Patana
NEWS
Week 15 - Full of Opportunities! P. 2 Bangkok Patana is an IB World School, accredited by CIS and NEASC
Letter from the Cross Campus Principal As we close week 15 of this academic year, there is no doubt that Bangkok Patana School is ‘full steam ahead’. We should be very proud as a school community for the sheer range and depth of opportunities that we build into a very rich learning programme right across the school. This requires an untold degree of behind-the-scenes planning and energy, but this is energy well invested especially when we see the very positive impacts on our students and their families. Our calendar is bursting with activities and events. A cursory review of recent events should serve to remind us just how much our rich programme can help each of our students to develop happy and healthy lives, develop a love of learning and be able to identify their potential. We promote healthy and active lifestyles and team participation in sports. The last two weeks have seen great fun and participation in the Key Stage 2 Sports Days and our annual House Athletics Day for Secondary was a resounding success on Wednesday. Over this and last weekend, friendship tournaments against other schools continue for sports such as basketball, tennis, touch and rugby. We encourage adventure and challenge beyond the school. Since Mr Mills’ last article reporting on the Secondary Residentials, we have also run two success-
ful International Award trips to Hong Kong (walking) and Ko Samet (kayaking). Meanwhile, colleagues are busy planning ahead for the Primary Residentials, which will start in January, just over three school weeks’ time. We nurture passion in the Arts. Many readers will have delighted in the Primary production of Aladdin this week, which was such a colourful and vibrant musical involving a good many students from upper Key Stage 2. Our Senior Drama students have recently enjoyed a specialist workshop by guest Marco Luly, our Year 9 students have visited an art museum and IGCSE and IB Art Students have worked with ‘artist-inresidence’ Ulrich Gottlieb.
We invite parents into the school to understand our programme and how it is intended to benefit their children. Last Tuesday, some of you will have learned about how the Foundation Stage allows some of our youngest students to develop their early writing skills. Also on Tuesday last week there was a huge turnout for a thorough explanation of reporting and assessment in Key Stage 3. This week, presenting to Primary parents, Mr Taylor explored some of the difficult dynamics facing families today as their children immerse themselves in increasingly sophisticated online technologies, a theme he will visit later in the year with Secondary parents. On Thursday, Year 11 students and parents were introduced to option pathways at IB (International Baccalaureate) as they prepare to make some important decisions for the next phase of their
education. We celebrate important events on the Thai calendar. Last week Mr Smith wrote of the wonderful Loy Krathong activities prepared by the Thai teams and their colleagues. Today the whole school came together for one of four annual whole school assemblies. We honored the 88th birthday of His Majesty the King, which served to remind us of His Majesty’s many achievements while celebrating aspects of Thai culture within his kingdom. In actual fact, the events mentioned above are but a very small sample of everything that has happened in the last week or so. The good news is that the calendar doesn’t get any lighter after the long weekend. We are looking forward to many more celebrations, gatherings and activities to support our students, families and staff. Meanwhile, not showing on the calendar, there will be countless engaging learning opportunities taking place within lessons, break times and after school activities. It is important that we give collective thanks go to all the people who work so incredibly hard to make Bangkok Patana such a vibrant, opportunity-packed place to learn in. James Penstone Cross Campus Principal
By Lucy Thompson, 9G and Vibhuti Vijay, 9L The Junior Delegates are a group of Year 9 students whose aim is to make our school a better place for every student in Key Stage 3. We come together every week on Wednesday to discuss issues, plan assemblies and talk about upcoming events. We represent Key Stage 3, and this gives the younger years an opportunity to voice their ideas and opinion. So far this year, we have been involved in helping settle in our new Key Stage 3 students on Induction Day in August, when we ran some icebreakers and conducted tours around the school. We spoke to the whole Secondary School at the start-of-year assembly and we explained our role here in the Bangkok Patana community. We also planned a Key Stage 3 assembly based around the theme of ‘Rumours and Gossip’. As a team, we decided that those would be extremely relevant topics to people our age
and younger and we tried to send positive messages about these issues with our interactive assembly. Also, we helped our Head of Year and other teachers with the Residential, such as hosting the Quiz Night. The Junior Delegates encourage students to approach them about issues, conflicts or suggestions we can use to make continued improvements to the school. We really appreciate any suggestions we get, and we do talk about
Year 9 students visited the wonderful Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) on Thursday 28th and Friday 29th November. The students had a fantastic day and were able to see a wide variety of artwork and many students discovered new favourite pieces. Students will now complete follow-up Art lessons considering the work they encountered and how it can influence their own project work.
