

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Bangkok Patana is a not-for-profit IB World School accredited by CIS 09/02/2024

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Why Maths Matters Mark Verde, Assistant Principal, Learning and Curriculum

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his year the Primary School is reviewing our Maths Curriculum to ensure it is engaging, meaningful and rigorous. In October 2023 we began celebrating our passion for Maths by engaging in a ‘Primary Maths Week’ that offered magical experiences for all our students. This was planned and organised by our Leaders of Maths, Duncan Ferguson and Anna Caswell and the team of Primary Maths Advocates. Together they provided an array of mathematical learning opportunities made up of games, puzzles , poster competitions, challenges and activities that created enjoyable experiences for everyone.

teaching of this subject.

At the start of the academic year we introduced a new Maths scope and sequence called White Rose Maths into our curriculum. This is in line with the National Curriculum and has been developed by experts from the UK. It provides a progressive series of Maths learning opportunities that stretches from Foundation Stage up to Year 6 and will ensure clarity and consistency in approach and our

“What a fabulous parents meeting. We were thrilled to see so many parents attend the workshop and there was a commendable keenness on behalf of the parents to learn how to support their children.

During their time at Bangkok Patana, Liz and Andrew delivered an interactive parent workshop, where close to 300 parents and carers played maths games and learnt about the importance of problem solving and making maths fun. Liz and Andrew discussed how to support children with mathematics at home and the importance of making the most of every-day life opportunities. They shared simple, effective games to play at home and their final words of advice were on how to build confidence in Maths by speaking positively about it and using phases To complement this, we were fortunate to have Liz Gibbs like the ones below:and Andrew Jeffrey visit us and provide multitudes of mathI had to work hard to understand maths at school. ematical learning for the students, staff and parents. Liz and Andrew are two highly recognised, well known UK Everything is hard at first. Let’s take a look together. and international mathematical specialists, who partnered You can do this if you work hard. with Bangkok Patana before the pandemic on several occasions. We were delighted to welcome them back to Liz and Andrew loved presenting to our parents and support us in reviewing and revising our maths curriculum. sent us their following reflections:-

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Liz and Andrew spent time with our leaders exploring the best ways of adapting White Rose into our curriculum

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to ensure meaningful, engaging and rigorous maths learning opportunities. They spent time in every age phase from Foundation Stage to Year 6 and delivered training to the whole school, where they discussed using strategies like the Bar Model and Hungarian Number Frame and provided lots of new ideas and resources to enrich our maths learning.

so it was wonderful to have the opportunity to spend a few days at Patana and see students and teachers celebrating the joy and beauty of maths through games, puzzles, and stunning design work. The future of our planet depends on raising a generation of young people who can think, reason, and find creative solutions to problems, and Maths Week plays a small but important part of that mission - so well done to all involved!’ Andrew

Liz and Andrew are helping us shape our vision and principles for our current and future maths learning at Liz has shared a variety of links related to maths for Patana. We will remain in close contact with them, sharing parents to explore below:our progress, successes and challenges. We are excited Maths Through Stories- https://www.mathsthroughthat they will be returning to us in September 2024 to help stories.org/ us continue developing our learning at Patana. After their NRICH - https://nrich.maths.org/ visit Andrew and Liz sent us the following reflections :-

National Numeracy - https://www.nationalnumera“This was our first educational trip overseas since the cy.org.uk/ pandemic and it was a pleasure and privilege to be invited back to Patana. Andrew and I were able to share our PFEG - https://www.young-enterprise.org.uk/teachexpertise and support staff in shaping and enhancing the ers-hub/financial-education/ primary mathematics curriculum.” Liz The parent workshop slides are displayed on the parent portal.

“Maths is an art, a science and a language all rolled into one. Too many students never get to experience this,

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Cancure Community Engagement at Bangkok Patana Phisira (Paengrum) Chatchupong, 13E

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ast week, we had the opportunity to visit the QSCBC (Queen Sirikit Centre for Breast Cancer), where we met breast cancer patients and presented them with gifts.

