ISSUE 13 APRIL 2015
SUMMER ISSUE
EYP & PYP Sports Day
IB Art Exhibition
Alumni Update P’Aeii & P’Minky
CONTENTS Editor’s Note
Page. 14
Page. 13
Page. 24
Page. 6
Concordian Showcase - Message from The Board - University Acceptance List - Concordian MUN Delegates: Young Diplomats Living Concordian’s Mission - Athletics News - Congratulations Math Whizzes - History Bee and Bowl Thailand Championships Community Service - Camillian Home... The Tradition of Giving Continues Special Feature -IB Art Exhibition Alumni Update - Moving to Imperial College London by Aeii - Adventures After High School by Minky
Page. 32
Page. 37
MYP / DP - College Update - Learning Chinese with Fun - IBDP Theatre Class Attends ISTA World Theatre Festival - MYP Personal Project Exhibition - Artists’ Reflections on the Camillian Home
3
4 5 6 8 10 12
13
14 18 19
20 21 22 24 26
EY / PY - K3 Students Learning Important Life 28 Lessons 29 - Check out what G1A & G1R is up to! / Assessment in the Differentiated Classroom - G2 Students spreading compassion 30 & giving back to the community - G4 Explores “How We Organize 31 Ourselves”
กระดังงา หรือ การะเวก (Ylang-Ylang)
ต้นกระดังงา เป็นไม้เลื้อยทรงพุ่มโปร่งขนาดกลาง กลีบดอกมีสีเหลืองอมเขียว เป็นต้นไม้มงคลที่จะช่วยเสริมให้ผู้ปลูกเป็นคนมีชื่อเสียงโด่งดัง มีเงินทอง ลาภยศ อีกทั้งยังมีผู้คนนับหน้าถือตา บางคนจึงเรียกกระดังงาว่า การะเวก
Events & Activities - EYP Sports day Fun 32 - Another Year Another Sports Day 34 - Swimming Dragons 36 - Concordian Voice Season 2 37 is a wrap! - Grade 8 Performs Traditional Thai & 38 Chinese Weddings - Library News 40
T
his is the 12th issue of Impact that I have worked on. It has been my pleasure to be the editor of Concordian’s magazine. In my normal job responsibilities – HR, Communications, and Publications – typically I don’t have much interaction with students. So reading and editing (and sometimes chasing down ☺ ) Impact articles gives me good insights into what our students have been up to. They never fail to impress me. And it gives me another, and different, way to interact with Concordian’s great teaching staff. Same goes for them – an impressive group. This will be my last issue as editor of Impact magazine. I will be leaving Concordian by the end of this school year. I move on to a new chapter in my life, which will see me spending about half the year in Thailand, and the other half in the US, my home country. While I am excited about new adventures on the horizon, it is with more than a little sadness that I will say goodbye to the wonderful group of people that I have worked with over the last 5 years. They have been the best group of colleagues anyone could have asked for. I will always be grateful to K. Varnnee for giving me the opportunity to be part of Concordian. She has built a special place here – and I am not talking about the buildings, I am talking about the school community – with the help of a lot of special people – teachers, students, parents, and staff. Enough about me. I leave Impact magazine in the capable hands of K. Ice and K. Prinz, our photo and layout wizards, and my replacement Nichole Deidrick who will take over as the new editor of Impact magazine. Welcome to Concordian and to Impact magazine! I hope you enjoy this last issue of Impact for the 20142015 school year. Be sure to look for our Concordian yearbook which will be published at the end of the school year. I wish all of you and your families a happy and safe summer break.
Ice at 083-049-1919, ice@concordian.ac.th
Happy Reading, Shelley Harris Editor
Wanlapha (Prinz) Sa-ardwong Thanachaporn (Ice) Chayasatit
3 CONCORDIAN
Dear Impact Readers,
Message From the Board of Trustees
Message from
the Board of Trustees
By Mr. John Chu, Chair of the Board of Trustees
Concordian is well into its second decade of building young minds and hearts. We have been through so many changes since the school first opened. The development and growth which we have experienced in the past 14 years has truly been remarkable. With this in mind, I would like to thank all of the hard working staff members, faculty, management, and board members who have made this mission possible. Without their combined efforts, we would not have been able to instill such high values, ethics and strong academics into our students. The Board of Trustees’ role in the school has been in advising and setting the direction for the school. We have just completed our third cycle of the strategic plan for the school. This plan is a 5 year plan, reviewed annually, for where we would like to see the school in the future and the goals we would like to achieve. We constantly remind ourselves of Concordian’s mission statement and strive to meet the lofty goals on which this school is founded. We purposely have expanded the school, keeping in mind that we have limits on growth in order to maintain the healthy, warm, community atmosphere while building a strong mind and body in our students. We continually review and emphasize not only high academic achievements, but also building well-rounded and caring individuals who truly can change the world. At Concordian we truly believe in the ability and future of our children to make a difference. Let us all join together and give them our faith. Thank you for your gift of your child.
4 CONCORDIAN
5
CONCORDIAN
Concordian Showcase
(HMCA : Harvard Model Congress Asia) From the 8th to the 11th of January, a group of Concordian’s best delegates flew to Hong Kong to participate in Harvard Model Congress Asia 2015 at the Universtiy of Hong Kong. Harvard Model Congress is a government simulation programme hosted by students from Harvard University. This is the second time Concordian has taken part in HMCA, after a successful experience last year. Many of our delegates were experienced and seasoned diplomats ready to take on their next challenge, whereas some were new and fresh minds eager for an invaluable learning experience.
