Spotlight on Secondary
St. Andrews International School Green Valley
May 2018
Gold Level Accreditation Once Again On Monday April 30, Tuesday May 1 and Wednesday May 2 a team of three UK inspectors from the Educational Development Trust (EDT) visited school on an Accreditation visit. This team was also joined by two inspectors from Sor Mor Sor who concentrated on evaluating the strength of our Thai Programme. We are very happy to report that the inspections went very well and we have once again been awarded Gold Status (the top award possible) as an Outstanding School. In the eight different areas inspected we were, as we were in 2015, Outstanding in all areas. The inspectors praised St. Andrews Green Valley for being a highly inclusive community, one which students, parents and teachers feel very proud to be part of. Every three years we are inspected by the Education Development Trust (EDT), which is a world authority on school inspection and evaluation, having inspected schools around the world for more than 20 years. The purpose of the three day visit by UK and Thai inspectors is to assure parents and students that the school has been judged by independent inspectors to meet rigorous quality standards. All schools in the UK and reputable International Schools throughout the world undergo these types of inspections. The UK inspectors from EDT evaluate every school using the same 8 standards, as part of the ISQM (International Schools Quality Mark) accreditation. These are:
STANDARD 1: The standards that students reach in their work and the progress they make. Green Valley = Outstanding This includes looking at results from tests and exams over a three year period as well as the work that students do in all areas. To be a Gold Standard school you must be outstanding in this area and show how students make outstanding progress in all areas.
Mo graduates with a perfect score of 45
Jasmine graduates “Cum Laude” from university in Holland
Quote: “Students make excellent academic and personal progress. Levels of attainment and rates of progress increase as students advance through the school. Teaching, and the quality of students’ learning are outstanding. Staff have impressive subject knowledge and lessons are brisk and purposeful.” Andy wins Top in Thailand Award for IGCSE Drama
Fifa wins a World Junior Golf Championship tournament in Jakarta
Gold Level Accreditation Once Again STANDARD 2: Students’ personal development. Green Valley = Outstanding This includes students’ behaviour, attendance and attitude to learning. Quote: “There is an extremely positive attitude to school and to learning from students at St Andrews Green Valley. They are confident, mature and show loyalty to their school which they believe looks after their needs effectively.”
STANDARD 3: Teaching and Learning. Green Valley = Outstanding Inspectors looked at the teachers’ planning and lessons as well as student work over the three days, focusing on how the teaching helps students to learn effectively and make outstanding progress. As with standard 1, to be a Gold Standard school you must be outstanding in this area. Quote: “Teachers’ subject knowledge is a major strength. They love the curriculum areas that they teach and this is one reason why students are inspired to learn. Relationships are of a high quality in all areas of the school. Students talk of the great mutual respect that exists between staff and students. This assists teachers as they are able to target the individual needs of students exceptionally well. “
Exciting field trips introduce students to new experiences
STANDARD 4: The Curriculum. Green Valley = Outstanding Inspectors will look at how the chosen curriculum of the school engages all students and provides them with knowledge and skills they need for the future, as well as helping them become lifelong learners. Quote: “The school’s curriculum is outstanding and provides excellent breadth and balance, both inside and outside the formal timetable. Promotion of students' excellent personal development and well-being is woven into the fabric of school life. The school's success in this area is demonstrated by students' exemplary attitudes towards learning. ”
Practical experiences such as cooking bring learning to life
STANDARD 5: Accommodation and Resources. Green Valley = Outstanding The inspectors will look at the buildings, teacher resources and support staff and how they are used effectively to provide the best possible education for the students. Quote: “The school’s accommodation and resources are of high quality. New buildings have been added sensitively, retaining the 'green campus feel' and have improved the facilities available for students and staff.”
Students develop confidence when performing in front of an audience
Gold Level Accreditation Once Again STANDARD 6: How well the school cares and supports its students. Green Valley = Outstanding The inspectors look at the systems and resources to ensure that students are healthy, safe and well taken care of while they are at school. Quote: “The school has highly effective arrangements for the care, guidance and support of its students. This is a very strong feature of the school.”
STANDARD 7: Partnership with the Community. Green Valley = Outstanding
Group activities teach our students to be more considerate of others
The inspectors look at the links between the school and all members of the school community and how they support each other to provide the best possible education for all students. Inspectors had meetings with lots of parents and students during their visit. Quote: “Parents say they are well informed about their children’s academic learning and personal progress and are very supportive of the school. They see the school as a highly inclusive and responsive community. Many comment on the ‘family feel’ that permeates the school. “
Year 8 students working together in a drama class
STANDARD 8: Leadership, Management and Governance. Green Valley = Outstanding The inspectors look at leadership throughout the school and how leaders work together to ensure that the school is always improving. The inspectors also spoke to the CEO of Cognita, Michael Drake who highlighted how St. Andrews benefits from being part of the wider group of Cognita Schools. Like standard 1 and 3 a school must be outstanding in this area to be a gold standard school.