them in our regular meetings. We are currently planning another assembly in Term 2 as well as taking on the task of organising the next Key Stage 3 dance with Ms Perriam (Senior Teacher for Key Stage 3). By having assemblies on topics that our students can relate to, we hope to help them gain a positive and informative outcome. We hope to keep working together to make a positive change to life in Key Stage 3.
By Helen Thew, Assistant Principal Student Welfare With such a large school, it is often difficult to run one event that involves absolutely everyone. House Athletics is one of the few that comes close to doing this as students will be involved either participating or cheering their fellow House mates. To increase participation even further, alternative events to the standard track and field events were run once more and it was great to see students competing just as keenly in these. One of the nicest aspects of this type of event is the opportunity it gives students to have a chance to perform a leadership role. Each House has Year Leaders per Year group as well as two House Captains from Year 12. It is the role of these students to pull everyone together, encourage participation, ensure students turn up for the right events (at the right time!) and to lead rousing choruses of cheers as events are run, jumped or thrown. I’d like to offer a big thank you to these students for their unending enthusiasm, commitment and determination because it is they who make days like House Athletics the success that we have come to expect. Every point gained was equally important but some students performed exceptionally on the day and are now the overall record holders for their event. The names below represent the students who achieved a school record during this year’s House Athletics. Year 7: Melanie Marcar - 200m Harry Clark - 400m and 800m Lanta Girls' Relay Team Anna Meller and Melanie Marcar High Jump Prompt Sudlabha - Javelin Year 9: Alissa Welser - 100m Dan Axtell - 200m Moniqa Nielsen - 300m and Shot Put
Kenji Miyauchi - 400m Phuket Girls' Relay Team Jade Martin - High Jump Kris Dante - Javelin Year 11: Laura Worthington - 300m, 800m and High Jump Sri Hollema - 800m Alex Lacrosse - 400m, Long Jump and High Jump Henry Theerathada - High Jump Samui Girls' Relay Team Seniors: Christian Salce - 800m Lanta Girls' Relay Team Ton Kiangsiri - Discus
: “It was pleasing to see the tremendous House Spirit within the Lanta Lions from the elite sports men and women setting new school records to those filling in for absent colleagues and those who enthusiastically took part in the alternative events and did not stop competing until the final whistle was blown. The organisation by the Year Leaders was fantastic to ensure that every lane was filled and students were at their events on time, and even the Lanta Staff were involved, maintaining their 100% record in the 4x100m teachers relay. Congratulations to all Lanta competitors and a big thank you to Mrs Bebbington and all the PE staff and helpers for organising a wonderful competition.” Thoughts from Chang House by Mr Myers: “As House Athletics arrived, the Chang team worked tirelessly to ensure that athletes were prepared to compete in all events. On days like these it’s great to see participation and enjoy-
ment from so many students and Chang House have really embraced this. The Chang teamwork was really on display with great wins in the Tug of War competition, which involved students across all Year groups working together. This year’s amazing efforts and achievements saw Chang finished a well-deserved second place. Watch out Lanta, we’ll catch you next year! The Year Leaders and House Captains deserve a big well done and thank you for organising and running House Athletics for Chang this year!” Thoughts from Phuket House by Mr Read: “House Athletics was a fantastic day with lots of trials, tribulations, excitement and successes for Phuket. There were some outstanding individual feats, including triple record breaker Moniqa Nielsen, but what was most impressive was the team work and house ethos throughout. The Year Leaders and House Captains led the way, cheering on and organising everyone within Phuket. This team spirit translated to the relay teams at the end of the day. Phuket closed the gap and almost caught Chang in second place due to the fantastic teamwork shown in the relays. Overall, everyone that participated in Phuket did so in the right spirit, whether they finished first or last and it was a great day had by all. Maybe next year our name will be on the cup!” Thoughts from Samui House by Mr Hume: “This year, like the baking December sun on House Athletics Day, was a scorcher with many ...continued on page 5
