Patana News 6th October 2023

ElEvating CommuniCation for your Child’s lEarning JournEy - yEars 7, 8 &

Assessment

9

Weare profoundly grateful to the parents who participated in the recent set of Key Stage 3 workshops for Secondary School. These sessions delved into the adaptations we’re introducing to the student reports for Years 7, 8, and 9. Furthermore, we discussed the update we will be making to our assessment system, aiming to demystify the learning journey across these pivotal years.

THE BEDROCK REMAINS

To ease any concerns upfront, the successful curriculum that has consistently prepared our students for the (I)GCSE and IBDP remains intact. Our assessment techniques, tailored meticulously for each subject and Year group, also stand their ground.

SO, WHAT’S CHANGING?

We aim to move to a live data system for students and parents in the next two years - this will allow parents to access the report data at any time rather than waiting for termly reports to be published.

The core of our change lies in our reporting method. We’re phasing out the National Curriculum levels, which, since their compulsory removal in the UK in 2014, have often been confusing for parents and some students alike. We’ve had the privilege to research several top-tier schools and draw inspiration from their successful models at the Key Stage 3 level.

OUR OVERARCHING GOAL?

Enhance the way we communicate your child’s progress. A wealth of educational research supports the idea that honing in on the entire learning journey — focusing on the next steps for improvement — is more impactful than traditional grading systems. As was resonantly agreed upon during our workshops, pinpointing ‘what’s next’ is the linchpin for any student’s success across any subject.

“Grades and rankings do not in themselves give students one iota of information of how to improve. When teachers pair grades with comments, common sense would tell us that this is a richer form of feedback. But our work in schools has shown us that most students focus entirely on the grade and fail to read or process teacher comments”

Dylan Wiliam

Ref: Dylan Wiliam (Emeritus Professor of Educational Assessment, UCL)

To this end, we’re introducing high-quality progress maps for every subject. These maps will be instrumental in describing and communicating the learning journey across Years 7, 8, and 9 for each subject. By next August, we aim to have these progress maps for each subject available online.

Luke Jones, Secondary Assistant Principal Curriculum and

HOW DO PROGRESS MAPS WORK?

Think of these maps as a ladder guiding students through their academic progression - with the top of the ladder being the most challenging steps. The progress maps will enable teachers to pinpoint stages where students initiate, advance and master specific aspects of their subjects. Importantly, they can be used during Parents Conference Evenings and Parent meetings, offering you, as a parent, deeper insights into your child’s progress.

Another advantage will be that these progress maps will not only begin to connect with your child’s learning in Primary school, but - at the top of the map - connect with some of the learning students are taught in Years 10 and 11 for each subject.

With the use of the progress map, teachers can judge - based on all the information and assessments they have of the students - which step the students are projected to meet on the progress map by the end of the year. For each Year group, the map has a set of learning steps from 1 to 9. Here is a link to the current Design + Technology progress map as an example

INDIVIDUALISED PERFORMANCE GOAL

Teachers will match this Individual Performance Goalone for each subject - against the step the student is projected to meet by the end of the year on the progress map.

If the student’s Individual Performance Goal matches the step that the student is projected to achieve by the end of the year, then the student will be meeting expectations; below will mean the student is developing towards expectations, and above exceeding expectations.

EXTRA GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING REPORTS AT KEY STAGE 3

Please take some time to look through our extra Guide to Understanding KS3 reports; this provides examples of the new report and examples of students and how it would report for them based on a range of different teacher projections (assessments) for the end-of-year.

WHERE DOES THE INDIVIDUALISED PERFORMANCE GOAL COME FROM?

The Individualised Performance Goal is derived from the Cambridge Centre for Evaluation & Monitoring (CEM). Each student undergoes the CEM’s Mid-Yis adaptive test in Year 7, giving us comprehensive data on performance probability across verbal, non-verbal, maths, and speed/

accuracy skills. This is not a subject-specific assessment and provides us with a goal between 1 and 9; again, most students in Secondary will have a goal between 5 and 9.