Quote: “Excellent leadership and management are at the heart of the school's success. Leaders know the school well, select the right priorities and can demonstrate the impact of the changes they have made. Leaders receive excellent support and just the right level of challenge from Cognita, the school's owners. ”
Field trips to local industries strengthen community links
At the end of the three day visit, after examining all the evidence provided, the inspection team give their judgment on all 8 standards. We are very proud that once again we received the Gold Standard, achieving outstanding grades in all 8 standards. One of the main reasons we can achieve this is due to the excellent teamwork, collaboration and support that all members of the St. Andrews community provide to ensure that we continually strive to provide the best possible education for our children.
Innovation is a key part of our exciting curriculum
Year 13 Graduation Ceremony Congratulations to the graduating class of 2018. At a glittering ceremony on Saturday May 19, family, friends and teaching staff gathered together to wish the Year 13 students well. The Graduation Ceremony plus speeches and dinner provided a fitting departure for a class who have worked very hard and been an inspiration to younger students. Well done Year 13 and best of luck in your very bright futures.
Guest Speaker Sir Kevan Collins On Friday May 18 our guest speakers, Simon Camby and Sir Kevan Collins, were given a warm welcome by our Head Girl and Head Boy. During the parent session they explained the role of Cognita and its aim to build self-belief and empower students to succeed, within the framework of delivering academic excellence, developing character and nurturing a global perspective. Parents had the opportunity to ask insightful questions and chat with them over morning tea. Teachers were also inspired during workshops focused around leadership and metacognition for effective learning. It is was fabulous to see such a large attendance from parents and thank you to the PTG for organising the refreshments.
Maths Challenge Medals During March, as part of our Maths week, students at St Andrews were entered into the Manga High Maths Challenge, competing against others from around the world. To win a medal they had to complete problems in a game-based situation from a wide variety of mathematical topics that could challenge even the most able of mathematicians. Congratulations to our medal winners who all put in a lot of time and effort into improving their maths skills!
Year 13 Farewell Assembly Year 13 said their emotional farewells to the school community in a leavers assembly on Thursday April 26. The students, some who have been at the school for 14 years, all delivered speeches giving advice and words of wisdom to their fellow students. It was an emotional day and there was plenty of reflection on the valuable contribution that they have all made to the school community. After the speeches, each student planted a tree, which will serve as a permanent reminder of them. Mr.Emery, the IBDP Coordinator, said “The Year 13s have been a special year group. The dedication they have shown to their studies and community based work has been nothing short of sensational. They have been great ambassadors for the school and we would like to wish them good luck in their upcoming exams. We are sure that they will get the rewards they deserve from all of their hard work."
Year 13 Students Prepare for University As well as preparing for their IB exams, Year 13 students have been busy completing University applications. As usual, our students will be completing their study at some of the top universities around the world. Conditional offers have been rolling in, here is a list of the universities our Graduates are seriously considering studying at. UK: Durham University; Loughborough University; Nottingham University; Exeter University; Bristol University; Bath University; Manchester Metro University; University of Leicester; Oxford Brookes University; University of Sussex Canada: University of British Columbia (UBC) The Netherlands: Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences USA: Purdue University; University of Washington; Emory University; University of California, Davis; University of California, San Diego Australia: University of Newcastle; Charles Sturt University; Deakin University; Swinburne University of Technology; Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.
Congratulations New Parents! It is with great pleasure that we announce two additions to the St Andrews Community. Two of our teaching couples have recently welcomed a new child into the world and thankfully everyone is healthy and happy!
Eadlin Nora McHugh
Maya Jasmine Booth
Born at 9.20am on Monday April 9, 2018
Born at 9.20am on Wednesday March 28, 2018
Year 11 Assembly On Thursday May 10, 2018 we celebrated with our Year 11 students as they prepare for their IGCSE exams. Our Year 11 students have now completed their formal lessons and will sit exams from now until June 15. At the assembly we heard video tributes from both year 11 tutors and then four student speeches from Toosje, Wesley, Pun and Nam. The students reflected on their experiences at school, gave advice to younger students and thanked their classmates for their friendship and support. The 4 leaving students (Junior, Jack, Pun and Jenny) were also presented with a St Andrews bear as well as being wished good luck in their future. The assembly concluded with a video tribute to the Year 11 students that was put together by Alex Coller. The Year 11 students spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying an afternoon tea and the chance to send sometime together. Good luck in your IGCSE exams year 11, do yourself, your family and your school proud!