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blistering performances! The Samui Dragons looked red-hot and were splendidly marshalled by the House Captains and Year Leaders - well done team! Your effort meant that the majority of our lanes were filled race after race with happy smiling Samui faces! In the track and field events, a flight of Dragons blazed a trail and the following were all too hot to handle: Niamh, Emiko, Laura, Serri, Reesha, Laura, Kristine, Beryl, James, Ben. A special mention to this year’s brightest Dragon goes to the blistering Laura ‘Worthers’ Worthington as she burned up four new school records! Down in the alternative
Samui House spirit will forever burn brightly! Dread the Red! Go Samui!” When the last relay race was completed and all the points were added together the final race points and Plac e
House
Race Points
House Points
1st
Lanta
1,509
200
2nd
Chang
1,299
150
3rd
Phuket
1,275
100
4th
Samui
1,178
50
valuable House Points were as follows: In order to celebrate their success Mr Wadsworth will announce shortly a “Lanta Day” and all Lanta students and staff will be treated to a free non -uniform yellow day. Overall House Points:
events, much fun was had by ALL! Unfortunately, despite the dedication from the House Captains and the Year Leaders, at the end of the day the final Samui scores did not reach the same highs as the temperature! Thank you to all Dragons for Roooaring on your fellow competitors and despite not winning, I think that the
This award acknowledges a significant contribution to House Athletics. It is awarded to one boy and one girl in any of the four Houses for fulfilling the criteria below: Takes part in a House Athletics event with passion, determination and contributes a significant number of points for their house;
Place 1st
House Lanta
Points 500
3rd
Chang
435
2nd
Phuket
385
4th
Samui
280
At the beginning of the House Athletics day all staff and students joined in a minute’s silence to commemorate our ex-colleague and teacher, Joanna McArthur, or as we all called her - Mrs Mac. In the afternoon assembly, a special award in memory of Mrs Mac was announced (see details below). House Athletics would not happen without a lot of people pulling to-
gether and so I would like to thank: The most excellent PE Department, especially Ms Bebbington, for their professionalism in organising and running not only what happened on Tuesday, but also the Discus and High Jump events held prior to the actual event. The “backroom staff” – housekeeping staff, technicians, grounds staff and the Sports and Activities Department – for ensuring everything was in the right place at the right time and without whose help the event would not have been possible Those with leadership roles in the House System – House Leaders, House Captains and Year Leaders – for their Trojan-like work ethic before and during events. Every single participant who enabled their House to earn those valuable points – yes even if it was just one extra point. With the House Swimming, House Quiz and the House Music and Drama festival still to come – the House system does ensure that it is not only the athletic stars that get the opportunity to shine and the overall House shield is still all to play for. Finally, please do continue to support our recycling efforts by bringing in as much paper, card and glass as you can to the recycling bins near the Secondary noodle stall. The money raised not only scores points for the House but also helps support the education of the children of our six-day staff.
Exhibits a strong work ethic to of fellow athletes and their enperform to their best; deavours. Values the contribu Is an inspirational role model for tions that everyone makes to fellow students. Consistently their respected house. demonstrates a positive attitude The winners of the Joanna McArand an enthusiastic approach; thur Award will be presented in Has outstanding levels of sports- our End of Term 1 Awards Assemmanship. Is humble in victory and bly on 18th December 2015. gracious in defeat. Is supportive
THE ROAR Produced by the Athletics Council
Athlete of the week: Patricia Hall For coming third overall at SEASAC Golf
BIG UPCOMING EVENTS NIST TOURNAMENT December 4th – 5th FEEDING FRENZY @ BPS December 11th – 13th BPS INVITATIONAL December 13th If you have the chance, go and support your friends! Upcoming Fixtures…
Year: 10 What did you enjoy most about golf? Playing with other competitors from different schools. Who is your sporting idol? Usain Bolt What is your sporting quote? “I failed over and over and over again in my life, and that is why I succeed” – Michael Jordan What was your favorite memory on SEASAC golf? Shooting my personal best (85) Rugby How long have you played golf and what made you U15 Boys - 2nd start? Touch I have been playing golf for two years competitively. U15 Girls - Champi- My dad and mom influenced me ons to play golf ever since I was very young. Football Girls -golf? ChampiDo you play any other sportsJV besides ons I play many other sports but football, volleyball and JV Boys - 6th place softball are my top three.