CanCure is a student-led club aiming to raise awareness for breast cancer, where all our proceeds help fund basic checkups for underprivileged women from slum communities in Bangkok. So far this academic year, we have fundraised over THB 25,000 through various initiatives including bake sales and, most notably, our annual Pink Day. During our visit to the QSCBC, we learned more about the non-profit organisation, including its projects and/or various campaigns, treatments (a leading institution worldwide in immunotherapy), and history. Their mission is not only to raise awareness and educate people about the risks of breast (and cervical) cancer by advocating for early detection, but also to make quality healthcare accessible to everyone across the coun-

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try, regardless of their socioeconomic background. Breast cancer has become the leading cancer killer among Thai women, and it affects 1 in 10 women over the course of their lives. The centre recognises the urgency of this matter and runs many schemes to help those with breast cancer, ranging from screening projects where underprivileged women can be tested for breast and cervical cancer to its convalescence and care facility, PINK PARK. This was an insightful look into the lives of breast cancer patients, and it was very heartwarming to witness the positive impact the QSCBC has on the community to help those struggling with cancer see the joy in life. Thank you to the QSCBC for providing us with this opportunity. We are very grateful to be able to interact and meet personally with the patients who are at the forefront of our club’s mission.

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Letting off STEAM at Patana David Larking, Curriculum Leader, Instrumental Music

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s you may already know, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) has long been recognized as a crucial educational framework, emphasising the foundational disciplines driving innovation and technological advancement. However, in recent years, the acronym has expanded to include the arts, transforming it into STEAM. This evolution underscores the recognition that creativity, along with other soft skills fostered by artistic endeavors, plays a pivotal role in preparing students for the challenges of the modern workforce. Research has consistently shown that integrating arts education into STEM curricula not only enhances students’ abilities in critical thinking and problem-solving but also cultivates essential qualities such as adaptability and empathy. By embracing STEAM, educators can ensure that students not only excel in their respective fields but also possess the versatile skill set necessary to thrive in an ever-evolving global landscape.

SEIYA TIRARATANAKUL, YEAR 12 Engaging in private music lessons at school has been a profoundly enriching experience, instilling my deep love for music from a young age. Since primary school, I have taken piano and violin lessons, and now recently, drumming. What distinguishes our school’s private music program is the diverse opportunities for students like me to explore a variety of instruments and turns the learning process into an exciting musical journey.

and stress relief, supporting my work-life balance. The convenience of on-campus lessons has proved to be a significant time saver which allows me to manage my schedule more effectively. Guided by my very supportive and friendly teachers, I not only gained musical proficiency but also discovered new inspirations to explore more instruments, some of which are self-taught, allowing me to grow as a musician. Having the opportunity to play many instruments along with learning some music theory, it enhances my passion for music even further and continuously inspires me to try out new instruments.

As a student who is passionate about both STEM subjects and the arts, especially music, I once wondered how these two passions could coexist. Surprisingly, they enhance each other greatly. For any students contemplating enrolling in private music lessons at school, I wholeheartedly recommend it. It’s not merely about learning musical skills; it unfolds a journey of personal growth, enriching an overall experience of school in a truly fulfilling way.

Amidst a very demanding academic environment, these music lessons have emerged as my outlet for relaxation

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FUN DAY is TOMORROW!

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PTG UPDATES

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VEX IQ Robotics Competition Max Hopwood, Leader of Learning, Technology

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t Bangkok Patana School, students are encouraged to embrace a holistic education that fosters creativity, innovation and critical thinking. Our commitment to a well-rounded education is exemplified by our wide range of extra-curricular activities. One exciting offering is the Patana Robotics ECA which is the gateway to participation in VEX IQ robotics competitive events. These international robotics competitions not only provide a platform for students to showcase their technical skills but also align seamlessly with our Guiding Statements, which emphasize the importance of being rigorous, inquisitive and creative.

Volume” and entered the national tournament and St Andrew’s International School on Saturday 3rd February.