PERSONALISED ASPIRATIONAL GOALS

As a top-performing school, we’re committed to helping our students reach their highest potential. It’s important to note that we will be using the CEM data as a baseline; we add one to set aspirational goals. Recognising each student’s uniqueness, we craft challenges that are neither too easy nor overly daunting, ensuring motivation while respecting individual learning journeys.

IN CONCLUSION

As part of the new Bangkok Patana Key Stage 3 report, parents will receive the detailed Individualised Performance Report from CEM along with a set of probability charts for each subject - emphasising that we do not want to label students with a specific grade when the data tells us that they have a certain percentage probability of achieving the vast majority grades in any subject.

A sample of both the new Key Stage 3 report and the information you will receive from your child’s CEM data can be found here

We wholeheartedly believe these refinements will amplify your engagement with your child’s education. By focusing on the continuous journey of learning and its next steps, we’re fostering an environment where growth and development thrive. Here’s to a brighter, clearer, more collaborative educational journey for our Secondary School, Bangkok Patana School community!

fostEring studEnt agEnCy, BElonging and CrEativity: The ViTal Role of The STudenT CounCil

Miranda Cawley, Leader of Learning and Welfare Year 5

Inthe ever-evolving landscape of education, nurturing student agency, fostering a profound sense of belonging and encouraging student creativity are essential for a thriving school community. The Student Council, a dynamic force within our school, plays a pivotal role in empowering student agency while nurturing a sense of belonging and fostering creative expression. By selecting representatives who truly embody the diversity of our student body, we guarantee that each student has a platform for expressing their ideas, concerns, aspirations and nurturing their creativity.

The Student Council in Primary School at Bangkok Patana provides a structured platform where students can propose and execute initiatives, granting them the agency not only to bring about positive change but also to express their creativity. Whether it is addressing pressing issues or unleashing their creativity through innovative projects, the Council instills a deep sense of responsibility and leadership within its members, while providing an avenue for creative expression.

Active involvement in the Student Council not only enhances student agency but also bolsters a profound sense of belonging. When students realise that their opinions matter, and that they have the power to influence decisions that affect their school experience, they naturally feel more connected to the school community. Their involvement provides an opportunity for creative collaboration and innovation, further enhancing their sense of belonging.

Student Council members serve as role models, demonstrating to their peers the transformative potential of active participation and creative thinking. By actively engaging in decision-making that impacts the school’s culture, environment and activities, they send a clear message that every student’s voice is valued and integral to the collective success at Bangkok Patana.

The Student Council represents the embodiment of democratic principles within our school, showing students that they are not just passive learners; they are active contributors to the school’s progress and creative development. Participating in the council enables students to cultivate a strong sense of belonging while embracing their role as change-makers, guiding the school toward a brighter future with creative ingenuity at its core.

The Student Council stands as a shining example of how fostering student agency, a sense of belonging and creativity can be achieved. By providing students with an authentic platform to voice their ideas, the council ensures that agency, belonging and creative expression are not abstract concepts but lived realities. As we strive to uphold the values it represents, we continue to empower our students to be future leaders of our school and active architects of their learning journeys, forever strengthening the bonds that make Bangkok Patana’s community an exceptional learning habitat.

Early yEars’ LiBrary

Comic Books & Chapter Books

Fiction Non-Fiction

Comic Books Chapter Books

Fiction Non-Fiction

Fiction Senior Fiction

Life Collection Non-Fiction

Home Languages

Graphic Novels

high notEs at Choral fEstival

Laura MacRitchie, Choir Director

Wewere very excited to be working with Carrie Tennant as part of BICF (Bangkok International Choir Festival) 2023. The programme this year was very diverse and introduced our singers to many cultures, traditions and languages. BICF is an important date on our Music calendar as it provides an opportunity to collaborate with many schools in South-East Asia through song. To sing as part of a mass choir is a memorable experience for our students. It is such a highlight that students often refer to it when reflecting on their choral experience at Bangkok Patana.

The festival culminated with a Gala concert on Saturday at ISB. This was a wonderful celebration of our students and their choral journeys.

