RIS AD ASTRA - 60 YEARS OF DEDICATE SERVICE AND STILL COUNTING

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4 Message from the School Chaplain 32 Earth Day Celebration PUBLICATION INFORMATION: AD Astra is published three times a year by Ruamrudee International School. The objective of the publication is to report on and communicate happenings at Ruamrudee International School.

At least 1,500 copies are printed per issue to send directly to all students and their families. AD Astra is also distributed among our faculty and staff numbering over 500, and mailed to RIS alumni and friends. The RIS family is a large and growing community of international citizens.

AD ASTRA TEAM Editor: Sudha Maroli

Contributing Editor: Neil B Dwyer

Graphics Design/Layout: Sornchai Pongheamwattana

Coordinator: Rajeepan Techapahaphong

Printed by ADVANCED PRINTING SERVICE CO.,LTD.

RUAMRUDEE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL 6 Ramkhamhaeng 184, Minburi, Bangkok 10510 Tel: +66 (0) 2791 8900 Fax: +66 (0) 2791 8901-2 Website: www.rism.ac.th E-mail: info@rism.ac.th

Father Leo Travis

5 Letter from the Editor Sudha Maroli 6 The Anniversary of Priesthood of Rev. Leo Travis C.Ss.R 8 PreSchool Transportation Project Sandra K. Armbrister & Anne Courso 9 7-11: Without the Bag 10 ES Talent Show 12 Celebrate Songkran @ RIS 14 Design Your World Artist in Residence Workshop Babe Jiratanasophin 16 Middle School Model UN Makes a Move Judith Byrum 18 Dialogue in the Dark Beam 19 Thank You Community Letter Sr. Minh-Tuyet Nguyen 20 RIS Helps Beautify the Camillian Home Kay Rambaud 22 Grade 8 Thai Studies Field Trip: Bang Pa-In Palace, Ayutthaya MS Thai Dept.

24 MS Talent Show 26 HS “Southeast Asia Mekong Summit” (SEAMS) Project Torie Leinbach 28 Class of 2014 30 International History Bee and Bowl Jeff Gepner 31 Ruamrudee Hosts SENIT 2014 Jillian Nichols

Norramon Tengcharoensuk 34 LEO SONGKRAN CHANTABURI TRIP Meg Saksiriwatekul 36 Global Issues & Red Cross Club visit the orphans at Wat Sa Kaew Nandini Jhawar, Fahsiri Tavonvanchai and Kashish Garg 37 Habitat Trip @ Korat Weerawaroon Mavichak and Pichayapa Limapichat 38 Service at Sarnelli House Kirin Techawongtham 40 HS Talent Show 42 IB Visual ARTS YEAR 2’s Jessie Kornprasertvit 44 Greeting Sports Fans Gerry Steiert 46 RIS Proudly Hosts Major Swim Conference Kevin Leinbach 47 ICONIC The RIS MS & HS Choir Students 48 NOT ANOTHER TEEN MUSICAL! Shorna Shand 50 Fashion Show and Live Music Performances Pavla Poch 52 Final Thoughts from some of our departing RIS faculty and staff members 55 PHOTO of the Day Neil B Dwyer

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ince the last AD ASTRA was published my life has been filled with celebrations!!! The people of Ruamrudee International School were all involved. I begin my message today with a beautiful word “Gratitude”. I am very thankful to each of you, parents, teachers, staff, and students!!! To be a priest for Sixty Years has really been a privilege for me. It has been my vocation in life. It is a happy thought that my sixty years have run very closely with the FiftySeven Years of Ruamrudee International School. Together we have so much to be thankful for.

The School has been a Service for thousands of students and their parents. At the end of this May, 2014 we graduate another class of wonderful young men and women, prepared for their individual challenges. I pray that the thousands which have entered our RIS family over these fifty-seven years are now successful in their vocation of life. Our present Graduating class is often in my prayers these days, for now their new challenges await them.

My Celebration of Priesthood is an occasion, a good opportunity, for us to be thankful for God’s blessings on RIS for these fifty seven years. Each of us is important in our own way of life, our ‘calling to service’ to humanity, our ambitions and our happiness. I celebrate all of you, at the same time as you celebrate me. I am grateful to God for my ‘calling to service’ in priesthood. I am grateful to each of you for your presence in my life. We have been together as an RIS Family at least for this year. or perhaps for several of our previous years, We have been meeting our challenges, helping one another, rejoicing in the friendships that we have among us. I am grateful.

I wish to say also that I am very thankful to each of you. You have been very good to me.

Students and Teachers have made posters to honor me. I am thankful for your goodness and respect that you have shown to me. I appreciate your greetings as we pass; I treasure all of your prayers and good blessings that you have extended to me these days celebrating my Sixty Years of Priesthood. God bless each of you!!!

Father Leo Travis, C.Ss.R. School Chaplain

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Closure and Celebrations As the 2013-2014 school year comes to completion many of us inherently think of something ending. Students have completed their last projects or final examinations, teachers have marked their last paper, and yearbooks are passed around to capture the signatures and memories of the past 10 months. Despite these signals of closure I always embrace this time of the year for the celebrations; tremendous academic achievement on IB and AP examinations, gorgeous displays of talent in final projects/performances from students aged 5-18, and of course the ultimate celebratory event of graduation. Like always there is also a tinge of sadness to see people leave. I am not quite sure how I will survive without Neil next year?!

Our closing celebrations, particularly graduation, remind me of the great responsibility families have given us to educate and prepare their children. Each year I beam with pride as students walk across the stage to receive their diplomas knowing that we have prepared them for the challenges which lie ahead. The world is theirs for the taking and we wish them the greatest of personal, academic, and professional success in the years ahead.

While we laud our graduates on their accomplishment this May, we would be remiss if we failed to celebrate a true inspiration to RIS, Father Leo Travis, who celebrated his 60th year of priesthood earlier this month. While Father Travis has been connected with RIS for nearly all of its 57 years he has constantly stood as an exemplar to the thousands of RIS students who have graced our community. Although he has long retired from being one of RIS’s administrators, he continues to be a leader for our students and staff, showing what it means to be an individual of impeccable character. We are forever indebted to Father Leo Travis for showing us the way to a happy, positive, and purposeful life.

Finally, as this is our final Ad Astra of the year I would like to send special thanks to all contributors - students, staff, and alumni, as well as to all of our generous sponsors. Together you have helped us celebrate RIS and our students - THANK YOU. Lastly we would like to extend one final wish of success and congratulations to the Class of 2014. May you continue to reach for the stars and be an inspiration to all that follow you.

