By Chris sammons
As the academic year draws to a close at Bangkok Patana, we have completed what our school demands of us in its title – growth. Rich curriculums have built on the natural curiosity and playfulness of children to explore their world a little more than they did last year. Play is more than just fun; it’s a laboratory for understanding the world. Curiosity fuels learning, and through play, children experiment, question, and discover. As educators at Bangkok Patana, we nurture this innate drive.
Language develops as children move through Bangkok Patana, learning to read, write and speak in multiple ways. Thinking about the similarities and differences in languages provides the shared medium to describe and respond to the things in our environment. Over-time, we learn how to understand ourselves in relationship to everything and everyone around us.
Most importantly, developing speech leads to knowing oneself. Inner speech is the bridge between what we can think and feel and how we can express that to others. Children engage in inner dialogues with themselves that help them shape their lives with others. Through language,
they can explore emotions, values, and self-awareness to understand each other’s needs. It’s in these quiet conversations with themselves that personality emerges.
Our children learn not only through textbooks but also through art, design, science, mathematics, humanities, physical movement and service. Their minds absorb patterns, connections, and insights as they grasp concepts from various angles. It is the grasping, debating and then critical thinking from which their true personality and future passions evolve.
And our richest resource is that of culture. It gives meaning to thoughts by emphasising what is valued by others around us; it restrains our thinking as we learn what is valued in our unique cultural context. The real magic of this international school is how children learn many different ways of thinking from such a wide variety of cultural perspectives to gain ‘worldview’. Cultural fluency is perhaps the single most significant asset that our children will acquire whilst they live and work together here at Bangkok Patana School.
As peers, teachers and parents, you have all played pivotal roles in shaping young minds. Working together, our children achieve the most accomplished ways of knowing and levels of thinking; challenging themselves and the world in which they are getting ready to lead. Whilst much of what we do can be immeasurable, the impact of a Bangkok Patana education can be felt in the results from this year’s Primary School ISA benchmark assessments. They show that our children significantly outperform similar schools and those across the SE Asian region. Maths results are the best the school has ever received. And, in the final year of Secondary School, the Graduating Class of 24 have demonstrated themselves to be a very strong and exciting cohort who have made their families and teachers very proud. They have received Bangkok Patana School’s best offers to date with 485 university offers spread over 18 countries worldwide including Srinakharinwirot, Thammasat, Oxford, Cambridge, Warwick, Pomona, Claremont McKenna, Cornell, Stanford, Northwestern and McGill to name just a few. 108 offers have been received by institutions listed in the Top 50 of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024. The truth is that the best
university is the one you want to study and where you can thrive; if that means working with the best research institutes and professors, our provision can support that ambition. We wish Grad’24 every success for all their final study destinations.
As the hemlines of trousers inch upward marking the physical growth which has happened to our children this year, take a step back and consider just how accomplished our community is. Enjoy the summer to pause and bear witness to the remarkable transformation which has happened to your child, the subtle shifts in their laughter, their questions, their knowing and their dreams. It has been a pleasure for us all to be here this year; keep your hearts humble, your hands in service and your minds with open curiosity. Child development is a remarkable gift to be alongside. “The most important cultural artifact created by children is themselves, the formation of their personalities.” (Moll 2000).
If like Grad’24, you are moving on from Bangkok Patana, wishing you all the very best for the future. Remember and revisit when you need to check in. And for those returning in August, looking forward to another year of growth.
TheRosamund Stuetzel Theatre was transformed into a bustling hub of excitement and anticipation for the annual Patana United Concert. Picture this: over 500 of us, Year 7, 8 and 9 students, gathered under one roof for the most epic concert ever. Our Concert Bands, String Ensembles, Choirs, Thai Ensembles and Guitar Ensembles were all geared up to rock the stage like never before. It was like magic! Every single one of us, from the shyest Year 7 to the most outgoing Year 9, was there, ready to unleash our musical talents. Our fingers dancing on guitar strings, bows gliding over violin strings, voices soaring high and bands blowing away, we made the night our own. It wasn’t just a concert; it was a journey, a celebration of who we are and what we can achieve together.