Apart from the joy of impassioned debates, Concordian delegates were also recognised for their diplomatic endeavours with Nat (G11 – ASEAN) and Pond (G12 – ICC) earning gavels to take home as outstanding delegates, and Danny (G11 – House Intelligence) and Fuji (G12 – Presidential Cabinet) receiving honourable mentions. In addition to following the school’s mission of being “young moral and intellectual leaders” who were all looking to “make a difference in the world” through resolutions and lobbying, delegates also had the opportunity to enhance their global citizenship by meeting new people from nearby Singapore to Korea, or even as The 13 Concordian delegates included far away as Canada. freshmen Gavin, Bank, Nat, and Pien-Pien, sophomore Waad, juniors Calvin, Nat, and Danny, and As President of Concordian MUN, I am Weimin, and seniors Pond, Fuji, Daven, and Chelsea. happy to have seen the exponential growth of our Concordian delegates continued to excel in the inter- MUN culture over the period of just one year. As we national organisations, solving issues ranging from the go on to participate in more conferences, students South China Sea dispute in ASEAN to international become more aware of the world around them and financial regulation in the G20, and engaging in they think about solutions to pressing issues. On intricate legal battles in the International Criminal Court. behalf of all of the delegates, I would like to express For the first time, Concordian also participated in US our sincerest gratitude towards Mr. Kim, Ms. Kelsey, domestic committees with delegates in the House, the and K. Aoh for guiding and supervising us throughSenate, and the Presidential Cabinet, raising the federal out the trip. Delegates returned to Bangkok inspired, minimum wage and financing STEM education. passionate and eager to work towards making a difference in the world.
CONCORDIAN CONCORDIAN
66
The Concordian International School Delegates to Harvard Model Congress Asia.
Concordian Showcase
The delegates enjoy opening ceremonies, ready to begin a great weekend!
Pien-Pien (G9) speaks in the European Union committee.
Nat presents his opinions in debate at the International Summit. Delegates vote in the International Summit.
Chelsea, Daven and Pond, prosecute a case for the International Criminal Court.
Fuji (G12), Pond (G12), Danny (G11), and Nat (G11) were recognized as outstanding delegates in each of their committees. Nat and Pond were granted the Outstanding Delegate Award, a gavel, and Fuji and Danny received honorable mentions.
This year, I feel that I have better adjusted to the methods and workings of HMCA; it’s all a matter of balancing diplomacy, aggression and charisma. The most important point to keep in mind is to establish yourself as someone that takes everyone’s interests into account, while negotiating and compromising on whether certain interests could be agreed upon. All in all, this year’s HMCA experience was a huge trial for my revised ideas, and I daresay that they were a smashing success. Nat D (Grade 11)
HMCA helps you practice your speech making and speaking skills overall which can be of use to apply in presentations in school, I can guarantee this. I encourage every high school student to participate in HMCA because it is a magnificent learning experience and in the meantime you get to experience HK or other locations. Nat J (Grade 9)
7 CONCORDIAN
You have all these different people from Hong Kong, Canada, Singapore, Indonesia and other Asian countries. You also get to see that there are other people in the world that are better than you in every aspect, and it could be inspiration for some of you future delegates to work hard. I never thought that I would be a great delegate due to the lack of experience; However, you still have time over there to learn the procedure and learn from other experienced delegates. For people who love to debate, expressing their knowledge and role playing, the HMCA program is perfect for you. There are also a wide range of topics for you to pick from that you would like to debate about. However, there is some research to be done and lots of preparation to make sure that you are able to handle other delegates at the conference. Once again, I would highly recommend this program to anyone with or without experience of debating as it is a unique experience for anyone. Gavin (Grade 9)
Concordian Showcase
Athletics News W
inning gold medals and a trophy was beyond my expectation; it all came true because of the motivation of becoming a champion like Kenneth. He taught me to never stop training and focus on the swimming not the winning. As a result, I placed where I am today and I am remarkably grateful for this opportunity. In the journey I learned that friendship can be found everywhere, even with your competitors who will be aggressive to you in the races, but in the end you will all be friends! By Sunny
Dragons Football
CONCORDIAN
Dragons Football would like to thank the Seniors FISH who will be graduating and moving on to top universities and colleges. They, along with Coach K and SWAG (class of 2014), built our now-competitive team from scratch a few years ago. Best wishes Assistant Coach Fuji, Captain Pond, Pat, Petch, Pete, Ju Seong, 8 and T. We promise to keep the ball rolling and put it in the net!
Concordian Showcase
U-13 Soccer Growing in Strength The U13 boys’ soccer team has been training and playing in the TISAC league since the beginning of December. The team has grown in numbers and strength. Our initial training session attracted only seven players; however, soccer has grown in strength at Concordian, and now many more students attend our regular Tuesday training sessions. Playing league and tournament soccer has been a new experience for the boys. They have all risen to the challenge and adapted really well to the fast pace of the game. They have held their positions during games and pushed the opposition until the final whistle. The boys’ ball control, passing, tackling and shooting skills have improved with every game played. The U13s will keep training and playing and results will come their way.
