Maths Rocks
Mark Verde, Vice Principal, Primary School
MathsRocks! was heard being chanted in classrooms, the Primary Hall and Foundation Stage during our Maths Week this September as we celebrated learning in this subject with Liz Gibbs and Andrew Jeffrey. They visited to advise us and share ideas about how we can further enrich the curriculum.
Liz and Andrew are Maths advisors from the UK who we have been working with for over eight years. This year, we welcomed them back to Bangkok Patana, and they have helped us dive deeply into the Maths curriculum to ensure it is providing the best opportunities for our children.
Over the past year, our Maths Leader, Duncan Ferguson, and the Year group Leaders for Curriculum have worked closely with Liz and Andrew to adapt and implement the White Rose Maths Curriculum across the school. This has ensured consistency in approach, progression across age phases and horizontal and vertical articulation across all Year groups.
Liz and Andrew have been consulted throughout this
process and have enabled us to develop a curriculum that identifies essential and desirable elements of mathematical learning to be taught alongside our calculation policy enabling improved fluency, reasoning and problem solving.
During this visit, Andrew and Liz have helped us evaluate this maths curriculum. They walked the school looking at specific aspects of maths learning identified by the Yeargroup Leaders and provided feedback to help us improve and deepen the learning further.
All our teachers and TAs have received training on making maths learning engaging, and tailored maths sessions have been provided for our Maths advocates and Year group Leaders to help them develop priorities and targets for the year.
MATHEMAGIC
A weekend of ‘Mathemagic’ brought a change in tempo to the visit, with Andrew celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Rubik’s Cube with parents, children and friends
Patana in the Theatre on Saturday 14th September.
During the second week, it was the turn of the children and parents, with Andrew and Liz providing Maths Rocks events for our children and those of visiting schools from around Bangkok. Our parents were treated to a workshop aimed at supporting maths learning opportunities at home.
These two weeks have been simply magical, and we are talking with Liz and Andrew already about how our partnership will further develop when they visit us again in September 2025. Liz and Andrew have thoroughly enjoyed their visit and left the following thoughts:-
“We always look forward to visiting Patana. It’s wonder -
ful to see how the school continues to develop and be true to its values: Safe, Curious and Kind. It’s been great to see how children’s mathematical confidence has grown, and to witness how this has helped their problem-solving skills.
Patana staff are welcoming and enthusiastic, yet continually looking to develop their outstanding practice.”
Liz and Andrew have shown that Maths really does Rock and have given us so many ideas on how we can continue to offer highly engaging, up to date, creative ideas on making maths magic for all our children at Bangkok Patana School.
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Patana Page-Turners
INTERVIEW: JEN AVILA, SECONDARY TEACHER OF ENGLISH
1. What is one of your fondest or most favourite reading memories?
I remember reading ‘A Secret Garden’ with my mom growing up. It was a bedtime routine to read and at first, we really struggled to get into the story, especially because Mary Lennox, the protagonist, is so unlikeable. We stuck with it and ended up loving the book. I recently went to see a production of the novel in London and messaged my mom; she replied quoting the book directly. It’s stuck in both our minds forever!
2. Which fictional character would you most like/least like to meet in real life and why?
I would most like to meet the Mad Hatter from ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’. I love that he speaks in riddles that make no sense but somehow the answers provide clarity to some of life’s great conundrums. He’s wise beyond his years without even trying. The Mad Hatter definitely doesn’t take life too seriously and drinking tea, attending regular garden parties and wearing various hats on a daily basis sounds like ways I’d enjoy spending my time.
3. What does The Natural World mean to you? Do you have any book suggestions for this theme?
In ‘Chernobyl Prayer’ the author interviews people directly impacted by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986. She gives a voice to those most affected - fire fighters and their widows, people who worked containing the disaster, people who never evacuated the exclusion zone, doctors, nurses and orphans. The novel explores people’s universal experiences of the disaster and looks at the everlasting damage to the environment that occurred as a result. It’s heartbreaking, darkly humorous and beautifully written.