Sudha Maroli Deputy Head of School AD Astra Volume 10 May 2014

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Congratulations father. Your years of dedication to the RIS community and the less fortunate have been inspiring. Will always remember your kind, warm smile. Promise to live by your example. Jacqueline Bachoe Inthavong Congratulations and Best Wishes Fr.Travis for being RIS legendary icon and spiritual Leader these past 60 years. Pon Suwan Congratulations on this milestone Father Travis! You’ve always been an inspiration to do good and to help others and will continue to be so. Chadaporn Lin May The Lord bless you with good health and joy. May you continue to be a witness fo His Love and Kindness to all those around you. Thank you for all the years of dedicated work for all of us - without you - I would not be here as a teacher. “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.” [Rev 22:12] - Your rewards will be abundant. Lincy Fung Dear Father, I join my fellow alumni in expressing my congratulations and warm wishes to you on the occasion of your 60 years anniversary of being in the priesthood. You are loved and respected by all of us and a pillar of support and strength to RIS. Pat Namwong God bless you, Father Travis, on this happy occasion! You have done so much for all of us at RRS/RIS. We all love you dearly. Anne Kulathida Chang

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By Sandra K. Armbrister & Anne Courso

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n the Early Years Program (EYP), the preschool children ventured on a 6 week thematic unit on transportation.

Preschoolers studied all types of transportation items, including vehicles such as cars, trucks, airplanes, baby strollers, wheelchairs, tricycles, trains, buses, vans and more. This topic is part of their everyday lives and they are surrounded by various “things that go�. At home they ride scooters, bicycles, skateboards and see lots of motorcycles and golf carts in the neighborhood.

Preschool children learn through play. So we thought a great way to celebrate the culmination of the unit was to invite the parents to assist their child in a hands-on activity.

In honor of Earth Day, we chose to use cardboard and recycled material. The parent-child team worked closely together to create their own unique cardboard vehicle structure.

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n March 26th, four RIS students joined Middle School Teacher Ms. Z-M to unite forces with ISB, BPS, and Shrewsbury community members and representatives from 7-11 Thailand Headquarters. The focus of the meeting was to discuss environmental issues that have appeared as a result of small plastic bags handed out at stores and shops across Thailand. One of the 7-11 businessmen shared that the company started campaigns concerning the use of plastic bags: creating posters, three minute clips and educating people in groups.

A part of their plan is to educate Thai students from Grades 4-6 about the consequences of plastic waste in an effort to take major steps in diminishing plastic-bags. Posters and threeminute clips have an effect in reducing plastic bags; however, suggestions from international schools will further ameliorate the situation.

effectiveness. Suggestions made to 7-11 to reduce plastic waste included making paper straw wrappers, not distributing small plastic bags, and making a rule for 7-11 employees to ask customers if they have a bag before putting the goods in the bag. Participating in the plastic bag campaign was a wonderful experience for all students and staff in the meeting as well as the 7-11 representatives.

Together we left looking forward to how we as individuals and 7-11 as a company may limit plastic waste in Thailand. Our students also learned that by simply saying “No!� to plastic bags, you could save the world from these wastes; never forget that Earth is our ultimate home and we should keep it clean.

As we went to print this same group of representatives from Grade 8, 9, and 10 met again on May 15 to continue the discussion at Punyapiwat Institute of Management in Changwatana. We Students and teachers alike made look forward to learning how their initiative to recommendations to ensure the campaign’s reduce waste proceeds.

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ongkran is a ceremony celebrated throughout Thailand to celebrate the New Year. Younger people will pay respect to their parents by pouring water on the adults hand. And kids will play with water or putting powder on each others face. This year the days of Songkran fell on April 13, 14, and 15.

On the 4th of April, our school had a celebration for Songkran.

That day, every section did a stunning performance, some danced and some sing. A ceremony that that shows us respecting the elders is called Rod Naam Dum Hua. Each section also did a performance. The Elementary students danced in a traditional northerns style. The Middle School students danced and sang a country music song. Finally, the High School students danced a traditional Thai dance.

Traditionally, Thais perform the Rod Nam Dum It was a great start for my Songkran break. - Gracie G8 Hua ritual on the first day of Songkran, which is officially the National Elderly Day. During the Songkran day at school was a pretty impressive day. We ritual, young people would pour fragrant water started off in the morning with a special assembly. There into the elders’ palms as a gesture of humility were impressive dances by all of the sections; but, I and to ask for their blessings. At RIS, as a part personally thought the most impressive was the dance from of our celebration our students poured water the MS section. After that, we had a ceremony in which over the hands of our school leadership and we had to pour water into the teacher’s hand. During that other revered members of our community. day, at lunchtime we had a chance to dance a thai song. I didn’t get to dance but, it was quite entertaining to watch Beyond our school-wide Songkran celebration my friends do some dancing. That was the best thing that the Middle School Thai Studies students happened all day. - Jack G8 arranged and placed the Buddha Statue in the MS courtyard. An important religious ritual During the Songkran assembly in the morning there were on Songkran is ‘Bathing the Buddha image’, many shows from elementary school, middle school, and in which devout Buddhists pour fragrant water high school. As my opinion I think that middle school’s over Buddha statues both at the temple and show was the best because our show was a thai song (kor at home. More religious Thais would engage jai laek ber thoo)by Flame, Kat, Wow Wow, Tini, and Asta. themselves in Buddhist ceremonies and merit- I enjoyed how our school did the activity of Pouring water making activities throughout the holidays. on the hands of the elders” it shows respect, and that we are Aside are some of our MS student reflections on thankful for their blessings this Songkran. - Plankton G8 this year’s Songkran celebations.

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By Babe Jiratanasophin Gr.10-1

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hroughout 11 rigorous sessions of the Artist in Residence workshop, I’ve been trying to work on an effective signage that would represent an aspect of the school. The goal for our Graphic Design 1 class was to create pictograms for RIS, which would allow people of different nationalities and ages to read and understand where they would like to go around the campus. We were combined into groups and had to create designs that sent out specific messages and looked connected in some way. It was not as easy as I thought. I was assigned the “High School”, opportunity to create something effective that helped while my teammates were to design the “Library” and the school. Many visitors arrive at our huge community, therefore, it’s also hard for them to get from one place the “Principal’s Office”. to another. Hence, I hope that assembling these signage It wasn’t difficult at first since we did our individual would help direct people around more and a way for me first drafts. We sketched out about 5 pictograms that to give back to the school. The process was probably we think represent our topic. However, the next step my least favorite of this workshop. There were various switched things up. We had to do a brainstorm on steps that had we had to follow and complete. If a step is our signage and complete the mood board. We wrote not finished, we can’t continue. Thus, I knew that I had everything that was in our mind. For instance, the users, to work faster and efficiently, as well as constructing the purpose, and colors. All of our ideas were similar work that is acceptable and consisted of good qualities. to other groups, until we recognized some words in the This connects to the most challenging part that I find of corner of our brainstorm page. Those terms were: unity, this workshop. The process took a long time because union of hearts, and community. We thought it would we worked as a group. Independent work would’ve be a great theme for our group, so we went all aboard made me a lot faster, but due to collaborative work, we on it. We planned and drew a tree on our mood board, had to agree on everything that is drawn. My group’s since we agreed that it symbolized unity the best. We communication wasn’t the best, so as a result, we viewed the roots as all the students, staffs, teachers, and didn’t have a lot in common for the first few sketches. parents that join together as one to form the tree trunk, However, in the end, we finally decided on what we the RIS community. Onwards, we sketched more and want, and presented out qualified pictograms. more pictograms that eventually, we finalized it. It was I can definitely take out designing in general for my laborious, but I felt proud of what I came up with. later life. I’d like to continue my parent’s business, Producing for the school was what I liked most about and most of the work is based on designing almost this project. I felt doing this workshop gave me the everything. Whether it’s logos, exhibitions, or stages.