To prepare for the event, students spent two ECA blocks exploring STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields with enthusiasm and curiosity. They delved into robotics, engineering and coding, learning valuable skills that extend well beyond the competition arena. Each student learnt to think outside the box as they designed and programmed their robots to manipulate the game elements. They had to constantly innovate and adapt to new challenges, pushing the boundaries of their own knowledge and understanding by testing new ideas The Vex IQ robot building system is based on plastic, in a constantly iterative process. snap-together pieces specifically designed to build highly functional robots. Students design, build and then conThe VEX IQ competition is not just about robots; it’s about stantly iterate their own robots using the wide variety of teamwork and sportsmanship too. All the students learn to parts including a central computer “brain”, motors, sen- cooperate with peers, strategise, and communicate effecsors, wheels, gears, and various mechanical parts. These tively. They must also learn to persevere and support one robots can be controlled using a Bluetooth hand held another when things aren’t going so well. Moreover, the controller by a “driver” or programmed to function auton- competition involves alliance interactions with teams from omously. schools across Thailand, promoting social understanding and global citizenship.

The VEX IQ Robotics Competition is a global phenomenon that challenges students to build robots to compete Over the years, Patana students have really enjoyed in a variety of exciting and engaging solo, alliance and participating in these competitive events, consistently autonomous tasks. It encourages students to work collab- proving their mettle on the national stage. These successes oratively, think critically, and problem-solve in a hands- only come through hard work, dedication and with the on environment. Each year the game structure, rules and support of the coaching from staff Mr Taylor, Mr Jeck and elements change to create fascinating new problems to Mr Max. unpick and overcome. This year fourteen students from This season, in the November scrimmage event two Year 6 – Year 8 took on the 2023/24 challenge “Full

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teams placed in the top 16 qualifying for the final bouts, finishing in the top eight overall. Unfortunately, in the Nationals we did not come away with any awards, but we had a great day and are proud of the efforts of our new robotics intake, who for most this was their first season. We are confident we can come back stronger next year and look forward to the challenges of the 2024-25 game. Congratulations to all three teams who took part this year. Bring on 2024/25!

67282A- Brando, Jessica, Yui, Mungkorn, Arthur- Middle School 67282B- Ben, Aki, Thomas, Min-jun- Elementary School 67282C- Thitat, Leah, Annie, Tee D and Renji- Elementary School

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A New PE and Sport Kit in August 2024 Q&A with Alice Curwood, Assistant Principal Extra-Curricular Activities and Sport Patana news sat with Alice for a conversation on the When will the new PE and Sport kit be available for new changes in the PE and Sports kit. purchase

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e hear a new PE and Sport kit is coming to We are aiming to launch the new PE and Sport kit in Bangkok Patana School, can you tell us more August 2024. This will include the PE kit and all Season 1 about this? kit for our seasonal sports teams.

You are right! Behind the scenes we have been working What items are on offer to all students? on the launch of a new PE & Sport kit for all students. It has We will be introducing a long sleeve travel shirt for all been a really exciting project, and we are excited to share students, it can be worn for sports trips, residentials, Intermore information with you over the coming months! national Award expeditions or on field trips! We also have What is the main purpose behind aligning the PE and ideas in the future to add further items that could include a Sport kit together and why are we making these chang- lightweight tracksuit, new swimwear and different luggage es? options.

The opportunity arose for a new sport kit for our teams who represent Bangkok Patana across local, national and international competitions on a regular basis. With this, it was decided there was also an opportunity to modernise our PE kit, and if we did so at the same time, we could really focus on our sustainability as a school. With So many different students playing sport both recreationally and competitively throughout one academic year, alongside our hosting of many international events where we welcome schools from across the FOBISIA and SEASAC network, we accumulate large quantities of new kit every academic year! This is then multiplied with our five academies continually growing!

What items are unique to our sports teams?