As Patana United MCs, we enjoyed being further included in the concert. We think that this show gave us a great opportunity to perform what we have been working on during the year. From this experience, not only did we learn how to play our instruments, but it also taught us performing skills, how to collaborate with others, both our individual and teamwork skills and so much more. The best feeling of being an MC is the feeling before we step onto the stage and being filled with adrenaline and also the excitement when the crowd applauds us when we step on. It has been so much fun!
Prim Asawapiwat, 8S - Concert band:
“From starting to play the trumpet completely from scratch in Year 7 to being able to play full pieces like Avengers and Ash Lawn Echoes, it has been an incredible experience to be a part of the Year 8 concert band. The music teachers are amazing to work with because they help to support and guide, not only our learning in music, but also help us to improve in different ways outside of music. Being MCs for United, taught us to write and edit our own work and allowed us to be able to share our passions with a larger audience.”
Roisin Doherty, 8C - Strings:
“Although I’ve played many instruments in the past, none had this same feeling of playing in an ensemble together with others who enjoy the same talent. The double bass is a very unique instrument that is fun to learn. There’s something so rewarding about finishing and performing a piece in front of all your peers after practising for hours and hours. Being an MC was such a joy, and I’m very grateful for such opportunities!!”
Gigi Darley, 8H - Guitar:
“I have really enjoyed my time in Year 7 and Year 8 collaborating with peers in the guitar ensemble. Learning different songs, rehearsing and performing have been the
main highlights. Khun Junior, the guitar teacher, helps bring us and the songs together. I am looking forward to next year to continue my journey in music, further develop my skills as a musician, and hopefully to be an MC once more.”
Nikkie Araneta, 8C - Vocal:
“Being part of the vocal ensemble has been an incredible experience. Collaborating with my friends and sharing ideas. Our teachers also are very open minded, they are
always open to new ideas and suggestions. Through this musical journey, we’ve developed many skills, for example; teamwork, creativity, and leadership. I believe these skills won’t just stay in the classrooms, but they will benefit us in our daily lives and future endeavours. Patana United has provided us with a place where we can showcase our hard work. It has been a truly wonderful experience!”
1. What is one of your fondest or most favourite reading memories?
My fondest reading memories revolve around bedtime stories – firstly, listening to my mother reading bedtime stories to my two brothers and I when we were little and secondly, as a mother myself, reading The Bog Baby to my own daughters, Roisin and Niamh, at bedtime. These were magical times for me! The Bog Baby, written by Jeanne Willis, is a tale about two small sisters who go fishing at the magic pond and find an amazing friendly creature, a bog baby, which they decide to keep secret. But when the bog baby becomes poorly, the sisters decide they must tell their mum. With her, they learn their greatest life lesson - if you really love something, you must let it go. I still get a lump in my throat when I revisit this magical story!
2. Which fictional character would you most like/least like to meet in real life and why?
I would love to meet the unnamed bride narrator in the novel Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier who marries the wealthy Maxim before discovering that both he and the staff at Manderley are haunted by the memory of his late first wife, Rebecca. She tried so hard throughout the novel to find her place in the world, one which is dominated by men and tradition. I would love to pre-warn her of the perils she is about to encounter and encourage her to hold on tightly to her suppressed ambitions and desires. There are so many unexpected twists and turns which makes this a captivating read. Without wishing to spoil the ending, the narrator is suddenly freed from Rebecca’s shadow and can assume her true role as mistress of the house, but only when the truth is revealed.
Jordan Taylor, Secondary English Teacher
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, with its playful rhythm and charming illustrations, is a classic early reading book. As a new parent, and as someone eagerly awaiting the return to the British countryside, I appreciate the book’s beautiful images of rural England and the ability to engage listeners of all ages through its catchy refrain: “We’re going on a BEAR hunt”. This book encourages family bonding, and should hopefully get young children excited for what might be found on their upcoming summer holiday adventures, wherever they may be!
What does adventure mean to you? Do you have any book suggestions for this theme?