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That being the case, this is very beneficial for me. It was also very advantageous that I had the chance to do this workshop with Mr. Marc Rambaud, who is an industrial product designer. He deals with the real world, so we can be certain that he definitely knows what he’s directing us on. I am thankful for this opportunity, and it was a great experience that would be favorable for me in the near future. Throughout the designing process of this workshop, I learned that time management is very important. It is consequential that we are able to do every sketch on time, in order to be commented on and work on the next one. Additionally, communication is very momentous. We have to talk with one another in the group to know what our aim is and what form or structure we’re trying to go for. For example, in my group, we had trouble communicating on we couldn’t see eye to eye on one specific type. It was also hard what types of roots we wanted. Everybody since everyone’s art skills were dissimilar, but we knew that the had different views of what they desired, and project could not go further if we did not concur.

By Judith Byrum, MUN Advisor

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ince it’s inception in 2005 - 2006 by Paul Perron, the MS Model United Nations delegates have been actively engaged in fine tuning their research, writing and speaking skills. After a short hiatus last year, the MS introduced MUN as an elective class to 8th graders in the 2013 - 2014 school year.

with the Overseas Family School as hosts. This conference is run strictly by high school students who plan, organize, and choose the committees, countries and topics for middle school delegates to lobby, debate and resolve. All the topics are based on current events and each delegate is given a specific country to represent.

Over the course of 2 very full days, the delegates are With 24 strong, actively engaged students interested in introduced to new procedures and protocols, meet social issues and global concerns, participants began students from all over Asia; there were 600 students the year learning the basics of debate and then began researching a randomly chosen country to acquaint themselves with the country’s political and social views and current events. In September, MS MUN students were invited to participate as “pages” in the RISMUN annual conference. They could not participate as delegates but being involved in the conference gave them the chance to observe the various committees and positions such as Chair , Security Council and the International Court of Justice. They also got a feel for how conferences operate. By the end of the semester the MS students were well on their way to drafting their first policy statement and resolution.

In February, 16 MS MUNsters attended the 5th Annual MYMUN-OFS International Conference in Singapore

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at this conference. The days are spent trying to get The excitment spurred them on to prepare for the next their resolutions to the forefront, to become the main conference which was held in Chonburi at ISE on March 15th. 15 MS MUNsters attended this one-day conference submitter and have their resolution pass. and were able to apply all of the strategies and protocols Initially, our students were observers because they were that they had learned in Singapore.

“1st timers” but once they understood how procedures work, it didn’t take any time for them to get involved and Hopes of attending one more conference in April were raise their placards to make a speech or ask questions. It high but fell on the last day of our spring break. After we all sounds so stuffy but there were caucuses, breaks, and returned to school we learned that the MUN conference lobbying that provide the opportunity to stretch, chat and was postponed and would be held on May 4 at Ekamai eat. After 2 days of such formalities, the delegates got International School. At this posting, there are 15 very a real sense of how organized the real United Nations excited MS MUNsters getting their policy statements needs to be in order to prevent 192 nations from talking and resolutions ready so that they can attend the last conference of the year. Several of the delegates will or arguing at the same time. be serving on challenging committees such as Security After the Singapore conference, the MS delegates Council, the International Court of Justice, and being an were very excited, confident and had funny stories to Advocate for Chile when the debate between Peru and share with one another on the flight home and in class. Chile goes in front of the Justices.

Congratulations to the following students who were delegates at MUN conferences this year:

Alita Anil, Anmol Bhatia, Imm Chandrtri, Belle Chaophatcharathavekij, Dan Chunhavajira, Saumya Gupta, Poom Liamtrakoolpanich, Pingpong Musikabhumma, Tejas Pal, Nacha Rapeerattanakul, Kaimook Sanghirun, Ayush Sehgal, Pin Singhanont, Winner Singhavanich, Fae Suthidara, Ern-Ern Tiyarangsinukul, Boom Ungsrisawasdi, and Nick Wanapha.

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Earlier this Spring the PA sponsored a trip fo 20 students to experience the Dialogue in the Dark experience. The program invites visitors to experience the world around them with no ability to see their surroundings, rather forcing them to rely on their other senses. Middle School student, Beam shared her experience with Ad Astra.

Can you imagine not being able to see anything your whole life? Or being born blind, not even knowing how you look? Well, let me tell you, things won’t be as easy. Think about your daily life for an example. How would you walk around your house along the stairs, how would you cook or make a phone call, what sort of job would you get?

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magine this. You are in pitch-black darkness exhibition.

You’re able to feel, listen, smell, taste, but you can’t see. The Dialogue in the Dark made me realize what I’ve never thought really about before. The trip was just astounding, indescribable. I came out of the exhibition speechless. It made me think deep, what if one day I have an accident and hurt my eyes? How will I manage?

The guides that led us around are all blind. Usually I would think that the blind people are the one who slow us down and make things more difficult, but not in this trip, they know by listening if we’re going the wrong way and help us back. Since blind people are without one of the five senses, the other four are really important, especially their listening and feeling skills. They knew exactly what they’re doing and where they’re going throughout our trip. I had only been in the exhibition for an hour. If I was to be there alone, I wouldn’t have been able to make my way out.

During the trip, we were able to test each of our senses.

In some rooms, we need to feel the wall and walk along. In others, we listen to what we hear. We used our smelling sense in the market station; there were onions, fruits, and even a garbage can! The last room in the exhibition was a kitchen. There was real food there for us to buy and eat in the dark. When we paid the money,

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the guides knew exactly what note we gave and gave us the correct change back.

It was a heartfelt experience; if you are able I would suggest all should visit this exhibition. It takes just one hour and costs only 50 baht. The trip is definitely worth it. Also the Dialogue in the Dark taught me that we shouldn’t take things for granted, be grateful with what we have. We’re all really lucky to be here. Our five senses are all working properly. But even so, the guides are blind but they are successful with their life and they enjoy what they are currently doing. Now what about us people who can see perfectly? Do you enjoy what you’re doing? Are you accomplishing your goals? Well, I think it’s time to go visit Dialogue in the Dark and let it blow your mind.

6 Ramkhamhaeng 184, Minburi, Bangkok 10510, Thailand Tel. +66(0) 2791-8900 Fax. +66(0) 2791-8901-2

April 2, 2014

“Peace be with you.� John. 20:21 Dearest teachers, parents, and students,

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s the season of Lent came to an end in the middle of April we continue our hope to live closer to Christ in His suffering and resurrection each day. TDuring the season of Lent we were encouraged to pray, to fast, and to share what we have with others. All MS Religion classes joined together with this Church teaching. We had some activities, such as cookies fundraising and visiting withAIDS patients. Along with our happiness to share time with the patients I would like to thank everyone for your love and care. Thanks to all parents and students for your donation and your precious Sunday visit the AIDS patients at St. Clare hospice. It was a pleasant moment and a precious gift of time that you have given to them.