FOUNDATION STAGE AND KEY STAGE 1
Joe O’Neill, FS2 Class Teacher
The Little Gardener by Emily Hughes
There was once a little gardener, and his garden meant everything to him. He worked hard, but he was just too little (or at least he felt he was). In this gentle, beautiful tale, Emily Hughes, the celebrated author of ‘Wild’, tells a story that teaches us just how important it is to persist and try, no matter what the odds. With delicately woven tapestries of illustrated magic, Hughes once again transports us to a world not unlike our own, while still brimming with fantasy and wonder.KEY STAGE 2 BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS:
I think about the natural world in terms of how nature and the outdoors are presented in literature. The theory of ecocriticism focuses on how the relationship between the natural world and human beings is presented. We can apply the literary lens to just about anything we read and get a glimpse into how societies, present and past, have valued (or not) the natural world around them. Given all the discussions we are having about climate change, our interactions with the natural world seem ever more pressing. Literature has the power to remind us of this.
Two recommendations I suggest that fit the theme of ‘The Natural World’ are:
•Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk (Fiction)
This wacky read is narrated by Janina Duszejko, an eccentric older woman who believes in astrology. Set in rural Poland, Duszejko is an outspoken vegetarian who lives among nature and sees animals as equals. She goes on a quest to investigate the murders of prominent men in her town and becomes increasingly convinced that the wild animals are exacting vengeance upon them.
• Chernobyl Prayer by Svetlana Alexievich (Non-Fiction)
Jade Ashby, Year 1 Class Teacher
Dear Earth by Isabel Otter
This is the story of a girl named Tessa who writes a letter to Earth, celebrating all of its wonder. When Tessa writes a love letter to her beloved planet, it’s the beginning of a glorious adventure. She blows bubbles with whales, soars with birds and joins in with the noisy rainforest hullabaloo! Tessa wants everyone to know how special Earth is, and believes that there is a chance to save our planet, if enough of us share the message... This is one of my absolute favourite books!
KEY STAGE 2 BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS:
Alexandra Tipper, Year 5 Class Teacher
The Lorax by Dr Seuss
My first recommendation celebrates the natural world with a wonderful cast of characters, who warn the reader of the risks of not taking action to protect our world. My favourite quote from the book is “UNLESS someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” This book is a recommended read for anyone who is interested in taking action and protecting the world we live in. I’d recommend this book for Year 2 and above.
Turtle’s View of the Ocean Blue, by Catherine Barr
This author explores parts of the world we can’t see - the deepest, darkest oceans, and we learn all about the marine life below the surface, and how each creature plays a part in this very fragile ecosystem. This recommendation is definitely a must-read for Year 5 and
above. The author and illustrator present the information in easy-toread chunks, and will inspire any marine enthusiast, young or old. .
KEY STAGE 3 BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS: Suggested by 7S
The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips by Michael Morpurgo
Set against the backdrop of the Second World War, this story is about lifelong friendship and one adventurous cat! It’s 1943, and apart from her father being away, Lily Tregenze’s life is scarcely touched by the war. Until one day, Lily and her family, along with 3000 other villagers, are told to move out of their homes. This is a heart-warming tale of courage and warmth. And cats.
Between Sea and Sky by Nicola Penfold
A beautifully written and poignant story with the planet at its heart. Nicola Penfold writes about real-life issues impacting our future - BIG issues - while at the same time masterfully weaving in smaller, human stories. These are things young readers care about and could be seen as bleak, but Penfold approaches this always with a glimmer of optimism. The dual narrative with two sets of characters was a big hit in our library. Each setting is brilliantly imagined and the perfect setting for an adventure. This book really made me think about the natural world.
KEY STAGE 4 AND 5 BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS:
Rebecca Seddon, Secondary Teacher of English Fen by Daisy Jones
In this collection of short stories, Jones explores the liminal space between real lives, the land and magic. Set in the grassy marshes, peaty bogs and forested swamps of ‘The Fens’, Jones explores how the wild world of place intermingles with the lived experience of humans. There is a haunting darkness, both lyrical and beautiful, that leaves you with a strange eerie feeling after finishing these stories.
Having grown up on the edges of ‘The Fens’ in the UK, this collection of short stories transported me to a place of wide-open vistas and horizons that stretch for miles over marshy, reclaimed land. The magical realism of the short stories makes for a twisty and unsettling read – which I love! (probably best enjoyed by Key Stage 5 and above)
Rosie Marshall, Secondary Teacher of English
A Kestrel for a Knave by Barry Hines
This is a stunning book, about how a young boy (Billy Casper) trains a Kestrel called Kes. Set in a deprived working-class English town, with no family to care for him, Billy fends for himself, ploughing all the love he personally craves into raising Kes. At school, Billy is seen by most as an idiotic troublemaker until, pushed by one enlightened teacher to talk about his kestrel, he proves himself both passionate and knowledgeable. This book reads like a love letter written to the English countryside – Barry Hines has created a truly modern piece of romantic rural literature. Be warned, this is a tearjerker!