Thoughts from the U-11 Footballers (and the theme is…teamwork!) I think U-11 is a very good teamwork team. Our team has many great players, but I am not so good in Football. I think U-11 is the best because we (Peak G5D) won all the games, we never lose. (Jaden G4CM). The U-11 soccer team is organized and has a lot of victories, we won I like playing in U-11 because every match. whenever they play they have a (Pun-Pun G4T) good warm-up and match! (Mathew G4J) I love U-11 Football team because all of our teammates are working in I like U-11 because it’s fun to play teamwork. soccer! (Pun-Pun G5D) (Tiro G4J)
I like U-11 because we are all friends and we always win! (M G5D) I think the U-11 soccer team is good but must have more days of training! (Seiki G4J)
I think we are very organized and have lots of teamwork, helping and I like this team because the team I like U-11 because my favorite supporting each other. members are funny. (Tonnam G4T) sport is Football and I get to go to (Nick G5D) other schools to play Football. (Pung Pond G4T) Our team has good teamwork and I like U-11 soccer team because we good shooting, passing and volley! have good teamwork. (Kellen G4CM) I like U-11 because I like to play (Sun G5D) Football and I try my best to go to the TISAC. We also cooperate, and I don’t think I’m so good but at least I like this team because our team is don’t blame each other. We also I get to try! OP (OVER POWER!). (Shoeng G5I) listen to the referee! (Victor G5D) (Touch G4J) I think that U-11 team is an amazing I like U-11 team because we have team, we work as a team! If we lose some of the best players like Kellen. we lose together, if we win, we win (Ton G5I) together! (Poony G5I)
CONCORDIAN
I might not be the best but our team is the best! U-11 team has teamwork 9 and is really nice. (Zander G5I)
Concordian Showcase
by Mr. Ravi
10 CONCORDIAN
The Mathematics Department is once again very proud to announce the great achievements of our Grade 8,9, and 10 students in the Intermediate Mathematical Challenge (IMC) organized by the United Kingdom Mathematics Trust (UKMT). In this academic year, Concordian students achieved 5 Gold, 12 Silver and 23 Bronze Certificates. In addition, three students qualified for the next round – a really a great achievement for our students and for our school. Well done and congratulations!
Concordian Showcase
GRADE 10 Kalsuda Kwin Minsung Kamolluck Sethaphong Warut Dhammatorn Thitichaya Pichayaporn Natdanai Napat Siriyakorn Carmelia Mei Chutchada
Lapborisuth Palanuwech Kim Niamkongkit Schangruantkul Pantratanamongkol Riewcharoon Triyanantakul Lohasiriwat Lee Kongpiyacharn Hirunviriya Jafari Kiengsiri Sanghiran GRADE 9 Nareauph Sarinya Aphisara Marisee Tanaporn Chayut Chatchai Sukrit Natchanon Eric Boonyisa Intouch Setasit Chittawan
GRADE 8 Sarun Alandorn Nichathorn Kittikul Pruek Jiraphas Pailin Ravathin Samita Katrina Boonyada
Lertsakulcharoen Palanuwech Sirinan Triyanond Suwanpraipatan Supamitmongkol Techawatanasuk Techakraisri Asadathorn Williams Trangadisaikul
Waad Kevin Minsung Mild Bart Rut Zen Inc Jeen Nat Max Sunny Carnia Mei Chada
Gold Certificate Gold Certificate Silver Certificate Silver Certificate Silver Certificate Silver Certificate Silver Certificate Silver Certificate Silver Certificate Silver Certificate Silver Certificate Bronze Certificate Bronze Certificate Bronze Certificate Bronze Certificate
Liu Pantratanamongkol Banasanprasit Delossantos Thongthum Triyanantakul Atchariyaporn Raksantiphab Jivakanunt Liu Dolritacha Apiromdej Pittayathikhun Boonsitanon Part Al Miw Tan Keng Peak Li Jasmine Kwan Katrina Yuyu
Gavin Pena Shertam Esee May Ong Mawin Golf Nat Eric Cherry Teddy Shin Tawan
Gold Certificate Gold Certificate Silver Certificate Bronze Certificate Bronze Certificate Bronze Certificate Bronze Certificate Bronze Certificate Bronze Certificate Bronze Certificate Bronze Certificate Bronze Certificate Bronze Certificate Bronze Certificate
Gold Certificate Silver Certificate Silver Certificate Bronze Certificate Bronze Certificate Bronze Certificate Bronze Certificate Bronze Certificate Bronze Certificate Bronze Certificate Bronze Certificate
11 CONCORDIAN
Concordian Showcase
The History Bowl & Bee is the world’s largest quiz competition for middle and high school students. The organizers behind this famous competition are seeking to promote the growth of history education around the world. On March 14, 2015, the History Bowl and Bee came to Bangkok, Thailand for the Thailand Championships. Ali Bahrami, Kongpak (Kong) Phupa, Napdanai Sriratanarungrueng, Nat Penpongpan and Sriapong (Weimin) Kancvalskul represented Concordian in this prestigious competition. They did so well that they advanced to the Asian Championships, which will be held in Khao Lak, Thailand this year. The questions were extremely difficult and the competition was intense, but our history students showed incredible poise and knowledge. They had a fun time meeting other budding historians who also value historical knowledge.