STUDENT REFLECTIONS

“On Tuesday 26th September, students of our Senior Choir welcomed Carrie Tennant, a choral conductor from Canada. This was in preparation for the upcoming Bangkok International Choir Festival (BICF), which took place last Saturday. The Senior Choir met Carrie Tennant for the first time and had their final rehearsal together as a group, learning new techniques from the conductor and refining their songs.” Arissara (Sara) Hutchinson, Year 10

“The Choral Festival, was such an amazing experience for me. It widened my horizons to so many different styles of choral singing and gave me the opportunity to create beautiful music with all types of musicians and connect with like - minded people. I found the conductor inspiring as she not only shared her priceless experience with us, but created such a lovely atmosphere for the entirety of the festival. Thank you to everyone involved for making this possible.”

Lucy Smith, Year 10

“Being a part of the Choral Festival is such an amazing and interesting thing to experience as a singer as it shows you the multiple genres and techniques used in music. I’ve been a part of the Choral Festival a few times and I always leave with something new. This time we had Carrie Tennant as our guest conductor, and I can confidently say that she is one of the most amazing and inspirational people I have ever met. I always meet such talented and ambitious people who not only inspire me to thrive and be more confident but also make the ambiance of the theatre and school so comfortable and safe. My favourite song this year was Still, because of its softness and simplicity. It is such an honour to attend these festivals, so thank you for everyone who put in the effort and love to create such awesome memories.”

Kate Schestak, Year 10

tigEr ConsErvation in thailand: ProtECting our ma JEstiC masCot

Ana Bolakoso, SEC Key Stage 3 Representative

Asit was Tiger Spirit Day this week, we thought it would be fitting to explore the plight of this endangered species, which is endemic to Thailand and our school mascot. The tiger, a symbol of strength and courage, is facing a significant threat from habitat loss, poaching, and human-tiger conflict. In Thailand, the number of tigers is estimated to be as low as 200, making the need for conservation efforts more crucial than ever.

THE CURRENT SITUATION

Thailand is home to the Indochinese tiger, a subspecies that is critically endangered. The country has made significant strides in tiger conservation, with protected areas and wildlife sanctuaries such as the Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Despite these efforts, illegal poaching for the tiger’s skin, bones, and other body parts, which are highly valued in traditional medicine and for decoration, continues to be a significant problem.

SUPPORTING TIGER CONSERVATION

There are several ways you can support tiger conservation in Thailand. Consider donating to organisations like the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) or the Freeland Foundation, both of which work towards protecting tigers and their habitats in Thailand. Your contributions will aid in funding anti-poaching patrols, community-based conservation projects, and other essential initiatives.

DO’S AND DON’TS FOR PROTECTING TIGER HABITATS

Do’s:

1. Educate Yourself and Others: Learn more about tigers, their habitats, and conservation efforts. Share this knowledge with friends and family to raise awareness.

2. Support Responsible Tourism: Choose eco-friendly travel options and tour operators that follow ethical guidelines and contribute to local conservation efforts.

3. Reduce Your Carbon Footprint: Climate change affects tiger habitats. Take steps to minimise your carbon footprint by conserving energy and reducing waste.

Don’ts:

1. Don’t Support the Illegal Wildlife Trade: Avoid purchasing products made from endangered animals, including tiger parts.

2. Don’t Encroach on Protected Areas: Respect the boundaries of protected areas and wildlife sanctuaries.

3. Don’t Support “Tiger Selfie” Tourism Operators: Avoid tourist attractions which offer photographs with real Tigers that are chained and/or drugged.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, as we celebrate Tiger Spirit Day, let’s remember the real, living tigers that our mascot represents. By supporting conservation efforts and making responsible choices, we can contribute to the preservation of this magnificent species and ensure that future generations will also be inspired by the majestic tiger. Let’s come together to protect our beloved mascot and its wild counterparts. Your support can make a significant difference in the fight to save the tiger in Thailand.