Caroline Corker, Secondary Teacher of English Weyward by Emilia Hart
This narrative follows three Weyward women, separated by time and
place, and interweaves their tales of survival and resilience at every turn. Hart’s writing explores the truly transformative power of the natural world. Through the three characters’ relationship with the flora and fauna around them, and the magic it evokes, the author transports us to a place of wonder and mystery. If you enjoy stories of female power, magic realism and ultimately, metamorphosis, you will really love this book!
#284: hide apps in ios 18
The latest iOS 18 release allows apps like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat to be hidden in a secret folder—making them invisible on the Home Screen and even from the search bar. As parents and caregivers, it’s more important than ever to keep up with these updates so we can guide our children safely through the digital world.
If you want a step-by-step guide on how to find hidden apps and more, watch Wayne Denner explain it for you by clicking on the image.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
-Set up and use parental controls where possible— Apple’s ‘Ask to Buy’ feature is a great start.
-Hidden apps can still be tracked via Screen Time, battery health, and App Store purchases—keep an eye on these!
-Open, ongoing conversations about digital safety are key. Explore tech together and set boundaries.
Hope to see you at the Fun Run!
Brian Taylor
Vice Principal, Technology for Learning
sustaining change: how the united waRdRobe pRoject is expanding its iMpact
Yoochan Hwang 12F, BPS Economist Founder
PREPARING FOR THE NEW TERM WITH COMMUNITY IMPACT
As the new school year approached, the BPS Economist Club came together on 19th August to manage the clothing donations that had accumulated over the summer break. After organising hundreds of items, we were able to send the clothes to the Bangkok Community Help Foundation, ensuring they reached those most in need. It was meaningful to come together and volunteer before the new term started, and I hope our project continues to thrive throughout the school year.
RAISING AWARENESS AT THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT FAIR
We participated in the Community Engagement Fair on September 13th, where we had the opportunity to discuss the circular economy with friends and even interview our Head of School. The overwhelming support we received was inspiring and motivated us to continue pushing forward with our efforts. This event not only helped raise awareness within the school community but also highlighted the real impact our project can have. Seeing
others share our vision made us feel like we are on the right track for real change. We are excited to get more students involved.
EXPANSION:
LAUNCHING
THE UNITED WARDROBE PROJECT AT WELLS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
16th September 2024 marks a historic day for the BPS Economist Club!
After months of hard work and dedication, we are thrilled to announce the successful expansion of the United Wardrobe Project to Wells International School. The United Wardrobe box has officially been delivered and we couldn’t be prouder of this achievement. Though it took time and effort to make this expansion a reality, we are excited to engage even more schools in this impactful project as we work towards tackling climate challenges and promoting a circular economy. Together, we can make a difference!
HELPING FLOOD VICTIMS IN NORTHERN THAILAND ON SEPTEMBER 20TH, 2024
Even though it was a school holiday, the BPS Economist
team gathered at 8:00 a.m. to organise approximately 1,600 pieces of clothing from two United Wardrobe donation boxes to send to the Mirror Foundation, specifically for victims affected by the devastating floods in Northern Thailand. The strong support from students and parents made this possible. Our priority was to provide immediate relief to those in need. We remain committed to continuing our work in supporting communities during times of crisis. Thank you so much to the team for their dedication, even on a day off from school.
The BPS Economist team collects and organises donations daily, meeting weekly to explore new ways to raise awareness and expand the project. Each month, we send
the clothes to those in need. We are grateful for the support from students and parents and we appreciate our passionate team members for their dedication.
Helping others and addressing climate issues is rewarding, but the true value lies in our teamwork. We welcome anyone interested in sustainability to join us in expanding the United Wardrobe Project.
Let’s take action today!
For more information, you can visit our website www. bpseconomist.com or follow @bpseconomistsclub
hoMe of pRaise
Home of Praise is a dedicated community centre based in Khlong Toei, Bangkok, supporting the local community. From there, Home of Praise runs an Early Education Centre which provides a vital, safe education for children living in the Khlong Toei area. Currently, Home of Praise has 40 students and eight members of staff. Bangkok Patana School’s Foundation Stage has been supporting this charitable organisation for over twelve years.