By Mr. Rich
In addition to qualifying for the History Bowl, two of our students advanced to the Asian Championships for the individual History Bee. Kong came in second in the under 17 division and Weimin also advanced to the Asian Championships as well as the International History Olympiad, held in the United States.
12 CONCORDIAN
DP History students, including members of the Concordian History Bowl Team, answer questions from David Madden, the director of the Bowl and Bee and former 19-Day Champion of Jeopardy!
Community Service
CamilliAn Home… The Tradition of Giving Continues
T
he senior class started working with Camillian Home four years ago. This is an institution established in the 1950s by Father Giovanni Contarin. The main purpose of this institution was to look after children with disabilities. The senior class discovered that Peeraya, a 13 year old girl, abandoned by her family, needed love, affection, and money to keep her going. They found that the total amount needed per year was 60,000 baht. This money will cover her well-being, shelter, and her medication.
13
- By Pond G12 -
CONCORDIAN
The commitment from the previous senior classes made us all very proud because it links with our mission statement “nurturing young people to become moral and intellectual leaders, people of dignity, integrity and compassion”. On February 2nd, the Senior Class of 2015 went to Camillian Home to deliver 60,000 for the support of Peeraya. This was presented with a mock-up of a cheque, as the money has already been provided beforehand. The Class of 2015 would now like to pass the torch to our upcoming senior classes in the years to come.
Lastly, we would like to thank Ms. Milichu for contributing to initiating this program four years ago. It has now become a tradition at Concordian. We would also like to wish Ms. Milichu good luck on her next adventure.
Special Feature
14
14
CONCORDIAN
CONCORDIAN
Special Feature
15 CONCORDIAN
Special Feature
16 CONCORDIAN
SpecialFeature Feature Special
CONCORDIAN CONCORDIAN
17 17
Alumni Update
Moving to By Aeii
I
still remember the moment I waved goodbye to the familiar faces. As I schlepped my cumbersome luggage across myriad shops and a labyrinth of terminals, I realized something. I wasn’t just moving away from the city I’d spent 18 years in, I was also moving far far away, out of my comfort zone.
I was scared and excited at the same time. Moving into a new place, meeting a diverse new group of people, going to challenging lectures; the first month was more than overwhelming for me. Coming to Imperial taught me how to be more independent and outgoing, and to persevere. Even though I am constantly bombarded with programming assignments and digital labs, I love where I am and how this place helped shape me into who I am right now. Trust me, outside your comfort zone is where the magic happens.
18 CONCORDIAN
Alumni Update
by Minky Phantratanamongkol
A
s some of you may know, I graduated from Concordian with the IB Diploma in 2013. I took a gap year to do A-levels, enhancing my academic profile further. And finally, I made it to the University of Cambridge! It is a dream come true. It wasn’t an easy journey and I can say that it is definitely going to be FAR from easy here. I am currently enrolled in the Natural Science Tripos, one of the most challenging courses in the university, especially as a first year. However, I find most of the lectures very intriguing, and it is the enthusiast that drives you forward to learn. I take four subjects: Evolution and Behaviour, Physiology of Organisms, Earth Sciences, and Mathematical Biology. Of the four, I enjoy Evolution and Behaviour, and Earth Sciences most. Earth Sciences – Geology, who would’ve known?! I’m currently studying the Paleontology series. Yes, dinosaurs (next term) and fossils, how amazing is that?! I am completely enthralled. Never thought I would be learning this; fulfilling my childhood dreams of studying dinosaurs! It’s been so exciting that I’ve decided I might continue with Geological sciences in my second year, together with Ecology, and Animal Biology. You just never know when your life path changes! In fact, I have 2 upcoming fieldtrips next week for these two subjects, one to Wales and one to Scotland. Definitely looking forward to them.
Winter snow in February 2015. At the Downing Site, where the science departments are.
Matriculation dinner, October 2014.
Only six months here and I’ve changed so much, from learning to live independently to personality. Over 70% of the conversations I have amongst friends are now science based. In simple terms “I have become nerdier”. Even the food I eat, the weather today, the exercises I’m doing… I could relate everything to science. I was so inspired by a rat dissection class, I’ve even dissected a dead pigeon I found on the street last term! I never expected myself to be so daring, but it was such an educating experience. Nothing beats the hands-on experience. Textbooks may give you sufficient information, but fieldwork will bring the abstract to life. I think I have a bittersweet relationship with Cambridge. On some days, I feel so honored to be here; a privilege to be studying with the smartest people of the future and from the most esoteric academics. On other days, it’s just too overwhelming to the point I mutter “I hate my life, why did I do this to myself?”. I thought IB and A levels were challenging. Now they all seem so simply condensed, compared to the speed and vast amounts of materials taught here. Nonetheless, I know all the hard work done now would be worth it in the future. Thus, I do enjoy life here for the most part, and it is a delight to meet people who share common interests with you!
Autumn 2014 at Homerton College, Cambridge; view of the Great Hall.
Drinking from a horn as part of Matriculation.
CONCORDIAN CONCORDIAN
19 19
MYP/ DP
AE O
Tour Comes to Concordian On March 13, 2015 we excitedly welcomed a small contingent of universities that travel with the AEO Tour each year, led by Mr. Bob Allen. This was their second visit with us, and a date has already been set for them to visit again in September during the new school year. The diversity of universities and colleges covered a range of needs. There were those that offered a variety of programs, as well as some that specialized in certain areas. Several offered the possibility of generous scholarships! In targeting our grade 11 students, I felt that this gave them an opportunity to really focus on each university and learn more about them as they prepare for their senior year.