Being selected for a sports team is an achievement that should be celebrated! Home and Away strips are required for our students when we travel across Asia to compete in international tournaments, swim meets, FOBISIA or SEASAC events. To focus on sustainability, the PE and Sport T-shirts will be able to be worn by our Under 9-Under 14 athletes. Therefore, if you want to play 6-8 weeks across four different seasons in Year 7, you will not need to buy four different team strips. Once students reach our senior squads, at Junior Varsity and Varsity level, there will be both a Home and Away strip unique to each of our seasonal sports; Football, Volleyball, Tennis, Rugby, Moving forward, PE and Sport kit designs will be uni- Touch Rugby, Basketball, Badminton and Softball. When formed. For example, black shorts will be available for students are selected for these squads, they will be able to all with different options; unisex, women’s fit, basketball purchase both and wear them throughout the season. The length, pockets, or no pockets. Student choice is key to en- design will remain the same for a minimum of three years sure they are comfortable when participating in all areas to avoid having to repurchase, greater use and to keep of physical activity and sport. costs down.

Are the changes applicable to Nursery, Primary and Secondary students?

Will there be a new logo to represent our Tigers sports teams?

YES! It will run throughout the school, with slight colour A new logo is on the horizon! It will be launched in Term variations across PE, House, and Sport t-shirts to differen- 3 following final approval and will be a key feature of our tiate between these three areas of the school. The new new PE and Sport kit – our Patana TIGERS will be raring kit will be phased in throughout the 2024/25 academic to go! Wath this space! year, allowing families to purchase it when they are ready More updates will follow shortly! Get excited! to do so. No immediate purchase is required.

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Teachers Spike their Way to Victory Aayush Jalan, Student Voice, Tiger Sports Council

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uring the intense Teachers vs Students Volleyball game, many students and teachers/coaches were able to display a high level of skill and understanding throughout, hence succeeding in providing an entertaining and action-packed lunch for all pupils and staff at the Front Hardcourt of Bangkok Patana. In particular seniors Hugo, Winston and Alan were able to pull the Varsity Vol-

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leyball team back into the game with their great chemistry and blocking ability, which left the winners to be decided via who won the last game. However this was simply not enough to take down the Teachers who were able to prevail with a 2-1 record led by Ms Dale’s great returns and Mr Owen’s impactful performance of a setter which then led to many powerful smashes.

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SEASAC Season 2 in Singapore Alice Curwood, Assistant Principal Extra-Curricular Activities and Sport

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his past weekend saw our Tennis, Basketball, Touch and Rugby teams travel to Singapore to compete in Season 2 SEASAC 2024. Below a representative from each team has summarised their tournament, reflecting on the highs and lows we all experience through sport, but more importantly the learnings they can take forward into whatever challenges or hurdles they may face in the future, both in and outside of competitive sport!

BASKETBALL GIRLS’ - SHOKO YONEYAMA, 12W This year’s SEASAC basketball tournament holds special significance as it marks the first time in three years that the event has taken place abroad due to COVID-19. The tournament commenced with a gala where we received a warm welcome from TTS, igniting our excitement and anticipation for the upcoming games. We kicked off the tournament on Friday with three resounding victories, putting us in a favourable position for the knockout rounds.

before, with heightened anticipation. Despite a close final game, we unfortunately fell short, losing by a margin of 6 points.

It’s been a privilege to serve as the team captain for the Girls’ Varsity Basketball this year. I’m incredibly proud of our team and the progress we’ve made. Both players and coaches have put in tremendous effort, with Coach JJ leading our morning training sessions and near-perfect attendance at the optional Friday sessions. I want to express my sincere gratitude to Coach Bim and Coach JJ for their unwavering dedication, and to all 12 players for their commitment and hard work during every training session. Lastly, I’d like to extend my best wishes to the seniors who have played a pivotal role in our success this year. Thank you for being an exemplary role models for the younger players, and we hope to continue your legacy with great pride.

