Patana News Volume 20 Issue 13

Our mission is to ensure that students of different nationalities grow to their full potential as independent learners in a caring British international community.

NEWS Patana

Friday 24th November 2017

Volume 20 Issue 13

www.patana.ac.th

A Week Off in the Secondary School? Hardly!

Secondary Principal, Mr Smith gives us the lowdown on last week’s Secondary Residentials

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2017/18

Also in this issue

#DistractionFreeDinner / Outstanding Learners! / The Christmas Concert 24/11/2017

Bangkok Patana School News

Bangkok Patana is a not-for-profit IB World School, accredited by CIS and NEASC

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A Week Off in the Secondary School? Hardly!

Mick Smith, Secondary Principal

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s it almost the end of November already? Before we know it, we’ll be enjoying the Christmas Assembly!

How will Santa arrive this year? I know that Mr Mills has been in close contact with the North Pole since late August! There is a huge amount to look forward to before the end of term in the Secondary School including the not to be missed Senior Play, Our Country’s Good (next week), International Day and House Athletics to name just a few.

much the resort’s Bangkok Patana inspired, organic orchard has grown since last year and watched as Dr Heddle taught Year 10 how to produce compost. Dirty hands, squeals of disgust and smiles all round. Before leaving I saw the first group of students walk into camp following their two-day trek, which for many serves as their practice expedition for the Bronze Level of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award. They were tired, blistered and happy to return to civilisation and a

This week it has been wonderful to welcome back all of the students who were away on Residential Visits around the country last week. Everyone, students, teachers and especially parents look forward to Resi Week, except poor Year 11 and 13 (more on them later).

It always seems eerily quiet when the corridors aren’t filled with students chatting excitedly between lessons or pouring hungrily into the Canteen and Noodle Bar. The Front Hard Court just isn’t the same without the constant thud of basketballs at break and the Smoothie Bar ladies don’t know what to do with themselves without thirsty hoards to serve.

I am fortunate to have the opportunity to visit several Residentials each year, and so having saved up sufficient episodes of my favourite Radio 4 podcasts (In Our Time and Start the Week), I headed off in turn to Year 10, Year 7 and Year 12. Khao Yai was my first port of call where Head of Year, the irrepressible Mr Jarrett, roped me in to help decide which group of students could build a shelter most able to withstand a water balloon onslaught from their rivals. I saw just how

hot shower. Smiling faces in abundance again, although some may have been through pure relief that it was all over!

I always enjoy visiting groups at the beach in Rayong.

This is the perfect venue for Year 7 where a combination of an idyllic, laid back setting, alongside exciting activities such as kayaking and snorkelling, serves to really unite the Year group. The students, as on all trips, see their teachers in a different light helping build strong relationships. I spent time watching a morning of Thai cookery where students, working in teams, with weird and wonderful names, competed to produce the most delicious dishes. This was a great opportunity to see how the work that we’ve all done to develop collaborative and communication skills in Learning to Learn can be applied in real life situations. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to sample the finished products myself (I used my vegetarian card) but I enjoyed watching my colleagues’ reactions. Some groups had clearly produced wellbalanced dishes, whereas others, judging by Mr Worrell’s pained expression, had been less successful.

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The fact that one dish, which was described as ‘having no taste at all’ actually came second, demonstrates that although there were many WWWs (What Went Well) there were also a number of EBIs (Even Better If).

Finally, although I’d been looking forward to visiting Erawan Falls near Kanchanabari with Year 8, a thumping headache on Thursday morning meant that I opted for the shorter drive to visit Year 12 and their Theory of Knowledge camp in Nakhon Nayok. This is a very different experience for the students in that, during the day they gain a lot of insight into university style study in the form of lectures and seminars from teachers across a wide range of subject areas. TOK looks at how we acquire knowledge in different subject areas, how this is influenced by factors such as emotion, reason, sense-perception, imagination, intuition and faith and

for students to demonstrate strengths and learn new skills away from school. They also enable them to form and build new friendships as they mix with less familiar students and generally have great fun.

