Primary_Years_Update

Sports Day

It’s wonderful to hear that students had a fantastic time participating in a variety of activities and performing their sports skills. The inclusion of both challenging and enjoyable stations for different grade levels encouraged students to engage in activities that suit their abilities and interests.

The involvement of parents in some stations and the Grand finale have added a special element to the day, creating a sense of community and shared joy. A big thank you to parents, admin team, PE team, teachers, and all staff for their support and collaborative effort that made this event successful.

This event not only contributed to the physical well-being of students but also fostered a sense of teamwork, sportsmanship, and school spirit. It’s fantastic that everyone was already looking forward to the next PY Sports day, anticipating more enjoyment and fun with parents. Congratulations to the entire school community on a successful sports day!

Kru Tiew

Loy Krathong Festival 2023

Concordian’s Loy Krathong celebration was held on Monday, November 27th, starting in the morning with a welcome performance by our Thai instruments student band and the Thai dance group at the school lobby area. Concordian community members came to school with beautiful Thai traditional costumes to promote Thai culture and celebrate the Loy Krathong Festival together.

Our EY students decorated their Krathongs in the classroom with their parents while our PY students decorated their own Krathongs during Thai classes. They all enjoyed decorating then floating their Krathongs at the swimming pool with their friends, parents, teachers and administrators. This act symbolizes paying respect and asking forgiveness from the river goddess.

Happy Loy Krathong

Kru Dear Thai Events Leader

Celebrating Dragons

Our own Concordian Dragons’ achievements outside of school are numerous and impressive! They span sports, music, dance and art - it would take us many, many pages to include them all! That is why our Elementary School Flag Raising events and Secondary School Assemblies provide a wonderful opportunity for these achievements to be celebrated at school, surrounded by supportive and proud peers and teachers. Here, we feature just a taste of what some of our students have achieved recently in the fields of sport and the performing arts.

Classical Ballet

Cathy received 1st place Duo classical ballet in the ATOD international Dance Competition Thailand 2023, and on January 19th 2024 she received her award at the ceremony hosted by the Ministry of Culture of Thailand.

Piano Competition

Tate G2C and Ty G2I participated in 2 piano competitions and received the following awards:

1. International Music Competition Bonn “ Grand Prize Virtuoso” (December 2023). Tate and Ty both received First Prize awards in the young musician category and were invited to play piano at Beethoven house in Germany in last December, but were not able to attend.

2. HKYPA (Hong Kong International Performance Arts Festival and Music Competition) on February 24, 2024. Tate and Ty both won Gold Prize in the preliminary round and participated in the International Final round in Hong Kong and both received distinction awards for Piano Age group 9 years and under.

Thailand National Youth Team 2023

Phaak, Grade 7, was selected to be a Thailand National Youth Team swimmer and represented Thailand in the 45th SEA Age Group Competition, the biggest swimming event in Southeast Asia which was held in Indonesia in August 2023.

All the Southeast Asia swimmers were looking forward to this competition and finally Phaak secured the BRONZE MEDAL with a time of 32.84 seconds on the 50m Breaststroke becoming

the TOP-ranked swimmer in Thailand in his age group and the school’s first swimming medal in an international competition.

We extend our gratitude for the unwavering support from the school in all aspects, including teachers, coaches, management, and the entire Concordian community. We hope that Phaak’s accomplishment on the international stage will strengthen our Concordian Sports Community and cultivate an environment of excellence within our school.

Centerstage@13 October 20, 2023

Thirteen Years! Yes, Centerstage has been running for 13 years straight, not only showcasing a wide range of acts and drawing an increasing number of participants each year who put on amazing, sophisticated, impressive, and elevated performances but also fostering unity and togetherness!

Centerstage@13 received 66 entries for auditions; out of which 25 finalists were selected, and concluded with 19 Supernova Award recipients, the highest number of Supernova ever awarded, to date! Thanks to our judges, Ms. Min, Mr. Clynt, Mr. Mark, Ms. Tashia, Khun Aom and Kru Aim, who came from the different sections of our community! A crystal plaque was also awarded to Times G5D, in appreciation of his achievement of having received the Supernova Award in the same category for three consecutive years! A special congratulations to you Times!