BASKETBALL BOYS’ - ALAN CHEN, 13G Our SEASAC weekend consisted of highs and lows, filled with moments of triumph and disappointment. Friday proved to be an exceptional start as we dominated all three games, laying a solid foundation for the next day of the knockout round. This strong performance injected us with confidence and momentum going into Saturday.

As Saturday unfolded, fatigue set in and the pressure mounted. Our first knockout match against TTS was a very memorable game as our teammate April, who had suffered an injury prior to SEASAC, got the opportunity to play with the team and ultimately scored a basket. Despite facing a tough opponent in the semi-finals against UWCE, we managed to stay composed and focused, On Saturday, we continued our winning streak, securultimately securing a hard-fought victory with commending victories in both games, propelling us into the finals able performances from everyone on the team. Coach JJ and Coach Bim provided crucial guidance throughout the on Sunday with high hopes and determination. However, despite our best efforts and relentless teamwork, we fell match. short on Sunday by one point, experiencing a tough and Advancing to the finals on Sunday, we were filled with emotional loss. determination but also faced immense pressure. Despite Despite this, there were invaluable lessons learned our nerves, we faced Dover, a team we had encountered throughout the weekend. We identified areas for improve14

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ment, both individually and as a team, and gained valu- very young and diligent team. able experience competing at this level. As we reflect on As this season has come to an end, we can officially our SEASAC journey, we are determined to carry forward say that we have experienced many highs and lows as the lessons learned and the bonds forged during this tournament, setting a vigorous foundation for those who strive we thrived together as a team both on and off court; these memories created will be deeply cherished as we continue to thrive forwards. Finally, we would like to thank our teammates who tirelessly cheered for us, parents who supported us from behind as always and most importantly, our coaches who have been through this with us since the very beginning of the year/season.

to compete again next year. We will continue to train hard, refine our strategies, and seek excellence in every game.

For those of us leaving Bangkok Patana School, this tournament marks the end of an era. While we may be saying goodbye to this chapter of our sporting journey, we leave behind a legacy of teamwork, dedication, and resilience.

As we set foot in new adventures, we carry with us the memories and lessons learned from this SEASAC, shaping us into stronger athletes and individuals.

TENNIS GIRLS’ - PIN MANAVUTIVETH, 12H Firstly, this weekend has given us many opportunities to grow together, and also to learn lots from many other great teams whether it be on or off the courts. Starting off with Friday as we competed against KLASS in the morning and Harrow in the late afternoon finishing with strong wins scoring of 4-1 for both matches. Following through to Saturday, earning wins against UWCSEA East to win our group and, beat NIST 5-0 in the semis in the afternoon to secure the spot, despite many weather conditions, for the finals on Sunday morning.

TENNIS BOYS’ - PETE LEENABANCHONG, 11C Firstly, I want to express my gratitude to our parents for joining us on this trip and offering unwavering support both on and off the courts. Special thanks to our teammates, who fought with passion, striving to win each match while cheering each other on. Lastly, a heartfelt appreciation for our coaches, who worked tirelessly to guide us on and off the court, contributing significantly to our improved performances in the matches.

This weekend was a rollercoaster, as it was the first time our Boys’ Tennis team had travelled abroad for a tennis tournament, and everyone was enthusiastic about being part of this trip. Starting with Friday, the boys delivered strong performances, beating Tanglin in the morning and Stamford in the afternoon, both by 4-1. The following day, we found ourselves victorious, earning first place in our group after a strong win over Harrow by 4-1, which allowed us to secure a spot in the semi-finals. During the afternoon, we faced CDNIS, an unfamiliar yet formidable

Although we dominated both Friday and Saturday, we did unfortunately, fall through in the finals against UWCSEA Dover, a very well respected strong team, with a score of 1-4; which was not the ideal result that we were hoping for but, this loss will keep us even more motivated to train harder for the return of our win next year, with a 09/02/2024

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team, in a fierce battle to secure a spot in the finals. Our team got stuck in, competed well, and worked super hard to get every point. However, we fell just short in the close battle, resulting in a tight loss of 2-3. Despite losing a spot in the finals, we did not let that setback dampen our spirits.