Visits to SCAD and N Y U A B In January and February I received two special invitations to visit Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), Georgia, USA and an invitation to New York University. Abu Dhabi. I thought I knew enough about both of these universities, due to their previous visits with us and meeting them at various functions. I thought that I would not be too surprised by what I would see, but I was truly wrong! I was overwhelmed with the level of learning taking place and the uniqueness of these schools.
CONCORDIAN CONCORDIAN
20 20
Let me start with SCAD. SCAD has two campuses in Georgia; Atlanta and Savannah. This school also has a campus in Hong Kong, which I have visited before. Many people see the words ‘Art and Design’and think that the school is totally focused on those areas but what they might not realize is that they have also integrated Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) into their programs. They offer exceptional programs from interior design to industrial design to television producing. Finally, I would recommend that if you are ever in the area of one of SCAD campuses, set up a tour of some of their campus buildings and allow yourself to be dazzled by their exceptional interior design. They have taken old buildings and transformed them into walking ‘museums,’ a true testament to their versatile creativity and empowerment of student learning. Now let’s move to New York University Abu Dhabi. The first thing you must keep in mind i
s
that this is New York University, but located in the UAE. What sets it apart from its main campus in New York is the intentional diversity of the student body. This is what they have to say about themselves “NYU Abu Dhabi is a research university with a fully integrated liberal arts and science college. It draws students from around the world, and prepares them for the challenges and opportunities of our interconnected world.” One of the ways they choose their students is through ‘Candidate Weekend’ where they invite a group of students from their applicant pool to spend a weekend in Abu Dhabi involved in fun group dynamics, attending lectures and interviews, after which they may be one of the lucky students to later receive an admission offer. NYUAB is making progress as its leaders, President John Sexton and Vice Chancellor Alfred Bloom, instill their visionary direction in this school. Its location just enhances the overall learning atmosphere. This is definitely a school that high school students should consider adding to their college list!
MYP/ DP
Learning Chinese with Fun By Ms. Min
C
oncordian International School held the second Chinese Teaching and Learning Workshop on January 10th (for internal teachers) and January 11th (for external teachers). This year the emphasis was on teaching and learning Chinese with FUN! Thirty-two Concordian Chinese teachers and 26 Chinese teachers from 20 international schools in Bangkok attended these workshops. The workshop was led by Mr. Victor Bao who is an expert in creating and applying games in Chinese teaching and learning. Mr. Bao has published several books about applying games in the Chinese classroom, including The Vault of Teaching Games (2010) and My Little Chinese Story Books (2009) via Peking University Press. During the workshop Chinese teachers shared many hands-on activities, and discussed ways of engaging students in learning Chinese.
CONCORDIAN CONCORDIAN
21 21
MYP/ DP
by Mr. Clynt
22 CONCORDIAN
MYP/ DP
T
he International Schools Theatre Association (ISTA) believes the future of our world depends on confident, internationally-minded, collaborative and culturally literate young people who are empowered to engage with and change the world responsibly. The ISTA experience achieves this through a unique approach to theatre work. ISTA brings together skilled practitioners from around the world to work with students in unique spaces. Min Ho, Oum, Daniel, Pat and Petch from the IBDP Theatre class attended our first ISTA event on March 5th-9th in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia, collaborating with other international students from Korea, Malaysia, and Bangladesh. The location was stunning but there was no time for sightseeing (or shopping) as our students were fully engaged in core workshops learning Balinese Performing Arts and ensemble groups devising pieces of theatre using the skills developed in the core workshops. Core workshops included learning to play in a Gamelan ensemble, Balinese Topeng or mask drama, Wayang kulit or puppetry, Kecak interlocking chanting and Balinese dance. In the evenings students attended
performances by their teachers who are experts in their fields -- professors from the Balinese School of Performing Arts – so not the normal shows seen by tourists! On the final day students worked in mixed ensemble groups performing a scene from the Ramayana using the performance skills developed in the core workshops. In three days the IB students worked solidly for 18 hours, they did tremendously well to survive this and part of me wonders if some of them will ever work as hard again. This was an ISTA World Theatre Festival – One World One Theatre - where the objective is to immerse students in Balinese culture and through music, art and drama build knowledge, skill and appreciation for theatre in this particular part of the world. Final words must be of appreciation and thanks to our wonderful host Rucina Ballinger, my Thai chaperone Miss Cindy, and not least to Dr. James and Kun Varnnee Ross for their vision and passion in supporting this event and the arts at Concordian International School.
Te Arohanui (“be of big heart”).
CONCORDIAN CONCORDIAN
23 23
MYP/ DP
by Mr. Gabe
Congratulations to this year’s Grade 10 Class on completing their MYP Personal Projects! Each student completed a sustained, independent project about a topic of interest including investigating, planning, taking action, and reflecting. The goal of each project was to make a personal or community impact through principled action. The final exhibition was held on Friday, February 27th and the G10 students proudly shared their projects with the Concordian Community through displays and presentations!
