Patana News Issue 35

Patana

NEWS

Bangkok Patana is an IB World School, accredited by CIS and NEASC

The Head of School’s Letter reetings everyone, As the academic year draws to a close, I’m delighted to take some time to reflect on another great year at Bangkok Patana School. The school places an unequivocal emphasis on excellence, whether academic, sporting or cultural. In our mission we aim to inspire our students to develop their talents, to reach well beyond the ordinary as they meet their full potential and in so doing, acquire a life-long passion for learning. At Bangkok Patana School, all students are encouraged to strive for personal achievement in the

context of a supportive, empowering environment. Our aim is to enable our students to become productive citizens who appreciate the importance of service, leadership and traditional values in a rapidly changing world.

We are very pleased with our academic results over the years and have a high expectation that our exam results will be stronger than ever this academic year.

Over the past 11 months I have observed: Confident polite students who are at ease in wanting to question to improve understanding, strong music and drama performances both solo and in groups, great displays of sportsmanship and high success rates in

sporting competitions both at home and away, amazing visual art shows that are unique and thought provoking, a huge array of ECAs on offer that are geared for high student motivation, strong debating skills at the Model United Nations events, increasing numbers of students attaining their Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award encapsulating outdoor education and numerous examples of successful studentled service projects. All of these student successes are beautifully showcased in the 2015 Yearbook, which is being published as I write this account. Many thanks to our editors Cheryl Rego and Emma Goligher who have spent hours putting together this year’s compilation. Our resident photographers Khun Rooth and Khun Pook have done a splendid job taking thousands of photos of our students in action over the past year.

I would like to thank each and every teacher and staff member for their professional dedication in helping guide our students to

reach their full potential. I have been extremely pleased with the quality of teacher instruction that I have observed during the academic year supporting our learners.

As usual being an international school, we have a number of students and families leaving us this year and we want to wish all of them the very best for their future wherever they are moving to around the globe. Please stay in contact with us as we are keen to stay in touch and welcome you to

our worldwide Alumni group – please take a moment to register on our alumni website to receive the latest news and reunion invitations.

We have a number of teachers leaving us this year as we do every year and we want to wish them all the very best as they move on to new positions around the world.

On behalf of Clare Sharp, James Penstone, Mick Smith and myself, we would like to wish all of our Bangkok Patana community a wonderful, safe summer holidays and we look forward to welcoming you all back to school on Wednesday August 19.

Enjoy your last weekend before the summer holidays!

Matt Mills Head of School

By Dol Manoleehakul, 5R here are many people who contributed to the PATT (Plant a Tree Today) Foundation Thailand and who truly understand the reason we have to plant the trees.

On Tuesday 16th June 2015 the Student Environmental Committee (SEC), which involves Primary and Secondary students, were visited by the project executive of PATT (Khun Sue) and two of her colleagues, Khun Aor and Khun Min. We were given a certificate for being the international school who planted the most trees in 2014! The bewildering amount was 775 trees!

The Year groups who contributed to this astonishing number were Year 5, Year 8 and Year 12.

Also contributing to this number, other Year groups donated 55 trees on our community fair day. The certificate is now in Year 5 but will soon be passed to Year 8. Congratulations to everyone who helped make a difference!

By James Penstone, Cross Campus Principal ince the beginning of June, two visiting artists-in-residence from Brazil have been working with students across the school. Lara Jacoski and Patrick Belem of Bem-TeVi Produções are passionate about raising environmental awareness and they are very skilled film makers. They spent a week with FS2 students who enjoyed getting ‘handson’ by making planters out of recycled plastic, and using these to seed lemon grass and other plants. More recently, they worked with our Year 3 students who researched different types of waste and found out about what happens to it, how long the items take to decompose and what we can do to reduce, reuse and recycle such waste. As a result of these two first weeks, Lara and Patrick produced two fun and engaging films, which were beautiful reflections of the students’ learning experiences. The students, in turn, loved watching these.