There’s more! One of the highlights of the Centerstage@13 Finale was a surprise TikTok dance number by the PY Parents, later on joined by all the PY students, teachers, TAs, staff, administrators and guests, resulting in the first ever Concordian PY Community TikTok Dance! This attests not only to our being a community of fast learners but also to our being a community of talented team players!

Our utmost and sincerest gratitude to each and every one who took part in this event! Once again, you have all brought Centerstage to life, the 13th time around!

Mabuhay!

Mrs. Maricor and Mr. Sebert

Supernova Award Recipients

(listed randomly and in no particular order):

• Guitar & Drums - Alin 5I and Lilo 5S, “Canon Rock”

• Vocal Solo - Kiki 2C, “Let Me Be Your Star”

• Piano - Plawarn 3D, “Sonatina in C”

• Vocal Solo - Charlotte 3D, “Rise Like a Phoenix”

• Dance Group - Ava 1I, Proud 1I, Claire 1D, Rita 1D, Lamoon 1I, Stella 1D, “Doraemon”

• Singing with Piano - Pam 5I, “When She Loved Me”

• KFC Band - Finn, Kean, Klint, Sisi 4S, “Don’t Stop Me Now”

• Vocal Solo - Nita 3I, “Reflection”

• Dance Solo - Proud 5D, “Peacock Dance”

• Musical - Venice 3D, “The Sound of Music Medley”

• Piano - Mangkorn 5S, “Sparkle”

• Thai Dance Solo - Petchja 4I, “The Candle Dance”

• The Rubik’s Band - A-chi 5I, Devin 5I, Grande 5D, Kayton 5S, Porsche 5D, Toto 5C, Tuntun 5S, “Bones”

• Vocal Solo - Proud 4S, “Traitor”

• Piano - Lada 4C, “Liszt’s Waldesrauschen”

• Dance & Singing - Terter 5D, “Baby”

• Guitar Solo - Times 5D, “Phoenix Rising”

• Vocal Solo - Nita 5D, “Part of Your World”

• Dance Group - Mona 5D & Neala 5S, “Last Dance”

Welcoming the Year of the Dragon

At Concordian, we celebrate a diversity of cultures and Chinese New Year is one of the greatest highlights of the year.

2024 is the year of the Dragon. The Chinese Dragon, 龙lóng, symbolizes strength, power, good fortune, intelligence, and positivity. Long is believed to possess the ability to bring prosperity and ward off evil spirits; historically, it was also associated with the Emperor or a high ruling position.

Another interesting aspect of Long in Chinese mythology is that they could control the weather and seasons, change the rain patterns, help farming, and often aided humans when natural disasters struck. It symbolizes “compassion” in the relationship with humans. In the year of the Dragon, let us all be the true Concordian dragons, be strong, fearless, and compassionate.

Our campus was decorated with festive vibes for the New year: lanterns, plum blossoms, red couplets, dragon figures, Concordian dragons in Chinese outfits. Students, parents, and teachers enjoyed

seeing the decorations and took many beautiful photos.

At the main lobby and the Early Years entrance, as students entered the school, they greeted the school administrators with blessing words in Chinese. In return, they were given a red envelope HONG BAO with golden chocolate coins, a great way to start a day of celebration.

This year once again, we invited Professor and Calligrapher Jia Qing 賈慶 from Ramkhamhaeng University to write blessing words and spring couplets on red paper for all Concordian members. Watching Professor Jia gracefully transform a wish into a piece of art on red paper was a true pleasure.

A successful year of the Dragon could not start without lion and dragon dances. The 12-meter-long golden dragon and four colorful lions danced enthusiastically for an auspicious year ahead at Concordian! The joyous sound of drums and gongs attracted many parents and students as the dragon and lions performed at the lobby and marched to the Grand Theater.