24 CONCORDIAN
MYP/ DP
25
CONCORDIAN
MYP/ DP
I
CONCORDIAN
went to Camilian home in order to paint a mural on the wall. Before we actually made the trip, my friends and I came together to plan the mural. After several disagreements we decided to create a mural of a sunny beach with lots of shells, and even cartoon characters of SpongeBob and Patrick. We decided on this because Painting on a wall may seem like something we wanted to make the kids that is just for fun or entertainment. However, happy seeing colorful walls painting a wall at Camillian Home is not just fun or with their favorite cartoon entertaining, but really meaningful. When we characters. We wanted to knew that we were going to paint for Camillian paint a smile on their faces. After the trip to CamilHome, the first thing on our mind was to paint Several times while we were lian House to paint the something that the kids there would enjoy, in the process of making the mural of the sea that insomething cheerful. Our design ended up mural, the kids walked past cluded cartoon characbeing a beach with some cartoon characters us, and were very excited ters from ‘SpongeBob’ like Spongebob Squarepants, Patrick Star, and to see the new painting on (SpongeBob, Patrick and Mr. Krabs along with shells, a sand bucket, and the wall. They were pointing Mr. Krabs) was finished, a beach ball. We wanted the kids to feel that at it and crying out to each I felt happy and sad at they’re at the beach when they see our mural. other about it. Their excitethe same time. I’m hapIt took us at least 20 hours to finish the mural ment really made me feel the py that the mural was a and I really like what we did. It’s not only enjoyresponsibility of making this success and the children able to do what I like (drawing and painting), mural a success. When the enjoyed it, but on the but I got to work on it with my friends. Although mural was finished I felt other hand, I’m sad that we might have had some problems with getting overwhelmed with joy just I won’t be going to back the right colors and making it look realistic, this thinking of the children’s as often any more since experience really taught me a lot since it was the faces when they saw the the project is done. The first time for me to do a mural. finished work. I’m happy the mural is colorful and - Yammy we successfully created a appropriate and interwonderful mural. I’m glad esting for the kids. I feel I got the chance to make a connected to Camillian difference in these kids’ daily lives, House because I have spent almost adding color to them. I’m also thanka year with my friends there. There ful for this opportunity because not were no words that can describe how only were we able to make the kids I felt when sitters brought some chilhappy, but I was also able to learn dren to look at the finished work of different things, whether was about the painting. They really liked it and painting or about the organization that makes me really happy; they itself. I learned how fortunate I am. kept saying, “Oh! Is that SpongeI learned that there are many unforBob!? Is it!?” It was a real pleasure 26 tunate people in this world and they to get a chance to work and be able are in need of help. I learned what it to make the kids happy. I hope I will meant to give, to share and to lend get a chance to work like this again. a helping hand to others, and to - Mint society. - Fasai
MYP/ DP
The mural painting at Camillian Home was a very memorable experience for me. My objective for the project was to complete a mural that looked friendly and was enjoyable for the children to see. During the planning stage of the mural, the members of the mural project consi-dered whether it would be pleasant for the Camillian Home children to look at. Therefore, we focused on creating a bright and happy atmosphere. We painted two murals in total – one with rabbits in space and another one with SpongeBob characters on the beach. I think we did a successful job on this project, and the outcome was better than what we expected. It was an honor to work with all the people that were involved in this project, I’m glad that I participated and I’m thankful for this opportunity. -Sylvia Who would’ve known we would get CAS credits for drawing on a wall? They say that if you turn your hobby into your work, you won’t have to work for the rest of your life. Turns out that hobbies are harder than I thought. Really hard. Painting a mural is like painting an acrylic painting, except with more paint and more wall, and less canvas. Also, the paint blends with the green wall paint, and every mistake takes forever to fix because the space is so large and the paint bucket is also large and every stray drop is a cleaning nightmare. So it’s nothing like painting an acrylic painting. But
27 CONCORDIAN
I digress. So we ended up improving an old mural painted last year by another class from our school, and then painting a new mural of our own design. I think the term “too many cooks spoil the soup” applies here, because I was really afraid to make mistakes or do something without agreement from other group members. Progress was slow, since we only got a few hours every other week or so. Despite these challenges, we managed to make a really good mural and improved an older one. I learned a lot of skills painting the murals, and it is a nice feeling knowing that your work positively impacts the life of other people. I hope the colorful cartoon characters and beautiful stars and galaxies brighten up the day of the children whenever they pass by and see our mural. - Ou Buckets of acrylic paint, different sizes of paintbrushes, an apron, various other art objects, a design for the mural, and finally, a bland and empty wall waiting for redecoration. The plan – to create a colorful and enjoyable environment for all the members at Camillian Home, kids and staff members alike. My friends and I, the 11th grade art students, worked our hardest, putting 110% effort into the mural, to assure that we achieved the goal we set. We understand that collaboration and teamwork were keys to the success of this mural painting. With guidance by our fantastic art teacher, Mr. Martin, we worked for about two hours every other week, making more progress with every visit. Mistakes were made along the way, so we used more time than we had anticipated, but we finished the mural eventually. We were proud of our own team-effort painting, but even more proud of achieving the goal we had set. The staff members appreciated our effort, and the kids were overjoyed. Many had seen the painting while it was still incomplete, and just from looking at their expressions, it is obvious that they were really anticipating the final work. The experience I gained the past few months will have tremendous meaning to me. Teamwork and collaboration of every member of the team was necessary for such a big project to get done. Learning to cooperate with a team will not only teach you to be a team player, but also to learn to appreciate other people’s effort. I know that this is a lesson for me, and I will most definitely use to improve myself in the future. - Phop
EYP/ PYP
by The K3 Teachers
K3 Students Learning Important Life Lessons UOI Central Idea: People in communities depend on each other. During their unit on ‘How We Organize Ourselves’ the K3 students investigated the interconnectedness of human-made systems and communities as well as the structure and function of organizations. Throughout the unit, the students explored how people in communities depend on one another. For their summative assessment, students carried out a mini-exhibition and opened stores or places of business including a post office, donut shop, sushi bar, art gallery, Thai boxing gym and others. Through the process of designing their career booths and creating goods and preparing services, students learned how to communicate with their group members, show appreciation for careers/workplaces, demonstrate respect for other people’s points of views and work positions. They worked cooperatively and demonstrated their self-management skills throughout the entire process. The mini-exhibition process allowed the students to make connections between how people in communities are interdependent on one another and how they help each other.