We continued to move forward on Sunday, facing Stamford School again in the battle for third place. With the final matches against Stamford, we remained undefeated against them, emerging victorious and concluding the tournament in third place.

This placement represents an improvement from last year’s fourth place, acting as a motivator to strive for even better results, with the hope that our placements will continue to improve in the coming years.

Although we were the youngest team in the SEASAC event, we faced other schools confidently, regardless of their strength. The lessons learned and experiences gained during this SEASAC will be unforgettable, serving as cherished memories when looking back. With the same squad next year, we hope to strengthen our relationships even further and, hopefully, win the SEASAC Championships!

TOUCH - ERIN RICHARDS, 13K Over the course of the weekend, we endured many triumphs and tragedies. Starting on Friday, we played the defending champions UWCSEA Dover. We put in a good performance and managed to put up a good fight but eventually fell short. After, we played CDNIS and NIST where we put in some good performances winning both matches.

Going into the tournament, we aimed to replicate our successes from last year and hopefully manage to secure a top 4 finish again. Therefore, our hopes lied in beating AIS in our semi-final on Saturday. After an amazing start, we unfortunately couldn’t get the win, losing by 2 tries in the second half. So, our target was readjusted to winning the rest of our games. We went on to play CDNIS in our quarter-final, winning and setting up a game against our rival NIST in the final. We went on to win that game and claim 5th in the championship.

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Despite not being as successful as we hoped, we were all super proud with our performance throughout the tournament. We were happy with our determination to get better throughout the tournament and we managed to score our tries from a variety of positions and players.

In addition, we also managed to play some high quality touch rugby as a collective team against some high quality teams from South East Asia. Our team spirit never faltered and we managed to battle our way through the tournament and made incredible progress from the start of the season. However, the biggest takeaways were the spirit and collective togetherness of our team and we can take important lessons away for next year. Whether we are leaving this year or staying for another season, we have left SEASAC with incredible memories and friendships to treasure forever.

RUGBY - JONATHAN GRAINDORGE, 13C The SEASAC rugby tournament weekend for the Rugby team saw a mixed bag of results and emotions. On Friday,

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the team started off with a promising win against Stamford American International School (SAIS), with a close score of 12 to 10. However, we faced tough challenges later in the day, suffering a heavy defeat against the reigning champions, Tanglin Trust International School (TTIS), with a score of 37 to 0. The third game of the day against the host team, Australian International School (AIS), ended in another narrow loss, with a score of 14 to 12.

and continue our journey towards excellence.

We want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to Coach Graham. Your unwavering guidance and support have meant more to us than words can convey. Over the years, you’ve been more than just a coach; you’ve been a mentor and a source of inspiration. Your dedication and leadership have not only shaped us as rugby players but also as individuals. The lessons you have Saturday brought further disappointment with two de- taught us on and off the field will stay with us for a lifetime. feats. The team lost to United World College East (UWCE) As we bid farewell to you in your last year coaching us, in the quarter-finals and then faced defeat against the TTIS we want you to know that your impact has been profound, B team in the semi-finals for the plates. Despite the string and we are eternally grateful for everything you’ve done of losses, the team rallied for their final game on Sunday for us. Thank you for believing in us and pushing us to be against SAIS. The game went into overtime, but unfortu- the best version of ourselves. nately, SAIS came out on top with a score of 17 to 12.

The defeat against AIS was especially challenging for the team, dealing a blow to their morale and making it difficult to bounce back. However, amidst the losses, there were valuable lessons learned and experiences gained.

The SEASAC rugby tournament has taught us a valuable lesson: setbacks don’t define us, they strengthen us.

As the younger members of the team absorb this wisdom, they’ll return next year with renewed determination. We’ve learned not to let past defeats affect our future potential; instead, we’ll use them as motivation to propel us forward.