For me, an adventure is an exciting experience or undertaking that is often brave, and sometimes risky. Adventures are often associated with travelling and exploring and that’s why I recommend the book Full Tilt – Ireland to India with a Bicycle by Dervla Murphy. This is a book I was introduced to in a Bangkok Book Club which is ironic as Dervla Murphy lived only 30 miles from my family home in Ireland! Aged 31, Dervla set off on an amazing solo journey on a bicycle. She cycled across a frozen Europe during one of the worst winters in memory, through Persia and Afghanistan, over the Himalayas to Pakistan, before finally arriving in India in 1963. Full Tilt is her adventure story of achieving her childhood dream.
The first series of warriors is a fantastic world of clan cats, loyalty and slight romance. In the prologue, Starclan, the clan cats’ ancestors, give advice to medicine cats. They send a message to Spottedleaf, the Thunderclan’s medicine cat, whispering a confusing prophecy. Fire alone can save our clan. The first book of the first series is about Rusty, a kittypet/ housecat is in the forest and gets recruited by Thunderclan. At first, Rusty, now named Firepaw, was jeered at. Sandpaw and Dustpaw teased him, sneering insults of him being a pathetic kittypet. Firepaw’s new friend, Greypaw, defended him against Dustpaw and Sandpaw’s everlasting rude comments. After a while, Sandpaw starts to be nicer to Firepaw, and Dustpaw begins to hate Firepaw even more. Bluestar, the leader of Thunderclan, makes Firepaw her own apprentice. Over time, Firepaw became Fireheart, a very noble warrior of Thunderclan. But, can Thunderclan survive the traitors that start to spread hate and fight against their own clan? Though Fireheart is one of the cats that shall be known forever, what will happen to those who don’t go to Starclan? Will those in the Dark Forest rise to give revenge? And what can they do to stop evil from spreading?
Nikhyl Kogar, 9K
The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz by Geronimo Stiltonl
This is an amazing adventure story about a mouse called Geronimo who is swept away by a whirlwind to the enchanting world of Oz. In this place, he meets amazing figures such as Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the Cowardly Lion, and together they go on an exciting trip in search of the Wizard, hoping he will solve their problems. The journey is full of obstacles that make this book really gripping, with many enemies who make things risky for them. Bright pictures filled with different colours enhance the story.
of adventure, perfectly timed for the summer holidays. Where will your reading adventure take you?
KEY STAGE 3 BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS:
Alice Jones, 9C
Rescue by Jennifer A. Nielsen
Jennifer A. Nielsen has always been an author who engages me, and this book was no exception. The setting is in Nazi Germany, and it follows the journey of a ‘family’, brought together only by their final goal. It is based on a true story and includes many interesting facts, including codes that have stumped even the best cryptologists during the war. This book explores the themes of loneliness, friendship, resistance, and love. It is an excellent historical fiction book that I have read many times.
Francesca Kiatvarangkura, 9B
Dance of Thieves by Mary E. Pearson
This book is about Kazi, a legendary former street thief, and Jase, a leader of an outlaw kingdom. When Kazi investigates the aggressive attacks on settlements, she discovers that Jase may be related and learns more about him. Their cat and mouse games eventually lead to intertwining their motives and hearts, and as more secrets unfold, a fearsome battle of trust and love ensues.
Mabel Griffiths, 9B
The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
go from a child forced under her stepfather’s thumb into something far more sinister.
Felix Darley, 12G
The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan (‘The Wheel of Time’ series)
When a band of animal-headed, human bodied trollocs attack the Two Rivers, mortally wounding his father and destroying his home, 19 year old Rand Al’Thor is forced to run. He soon finds out he and his two friends are the only thing stopping the Dark One from returning and the adventure only grows, bringing him to meet mysterious Aes Sedai witches, elven kings and queens, and ancient, malevolent gods.
The book is about a world with only men and their thoughts. Everyone can hear what everyone is thinking, even animals. Todd is the protagonist who lives in a town called Prentisstown. Ever since the spackle came and killed all the women, Prentisstown has been bleak, and strange things start happening. Young Todd runs away after learning the hidden past of his hometown. I recommend this book for the adventure theme because it’s an exciting journey, full of plot twists and surprises. Recommended for Age 14+: Exciting but violent dystopian thriller for teens.