Now, in their third week with us, Lara and Patrick are working with a group of Year 5 and Secondary stu-

dents who will be creating a mini ‘documentary’. As part of this, the team plan to raise awareness about the problems with wasting plastic in all aspects of life. The film will also highlight the positive steps we can

all take, and in some cases already are taking, to reduce the problem.

This will involve filming people across the school community, both in the Primary and Secondary schools, in large group situations and also individually (interviews / reactions to displays). We are always mindful of respecting people’s identity with photography and videography made within school. With that in

mind, we are taking this approach: If a student (or anyone else) features in a close-up situation, and if we would like to include the clip in the final edit, we will contact them and/or their parents (as appropriate) to ask for permission. We will wait until the final film is in post-production stage to identify these people.

Names or other written information will not be placed against individuals’ images unless specific permission is requested to do so.

The final edit will be shared with the school community next term, in assemblies / meetings / classes and via our website. Later in the year, the same film (or an edited version) could be shared more widely online and at film festivals as part of Lara and Patrick’s growing international portfolio.

If you have any questions about this, please do not hesitate to contact me at jape@patana.ac.th.

By Antonius Berghuis, Senior Teacher Key Stage 3, Curriculum and Assessment athematics is all around us. It is fundamental to our everyday experience from the time we wake up, how much cereal we eat for breakfast, to how quickly we travel to school, to how much we spend at the Snack Bar, and so on. At school, we also study Mathematics which, considering its ubiquity, is a good thing!

The trick, though, is how to take the fractions, percentages, surface area and volume formulae, the unit conversions, the logical reasoning, the algebra and figure out when and how to apply these to the world we’d like to understand more about. This is not an easy process in which to become fluent.

For example, consider the following scenario: “Three friends from Bangkok Patana travel to Disneyland in California during the July holidays. They notice that their boarding passes are numbered in consecutive order. Name the three consecutive numbers on their boarding passes if the product of these numbers is 42,840.”

How would you approach trying to determine a solution?

A different kind of problem might be the following: “A train travelling at 60km per hour crosses a bridge which is 14 times as long as the train. If the train takes 3 minutes to clear the bridge (i.e. from the point it first touches the bridge to the point where its tail leaves the bridge), how long is the train (in metres)?”

Coming up with an effective approach to problems such as these – in a limited amount of time – is

not easy. These types of questions, however, are exactly the kind of problems about 250 students from Years 6, 7, and 8 have been tackling this year as part of the inaugural Patana Junior Maths Challenge.

Spaced throughout the year, these young mathematicians have been given five challenge papers to complete individually.

Each challenge paper has five questions, arranged in order of difficulty from easiest question to the most difficult. The questions cover a wide range of mathematical concepts and is not specific to any particular curriculum, thus making it accessible to a wide range of students.

The purpose of this opportunity Providing a mathematical challenge beyond the lesson context

Congratulations to the winners! only the top student overall, but also managed a perfect 25 out of 25! Congratulations, Kai! We look forward to meeting you next year in Secondary! The top-scoring Year 7 student was Nada Khaleefah (7K), while the highest overall scoring Year 8 student was Stijn Lek (8L). Over 100 certificates have been handed out to students in recognition of their achievements in this year’s challenge.

Next year, the Patana Junior Maths Challenge will run again, with practice questions featuring in future editions of Patana News – so keep an eye out for those! I am sure the questions will challenge next year’s participants as much as they did this year’s. To all our budding mathematicians, remember: it’s not just what you know – it’s more about knowing what to do with what you know, so look around you and get practising; the questions are all around you!

(By the way, the answers to the above questions are: consecutive ticket numbers are 34, 35, 36; the train is 200 metres in length.)

was to provide a mathematical challenge beyond the regular lesson context similar in many ways to the UK Junior Maths Competition – an opportunity which is appropriate only for the most able Mathematics students from Years 6 to 9.

The questions certainly proved a challenge for many students.