tEnnis aCadEmy highlights tEnnis aCadEmy highlights

TheTennis Academy have had a busy few weeks with a mini tennis orange ball event over at Harrow, an Under14 invitational doubles event at ISB and a UTR challenge match with Harrow at Patana being the highlights. As well, we’ve had weekly Under 14 team fixtures and even an appearance from Coach Dan on the courts when him and top Varsity singles player Al played doubles together in Thai Premier League event. This weekend we welcome Voyager Tennis Academy from Singapore to Bangkok Patana for a UTR challenge match.

vollEyBall uPdatE

Thisweek our Volleyball Tiger teams competed in some friendly matches with ICS. The Varsity Girls’ Volleyball team were hit hard by sickness this week, but with eight remaining players they were still excited to make the trip over to ICS. ICS have a strong team with plenty of tall hitters and a very reliable setter. Our Girls’ Varsity team were greeted by a large and friendly but parochial crowd. The first set was a nail biter with the Tigers demonstrating great patience and some excellent serving. Some lovely sets from Helen resulted in some dominant hitting from April. The final score was 25-21. They moved on to the 2nd set where our first serve percentage was excellent. The team battled point for point eventually going down fighting 25-23. ICS graciously then played a friendly set with us to get additional match play. Shout out to the Match MVP - Ing Ing. She was selected due to her steady and slow receiving and her hugely improved serving, not to mention her awesome sideline support when not on court. Also a special mention to Coach Jang who celebrated her birthday at the match. Despite not quite delivering a birthday win but we sure enjoyed having cupcakes together!

The Varsity Boys welcomed ICS to Court 1 on Wednesday and delivered a masterful performance. With a number of key players out with sickness, the younger players showed their potential alongside the elastic middle hitting of Year 13 Alan. Two dominant matchplay sets finished 25:19, 25:22. The team is really starting to gel and find a rhythm, with SEASAC appearing on the horizon.

The Junior Varsity Girls also welcomed ICS, who came well drilled and ready to play. Across three sets, the team didn’t quite match their usual high standards early on but found their range in the third to win 25:10. Unforced errors are a key focus for the team and some more serving practice in the upcoming weeks will make all the difference! Great performance by Aime, particularly on serve, made the difference in the third set.

Congratulations to all our teams and Tiger teammates for representing our school with pride.

Ana Bolakoso, Year 9

tigErs’

Gymnastics Team Training – THB 950/Day

Little Paws and Little Paws Plus Training - THB 950/Day

Recreational Training - THB 1,400/Day

suPPorting thE Community through

suPPorting thE Community through

CharitaBlE work

CharitaBlE work

Robine Johnson, Year 1 Class Teacher and CAT Advocate

Urban Neighbours of Hope are a small, responsive, neighbourhood-based team who live and serve the community in Khlong Toey, one of the poorest areas of Bangkok. They partner with a local Montessori preschool, Grapongdeang, at the Khlong Toey Community Centre.

Year 1 have supported Urban Neighbours of Hope and the students of Grapongdeang for over seven years through fundraising projects and giving books at Christmas time.

Grapongdeang School are thrilled to have now replaced some of their old school roof, ready for the rainy season. This year, they hope to install more soft play equipment and an aircon unit in the Physical Development room. This area is vital to children growing up in cramped conditions with little access to space to run and play. Year 1 will fundraise to support the project.

Also run by Urban Neighbours of Hope, Roy Rak is a fair-trade initiative run by UNoH, helping local women make beautiful, ornate jewellery. Roy Rak offer workshops, tours and even birthday party activities. Please find them at royrak.org or on their Instagram page

If you would like to support UNOH please contact Lish Faulkner at alisha@unoh.org

wai kru in sECondary sChool wai kru in sECondary sChool

Each year, Bangkok Patana has a ‘Wai Kru’ day when Year 7 students pay respect and express gratitude to their teachers. Wai Kru is usually held at the beginning of the new academic year and this year it was held on Friday, 29th September.

‘Wai’ means to bow in Thai, and it is used in greeting while saying a prayer. The ‘Wai Kru’ ceremony is a great way to start the academic year and is an important part of the traditional Thai educational system. They thank their teachers for the knowledge they have imparted and allow the teachers to bless them at in beginning the academic year.

