School Update
PYP Back to School Week Back to School Week is undoubtedly the most important event at the beginning of a school year. It aims to start the year with a positive partnership between parents and teachers in each grade level.
The week offers parents an opportunity to listen to each teacher’s presentation and gain a better understanding of the grade-level curriculum which includes Units of Inquiry (UOI), Math, Thai language, Music, PE, Visual Arts, etc. Parents can also learn the home learning routine, classroom expectations and useful reminders. During the Q&A session, parents are encouraged to ask questions and address any concerns. From September 18th to 22nd, 2023, each day featured two grade levels presenting to parents with the Primary Years session held in the morning while the Early Years session in the afternoon. It was a great pleasure to see active parent participation during these sessions. We hope the Back to School Week has provided parents with useful information to support their child(ren)’s learning at home. We deeply value the school-home relationship and trust among teachers, students and parents. We are committed to foster positive communication this year. Ms. Ariel Wang Elementary School Principal
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Whole School Events
Moon Festival
in Elementary The Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋节) also called the Moon
Festival falls on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese lunar calendar, which this year is September 29th. It is a time for families to reunite, gathering for dinners, worshiping the moon, lighting paper lanterns, eating moon cakes and more. Concordian celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival on September 28th. All students and staff, including teachers, office staff, custodians, gardeners and guards, received delicious mooncakes. Students enthusiastically participated in various class activities, such as listening to the famous story Chang E Ben Yue (Chang E Flying to the Moon), making crafts of lanterns and mooncakes, writing their wishes for moon worshiping and wearing pomelo peels hats, their favorite activity! Everyone knows mooncakes are the festive food of the Mid-Autumn Festival but you may wonder about the significance of pomelos. In Chinese, pomelo is “You Zi”. The word “You” has the same pronunciation of the word “bless” in Chinese while “Zi” means child(ren). Therefore placing the pomelo skins on children’s heads is a tradition believed to protect them from evil and wishing for their safety and happiness. Celebrating culture and traditions are essential components of our PYP curriculum. It is delightful to see students learningthe language and the culture of the language. We wish everyone and their family a happy Mid-Autumn Festival 祝大家中秋快乐！ Ms. Ariel Wang Elementary Principal
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Whole School Events
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Whole School Events
Wai Kru Ceremony
Early Years Wai Kru Ceremony This school year marked the first time that K2 and K3 students attended the Wai Kru Ceremony at the Amphitheater! And it was the First Wai Kru for Pre-K and K1 students as well.
K1 - K3 students have learned the meaning of symbolic flowers for Wai Kru and they enjoyed decorating their class pedestal trays (พานไหว้ครู) to be given to the teachers. We can see the effort and concentration they put into it. On Wai Kru Day (Thursday, 28th September), Pre-K had the Wai Kru Ceremony at the EY Gym with nearly all of their teachers around. K1 students had Wai Kru in Thai class while K2 and K3 had their Wai Kru at the Amphitheater. The students were very excited to attend the Wai Kru Ceremony and really wanted to show their respect and gratitude, and give their flowers to the teachers.
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Whole School Events
Primary Years Wai Kru Ceremony “Pajera Chariya Honti Khunuttara Nu sa Sa ka….” This Pali sentence is the beginning of the prayer for teachers which means “The teacher who educates is the most valued person”. Students recite this chant to salute their teachers on the Wai Kru day which is one of the most important ceremonies at Concordian. During Thai class, all PY students participated in making the flower trays, they helped to design together and decorate them creatively for the ceremony. The Wai Kru Ceremony at the Grand Theater started with a Thai Classical dance and music named “Thai candle light dance” (FawnLao-Seang-Thien), which is performed in honor of the Buddha and prays for blessings on the auspicious occasion. The "Wai Kru" ceremony is a significant cultural tradition at Concordian, where students pay their respects to their teachers. It is also an opportunity for PY students to show their commitment to their education and to seek blessings for their academic endeavors.
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Whole School Events
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Whole School Events
Secondary Wai Kru Ceremony On Thursday, September 28 , 2023, I, th
Kenta G8 MSSG president
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the MSSG president, was privileged to witness and participate in the traditional event Wai Kru. This event serves to express our sincere gratitude towards all our teachers or those who have passed on knowledge to us. All the students got to present a bouquet of a variety of flowers, which all have unique meanings, and pay respect to our teachers. One of the highlights of this event for me as the MSSG president was the opportunity to share a poem about teachers with the audience. This cultural event taught me how Wai Kru reflects the values of gratitude, respect, and unity that are central to Thai culture. Reading the poem aloud in front of my peers was not only an honor but also a humbling experience, as I felt the weight of centuries-old traditions and the importance of acknowledging the role our educators play in shaping our lives.
School Update
The air was filled with excitement and
Graduation
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"The Grade 5 graduation ceremony was a beautiful testament to the power of education and personal growth that occurs in the Primary Years at Concordian."
anticipation as parents, teachers, and students gathered in the Grand Theater for the Grade 5 graduation ceremony on 21 June, 2023. It was a day of reflection, celebration, and hope for the bright futures that lay ahead. The event not only marked the transition from PYP to MYP, but also celebrated the remarkable achievements and personal growth of these young learners. The pride emanating from both parents and faculty was palpable. We had all watched these students evolve into confident and capable individuals over the years. The primary years had been a time of skill development, where students honed their academic abilities, cultivated the approaches to learning, and embraced the attributes of the learner profile – becoming inquirers, thinkers, communicators, and more. Everyone was bursting with pride as they looked at how far these students had come. The graduation ceremony was a poignant reminder of the academic growth, personal development, and character building that take place at Concordian.
It was a moment to recognize the resilience and determination these young graduates had demonstrated in their journey through the PYP. As the students received their certificates it was clear to all that they were ready for the challenges of the Middle Years Programme. With the skills and academic understandings they had acquired, they were well-prepared to face the next phase of their educational journey. We all wished them the best of luck, knowing that these students would continue to shine and make a positive impact in the years to come. The Grade 5 graduation ceremony was a beautiful testament to the power of education and personal growth that occurs in the Primary Years at Concordian. It was a day of pride, celebration, and hope, as these young learners took their next steps towards a promising future. Mr. Craig Martin Elementary Vice-Principal PY Dean of Students
School Update
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