Overall, out of a maximum score of 25 marks, the students averaged just under 9 marks with 24 The calendar for the next academstudents achieving a Bronze ic year is available on the front of Award (scores of 11 – 13); 19 stu- the school website or click here to view it. dents gaining a Silver Award (scores between 14 and 16); eight Click here students managing a Gold Award (scores of 17 or more). for the Particular mention should go to Canteen Kai Mitsuishi (6K) who was not Menu

By Matt Jones, Head of Year 8 hroughout the year, the Secondary School Tutorial programme covers a range of topics relating to personal, social, emotional health. Part of that focus in Year 8 recently was on gender norms, raising awareness amongst the students of all the influences around us that suggest that male and female behaviour should fit specific expectations.

Students recognised where those main influences were and also discussed how their behaviours and expectations of others come about from that. In many cases, some of the negative effects were identified, ranging from aggression to concerns about body image.

Obviously in such a multi-cultural environment such as ours, there is a great variety of approaches to a topic like this, and students were also invited to consider how strong a role culture plays in establishing these norms.

Inspired by some of the impressive discussion taking place in the classroom, two of our Year 8 students later on reflected and, in doing so, compiled poems to explore what genderbased expectations mean to them.

Here are the two poems.

By Rebecca Leiler, 8G If I was supposed to be someone else Made from: Strength, Confidence and Someone supposed to be a figure of arrogance and Void of emotion Than who am I? I am not that I don’t follow these unwritten rules That seem to be branded in our brains With the early ages of our childhood From this media we surround ourselves in

Than who am I to be what I am Which is: Sensitive Compassionate Loving And shy Or was I supposed to be An alien?

A robot?

A person with no difference to anyone else?

This world that we live in Knows nothing else but Strength and Confidence All aspects of a stereotypical guy But who is actually that?

Who doesn’t have compassion?

Who doesn’t have feelings?

And who isn’t sensitive?

We surround ourselves in thoughts Of having to be this stereotypical guy Than what am I supposed to be If I don’t want to be this stereotypical guy?

By Blanche Boucher, 8G We live in a Modern day society Where it’s very difficult To be a girl You get judged From the people you call ‘friends’ To the things you wear And from your so-called boyfriend To what product you put in your hair So what are we supposed to do?

If your skirt’s too long They say you’re insecure But if your skirt’s too short They call you a prostitute So should we be wearing skirts at all?

Most of your friends Are totally fake They backstab you more than your enemies And then they complain when you do

the same So why are they your friends in the first place?

Being objectified Is a daily struggle But it’s not something we should be Allowed to tolerate So how do we stop it?

If you’re not like everyone else They say you’re strange But if you try to fit in They tell you to stop being the same So where does the line cross between the two?

They say not to judge a book by its cover And everyone pretends like it’s something they haven’t done before But should we be tolerating this For human beings; girls?

We must take a stand Because this isn’t right Girls shouldn’t have to worry about fitting in But there’s no way fight This problem Without attempting to fix society And that’s not something a single person can do So let’s fix it together Because we Can make a difference In society Together Let’s make our society better For the girls of the future So that they are proud and happy to live in this world As a girl

angkok Patana’s legendary Busking Day will be held on Tuesday 23rd June from 10.10 until 11.20am. Students will have the opportunity to prepare and perform their acts to a small audience. Please save your 5 and 10 THB coins and come along to enjoy a morning of entertainment. We look forward to seeing you on the Year 3/ 4 walkway or the hardcourt to see the range of activities on offer.

By Claire Tomlinson, Primary CAT Coordinator he very first Patana Cookbook will be on sale during Busking Day. Made by Patana students and filled with 24 fabulous recipes from students, it’s an opportunity not to be missed! The price is only 250 THB

By Vani Sharma, PTG International Day Coordinator

ast week we held a preliminary meeting to discuss International Day, which will be held on 10th and 11th of November 2015. Thank you to those who attended.

We now have country reps for Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, China, Denmark, Italy, Japan Korea, Malaysia, Mozambique, Norway, Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, UK, USA and Vietnam.

We discussed whether to have an overall theme for the Expo and have decided to use an online survey for country reps to help make this decision. If a theme is chosen, it is not only meant to make it easier for countries to prepare their booths but also to make it easier for the younger students to take in the infor-

mation presented by each country.