Often considered the successor to Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings series, the high fantasy series The Wheel of Time is a fastpaced, lyrical and memorable book. In the first book, the Eye of The World, magic and intrigue are prominent as Rand explores his place in the world, his relationships with other people and how he can cope with loss and grief. Wander through sprawling cities, snow-capped mountains and space-warping portals in this extensive, literary masterpiece. If you’re ever craving more, follow Rand through 13 more books and meet many more peculiar characters in this entertaining, and ever-providing series.
humans. Getting dirt kicked into her food, or her finger being bitten off, or perhaps even being commanded to jump off of a tower; there’s only so much one can take.
Desperate for power, watch Jude ruin the balance of Elfhame, and go from a child forced under her stepfather’s thumb into something far more sinister.
KEY STAGE 4 AND 5 BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS:
Advika Agarwal, 10L
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
The trilogy is set in a world that is hidden amongst shadows and deception, and yet isn’t hidden at all; Elfhame. Fae, who rule this world, are unable to lie and so they turn to more creative half truths and much crueller means of deceit. The books follow Jude, a mere human thrust into this world after watching her parents be violently killed in front of her very eyes. Of course, as you’d expect of fae, they aren’t very accepting of humans. Getting dirt kicked into her food, or her finger being bitten off, or perhaps even being com manded to jump off of a tower; there’s only so much one can take. Desperate for power, watch Jude ruin the balance of Elfhame, and
All Primary School staff recently attended an online training session delivered by White Rose Maths. White Rose is an educational company based in the UK who have produced schemes of learning based on the UK Maths Curriculum. Their schemes are used by over 80% of schools in the UK, as well as many British international
schools across the world. The schemes are continually updated based on research and they follow a mastery approach to mathematics. This approach is designed to enable all students to acquire a deep, long-term, secure and flexible understanding of mathematics. It is underpinned by five key ideas.
The training focused on adaptive teaching methods. This means meeting individual needs for students through planning, resourcing and delivering effective lessons after carrying out pre-assessment to gauge prior levels of knowledge and understanding. Mathematics at Patana is taught through concrete resources and pictorial representations which lead to the development of abstract formal methods for calculation.
White Rose planned the training session specifically for our school and delivered two separate sessions via video call, one for Foundation Stage and Year 1 and 2, and one for Years 3-6. By attending a whole school training session, we can continue to ensure consistent teaching methods and strong progression and continuity across the school.
NewSports Kit will be available in the School Shop from the second week of August. Students have the option to continue with the old kit throughout the 2024/25 academic year. Following previous articles in Patana News and the email sent to all parents on 10th May, 2024, more information about the kit can be read on this Firefly page.
DATE Saturday 28th September 2024
TIME 9:00am-1pm (time-slots – 9-10am, 1011am, 11am-12pm, 12pm-1pm)
SIGN UP Registrations open Monday 26th August
INFO solofestival@patana.ac.th
On Monday 10th June, three Year 9s and three Year 10s represented Bangkok Patana at the inaugural King’s Mathematics Competition at King’s College International School Bangkok. In the Algebraic Avengers were Richard, Yeonjae and Win and in the Pi-Rates were Kaka, Masayuki and Aarush. There were three rounds on the day including anagrams, dingbats, guess the mathematician, and of course, many challenging mathematical questions to solve in the form of relays and ‘boat races’. Our students really enjoyed the day and taking both first and second place was the cherry on top! I was very proud of their
success but also of their attitude and behaviour, they were a fantastic representation of Bangkok Patana. What made this competition really impressive was that it was all organised by some Year 12 mathematicians at King’s. They sent the message out to teachers across Bangkok, organised the timings and logistics on the day and even wrote the questions in the rounds themselves! I hope it will inspire our students for future years. Well done to our Year 9 and Year 10s and well done to the Year 12s at King’s for putting on a brilliant event.