In the Early Years, students enthusiastically participated in station activities led by classroom teachers. Pre-K and K1 had four rotation activities while K2 and K3 had eight stations! Not only were there some traditional games such as Dragon Ball 龙抢龙珠 and Arrow in the Pot 龙年投壶 but we had also adapted activities for the Dragon year such as Dragon Head to Tail 龙头龙尾, Fishing Dragon 龙王吃小鱼, Chinese Zodiac Spin 十二生肖大转盘. Students and teachers had a great time playing games and celebrating the cultural event.

It was delightful to see students learning the Chinese language and learning about the culture as well. We wish all Concordian members a happy and auspicious Chinese New Year!

祝大家龙年大吉，福顺安康， 龙行万里！

Ariel Yu Wang Elementary Principal

Freaky Fun Festival 2023

On November 3rd, 2023, Concordian celebrated it’s always exciting annual “Freaky Fun Festival.” Students dressed up, went trick-or-treating and engaged in a wide range of fun and freaky activities.

Students wore their most fun and freakiest costumes to school. Students marched through the school in their costumes and collected treats from different locations around the school.

The PYP class parents of Concordian spared no effort in setting up an array of activities, ensuring that all students had a memorable experience. From the PY gym to the EY gym, there was something for everyone. Students from the MY and DP programs even took charge of a delightfully messy slime activity, much to the delight of the younger PY students.

Once again, the “Freaky Fun Festival” at Concordian brought our community together. Students, parents, and teachers worked at and enjoyed the festival. Prizes were in abundance and students all walked away with yummy treats and fun and freaky prizes.

Every year the “Freaky Fun Festival” brings the Concordian community together. This year was one of the most fun and successful celebrations we’ve ever had.

Thank you class parents and student volunteers. Let’s see if we can make it even better next year.

Joe Savage

Grade 5 Week Without Walls Adventures in Hua Hin

In a splendid display of camaraderie and adventure, the Grade 5s embarked on a memorable Week Without Walls escapade, enriching them as both responsible thinkers and caring risk-takers with a kaleidoscope of experiences. From the exhilarating thrills of frolicking in Vana Nava Water Park to the serene contemplation amidst The Gallery Hua Hin, their journey was an odyssey of inquiry and appreciation. Engaged in the fine art of expression, these budding artists indulged their creative muses, daubing canvases with strokes of imagination and ingenuity.

Yet, beyond the vivid painting and the cascading waters, this experience served as an opportunity for the forging of friendships, the cultivation of the Learner Profile, and the development of the Approaches To Learning. As they partook in the spirited “Grade 5 Olympics’’ and communed with nature in the cradle of a mangrove forest at Pranburi Forest Park, these intrepid voyagers blossomed with attributes emblematic of Concordian’s Mission and Vision. From the inquiring minds delving into the secrets of the natural world to the principled release of

crabs into their native habitat, from the balanced harmony of team play to the reflective introspection kindled by the tranquil shores of the beachside barbecue at Avani Hua Hin Resort, each moment resonated with the ethos of becoming moral and responsible leaders who want to make a positive difference in this world. As a result of this amazing experience, they carry with them not merely memories, but the indelible imprints of growth and friendship that will enrich their academic and personal journeys through life.

Mr. Craig Martin

PY the Voice of Concordian

Chinese Singing Contest Season 8

The Voice of Concordian Chinese Singing Contest Season 8 was successfully held in celebration of the Chinese New Year 2024.

The theme of the Voice Season 8 this year was “春节到 龙吟唱 Spring arrives, Dragon Sings”. 2024 is the Year of the Dragon. The Chinese Dragon, Long, symbolizes strength, power, good fortune, intelligence, and positivity.

After auditions, sixteen talented groups were selected to compete in the Voice Finale on the 8th of February, 2024. Their performances were stunning, showcasing beautiful vocal strength and voices. They delivered amazing interpretations of the songs in their styles, deeply touching the hearts of both the audience and judges. A tremendous amount of hard work and practice went into the production of these exceptional performances.