Please note that it is not compulsory for countries to participate in the Expo and Food Hall. The Cultural Show is on a first come basis but with a preference to those countries who did not partake last year. All performances will be vetted by the International Day team to ensure propriety and that the performance reflects cultural significance.

For those of you who were unable to attend the meeting but would like to help out as a Country Rep or as a volunteer, please email ptgintlday@gmail.com. Intern ational Day is a very popular event enjoyed throughout the school so please come forward and help make it a special one.

and all the money collected will go to charity. If you would like to reserve a copy, send your money in an envelope with your child’s name and class to Miss Clare in Year 4T.

By Njah Khan, PTG chair t has been a month since the PTG AGM and the new PTG Committee are slowly getting to know their roles. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all the members of the new committee who have taken on their positions with enthusiasm. Sincere thanks to the outgoing committee for their help and support during this transition.

I feel honored and excited to serve as the new PTG Chair. The PTG is not new to me as I have previously been on the committee in the roles of International Day and Fun Day Coordinator, so have a familiarity with the aim and mission of the school and the PTG. This year we are looking at building on past efforts to create an inclusive and caring community that fosters goodwill and communication. Our children are fortunate to be enrolled in a school with outstanding facilities and exceptional teachers who strive to fulfill the school’s mission and the PTG joins in to support that mission. However, an effective and successful PTG further requires the support and involvement of parents. I recall my prior experience on the PTG with joy as I thoroughly enjoyed helping and organising events with people that I now include in my group of friends.

Please feel free to contact me or any of the committee members if you have any questions at ptg@patana.ac.th. Wishing you a very happy and restful holiday!

By Genevieve Ahl, Services Manager

By Daniel Ahl, Head Tennis Coach ver the summer holiday the school will be building a mini tennis area behind the Sports Hall – this area will be used to further develop the Tennis programme allowing younger students to play with mini tennis balls on a smaller court to improve their racket skills and rallying ability. Please take a look at this clip which shows how the different balls bounce in relation to the individual’s height: https:// www.youtube.com/watch? v=HsrVzKdKpvs We are excited by this new development, which will continue to allow us to reflect modern tennis teaching practices from around the world. The Year 1 and 2 Tiny Tigers ECA and Primary Bengals (Year 3, 4 and 5) will have their ECAs on the new courts from the end of August.

Dates for try outs are listed below:

August 20th, 24th, 25th and 27th, 2.30pm – 4.30pm. although it is open for very promising Year 3 students) August 21st and 26th, 2.30pm – 4.30pm.

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here will be no ECAs, selective or competitive sports next week.

All students will depart school on their default bus at 1:50 or 2:30pm, there will be no 3:45 or 4:30pm buses running in the last week of term.

Please don’t forget to cancel your child’s bus home if you are making alternative arrangements for them to return home for class parties outside of school or other events.

If you will be changing your address over the summer period, please inform Transport as soon as possible.

All routing for Term 1 2015/16 will be arranged during the summer break.

Transport will have a bus route practice on Thursday 13th August. If you do not receive your bus list and Transport booklet on this date please contact the Transport Department at transport@patana.ac.th.

The Transport team would like to thank you for your cooperation this school year and hope that you have a wonderful summer break. We look forward to welcoming you back in August!

August 20th, 25th and 27th from 3.45pm – 5.30pm.

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After a very successful year which saw our Varsity teams both win SEASAC and BISAC and also play in the World Schools Championships in Qatar, plus BISAC wins for the Under 15 Boys and Under 13 Girls and FOBISIA success in Jakarta, we are looking to build our programme and search for the next generation of team players.

Please contact Head Coach Dan Ahl daah@patana.ac.th if you have any questions.

By Daniel Ahl, Head Tennis Coach

Noodles

50 THB

Smoothie

60 / 45 THB

Secondary Canteen (Buffet Lunch)

90 THB

Primary Canteen (Buffet Lunch)

70 THB

Snack Bar items

10 – 60 THB

The prices will be effective from 1st August 2015.

e are looking for tennis playing parents/friends of the school to join our tennis group. We currently run a ladies doubles morning on Thursday from 7.30 – 9.30 am, which is competitive but also very social and good fun and we have a cardio/drill session by Coach Dan and his staff on a Wednesday morning between 7.30 and 9.00 am.