The amount of fundraising cookies Sale: 3,831 Bahts Donation money, food and supplies up to about 25,000 Bahts Thank you so much for your generous contribution.

God bless, Sr. Minh-Tuyet Nguyen, fmsr MS Religion teacher

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RIS Helps Beautify the Camillian Home

By Kay Rambaud, Project Coordinator amillian Home’s relationship with RIS has been a long one, especially with the Middle School and its milk formula collection. However this time, it was a small group from the high school who responded to a call for a mural on the outer face of the wall surrounding the home. In talking with the Canvas of Hearts club, a few members were excited and willing to help so we planned with Ms Shirley, the activities coordinator, an appropriate day and the Fathers had agreed to free buses for the volunteers on Saturday 22nd March.

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Myself and Artist in Residence, Marc, has spent the previous Saturday drawing designs onto, not one wall, but two and the entire week creating color coded maps so that volunteers could easily follow.

Happily, 8 students and 8 teachers plus alumni and spouses all took to the wall the following week with energy, passion and joy. The Canvas of Hearts Club with advisor, Ms Pavla, worked fantastically taking on different responsibilities, washing brushes, mixing colors and of course painting.

The day was a complete success, with the group managing to complete far more than expected despite a raging fire just next to the home followed by a tremendous wind and then a torrential downpour, extinguishing the flames but calling a halt to painting operations for 2 hours. It was a truly exciting day!

The project will continue each Saturday until both are complete.

Well done everyone and thanks for coming.

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By MS Thai Dept.

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ang Pa-In Royal Palace also known as the Summer Palace, is a palace complex formerly used by the Thai kings. The palace is located on the Chao Phraya River bank in Bang Pa-In district, Ayutthaya Province.

Here are a few thoughts from our 8th graders on their visit to Bang Pa-In Royal Palace.

I was very impressed by this Thai Studies Field Trip at Bang Pa-In Palace because we were able to see Thai historical monuments and buildings. I was very surprised to learn the facts and information according to each building. The designs within the monuments were astonishing and mindblowing. The prettiest monument I saw was the Phra Thinang Wehart Chamrun, which was filled with Chinese paintings, statues, and artifacts.

After experiencing and witnessing Thai historical remains, we went to the market and ate at a hotel. Everything went well, and the trip satisfied many of the teachers and students.

Yanika Suthidara (Fae 8-8)

I was amazed at the beauty of the Bang-Pa-In Palace. Very impressive designs and architecture. The palace was enormous with buildings and monuments, including artifacts from the Rattanakosin Era. It demonstrated how the royal family in the past lived, and showed how the architecture and designs changed from the previous years to the current days.

Viwat (Jaosua) Petchmak The Thai Field Trip to Bang Pa-In Palace was a great place to go in order to learn more about Thai history, as the artifacts and buildings in the palace date all the way back to the reign of King Rama 4 and possibly even older.

It reflected how people lived in the past, their architecture, their culture, and more, making our time there an amazing sight to see.

Pemika Boonyawuttipan (Prim) 8-2 Bang Pa-In Palace was very impressive during our class visit. I was able to see the many changes that were made over the years. I was amazed at the design and how huge the palace was. We were able to go inside the Chinese-like building which showed the relationship between Thai and China. There were many artifacts from the Rattanakosin Era and I was able to see an ancient chart, in which nobles of the past used for travel. It was Supakrit Sirivat (Krit S.) a great experience.

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By Torie Leinbach

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ne of the most contentious issues facing ASEAN and the states and citizens of Southeast Asia is management of the Mekong River. Like many other important rivers of the region, the Mekong begins high in the plateau of Tibet and then flows through several sovereign states and influences the lives and livelihoods of millions of people. As such, the Mekong is a source of life and wealth for the people of Southeast Asia, but also a source of conflict among the competing interests in the region who often have opposing views about what to do with this river.

On May 14th, RIS held a day-long ASEAN+1-sponsored Mekong Summit titled “Southeast Asia Mekong Summit” (SEAMS). One hundred and fifty-six RIS 10th graders and Swiss Section 9th graders were assigned 78 unique roles in this summit. Their job was to faithfully portray this role in 12 different topical committees to show the potential for cooperation and conflict that is always present in this increasingly globalized world.

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Stakeholders

Committees

• Thailand • Laos • Cambodia • Vietnam • China • ASEAN • Human Rights NGO • Environmental NGO • Energy Industry • Construction Industry • Tourism Industry • Aqua/Agriculture

• Environment • Tourism • Aqua/Agriculture • Human Rights • Commerce • Energy

Industry • Indigenous Peoples Lobbying Group

Students were prepared for the unit with several lessons introducing them to the various state and non-state actors in International Relations, and common international relations theories - ie. why the actors do what they do?

constituents. The challenge was for students to enhance their positions with relevant data in real time while coming up with solutions for the complex problem of Mekong River management in the region.

Next, all students watched a documentary about the Mekong River, and eventually began to prepare for the summit by researching and writing position papers outlining their stakeholders’ priorities and proposed solutions. The students then wrote speeches highlighting their positions and presented them to the other committee members during the simulation day’s opening statements.

The consensual agreements achieved at the end of the conference revealed complex and creative thinking skills much desired far beyond the school years.

Subsequently, the students participated in several hours’ of collaborative discussions with other stakeholders in a simulated international conference (inspired by Model United Nations). The stakeholders were required to rely on their listening, speaking and critical thinking skills to identify similarities and differences amongst the

The month-long (year-end cumulative) project was a huge success and reflected qualities of innovative teaching and learning by having students interact with content in an authentic way to solve problems and create solutions, expecting students to be highly collaborative by learning from and sharing with one another, and comparing processes and outcomes, and because students are involved in the evaluation process, they are more likely to value their successes and learn from their reflections.