Our support over the years has included several fundraising efforts, including selling ice lollies and special event days. The money raised has been spent in a variety of ways including maintaining and improving the physical space.
In addition, we organise play mornings where the children spend time in our Foundation Stage setting. Further -
more, we have had several collections over the years, including Christmas box collections, providing educational resources and supporting Home of Praise through the Covid-19 pandemic.
Last Christmas, Foundation Stage parents helped to support the children and families from Home of Praise by collecting and donating toys and educational resources to support the children at Home of Praise’s well-being, learning and development. This opportunity allowed our own Foundation Stage students to learn first-hand that while we may come from different environments, we share many similarities and enjoy playing and learning in similar ways!
This year, we are excited to continue supporting Home of Praise with more initiatives. We plan to assist them by fundraising to support the maintenance and improvement
Joe O’Neill, Class Teacher - FS2J and Foundation Stage Community Action Team
of their facilities, the provision of resources and to support the day-to-day running of this vital education centre. Once again, at Christmas we will also be asking our Patana community for support as we organise a collection and donation of toys, resources and other necessary items that will best support Home of Praise to help their children thrive.
We are also looking forward to hosting the children from Home of Praise again later in the academic year.
The children from Home of Praise will be invited to come and play and explore our own Foundation Stage setting.
If you would like to support Home of Praise, please look out for our fundraisers this year or contact me at joon@ patana.ac.th if you would like to get involved more directly.
Thank you for your generosity and support,
using tiMes tables to build coMMunity
Todd Thornback, Year 6 Leader - Curriculum and Assessment
Times tables are the fundamental building blocks for mathematical fluency. They provide students with the tools for speed, efficiency and accurate problem solving in Maths. Teachers frequently see children struggling to solve problems related to abstract mathematical concepts because of their insufficient times table knowledge, not their lack of ability to understand the new learning.
Our challenge is often to make learning Times Tables fun. Our challenge is then to encourage children to frequently use their knowledge so they don’t forget, like the way we forget words in a second language if we don’t use them.
As a consequence, we decided to use Maths Week to administer a ‘Key Stage 2 Times Table Battle of the Classes’ using the platform ‘Times Table Rockstars’. This pitted one class against another in a restricted time. To keep this as fair as possible, the younger children got more time than the older children.
Every child in the class tried to solve as many Times Table questions as possible in the time limit and, without revealing the range of scores, the online platform calculated a class average for the day. This resulted in a collective unity among each class reminiscent of a functioning sports team. Key Stage 2 was abuzz with encouragement between peers and friendly rivalry between classes.
Consequently, the tournament transcended competition. Instead it provided children with the opportunity to get to know children in other classes, to support each other within their own class teams and to bring Key Stage 2 together through the median speedy mental Maths.
We had the perfect number of classes in Key Stage 2 for a five day tournament. All 32 classes enter on the Monday, 16 winners participate on the Tuesday, eight on the Wednesday, the final four on Thursday and the final on Friday.
As we progressed through the week, defeated classes lended their support to other classes in their Year group, students were talking about their ‘battles’ at breaktime with their peers, and teachers were starting to feel the competition.
We had Year 4 classes beaming as they knocked out Year 6 classes, we had cheers of delight in the corridors when classes discovered their victories and even reports of cancellations of out-of-school appointments so that children could do their best for their team.
In the end we were left with an inevitable fairytale, a plucky Year 4 underdog featuring in the final against a Year 6 juggernaut. The marital relationship between the two teachers in the final made for an even more captivating end.
In the end, the wonderful 6M were victorious, and deservedly so. However, the improved Times Table recall, the evident love of learning and the community spirit made all the children winners.
the tigeR tails
eca
Aspart of our commitment to global citizenship and sustainability, we have launched a new marine conservation ECA across Years 5-8. Named after the seahorse commonly found in the waters of Thailand, the Tiger Tails group seeks to instil a scientific understanding of, and passion for conserving, the marine environment from a young age.
We have partnered with Thai Ocean Academy to support the delivery of their Deep Environmental Educational Program (DEEP). This has been developed by conservationists and marine biologists and aims to set the bar for marine education worldwide.
The children will be learning about sharks, coral and the reef ecosystem, tropical fish, seahorses and much more.