The school is installing floodlights on all the courts, so many more opportunities will be available in the evening and further details will follow.

Please contact Shirley Tan whose email is forget.me.not1688@gmail.com for Thursday tennis or Head Coach Dan Ahl daah@patana.ac.th for Wednesday’s cardio session or any tennis related matters.

By Genevieve Ahl, Services Manager ll returning Secondary students who are on Set Lunch should take their Patana Card and go to the Lounge at break time (9.15 – 9.35 am) or at lunchtime between 12.15 – 1.15pm on Monday 22nd, Tuesday 23rd or Wednesday 24th June.

The Patana Card will be preloaded with Set Lunch for Term 1 and you will be able to enter the canteen as usual from the first day of Term 1 2015/16. This will avoid any disruption to the start of the new school year.

Your help in doing this in advance is very much appreciated.

Opening Hours During the Summer Holidays he school shop will close on Friday 10th July. It will reopen on Monday 3rd August. Opening hours during the school holidays are 8.00am – 3.00pm.

The Post Office in the School Shop will close on Friday 26th June and will reopen on 1st September.

By Genevieve Ahl, Services Manager lease see below for further details regarding the Patana Card as we end the school year. You can find out more information about the Patana Card at www.patana.ac.th/patanacard.asp

Students Leaving at the End of Term 3, 2014/15:  Student and parent Patana Cards can be kept by the leaving student/ parent if they wish. The card will be deactivated in regard to accessing school via the turnstiles at the end of this academic year.  Please use up all e-purse and ecoupons by Friday 26th June. Ecoupons cannot be refunded.  E-purse can be refunded but we need to keep the card in order to process the refund. The card cannot be returned to you.

For Continuing Students:  Please put your Patana Card in a safe place over the summer holidays. All students will use the same card for the next academic year, new ones will not be issued.  Students and/or parents who lose their card and require a new one

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for 2015/16 will be required to pay 350 THB to order a new one.

E-purse balance can be carried forward into 2015/16 school year if necessary but we recommend that you only put enough e-purse on your card for the remainder of the term.

Year 6 Students: Year 6 students who are returning to Bangkok Patana for the next academic year will have their Patana Cards collected by their class teacher on Friday 26th June. The cards will be returned on the first day of Year 7 by their tutor. Students on Set Lunch will have their lunch coupons added to the card in advance. Any unused e -purse on will remain on the card.

Students in Year 2, moving to Year 3  All current students in Year 2 will be receiving a Patana Card when they are in Year 3.  The card will be distributed by their new class teacher in the first couple of weeks of Term 1.

Guardian Cards  If you have bought cards for a nan-

ny/helper/driver who are no longer employed by you, please contact Reception to ensure that the card is cancelled and your records are up to date.

If you have any questions you can contact staff at Reception or email Reception@patana.ac.th

reminder that lunch Ecoupons must be used up by the end of Term 3. Any unused Ecoupons cannot be refunded and will not be valid for the new school year. If you have any questions, please visit Reception at the front of school or contact them via email at reception@patana.ac.th.

Our Key Stage 2 Assembly earlier this term focused on the small steps we can all take to reduce our waste and our impact on the environment. Since then, eight Year 5 Student Environmental Committee representatives have researched ways in which we can reduce plastic at the Snack Bar. They have several suggestions and we will work on a few of these at a time – taking small steps along the way. A lot of our discarded plastic ends up in our waterways and our oceans. This is having a serious effect on the environment across the world.

In the last week of this term, plastic bags will not be provided at the Primary Snack Bar. We sincerely hope that this does not inconvenience you. Instead we hope that we can all reconsider simple changes to our habits so that we can all take small steps to look after our precious environment. Please do bring a reusable bag if you plan to buy lots to carry.

Thank you so much for your support and cooperation, The Student Environmental Committee

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