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Kanyarak Anuchitlertchon Angelica Ann Azul Sadanun (Marina) Balenciaga Jatenat (Bart) Boonbandansuk Kachamas Boonchuen Pear Boonwisut Sourodeep (Rick) Bose Vanessa Buchter Watcharatorn (Jack) Bunmapichaikorn Bhon Bunnag Surasek Bunnag Tanapun Chaikulngamdee Bunsermvicha, Nuttida Warisara Chaloemlapsombut Areeya Chanprapanont Natchanon Chantasriviroj Pacharapol Charoensuk Akash Singh Chauhan Amolnat Chiarnpattanodom Shin Chiewattanakul Chayanin Chinavinijkul

Damrong Chindapol Phatthramat Chinvanich Kamolnat Chitwattanagorn Jin Young Cho Phantira Choaknantiporn Sohyun Choi Phairam Danjittrong Sanjana Das Motoyasu Fuda Karl Patrick Gonzales Parichat Hanpitaksuk Lattaphol (Ben) Harnthamtong Niyant Hathi Nicha Homewong Phannisa Hoontrakul Hein (Henry) Htet Sarut Indramangala Khongpob (Tom) Intara Nontakorn Ittichai Naradhiph (Ron) Jema Viranpat Jiratipayabood Yasuaki Jitsuyama

Natasha Jojo Varuni Kaensacha Ramon (Rafael) Kahmann Thanaporn (Meji) Kaikritkhongbun Simran Rajiv Karamchandani Phathaphol Karnchanapimonkul Sawa Kawamoto Nudruja Kiatipanya Ployphailin Kim Tae Min (Chris) Kim Yu Jin (Anne) Kim Nuttiya (Jessie) Kornprasertvit Konlawat Krisanaviparkporn Saran Kritsanaviparkporn Muktapha Kulkeatdech Thanaporn Kusomrosananan Anan Kuvinichkul Narissapat (Alice) Lam Yannaseth (Perth) Lee Woranon (Mimi) Leevongcharoen

Chawanya Lerthiranrat Keep Lewsirivongse Pichayapa Limapichat Ingkawat Limvipuwat Khine Zin Lin Ramita (Opal) Lin Satreerat Losuwanakul Sarah Madritsch Masahiro Maeda Prasita Manowalailao Jettanan Manthananon Pichapa Mateekusontan Namika Matsuki Hiroshi Matsuo Weerawaroon Mavichak Tharanee Mektananon Zach Sandburg Miller Nattacha (Gene) Mongkolkiti Nanthawat (Ken) Mualprasert Thanyathorn Mualprasert Taek Jun (Jay) Nam Pichanon Nantavaropas

Lalit Narukatpichai Thanathorn Ngamphathipong Pichaya Nimcharoen Chiranuvath Nimitthirayon Apisara Nithipitigan Ryotaro Noda Jamespaul Jeejo (Kevin) Nooranal Sapol Olarnsakul Nattapon Pahusuwanno Suddhabha Palakawong Na Ayuthaya Nicha (Nina) Patel Prima Pattaropong Alisha Pawa Shivam Pawa Siddhant Pawa Phurisa Phagudom Saveera Phinichkusolchit Warandhorn (Patty) Photisaro Chalita Pintawekiat Pitchpraewa Piriyametha

Tanyatorn (Tanya) Pitaksakorn Sasit (Shane) Pittayathikhun Thananart Piyajarawong Wanchompoo Ponaruemit Chainarin Pongpornprot Sippakorn (Mickey) Ponpayong Voralaks Poolvoralaks Well Poolvoraluck Choksiri Pornjalearnchaisilp Sorrawis Prachongkit Phandin Prasongsanti Supitcha (Pam) Punyaputtichote Nichakarn (Jean) Ratanaphaithun Tim Ratanaprukse Wachiraporn (Vicky) Rattanavipapong Apitchaya Rawara Ploypailin Jasmin Ryback Asisha Sachatheva Jirasin (Jim) Sae-jung Jedsada Sae-Yang

Vorada Sakulsaengprapha Wishaphas (Mickey) Sananpanichkul Varit Sathienthirakul Palitsorn Saubhayana Piyanuch Savantrad Raewat Sethi Vikrom (Asees) Sethinamvong Sung Taek (Albert) Shin Thattawatt Singnoo Posathorn Sirivat Michiel Chanon Smit Raghav Sood Supreeya Srimanothip Visant Srimanothip Natthawat Srisawat Polachet (Kevin) Sudayuworn Piyawat Suwanasap Chaiyawat Suwankaisorn Rakchanok Tavonvunchai Heather Taylor Thanatorn Techakesari

Norra-mon Tengcharoensuk Napob Thaitongsuk Nitchakarn Theingviboonwong Sornsak Thiravechyan Pimpika (Jenny) Thongcharoenpoolporn Palapong Tirarojkul Navarat (Jerry) Treyangkul Sappaya Udomsilp Tuangporn Vesprasit Pitchaya Vichitcharoenpaisarn Parintorn (Patty) Visutvatanasak Thampapon Vorawandthanachai Pavudh (Mike) Waid Dachpadung (Kevin) Wong Sitala Wongkrachang Supara Wongkrachang Peerapat Wongruchiravanich Methaporn (May) Wongwilaiwarin Ayumi Yasumura Prasitta Yookhong AD Astra Volume 10 May 2014

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“The Communist Manifesto,” Nud answered with great confidence.

“Correct,” replied the moderator and the NIST auditorium erupted in cheers and applause.

Nud exhaled in both triumph and relief after answering another question correctly.

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n March 8th, six young historians from Ruamrudee, Nud ‘14, Poom ‘14, Pao ‘15, Tai ‘15, Nia ‘15, and Nat ‘16, had the privilege of participating in the International History Bee and Bowl held at NIST. This event is a team and an individual competition, and our Ruamrudee historians performed well throughout. They competed with great spirit, good humor and sportsmanship, and with the poise and knowledge of champions. In the team competition, RIS won second place and qualified for the Asian Championships in Hong Kong. In the individual competition, Nud won the runner-up medal.

Nud, Pao, and Tai all qualified for the individual Asian Championships to be held in Hong Kong in June.

participating in the History Bee and Bowl. What I truly believed we gained from the competition was a sense of how vital and far-reaching history really is and the extent to which history has affected our lives.”

Winning medals and plaques, however, is not really the point of the competition. The International History Bee and Bowl was founded in 2010 in order to bring young historians together to engage in a friendly battle of historical knowledge and to promote the study of history and camaraderie among young historians in the region.

Poom explained it best. “Experience, knowledge, and friendships are just a few of the things we gained from

As the team prepares for the Hong Kong tournament and rebuilds for next year, the team captain, Nud has some final remarks about the experience. “I saw not only how the past enlivened the present, but also the great potential endowed in RIS historians. I am honored beyond words to lead and compete among the future Herodotuses.” Are you, future Herodotuses, ready to represent RIS on the History Bowl team?

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So, young historians, the International History Bee and Bowl will be back in Bangkok in 2015. Perhaps you should head over to Griffith Library and read-up on history. Discover the fascinating world of Alexander the Great, the many achievements of Song China, or the strange world of the Byzantine Empire. Participating in the International History Bee and Bowl is a great opportunity to win medals, make new friends, meet fascinating people, and have a whole lot of fun.

By Jillian Nichols

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n Friday, May 2nd, educators from all over Thailand convened at Ruamrudee International School for the 4th ever SENIT (Special Education Network in Thailand) conference.

More than 30 Learning Support Specialists, Speech Language Therapists and other educators that work with students with alter-abilities met to network and share best practice strategies with one another.

Attendees came from both near and far, from neighboring international schools to one member making the trip all the way from Chang Mai! The conference welcomed specialists from Bangkok who presented their expertise and included: Donna Murphy, a leading Occupational Therapist, Tim Wilcox, a Speech Language Therapist from The Village School, and our very own School Psychologist April Edmondson. The conference focused on sharing resources available in Thailand, and specifically Bangkok for those working with students who need additional support, whether that be academically, socially, emotionally or even physically. SENIT 2014

was well received and all attendees walked away with more resources and strategies in their toolbox for better supporting their students! RIS was proud to host the SENIT conference and continue to be a leader of Special Education programming in Thailand and throughout Southeast Asia.