The group also recently had the opportunity to get underwater with a ‘try-dive’ scuba session. Supported by Thai Ocean Academy staff, they discovered how scuba equipment works, the principals of scuba diving and also
spent a few hours under the water learning a host of new skills.
Over the course of the day, the children proved themselves to be confident divers, overcoming some early morning anxieties to prove that, when they are determined, there is nothing that they can’t achieve – our Patana values made real.
The children now have the opportunity to work towards their open water qualifications with Thai Ocean Academy, and we even had several parents express an interest in dusting off their old dive qualifications and developing a shared love of this sport with their children.
The Tiger Tails ECA will be running again in Block B for any children who missed the opportunity to sign up this time around – we’d be excited to welcome you to the group!
Dan Hatfield, Year 3 Leader - Curriculum and Assessment and Sarah Dibley, Year 6 Leader - Pastoral
dutch school of bangkok
Kees Meinders, Dutch Teacher
It was long overdue that the Dutch School of Bangkok (based at Bangkok Patana School) had a field trip. Therefore, we were delighted to receive an invitation from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bangkok to pay them a visit for educational purposes.
We attended an exciting programme with 23 Dutch children at the Embassy of Netherlands (Wireless Road), prepared specifically for the students. The group was divided in two age groups. We started with an introduction to the activities in which the embassy is involved. Then,
the students had to answer questions about the art in the Embassy’s Residence through a treasure hunt. The ‘Residence’ has a lot of Dutch / Thai paintings and art. All the stories told and being able to visit such a special place in Bangkok made it a worthwhile visit for the Dutch School of Bangkok.
At the end of the trip, we had some time to explore the big garden, which had many Dutch elements, like Dutch cow statues and a tiny windmill, but before we knew it, it was already time to go back home.
RoRdoR test
Jarinthip Akkhaphati, RorDor Coordinator
Congratulations to 32 Year 11 students who successfully passed the physical fitness test on 11th September 2024, qualifying them for the Reserved Officer Training Corps course (Thai Military Student course) or commonly known as RorDor. This three-year course will run until their successful completion in Year13.
In light of the recent floods affecting northern Thailand, Year 11, 12, 13 RorDor students participated in a flood relief effort organized by the RorDor Training Centre.
On Saturday, 21st September 2024, the students donated much-needed items to support flood victims.
The donations were collected by Dr Panadda Wongphudee’s ‘Do Good Organization,’ which will ensure the items are distributed to those most affected by the disaster.
The students’ dedication not only to their military training but also to their community during times of need.
Our World Scholars Cup journey started in February when we began training and then competed in the Regional Round on March 30th and 31st. It was a remarkable experience and we were thrilled to make it to the Global Round which took place in Bangkok from 6th to 11th September.
Competing in the Global Round Cria division alongside approximately 300 students from more than 30 different countries was an incredible experience. We faced new challenges, developed our debating skills and had a lot of fun! Our hard work and dedication were rewarded with 6 Trophies, 21 Gold Medals and 15 Silver Medals!
Overall we placed 7th out of approximately 100 teams and we qualified for the Tournament of Champions at Yale University, America!
Kwanrat (Aly) Sirichareonwong 7U, Allegra (Allie) Pincock-Jones 7B and Ellie Vergara 7B
Isobel Bushell, Year 6 Class Teacher
MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF TRAFFICKED CHILDREN
A21is a global anti-slavery organisation committed to ending human trafficking and providing rescue, care, and restoration to survivors. Their work focuses on prevention, rescue, and aftercare, aiming to create a world free from slavery.
Last year, Year 6 generously supported A21’s efforts by raising funds for their education programs and providing essential supplies to those in need. The school also donated laptops to aid in the educational development of trafficked children.
A21’s prevention programs involve visiting schools and communities to educate children and raise awareness about the dangers of human trafficking. Their teams engage with young people through interactive activities, storytelling, and discussions, equipping them with knowl-
edge and tools to protect themselves and others. Additionally, the teams provide essential items like snacks and milk to support the well-being of the communities they serve.
As part of their Christmas appeal, the school donated backpacks filled with essentials and toys to children affected by trafficking. These gifts provide much-needed support and a sense of hope for these vulnerable individuals.
A21’s work is making a significant impact on the lives of trafficked children and their families. By raising awareness, providing education, and offering essential resources, they are helping to break the cycle of slavery and create a brighter future for those who have been affected. A21 is very grateful for all of the support that the Year 6 students at Bangkok Patana provide.