Year 9 Art: Self Portraits This term Year 9 students have completed their self-portraits. We looked at a variety of modern artists who have completed self-portraits. We also explored different techniques using tone and photomontage effectively to communicate what is unique about each one of us. This work can be seen on display in school and on the art Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/St-AndrewsInternational-School-Green-Valley-Art-and-Design. Mrs Castle
Dutch King’s Day Celebration The Dutch Stream celebrated their annual King’s Day (Koningsdag) this year with plenty of fun games and delicious Dutch snacks. Koningsdag is a national holiday in The Netherlands usually celebrated on 27 of April, and is a day of great celebration, where friends and family get together to eat and socialise. The event featured lots of activities, dancing, a photo booth and some delicious snacks and pastries, with the ‘tompouce/tompoes’ a typical Dutch pastry being a huge success. The students from the Primary School joined in the fun playing traditional games such as ‘eat the lace’, and ‘throw the sponge’. Thank you to our Dutch Stream teachers Ms. Sarah and Ms. Mirna for bringing everybody together and thank you to all the parents who came down to help out, brought food and showed their support!
Dutch Ambassador’s Visit On Thursday May 17 we had the honour of a visit to Green Valley from H.E. Kees Rade, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, who was accompanied by Ms. Pantipa Sutdhapanya, the Senior Economic Officer and Mr. Kevin van Lierop, Intern at Political and Economic department. The Ambassador was extremely impressed by the welcome he received from our Dutch community and the unique setting of our beautiful campus. After meeting students, parents and teachers over lunch, the Ambassador was invited to watch the launch of rockets which the children had created with typical Dutch/Belgian designs to celebrate this special day. It was a great opportunity for everyone to speak to the Ambassador and answer many of his questions about the thriving Dutchstream at St Andrews. After an exchange of gifts, where there were shrieks of delight as the children received their special Dutch presents, the Ambassador had a tour of the school before departing for Bangkok.
Island Community Music Competition The Island Music Competition was held in the black box theatre for the first time, making use of this fantastic new space. The variety of performances was excellent, including singing, instrumental solos, a jazz band, a live dub-step mash up, lots of dancing, rock bands and even some scripted comedy sketches between acts. The overall winner decided by our 4 judges was... Samet! Well done to all students who participated, and to the Island Community Leaders who helped to organise 80 minutes of entertainment in just 2 weeks.
U13 Invitational Games On Friday May 18th and Saturday May 19th, Green Valley hosted the Under 13 Invitational games. The British School of Phuket and St Andrews 107 competed with us in fast-paced 3x3, basketball and dodgeball competitions. All the teams played with great spirit and there were some close, hard fought games. Overall in the 3x3 games Green Valley won gold in the boys event and silver in the girls event. In the basketball games on Saturday the A teams walked away with silver medals in both the boys and girls event. Thank you to BISP and 107 for providing such a high level of competition, and to the PE department and PTG for all your hard work behind the scenes.
Important Dates for your Diary Friday May 25 Day 1 of Exam Week for Year 10 & Year 12 students
Monday May 28 Year 6 –to 7 Transition Meeting for Year 6 Students and Parents
May 28—June 1 Exam week for Secondary School Students (no exams May 29)
Tuesday May 29 Visaka Bucha Day Public Holiday No classes for students
June 3—8 Year 12 Biology, Geography and ESS trip to Koh Chang
June 4—8 Year 10 Work Experience Week
Friday June 8 St Andrews Green Valley Gold Standard/21st Birthday Celebration for parents
Monday June 11 Panthers Attacks Swimming Carnival @ GV
June 13—15 Year 7 Residential Trip To Sattahip
Saturday June 16 St Andrews Golf Day @ Silky Oak
June 18 & 19 Year 6 to 7 Transition Days
June 19, 20 & 21 Secondary Drama Production Performances (evening)
Friday June 22 Drama, Music and Sports Awards evening at The Holiday Inn
Tues June 26 Secondary School Academic Achievement Awards Ceremony
Tues June 26 End of Year Report Cards sent home
Thurs June 28 Last Day of School Year
Wed August 22 First Day of 2018—2019 School Year
Thurs June 7 Secondary Arts Day Activities
To check all upcoming school dates please click on this link: http://vle.standrews-schools.com/dashboard/ cal/1079/1 To access the 2018—2019 Calendar click here: http://vle.standrews-schools.com/Resources/Home%20% 5BF1%5D/Dashboard%20%5BFt4%5D/St%20Andrews%20Green%20Valley%20Academic%20Calendar% 202018%20-%202019.pdf
To access the 2017—2018 Calendar click here: http://vle.standrews-schools.com/Resources/Home%20% 5BF1%5D/Dashboard%20%5BFt4%5D/Academic%20Calendar%2017-18.pdf