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By Norramon Tengcharoensuk

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n April 22nd, students from multiple clubs organized a celebration of Earth Day, including students from Global Issues, Interact Rotary, Eco-merits, and the Red Cross Club. The Earth Day Celebration consisted of small projects aimed to incite appreciation of the Earth, as well as raise awareness for the deterioration of the environment caused by humans.

One of the highlights of the day was the Earth Day fashion show, where high school teachers, Mr. Dominick Bruso, Mr. Jeff Gepner, Ms. Jillian Nichols, and Ms. Becky Oliver, stepped up to put on eco-friendly costumes made from recycled materials such as brochures, plastic bags, and newspapers. The creative designs brought not only laughter to the students, but have given them an idea of how much recyclable materials actually go to waste.

With this concept in mind, RIS Phoenix water bottles were also available for purchase in replacement of plastic bottles. The sustainable water bottles were a huge success; over a hundred bottles were sold during the campaign alone. All proceeds were donated to environmentalist charities, in hopes that it would result in a better tomorrow.

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Furthermore, students clad in green and brown gathered for the The National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) #GlobalSelfie event. The selfies of individuals all over the globe were tagged to NASA in order to create a collection of images which would be patched together as a mosaic of an image of our world. By participating in this event, RIS has displayed its increasing global awareness and the recognition of its importance.

who believe in the cause stamped their handprints on the tapestry with clay, indicating their personal goal in contributing to the betterment of our world. Various pledges included water conservation, using less plastic bottles, and not eating meat for a week (apparently the meat industry contributes to one fifth of man-made greenhouse gas emissions; who knew!). Although these promises are small contributions compared to the scale of our impact on the environment and the Earth, they are the necessary steps in paving the road to a sustainable Lastly, students were also given the opportunity to future. As author David Mitchell states, “What is an make a personal pledge for Earth Day. Many students ocean but a multitude of drops?�

By Meg Saksiriwatekul

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uring this past Songkran break some people splashed water, some people slept at home, but RIS LEO club members helped spread smiles. LEO is proud to share our first successful trip to Chantaburi where club members engaged in various community service activities, creating a union of hearts around Thailand.

DAY ONE: LEO visited the Kung Krabaen Royal Development Center and helped create artificial seaweed and clam shelters. Two important lessons were gained from this activity. First, artificial seaweed is NOT easy to make.

We had to uncoil stiff ropes to create a sea-anemone-like structure which will provide shelter for small fishes. By the end of the day, our hands were red and sore from the twisting and turning of ropes, but it was a great bonding opportunity for the members. Secondly, we should never bargain when buying fish at fresh markets. This may sound like an odd request, but our simple bargains adversely affect fishermen. The development center director explained about the limited profits a fisherman makes from this occupation. If we continue to negotiate for cheaper prices, these fishermen will gain inadequate money to support their family. It was an eye-opening experience to learn about the livelihoods of fishermen and to create the simple yet ingenious artificial seaweed and clam shelters.

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DAY TWO: In the morning, LEO visited Chantaburi Home for the Aged. We encouraged elderlies to participate in a game of Bingo and also provided assistance during lunchtime by preparing and distributing food to the different houses.

It was a heartwarming sight to see the elderlies laugh along with LEO members during BINGO games. The girls seized the opportunity to indulge the elderly women in a nail polish session while the guys helped other senior citizens pick out donated clothes. Then LEO club spent the afternoon playing games with children at the Baan Dek Pra Khun Orphanage. We chatted with them during their meal and treated the children to ice cream for dessert. It was amazing to see how fast we became friends with them; the orphans welcomed and joked around with us like old buddies. They even came out to send us off at our bus. That evening was filled with hugs, laughters, and definitely a lot of selfies. It was also Ms. April and Deejai’s birthday! LEO planned a surprise birthday cake.

It was a memorable way to end the trip.

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By Nandini Jhawar, Fahsiri Tavonvanchai and Kashish Garg

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n April 26th, an early Saturday morning saw a group of 30 RIS students, accompanied by Ms.Paige, Ms.Sabrena, and Ms.Manuela, from the high school Global Issues and Red Cross clubs board a bus to Wat Sa Kaew, Ayutthaya. These students were headed up to an orphanage located within the temple’s compound with loads of fun activities planned.

Both clubs had spent a couple of weeks planning and preparing various activities to do with the kids who the clubs hoped would enjoy and learn from. Altogether, the students planned four different activities, including storytelling, singing, charades, and a food pyramid matching game, all of which promoted health and hygiene.

The kids at the orphanage, ranging from 3 to 18 years old, were mainly from the Hmong tribe, but spoke fluent Thai. Although most of them were quite shy, they spent their time laughing and playing. Many of them sang along and even managed to learn the different parts of the food pyramid.

Our RIS students had also raised approximately 15,000 baht through bake sales to help pay for a full meal for the orphans as well as to donate for buying school supplies and necessary toiletries for the orphans. After

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an enjoyable and truly rewarding day of interacting with the kids, the clubs donated various books, bags, pens and notepads to the orphanage, which were blessed in a beautiful ceremony conducted by the monks at the temple.

By Weerawaroon (Queen) Mavichak and Pichayapa (Mudmee) Limapichat

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aving worked with Habitat for Humanity Thailand since 2007, the RIS Interact Rotary Club once again organized a successful community-service trip to Korat on February 28thMarch 3rd. Throughout the school year, the club organized several fundraisers such as the Interact Rotary Carnival, the Drink and Give project, and the “Let the Beat Drop� performance in collaboration with the RIS Dance Club to fundraise for our annual Habitat for Humanity trip. Raising over 225,000 baht including corporate sponsorships, 49 volunteers, along with 5 teachers, traveled to Korat province to rehabilitate three houses for two consecutive days. There, the club was able to support three low income families by funding and building proper and more sustainable houses. In addition to the money we raised for the trip, 20,000 baht worth of donations from our members were given towards these families to support their unfinished houses.

Each year our goal is to reach out to rural communities in Thailand under the belief that we, as proud representatives of RIS, have the responsibility to give back to society wherever help is needed. Within just two days, our volunteers not only experienced physical labor, from lifting heavy buckets of sand and stones to building brick walls, we also had the opportunity to taste true happiness: the happiness of giving.

The trip would not have been as successful as it was without the generous support of the RIS administrators, our club advisors (Ms. Nancy Sousa and Mr. Daniel Hansson), and our members. We hope to continue this project, giving the opportunity for other RIS students to experience the same happiness we did.

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very Year the Thai Language and Culture Department supports development, implementation, and evaluation of sustainable service learning that engages students in participation of outreach projects and collaboration with the local communities. One project is the Sarnelli Thai Reading Camp; an intensive remedial reading program that serves struggling elementary school children who reside at the Redemptorist Sarnelli Orphange in Nonghai. The week before Songkran, RIS students travel from Bangkok to run a 4 day Thai language camp for reading and writing challenged children at Sarnelli House.