The Dutch school of Bangkok would like to thank all the participants that created a new logo. Benja Schreinemachers’ logo came out as the winner in the hunt for a new logo for the Dutch School. An interesting detail: the original concept of the lion came from Benja’s twin sister, Prida. She gave it a new twist by adding the country flags into the crown which led to ultimately winning the contest.
Our national animal combined with the Dutch and Thai flag in the crown of the lion with a small contribution to our
Flemish students from Belgium. This logo had it all, which resulted in the most votes from our students and the parents.
The Dutch School of Bangkok has its own programme and works within Bangkok Patana as a home language, especially for students of Dutch, Belgium or parents that have stayed in the Netherlands.
Ms.Pinkarn Vajrapana (Kru Pim) – Head of Thai Programme
Bangkok Patana hosted the ‘Thai Leaders Community Meeting #2’, a workshop focused on Primary Thai Assessment and Evaluation on Friday, June 7th, 2024.
Fifteen representatives from twelve schools attended the workshop.
With each school developing its own resources and assessment criteria based on the core curriculum provided by the Ministry of Education, Bangkok Patana proposed the creation of shared assessment criteria at the first meeting held in March. This initiative aims to establish a standardized primary Thai programme across international schools.
Earlier this term we were delighted to welcome professional musical theatre actor, dancer and choreographer Matthew Krzan. Matt has worked in the professional theatre industry for 20 years appearing in shows such as Cats, Chicago, Wicked, Matilda, Joseph, Starlight Express and La Cage Aux Folles. Performing both in London’s West End and internationally. Matt is known in the theatre industry as a triple threat performer. This means that he is employed to act, sing and dance. We invited Matt to share his broad skills and experience with our students by conducting three specialist sessions working across Drama, Dance and the Visual Arts.
The practical sessions saw Matt introducing and leading our Drama students through a performance sequence and poetry recital from ‘Cats’. He then choreographed our JV Dance students performing pieces from both ‘Cats,’ and ‘Cool Rider’. Drama and JV Dance student Arthur Utoktham shared that, “It was my greatest pleasure to meet Mr. Krzan. I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard that I would be meeting a musical superstar! It was an amazing new experience to me! He didn’t just show the physical theatre and the steps to the dance, but he also shows the deep feeling and emotions that you have to send out to reach the ‘hearts’ of the audiences. Even my peers were talking about him 3 weeks later! This shows that it was a truly magical session, and we will be very happy for him to come again. Wish him luck in his next Chicago show
After his performance-based sessions Matt delivered a lesson for our IB Visual Arts students on stage makeup, giving them all the chance to transform themselves into cats! “I was honoured to turn into a Cat for a day with the guidance of Matthew Krzan, delving into the artistry of ‘Cats’ makeup, a transformative and unforgettable experience that I will remember forever”, said Pearie Boonsombat, Year 12 IB Visual Arts student.
“I was really excited when I heard that we had the opportunity to learn about different stage makeup techniques, especially from a professional. I had a lot of fun in the lesson as I was able to explore a new artistic medium and I was fascinated with the different types of makeup and brush strokes that are required to master a distinct cat face that is showcased on stage”, said Kiwi Wang, Year 12 IB Visual Arts student.
Matt took time to share learning points from his professional experiences whilst answering students’ questions about life as a Theatrical Practitioner. The opportunity for our Arts students to work with an industry professional was informative and inspirational. Matt shared “I loved working with the students at Patana. Everyone was very welcoming and enthusiastic. I really enjoyed getting to teach different skills involved within musical theatre and meeting a wider range of students involved in the arts at Patana.”
This article highlights our recent activities and initiatives, including our collaboration with the International Community School (ICS), our educational efforts with Year 5 students, our participation in the Impact Fair, and our visit to UN ESCAP.
Before the study leave, we opened the United Wardrobe pop-up store to raise funds by selling donated clothes to provide basic necessities for children in need. We only opened during break and lunchtime for two days, but it was very successful. The United Wardrobe store will come back with more items in the new school year. Hope to see more customers!