Tuesday 8th December Basketball Varsity Boys’ HOME Basketball Varsity Girls’ Away Football U15 Girls’ HOME Tennis U18 Boys’ HOME Tennis U18 Girls’ HOME Wednesday 9th December Touch Varsity Girls’ HOME Saturday 12th December Basketball Varsity Boys’ HOME Basketball Varsity Girls’ HOME Rugby Sevens Varsity HOME Touch Varsity HOME Other Sports websites to visit: Tiger Sports http://community.patana.ac.th/tiger-sportsteams Tiger Tweets https://twitter.com/BPSSPORTS? ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw Patana Tennis https://www.facebook.com/patana.tennis? fref=ts
www.facebook.com/bpssports
Sport
Team
Opposition
Venue
Basketball
Boys-Varsity
NIST Invitational
Away
Basketball
Girls-Varsity
NIST Invitational
Away
By Genevieve Ahl, Services Manager Feeding Frenzy All swimmers attending Feeding Frenzy on Friday 11th December will have their bus home cancelled. If siblings will be staying to watch, please ensure their bus is cancelled in advance by emailing transport@patana.ac.th. Language on the School Bus Please help to remind your child/ ren that the School Transport Service is an extension of the school day and the same rules apply on the journey home. Students must not use bad or inappropriate language on the school bus. We expect students to show respect and courtesy at all times whilst using the Transport Service. Please report any students who do not abide by this rule to the Transport Department, who will inform the appropriate teacher/tutor/senior staff to follow up. Bike for Dad Bike for Dad on Friday 11th December will cause disruption to some of our routes in the afternoon. Morning routes will be as normal. Parents will be contacted if their child's bus cannot drop off at its normal location and an alternative will be provided where you will need to arrange for an adult to collect the child. If you do not plan to use the school bus service on this afternoon, please contact Transport well in advance to help with route planning. Students in Years 10 and above can
use the BTS shuttle bus service, but please book in advance and cancel your normal bus home in advance. Advance Booking Can parents who would like to join the school bus in the morning please help the Transport Department by booking in advance? (One to two days in advance is preferable.) We get a lot of phone calls in the morning and many could be avoided by advance planning. If your query is relating to an afternoon cancellation or advance notice about a change, please avoid calling the office between 6.00am – 7.30am to keep the lines open for more urgent phone calls realting to illness, cancellations or bus monitor queries. Email is best if it is not urgent. 7-Eleven Students should not be going to 7Eleven, True Coffee or other offcampus businesses prior to going to the bus parking area. This causes unnecessary delays to bus departures. Students should plan in advance if they would like a snack for the return journey. Students will be reported to their Head of Year if they are delaying the bus and thus being inconsiderate to other bus users.
Advance Notice to Avoid Areas of Restricted Roads The Bike for Dad event to be held on Friday 11th December will cause some disruption to transport around Bangkok. Please plan ahead if you will use your own private transport on this day. Be be aware that there are likely to be delays for those School Transport users who live near the areas on the route. The route can be viewed here. Individual Transport users will be contacted if an alternative drop off point is required on this afternoon.
Please note: The School Shop will be closed from Monday 21 December 2015 and will reopen on Monday 4th January 2016.
Upcoming University Visits University/College
Representative
Location
Date / Time
University of South Florida, Tampa Minerva Schools at KGI
Maggie Brackenridge
2nd Floor, Senior Studies 2nd Floor, Senior Studies
8th Dec, 12.15pm 0th Dec, 12.15pm
On display at Neilson Hays Library 195 Surawong Raod, Bangkok From December 1, 2015 to January 11, 2016 Opening Reception on December 17, 2015, 7:00pm Open Tuesday to Sunday 9:30am to 5:00pm (closed Monday) www.neilsonhayslibrary.com www.facebook.com/GeistWinyan
The weekly canteen menu is available here. Please check the calendar on the Parents’ Gateway, Student pages and Staff Centre for up-to-date information on school events. Visit www.patana.ac.th and click on the relevant icon to log in