We wish Year 7 good luck in Secondary School and hope they gain new knowledge to develop their potential throughout the year. Have a great academic year ahead!

Dr Rattana Chanruam, Secondary Thai Curriculum Leader

Patana paRTiCipaTeS!

Achievements from Our Community

Congratulations to Worawaran (Khaosuay) Boonsong who participated in the Ice Skate Asia Competition 2023 in Hong Kong and came away with three gold medals!

Alum ML Weka Bhanubandh won a gold medal for Thailand at the Hangzhou Asian Games. Weka, 16, won the Boys’ Dinghy ILCA4 event. Weka attended Bangkok Patana from 2012 until 2022.

AWARDED ON THE DAY

Top Male Finisher (19+) 5K Fun Run

– Alex Sze

Top Female Finisher (19+) 5K Fun Run

– Rebecca Blundell

Top Male Finisher (18 and under) 5K Fun Run

– Tresco Tatam

Top Female Finisher (18 and under) 5K Fun Run

– Jeanne Webert

Perseverance Award (new runners/families who compete well)

– Kong Family and Shu Family

Eldest Runner (Overall)

- Pannee Luenganantakul

Youngest Runner (Overall)

- Sebastian Andersson (2)

SCHOOL BASED AWARDS POST EVENT

Top BPS Finisher Male (3k)- based on time, includes BMAC

– Taku Ishizaki

Top BPS Finished Female (3k), based on time, includes BMAC

– Kiko Ohara

Top Primary KS1 Male (3K)

– Warren Ngan

Top Primary KS1Female (3K)

– Vorapachara Tejapaibul

Top Primary KS2 Male (3K)- based on time, includes BMAC

– Morris Freiburg

Top Primary KS2 Female (3K)- based on time, includes BMAC

– Kiko Ohara

BPS Year group with most entries

- Year 6

BPS House with most entries

- 1. Chang, 2. Samui/Lanta, 4. Phuket

For a full report and photos, visit our website blog.

Richard Molloy , Cross Campus Head of Sports

#257: WhaT paRenTS need To KnoW abouT aMong uS

Created in 2018 by a small indie studio that (at the time) had only four employees, Among Us has become one of the gaming world’s biggest breakout hits of recent years. In 2020, for example, it was the world’s most-downloaded mobile game. Its simplicity helped Among Us to resonate with younger players in particular: the game’s second largest audience slice is the 13–18 age bracket. While the 7+ age rating, emphasis on teamwork and cartoonish, colourful graphics all suit a young fanbase, the game does carry more serious risks than betrayal by a team-mate or an untimely on-screen demise – with in-game purchases and possible contact from strangers. This guide explains the game and gives a list of potential hazards that trusted adults should be aware of.

Have a great weekend!

Brian Taylor Assistant Principal, Technology for Learning

wildlifE SpoTTing with Coke

loCal hoTSpoTS foR Wildlife

Alexander Coke Smith V, Secondary Environmental Sciences Leader

October already! Time to get out and see the spectacle of nature that happens every year at this time in and around our mega-city, Bangkok.

Today’s column will center on the local hotspots in our area that are starting to show signs of the fall migration already. From a couple weeks ago all the way through the end of Term 1, nature enthusiasts will be able to step outside our air-conditioned world and find some of the spectacular species of birds that are making their way south for the winter months.

Now there are many places in Thailand that are excellent for viewing this migration, but I will focus first on the more local haunts for our passersby. These locations have been highlighted before in my columns but I feel it is time for a refresher and to give some our new Bangkok Patana School members some hints on where to go.

Rama VI Park: Perhaps the closest to our campus is this expansive and impressive botanical garden. Green spaces such as this park and other provide welcome stop-overs for our migrating birds. It’s easy to see many of the more common birds in the mature trees of the park. Birder Tip: Pay attention to the people with massive lenses and expensive camera gear – they know where they birds are!

Queen Sirikit & Rod Fai Parks: These are two adjacent green spaces that are great for those more centrally located in our area. When the migratory rock-star species

come in, they always seem to stop here. Ruddy Kingfishers, Ferry Pittas and many others are some of the more notable species that stop here annually.