With a talented pool of players eager to succeed, the team’s future looks promising. Next year, armed with resilience and unity, we’re ready to reclaim victory at SEASAC

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EXPLORE THE GLOBAL FLAVORS AT OUR SECONDARY CANTEEN! CHECK OUT THE EXCITING HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR MENU FOR THE UPCOMING WEEK. HUNGRY ALREADY? COME JOIN US FOR A CULINARY ADVENTURE NEXT WEEK!

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#266: Deepfakes are on the rise a Parents Video Guide F

ake AI content proliferates. In Wayne Denner’s latest video he gives a helpful overview of deepfakes, shedding light on why they are a cause for concern and how we can help safeguard ourselves against this emerging threat.

Don’t have time to watch the video? Check out the takeaways below: • Deepfakes are fabricated videos and audio clips created using computer algorithms to replace individuals in existing media with someone else, often without their consent.

• The implications of deepfakes extend beyond mere deception, as they can be used to spread misinformation, impact mental health and well-being, image-based sexual abuse, tarnish reputations, and invade privacy.

• To protect yourself from falling victim to deepfakes, remember the importance of exercising caution when sharing personal content online, regularly reviewing and adjusting privacy settings, and being vigilant for signs of manipulation such as facial discolouration, lighting inconsistencies, and audio irregularities in videos.

Tech companies are developing and investing in deepfake detection systems these do exist but they’re in their infancy and they don’t always work.

See you at Fun Day! Brian Taylor Assistant Principal, Technology for Learning

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Patana Participates!

Achievements from Our Community

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ast weekend saw the start of the Thai National BMX racing series. This 5 round Championship is becoming ever more popular because of the world class track, just 40 minutes from Bangkok Patana School.

L&D Racing, made up of Rod Fountain (no.816, Teacher of History), Nico Lovegrove (no.543, Year 9), Frank Myers (no.644, Year 9) and Freddy Minchin (no.645, Year 10) have been regulars on the race scene since 2021 and were all there at the weekend to compete. A BMX race is an 8 rider sprint around a track littered with jumps and banked turns. Starting on a steep hill, the riders balance against a gate and when it drops they accelerate down it towards the first feature. Races last about 40 seconds, depending on speed and during that time the riders jump, swerve and race elbow to elbow in order to gain an advantage. Nico and Frank were racing their new, longer bikes as they’ve grown quite a lot since last season and Freddy’s got a new bike coming too, which will be ready for the next race. Rod was riding something that was new to him, but certainly wasn’t new. After winning all his races last year he decided to add a new challenge for 2024 by racing a 40-year-old BMX that is very different to the bikes used in competition today.

Racing takes place over a weekend. Saturday sees racers compete in three ‘motos’ (heats) with points allocated from 1st to 8th place. If a racer scores a certain number, they qualify for semi-finals and finals (mains) on Sunday.

With Nico, Frank and Freddy competing in the most hotly contested categories they didn’t score enough points to race on Sunday and so their weekend was cut short. Rod managed to qualify for the veterans final and so lined up with seven other hopefuls on Sunday for the main. Despite getting a taste for the top-step of the podium last year there was no expectation of getting near it on the retro bike.

However, after a good start, and a little elbowing, he was in 3rd into the first turn and managed (unexpectedly) to defend his position until the end against the modern bikes.

The next race is at the end of February but L&D racing can’t make that one as it’s in Sukhothai, a very long drive away. However, they’ll be back at round 3 in Chainat in March where once again they’ll get in the start gate and wait for the starting sequence: ‘Riders ready, watch the gate…’ If you’d like to come and watch a race, or even try it out for yourself (L&D Racing have some spare bikes) then message Rod on ROFO@patana.ac.th or go to their Facebook page www.facebook.com/pedalsreadygo

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Patana Participates!

Achievements from Our Community

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laire, 10V was interviewed by Thai PBS recently along with documentary director, Dr. Alongkot Chukaew on their environmental documentary, ‘Giants of the Deep: The Whale Shark Story’, which won an award from New York International Film Festival and also was officially selected by Global Film Festival Award and Nature without Border International film festival.

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