28 CONCORDIAN
EYP/ PYP
Check out what
by Ms. Roxanne and Ms. Ariel
G1A and G1R is up to! We are testing out a new system for our bulletin board. We are trying something new where students are personally responsible for displaying their work. Here’s what happens… Students do their in-class assignments in the usual way. Then, when students are finished, they can choose whether or not they want to display their work on the bulletin board in their special spot. They also choose a mini reflection paper that lets them show the reader how they are feeling about their work, or why
they chose that piece of work. Here are some great things that happened because of this change… Students are being principled. They are taking extra time to do a good job. They know they can show their work to their family and friends right away. Students are routinely being reflective. They love to tell why they chose their work to display. Students are being responsible, and making good choices about quality work. Students are being thinkers, and often returning to their work to add something and make it really great before they add it to our bulletin board. We think it has been a huge success.Why not stop by and check it out?!
Assessment in the Differentiated Classroom (PYP teachers extending their learning)
29 CONCORDIAN
EYP/ PYP
spreading compassion and giving back to the community
30 CONCORDIAN CONCORDIAN 30
EYP/ PYP
By Ms. Melissa, Mr. Tye, Ms. Joycelyn and Ms. Celina
G4 Explores
“How We Organize Ourselves”
The fourth graders inquired about why opportunities are dependent upon access and availability of resources, by heading into the city of Bangkok. They explored How We Organize Ourselves by visiting both a small slum school and FORDEC (Foundation for the Rehabilitation and Development of Children and Family). The experience was eye opening and inspiring as the students observed life situations very different from their own, but yet right in their own backyards. Many students were called to action and gained a deeper awareness of the William: I also learned that if the thing value of the resources they can readily access. that I don’t use I can donate to some poor
Grade 4 Quotes :
school, like pencil case, books, toys etc. So they can reuse the thing that I don’t need. Prae-Wa: I learned a lot of things but there is one thing that I didn’t talk about, I learn it all along is, we should appreciate the things that we have and not wasting it, other people that don’t have things, other people never waste things, They appreciate the things they have already... I want to change many things, I want to build a hospital or a school that only cost just 100 baht.
Jean: This UOI affected me by letting me know everything I have is important and I should appreciate. It connects to my life by not complaining that I want more but thinking about other people in this world. That time I felt like the slums are super disgusting and dirty. Now after we Bloomy: went on the field trip to the small slum This UOI afschool, I see now that they are like fects me because us, they are human. That is I don’t waste water what changed in my life. and electricity because I know that there are other people without resources. For example, I make sure to finish everything on my plate because I think about the other kids who don’t have food or air conditioning.
31 CONCORDIAN
Events & Activities
A
t about 8:30 a.m. on 16th January, 2015, our K2 & K3 students headed out to Concordian’s soccer field to enjoy some fun and games on a nice sunny Sports Day. They got to try a variety of different games such as tug of war, running, throwing, and hurdle races. And it wasn’t just fun and games for the kids. There were also races for parents, and it was amazing to see them participating and having fun along with their children. From 10:00-11:30 a.m. our littlest Concordians – the Nursery and K1 classes – headed to the old gym for their Sports Day. Parents, grandparents and students participated and enjoyed the activities. The students were very happy and proud to receive medals at the end of the sports day.
32 CONCORDIAN
Events & Activities
33 CONCORDIAN
Events & Activities
A
nd how much fun the kids had! There were 16 stations (including two resting stations) where students demonstrated their skills, fair play, enthusiasm and commitment! The stations had a variety of sports including tennis, rugby, track and field, muay Thai and even dodge ball! The teachers also displayed amazing resilience. They cheered for their students, promoting safety and organization! Thank you parents for coming out and supporting your children during Sports Day! It is always great to see parents involved in their child’s education and encouraging them to do their best. The students demonstrated several IB Learner Profile attributes and attitudes throughout the Day!