Lumpini Park: This is surely one of Bangkok’s largest and most famous parks. Now while this green space has many migratory birds stopping by just like the others in this article, what I like the most is the huge population of Southeast Asian Water Monitor Lizards and Finlayson’s Variable Squirrels. The park manages its wildlife quite impressively and is a great place to see our own “Komodo Dragons” up close!

Bangkok Patana School Gardens: Let’s not forget our home base! As you surely know, our school is blessed with one of the most impressive tropical gardens anywhere in Bangkok. And our own greenspace is rife with wildlife, ranging from many migratory birds as well as Variable Squirrels and Northern Treeshrews and loads of reptiles and amphibians! Our gardens here are perfect for a morning of birdwatching.

10am, 10 11am, 11am 12pm, 12pm-1pm)

CLOSING DATE: Monday 9th October 2023

More details and application form

Be Sure to Sign up!

Solo Festival October 2023

Saturday 28th October 2023

(time 11am, 11am

Monday 9th October 2023

ANAPANA MEDITATION COURSE FOR STUDENTS

Anapana (Mindfulness of breathing) teaches students improved concentration skills and enhances calmness of the mind. This technique helps to relieve anxiety and is very useful at exam time to calm those nerves, but also for everyday life.

The next Anapana Meditation course will be given onSunday 15 October for students between 8-16 years.

The course is completely free!

To enroll, please contact Eva Sophonpanich at evasophon@hotmail.com for all further information.

You may also find this site useful:

http://www.children.dhamma.org/en/children/about-meditation.shtml

Main venues: NEILSON HAYS LIBRARY THE BRITISH CLUB

BANGKOK MARRIOTT HOTEL THE SURAWONGSE plus special events at Chakrabongse Villas The Standard, Bangkok

bangkokliteraturefestival.com

celebrating books and ideas

TALKS · WORKSHOPS · BOOK SIGNINGS · MARKET

ADAM HIGGINBOTHAM ANDREAS HARSONO ANGKHANA NEELAPAIJIT ARTIT SRIJAN BERNARDINE EVARISTO CHATPONG CHUENRUDEEMOL

EDMUND WEE ELIA BARCELÓ EMMA LARKIN GLENN DIAZ JOËLLE GERGIS KAY PLUNKETT-HOGGE LIZA LIN MAI NARDONE MANU JOSEPH MIHOKO IIDA

NARISA CHAKRABONGSE·NGUYỄN PHAN QUẾ MAI·NHOTTI SASIWIMON·NORMAN ERIKSON PASARIBU·ORAPIN YINGYONGPATHANA·PALIN ANSUSINHA

PIM WANGTECHAWAT PRAPT SARANARAT KANJANAVANIT SHANE BUNNAG SHARON WEE SHIVANI SIVAGURUNATHAN SHRAYANA BHATTACHARYA

SOUVANKHAM THAMMAVONGSA SUNISA MANNING SYARIFAH NADHIRAH TAM CHUDAREE DEBHAKAM TAMLIN BEA THANYARAT DOKSONE TOMORN SOOKPRECHA

TOSHIKAZU KAWAGUCHI URUDA COVIN UTEN MAHAMIT WEERASAK CHANSONGSAENG WILL SCHWALBE WIN NIMMAN WORAPOJ PANPONG AND MORE

HOTEL PARTNERS

SPONSORS

PARTNERS

MEDIA PARTNERS

We hope to see you on Saturday, 7 October, at 15:30 (Bangkok Time/ GMT+7) at SX Grand Plenary Hall, G Floor, Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Bangkok. If you can’t make it in person, please join us through www.sustainabilityexpo.com

Registration is not required for this event.

SEACHA is a network of Southeast Asian civil society organisations engaged in cultural heritage conservation work. It seeks to promote effective government-community partnership in cultural heritage management, to strengthen the ASEAN socio-cultural community as a people-centered third pillar of ASEAN, to serve both as a networking forum between ASEAN member organisations, with the aim to be an associated entity of ASEAN governments and the ASEANsecretariat