Despite being in the middle of (I)GCSE exams, the Year 11 BPS Economist team members gathered on May 25th, 2024, to organise the donated items. It was refreshing to take a break from studying and work together on collecting, sorting, packing, and delivering the items. This time, we collaborated with the International Community School (ICS), which introduced us to the Baan Nokkamin Foundation. We delivered over 330 pieces of clothing in person and were thrilled to see their appreciation. We promised
to come back to play football with them soon.
On May 30th, thanks to Ms. Myers’ and Ms. Willinger’s support, BPS Economist Club presented to Year 5 students about the impact of fast fashion on water pollution. Educational programs are just as important as hands-on activities to expand this project and raise awareness about serious environmental issues. Our club members had a wonderful time with Year 5 and were surprised by their interest, curiosity, and insightful questions. I hope to see other Year groups too!
On May 31st, BPS Economist Club joined the Impact Fair. Many students visited our booth, subscribed to our website, and followed us on social media. It was a great opportunity to introduce our club’s initiatives and engage with more students.
The highlight of our recent activities was the visit to UN ESCAP. As part of my efforts to expand the United Wardrobe project beyond the school, I reached out to several NGOs, the Korean Embassy, and global companies for advice on environmental issues and strategies to engage more people and raise awareness. After months of trying to make connections, I was thrilled when the Korean Embassy of Thailand responded to my email and introduced me to the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP). Visiting UN ESCAP was an incredible opportunity to gain valuable environmental knowledge and insights from experts. Despite their busy schedules, the UN ESCAP team made time for us, and their professionalism and dedication left a lasting impression. During our visit, we learned about Korea’s recycling system and various UN policies that support sustainable development. This experience inspired us to implement similar practices within our local community, helping us engage more people and promote environmental awareness more effectively.
The United Wardrobe project began with my Year 11 school life, inspired by my own wardrobe full of clothes. It has now expanded to United Wardrobe Store and United Wardrobe Education. I hope more people will participate in this project and take action for a sustainable future. I can’t wait to see our project expand into the community with more schools and more people involved.
If you have any areas of technology you would like me to talk about in these videos then please add a comment in the video or contact me directly on brta@patana.ac.th.
Timestamps
0:00 #1 Google Security Alert is genuine
0:43 #2 My child is gaming with strangers, what should I do?
My child is gaming with strangers – what should I do? - UK Safer Internet Centre
1:19 #3 Using Copilot in MS Edge to summarise content
Have a great weekend.
Brian Taylor Assistant Principal, Technologyfor Learning
Ihavebeen keen to make a Beef Wellington for a number of months. It took a great deal of time and energy to get all the ingredients together and assemble but I am very proud of the outcome which was shared with members of my family. This can seem like a very complicated dish but if you break it down into small steps it becomes relatively straightforward. My effort was inspired by a Gordon Ramsey Recipe. I hope this can be the start of a Recipe Corner in the school magazine, I am eager to cook more and look forward to seeing some suggestions from others.
A Beef Wellington consists of a beef tenderloin wrapped in layers of duxelles (a finely chopped mushroom mixture), parma ham, and puff pastry, then baked. Rumor has it that Beef Wellington got its name from Arthur Wellesley, the 1st Duke of Wellington, who counted the dish among his favorite recipes. The Beef Wellington is an iconic example of English cuisine and follows a long tradition of meats baked in pastry dough.
SATURDAY STORYTIME
June 15 at 10:30am
Free for members, 200 Baht for non-members
Registration required. Book your spot here https://bit. ly/StoryTimeRegistration
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, by Judi Barrett
Welcome to the world of imagination, Miss Ashley is reading a story about a local scientist who is often regarded as a failure until he invents a machine that can make
food fall from the sky. And an imaginative craft awaits at the end!!Friendly reminder that children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times before, during, and after Story Time. This is to ensure the safety of children and an enjoyable library experience of all visitors.With the limited parking space available at the Library, it’s recommended that you take a taxi or use public transportation. If you do drive, parking is available at Bangkok Union Insurance, 175/177 Surawong Road (garage entry on Soi Anuman Rajdhon 1) a 5-minute walk to the Neilson Hays Library. They charge a fee of THB 30 per hour for parking.