We extend our sincere appreciation to all of our judges, from the auditions to the finale: Mr. Mark, Mr. Roxy, Khun Aom, Ms. Jing, Ms. Jeniffer, Ms. Ting, Ms. Norylove, Ms. Sally, Mr. Laurent, student judge Pud from Grade 11, and last but not least, our guest judge Ms. Zhao Yiping. Ms. Zhao is a professional singer and vocal teacher. She has been actively involved in many cultural exchange events between China and Thailand. Having been a guest judge in Voice Season 4, she returned to the Voice stage joyfully.

Congratulations to the following students who won the Best Voice Awards: Kiki G2C, Tyra G2S, Janine G2D, Nita G3I, Venice G3D, Samuel G4C, Prim G4I, Finn G4S and Tun Tun G5S.

Congratulations to the following students who won the Good Voice Awards: Ava G1I, Eri G1S, Morris G2D, Kade G2D, JJ G3C, Chada G3S, Charlotte G3D, Jaida G4S, Terter G5D.

Congratulations to Venice G3D and Finn G4S who won the Golden Voice Plaque Awards. They have won the Best Voice awards consecutively for three years in a row.

We also thank the following 8 talented G2 MCs: Yammy, Chompu, Atam, Deenah, Primm, Mook, Qing Qing and Anya. They were truly trilingual communicators, confidently using three languages to facilitate the show.

In addition, we are grateful for the service of our G4 Miss Etiquette Students: Koch, Proud, Petchja, Khongkwan, Ellefie and Miki. Their beautiful smiles and elegant presence welcomed us to the event and provided us with a joyful experience.

A great show can only be done with a professional team - our outstanding PY Chinese department: all the Chinese teachers, teaching assistants, and support teachers spent long days over many weeks to ensure the success of the event. We thank Khun Pavida who created all the graphic designs and coordinated the event alongside me. We also thank Khun June for coordinating the facility and stage set, Khun Game on behalf of the IT team, Khun Hong on behalf of the custodians and support staff, and Khun Santi on behalf of the maintenance team.

We look forward to the Voice of Concordian Chinese Singing Contest Season 9 next year.

Ms. Ariel Wang

Elementary Principal

From December 11th to the 15th, Concordian International School was brimming with holiday cheer as we came together to celebrate our STUCO-organized Spirit Week. Each day brought its own theme and we ended the year on a fun and festive note.

Kicking off the week on December 11th was Twin Day, where students paired up with their perfect match and dressed alike. The halls were filled with laughter as friends twinned their outfits and posed for photos.

On Tuesday, December 12th, students adorned themselves in festive attire, dressing up as sparkling ornaments. Dressed in their ornament costumes they brought their handmade Christmas ornaments to their grade level tree and hung them up for the community to see.

Wednesday, December 13th, we celebrated Snow Day at Concordian. Students were treated to a surprise visit from the extremely beautiful and glamorous Snow Fairy, who sprinkled the school grounds with snow for sculpting and snowy fun. When the snow got too cold, there was hot cocoa for all.

Holiday Spirit Week 2023

Thursday, December 14th, was a day of coziness and relaxation as students donned their coziest pajamas for Pajama Day. Snuggled up in their favorite sleepwear, students enjoyed reading bedtime stories with their classmates. Dressed in their pajamas, the students of Concordian had their own private petting zoo filled with different furry and scaly creatures.

As the week drew to a close on Friday, December 15th, the school year ended on a high note with a festive finale. The Pattaya Redemptorist School for the Blind led the school community in heartwarming Christmas carols in the lobby and Amphitheater, spreading joy and goodwill to all. To top it off, students were treated to visits from different Santas, adding a touch of holiday magic to the day.

The students left the school with handmade crafts from the Redemptorist School for the Blind as well as some delicious and sweet Concordian dragon cookies to decorate at home and hopefully share with their families.

The STUCO holiday spirit week was a fun and festive week for the Concordian PYP school community to enjoy the last week of the calendar year spreading and sharing cheer with their teachers and friends.

Joe Savage