Sarnelli Thai Reading Camp has three goals: (1) Encourage a love for reading.

(2) Teach skills for effective reading.

(3) Instill self-confidence among the children at Sarnelli House.

Here’s a reflection from Grade 11 student Kirin (Sai) Techawongtham about their experience with the Sarnelli Reading Camp

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will remember this trip fondly, just like the one last year. It was a valuable and memorable experience.

I like being with kids, and like to “hear” them be happy. I remember the second morning when we did an activity as a big group. We were playing a game together in which everyone had to walk in a big circle while the music was being played, and stop and listen to the order from the teacher when the music stopped. I smiled when I saw what the five-year-old girl in front of me was doing. Her small hand was holding mine as she guided me around the circle, and she was dancing gleefully with the music as she walked. Kids here seem to love dancing.

Even though when I was there, I spent most of my time with Nut and Bank, two blind teenagers, in another building, some other kids wandered around to this building. Especially when they saw the puzzle I brought with me, they all tried to solve it. I found they were surprisingly smart. They only had to look at me do it once and, while other people usually still struggle to unravel the puzzle, most of them could copy me immediately.

Another good moment I had with them was when I helped Nut install a racing-car game onto her laptop. I was a little bit worried at first but finally I managed to install it successfully. However, we instead discovered that both I and Nut did not know how to play the game. No matter what button we pushed, the car would not move. The only thing we could do was pressing the horn again and again, yelling at the computer screen and laughing while the voice program kept saying, “you’re in last position!”

I was also impressed with my two “students”. They were very good students. I taught them basic English words that I think may be useful for them in the future. They focused very well and made progress every day from the first until the last day of learning. In addition, I also taught them basic computer skills, and tried to help them with any problem they had on their laptop. I was very happy when I saw how excited Bank was when he could think of what to do with the new skill I’d taught him and how proud he was when he told me about what he had done.

Lastly I want to thank all the RIS teachers and students who went on this trip as well as Fathers there who took care of us. The small friendly group was one thing I like about this trip. Everyone helped taking care of me, even though some of them have never even talked to me before.

When we went outside, they (almost 55) never forgot to bring me with them. I sincerely appreciate everything everyone has done for me and for the opportunity to work with these children.

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By Jessie Kornprasertvit

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rt is clarity of expression. Clarity is achieved by ignoring the fragmenting nature of intellect and sensing the seamless nature of the whole. Paint, pencil, notes, choreography, words, digital memes, are all tools of expression; but they will never be the thing being expressed. The degree of skill in the use of these tools brings the artist closer to expressing the universal truth felt by everyone. Creating a feeling of authenticity.

The impulse to create and communicate personal and cultural thoughts is common to all people. Art does not have to have mass appeal. The production of art requires skills, imagination and the ability to convey concepts through a variety of media. Art is deformation, breaking down things and forming the pieces to recreate, ever changing, continually open up new possibilities and challenging traditional boundaries connecting many areas of study and human experience through individual and collaborative production and interpretation.

In the past two years students of the IB Art SL&HL Programme engaged in both practical exploration, artistic production, and independent contextual, visual and critical investigation. The exhibition “Medium Rare” is a cluster of the students’ finest and proudest works while also just a glimpse of the students’ prospective abilities.

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By Gerry Steiert, RIS Athletics Director SEASAC & BISAC Varsity teams officially finished their seasons at the end of March, while some of our younger teams played through the 1st weekend in May. Overall, it was a busy and successful season. In Badminton the Varsity Boys & Girls finished claiming SEASAC Gold & Bronze respectively while the considerably stronger BISAC league allowed them only Silver and 4th spots respectively. Varsity Boys Softball earned Bronze medals in BISAC, while the Girls managed to finish 4th in both divisions. The RIS Golf team completed a fine year with a bronze for the Boys and a 4th for the Girls in a competition held at Green Valley, hosted by ASB. Big congratulations to our players for all of their accomplishments in these upper age groups. Special thanks to our coaches: Badminton Chuan Lee & “Joei� Janjira Khaosa-ard; Softball Shaun Edmondson & April Slagle

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Sat April 26th was perhaps one of the warmest days of the year and saw the official end of the BISAC Season for younger sports teams. We hosted 8 Boys softball teams on 3 fields and 10 volleyball teams on 4 courts here at RIS. A big thank you to all coaches, workers, officials & scorekeepers who managed to help us have 2 very successful tournaments in our wonderful facilities.

Both RIS teams finished 5th on the day.

In 7 other tournaments away from RIS, our teams fished in fine fashion earning medals in 6 of the 7 tournaments taking place in the outer Bangkok community. Two of these teams are now BISAC Champions. U17 Girls Badminton repeated as Champions and U15 Girls Volleyball are now reigning Champions moving up from Silver last year. Silver medals were earned by U17 Boys Badminton, U17 Girls Softball & U13 Girls Volleyball. Bronze medals went to U13 Boys Volleyball.

Congratulations to all players, coaches & parents for a very successful season.

Coaches: Badminton Joey Scott & Praphoj Unpudsa; Softball Jennifer Treinen and Tim Pettine; Volleyball Komson & Noi Penpoo, Charoen Saendej & Onsa Saleenuan. T-Ball is Ben Roth.

We look forward to another year of competition in the wide world of Ruamrudee International School sports.

See you soon.

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By Kevin Leinbach

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n the weekend of April 26-27, 2014, Ruamrudee International School hosted the Swimming Sport Science SE Asia Conference 2014. Adam Keble, High Performance Squad Coach at the top ranked SOPAC Swim Club in Sydney Australia, led a two-day professional development conference for swimming coaches from around Thailand and Southeast Asia. Almost 100 international school and Thai swim club coaches from 10 different countries attenedd the event held in the Performing Arts Center at RIS. The attendees were shown advanced training systems used by top ranked swimming clubs in Australia to improve the performance of their elite athletes. Cutting edge technology is being used to enhance physical fitness levels and decrease times in events where a fraction of a second determines winning and losing.

The conference was a collaborative effort between Ruamrudee International School, the Thailand Department of Physical Education, the Australian Embassy in Bangkok, and the Thailand Swimming Association. Each organization played a crucial part in the planning and executing this conference. The participating coaches reported that they immensely enjoyed the program over the two days.

Joint collaborations like these allow for better relations between countries and sporting organizations, better training for our coaches, and improved instruction for our swimmers. Improving the competitiveness of our swimmers as well as our competitors, raises the standard of competition and challenges everyone to improve and grow beyond what we all think we can achieve. We wanted to be a part of this conference as we owe it to our students to allow them the opportunity to grow into the best student athlete, and best person, they can be.