Caring
Communicators
34 CONCORDIAN
Events & Activities
ct
e Resp
Confide
nce
Balanced
Enthusi
asm
Coopera tion -
Empathy
Comm ment it-
Courageous
independence 35 CONCORDIAN
Events & Activities
By: Beck and Jade
O
n the swimming team there are about 40 swimmers. Everyone has to practice on Tuesday and Thursday. Since the start of the school year, there have been many swim meets and races. There was the Tiger Prawn Meet, the Panther Swimfest meet, the FOBISIA meet, the ICS meet, and the Marlins Mayhem Meet. In the Marlin Mayhem Meet, Titan got 6 medals and a trophy. He was awesome! Swimming Dragons broke many individual records at Marlins Mayhem. For example, Beck swims the 50 Meter backstroke in about 51 or 52 seconds, but that day he swam it in 50 seconds. That’s a good improvement because, in swimming, every second counts, even a hundredth of a second counts. Now, we are going to show everyone what we are really made of, because we get to host the TISAC Primary Swim Meet. Please come and cheer and maybe next year you will want to join the Concordian Swimming Dragons. The swim coaches, Mr. Johan and Ms. Usha, would like to send their thanks to all of the parents of the primary swimming team for their invaluable help throughout the season.
CONCORDIAN CONCORDIAN
36 36
Events & Activities
Concordian Voice
- Season 2 is a wrap! by Ms. Daisy
T
Credit for the success of this event must also be given to our judges: Dr. James, Ms. Arial, Grade 6 Pao Pao and Grade 10 Sunny. Their comments inspired all the competitors and encouraged them to continually pursue their passion for singing Chinese songs. Also, students from Chinese phase 5 classes also contributed greatly by designing rubrics and making posters.
This year, Concordian Voice set up some new rules to make it even more exciting. First, before getting on the stage, the competitors were welcomed with a video made by their friends, cheering them on. Secondly, the competition included three rounds: sing, battle and final PK. In the end, Almond, Shine, Millie, Boomer, Tee, Pim and Name from Grade 8 were honored to have won Best Concordian Voice, with their beautiful harmony and great teamwork.
On behalf of the MYP/DP Chinese department, I would like to give our warmest heartfelt thanks to our teachers, students and support staff for working together to make Concordian Voice 37 better and better. We are all looking forward to seeing more students participate in this great event next year to celebrate their achievement in Chinese language and singing skills.
CONCORDIAN
his year season 2 of Concordian Voice -- now an annual event -- served not only as a big celebration of Chinese New Year, but also as a platform to show students’ talents in both singing and the Chinese language. Concordian Voice Season 2 was held on the 12th February at the Grand Theater. Thirteen teams from Grade 6-12 signed up, and a total of 8 teams made it to the stage through the audition process.
Events & Activities
Grade 8
Performs Traditional Thai and Chinese Weddings By Li (G8)
On the afternoon of January 15th 2015, the grade 8s had all worked hard to prepare for the performance of Thai and Chinese Traditional weddings for our Inter Disciplinary Unit. The purpose of holding this IDU performance was to emphasize the similarities and differences between Thai and Chinese cultural traditions. In the process of the wedding, we demonstrated how Thai and Chinese people dress up for a wedding, how they show thanks to their beloved parents, how they feast on traditional dishes, and many other elements of the wedding day. Everyone in grade 8 had lots of fun rehearsing, experiencing drama, and learning lots of new things together! To make this performance a success, we had to have everyone’s contribution – teachers, staff and especially the students. Anything is possible if we have collaboration! ☺ “台上一分钟，台下十年功”一月十五日的中泰 婚礼表演使我们深深滴体会到了这一点。 今年第二个单元 我们八年级学习了中国的饮 食、服饰和语言文化，并且对中泰文化进行了对比，这 次婚礼表演就是这次 跨学科教学(IDU) 的一次成果展 示。为了让同学们明白中国和泰国文化的异同， 我们表 演了人们怎么重视婚礼，怎么感谢父母，以及在婚礼时 候着装和饮食有什么意义等等。 八年级的每个同学几乎都参加了表演， 虽然排 演很辛苦， 但我们从中学到了好多新知识。“功夫不负 有心人”， 在师生的共同努力下表演终于取得了成功！ 穿着大红的旗袍，站在中式门前主持节目的我，真希望 能永远停留在这一刻！太美了！
CONCORDIAN CONCORDIAN
38 38
GRADE 10 PROJECT !! Events & Activities
PROCEEDS FROM EACH PURCHASE OF THIS FRIENDSHIP T-SHIRT WILL BE DONATED TO
39 39
CONCORDIAN CONCORDIAN
300 BAHT / T-Shirt TO ORDER CONTACT THE SCHOOL SHOP! BY THE END OF MAY
Events & Activities
Dear Concordian Community! The Library has been working hard all year to add more books that have been specifically requested by students and parents! And we have loads of new books on our shelves. We have also been lucky enough be to have two local authors visit some of the EYP and PYP this year, Khun Thanachai Sundaravej (Khun Mek) and Gail Clarke. We loved having both authors visit and we were able to learn so much from both of them! Important Dates to remember from the Library: - April 28-30th, 2015: Our next book fair will be in April after the Songkran Break. - May 13, 2015: Informational meeting on how to check your Library account from home. The meeting will start at 8:00 in the Mini Theater. - May 18th, 2015: The Library will be closing to do its yearly inventory. - May 22nd, 2015: ALL Library books must be returned by students and parents. - June 2 -4th, 2015: ALL textbooks must be returned; MYP students please return textbooks as soon as your final exam is completed. Thank you very much, The Library staff
40 CONCORDIAN