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arch 2014 was a very special month for many actors and singers at Ruamrudee International School. Ms Diana Yorke, our artist in residence, travelled all the way from New York, USA to work alongside Ms. Shorna Shand and Ms. Catherine Bennett to create a unique approach for this year’s RIS school production. Students across Middle and High School joined together for a two week engaging experience filled with fun, handwork and plenty of laughter.

The production ‘Not Another School Musical’ was a collaborative effort, from scriptwriting to the stage, students worked intensively to put on a show to remember! On March 17 2014, 32 performers took to the PAC stage showcasing their excellence for three amazing performances; exploring love, deception, friendships and their future throughout the everyday life of a school.

Congratulations to all the students that took part from performers to stage hands, you were fantastic! Also thank you to the audience, staff and students that came to support, Ms Diana for your energy, enthusiasm and inspiration and finally Mr Eric and Ms. Sara for their commitment towards building the Performing Arts at RIS. Miss Shorna Shand Middle & High School Drama Teacher

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By Pavla Poch

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Shaun and April Edmondson The opportunity to work with so many wonderful students and colleagues has truly been an amazing experience for both of us. We will never forget the excellent students who fundamentally make RIS such an incredible place to teach and learn. We will always have a place in our hearts for RIS.

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Jeneane Paxson The staff at the Elementary School are warm, caring, and kind. ES Teachers have a genuine interest to nurture and develop the students collectively as well as individually.

I will always remember the compassion and warmth they display to each other and towards the school community. Farewell Ruamrudee Elementary School.

Jane “Dee” Phillips

Anne Celine Courso

Jillian Nichols

I will be moving back to the UK in June to be closer to my family.

My new job involves incredibly long hours, night shifts and no pay - motherhood! With a second baby on the way I am looking forward to being a stay at home mum for a few years before making the move from PE to Special Education. In the future, when I look back on my time at RIS my fondest memory will be the students. I am sure that I will never teach such polite, well behaved, diligent young people again. RIS students really are something special and I feel privileged to have taught them for 3 years! Thailand will always have a little place in my heart, as will the RIS family.

There are plenty of reasons to smile when you are a preschool teacher but the biggest reason will always be the kids. With the help of our little Preschool team I have gotten through all the ups and downs that life throws at you. Our daily EYP lunches that involved all sorts of Preschool and Pre-K stories will always be remembered.

Ruamrudee International School has been an overall amazing experience as my introduction into international teaching. Being a part of the RIS community has helped me grow into being a better educator, and has awarded me numerous professional opportunities to develop my skills.

The students are an incredible bunch, and I have cherished my endless experiences both in and outside the classroom: coaching, advising Student Council, and chaperoning countless field trips. Of course living in Thailand hasn’t been bad either.

I will miss my students, friends, colleagues, beaches and Som Tam (Thai Food), but I know I will be back to this beautiful country someday.

Now it is time for new adventures, but thanks for everything Ruamrudeee!

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Of course Preschool wouldn’t be possible without the support of the parents, from scary beginnings all the way through to exciting endings, the parents have always been there to help us out.

I am excited for my new adventure at International School Manila teaching first grade but I will miss RIS.

Karli Koning In my position I have been lucky to work with some of the best students/ families. Being able to loop with the same students while here, I have been able to get to know them and their families personally as well. I hope to be able to maintain these relationships with our move to Singapore. The memory I will take with me from RIS is that of the students, teachers, and families that I was able to work with. I was blessed to work with AWESOME students who made me laugh daily!!! Thank you RIS.

Anne Dadswell I leave feeling privileged to have taught some of the most talented and enthusiastic bunch of students in my 30 years of teaching.

Derek Diefendorf I have so many wonderful memories and experiences during my time here at RIS. The students in the MS are the best I have ever worked with! I feel very fortunate to have worked with and come to know such outstanding educators.

Colin Webster

Daniel Hansson

Amy Diefendorf

I would like this opportunity to personally thank each and every one of the members of the Class of 2013 and the Class of 2014 that made my time at RIS memorable but there are too many to do that. I’d like to wish them, the staff I have worked closely with, and Caelin’s and Carys’ teachers all the best in the future. My family and I will be off to new adventures relocating to Asmara, Eritrea where I will take up the position of Head of School at the Asmara International Community School, and my wife, Ibi Venczel takes up her post as school counsellor.

“Surely our passage through life has a course and meaning – but it is the experiences along the way that makes it worthwhile.” With this quote by the Swedish poet Karin Boye I would like to say goodbye to everyone at Ruamrudee International School, until we meet again. My six years at Ruamrudee have developed me professionally and spiritually. It has made me who I am today. I will warmly remember the amiable and hard-working students as well as its competent and supportive faculty.

“It is time to strike camp. A new day is dawning. Our great adventure continues.”

The decision to leave RIS and move to Kuala Lumpur was not easy.

From the moment I arrived at RIS I’ve enjoyed the community, the delightful children in the ES, and the camaraderie of the faculty and staff at our school. Fr. Travis has been a source of tremendous inspiration for me while I’ve worked at RIS. His dedication to the school and the poor has deepened my faith and helped me know God better. In my heart, I’ll always be profoundly grateful for the opportunity to work at Ruamrudee.

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Torie Leinbach As my family and I depart for new adventures, I want to give a special shout-out to the students in the classes of 2015 and 2016. I have been fortunate to have spent nearly every day of the last four years working with you and getting to know you; my most fond memories of Ruamrudee include all of you - THANK YOU! You possess tremendous individual strengths, and enormous collective potential. I’m looking forward to hearing about your many successes in the years to come.

Allison Brinkerhoff Teaching at RIS has been an extremely positive and valuable learning experience.

I am incredibly thankful for the children I have gotten to know, their supportive parents and the team of educators with whom I have had the opportunity to work with. All of these people have had such an incredible impact and influence on my life. I have had some of the most amazing experiences in the last four years and can truly say I have loved teaching at RIS and living in Thailand. I will definitely be coming back from New Delhi to visit.

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By Neil Dwyer

PHOTO of the DAY. 21/04/2014 Welcome back to the entire RIS Family after our well-deserved Spring Break. While some of us were relaxing, sleeping, or simply resting, a group of HS students spent time with Dr. Alan and Ms. Pam at the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai. Pictured here, the Eco-Merits Club President, Watcharatorn “Jack” plays around with a young elephant during a little downtime from their community service program.

PHOTOs of the DAY, 23/04/2014

Check out their video to see all of the good work (and fun) they accomplished over Spring Break. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brN4IwoOGiA

Yeah, we are NERDS and we are proud of it!!!

As our Middle School students celebrate Spirit Week we found “nerds” roaming the hallways and classrooms as a part of Nerd Day.

PHOTO of the DAY, 27/03/2014 This afternoon, the RIS U13 Boys Soccer Team welcomed the Thai National U13 Football Team for a friendly as the National Team makes final preparations for an international trip.

Fr. Yuthana organized the fun and all involved enjoyed an afternoon of sportsmanship and fun. Our best wishes to the Thai U13 team.

RIS: Excellence. Character. Tradition.

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Congratulations to Ruamrudee International School’s Class of 2014 Continue to Grow as Leaders in University and Beyond