Meanwhile back in school, Year 11 students faced their first real taste of a concentrated examination experience as they sat their Trial Exams. Under the watchful eye of Dr Lindley, they took papers in all subject areas in conditions to replicate their external exams in May/June. In fact, last week was harder in many ways as in the real thing the exams are actually spread out over around six weeks. Everything went smoothly and much learning will have taken place. Students begin to receive valuable feedback this week with the key learning to take forward coming from where they did less well and need to focus on in the months ahead.

ultimately how we can truly ‘know’ anything. I sat in on illuminating sessions on the Arts with Ms Dewse, indigenous knowledge systems with Señor Henao, the Social Sciences with Ms Leyland and Mr Stewart, Mathematics with Mr Lyon and Ethics with Head of TOK Mr Brooks. There was a very high level of student interaction and engagement and students returned to school on Friday with a far greater understanding of this important aspect of their IB courses. It wasn’t all hard work either as each evening more traditional year group activities were arranged by Acting Head of Year Mr Hume.

Several times each day I received updates from each Residential including the only one I never really get to visit, the exciting Year 9 visit to Chiang Dao. Every phone call always began with an update on any sickness or accidents that might have taken place and much to my relief this year proved almost completely free of any ill health or other issues. Well done everyone!

The Residential Visits truly are hugely worthwhile within our curriculum, offering so many opportunities

Finally, Year 13 were also in school enjoying the peace and quiet of a week without regular lessons. They were able to spend concentrated time finishing the Extended Essays that they have worked on for much of the last year and planning their final TOK essays. Additionally, there were opportunities to speak with their university guidance counsellor and, if they were super-organised, to work on coursework in other subject areas.

Overall just another quiet week in the Secondary School! I would like to offer sincere thanks and congratulations to all of the academic and support staff who ensured that Resi Week, Trial Exam Week and Completion Week were so successful for our students.

Suzanne Lindley oversaw everything back at base, and Helen Thew, in her last year in her current role, supported the Heads of Year to ensure that no stone remained unturned in the Residential planning.

I hope to see many of you at the Ploenchit Fair on Saturday.

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Mick Smith, Secondary School Principal

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Outstanding Learners - University Ready! World Ready! Work Ready!

Suzanne Lindley, Assistant Principal, Curriculum and Assessment

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his week we were proud to host the Cambridge Assessment International Education Outstanding Learner Awards. This is the second time that Bangkok Patana School has hosted the Awards for students and schools across Thailand. As a school, we have had a long and rewarding relationship with Cambridge Assessment International Education dating back to 1995. So rewarding, in fact, that last year we achieved our best ever IGCSE results. This year, from our Grad 19 cohort, we achieved 10 Outstanding Learner Awards, including four High Achievement, five Top in Thailand, and a Top in the World.

We were delighted that Mr Richard Porter, from the UK Department of International Trade, was able to take time from his schedule to present the awards. We also had great support from parents, teachers, other school leaders, as well as that of our Foundation Board, at this prestigious event. In addition, we were assisted by Daryl Khong, the Cambridge International Manager for Thailand, and Dr Ben Schmidt, the Regional Director for South East Asia and the Pacific.

In his speech, Mr Mills recognised that in order to reach this level of accolade, the students had already proven to themselves, family and friends, that they

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had studied diligently, sticking to the tasks at hand, taken heed of teacher’s advice, taken risks, pushed boundaries. In addition, they have achieved all this success in alongside strategically balancing academic study with all the distractions that exist in today’s climate.

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The students receiving the awards are all incredible role models in their different schools, and we were all immensely proud of their academic achievements.

Two other great role models at the event were Jessy Mahadumrongkul and Mark Comer, both of who are Year 13 students. They had the most challenging role of being MCs at the event, and they mastered this superbly. Their seamless transitions and confident, cool, calm approach were real strengths, and they made mastering all the names and pronunciations, as well as responding to changes during the ceremony, seem effortless. Their composure and control ensured that the entire ceremony was of the highest quality.

It was a timely opportunity for Mr Mills to remind us that the Thai name “Patana” means “Development” and, having recently celebrated our 60 year anniversary, we have been successfully nurturing and developing international students during that time.

It was clear at the event that we continue to enable our students to develop to achieve their potential and be truly fantastic 21st Century Global Citizens.

Dates for your Diary...

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Saturday 25th November Ploenchit Fair Wednesday 29th November International Day Weds 6th - Thurs 7th December Shrek Jr. The Musical Wednesday 13th December Christmas Concert Friday 15th December Christmas Assembly W/C 15th January Secondary Photo Week W/C 22nd January Primary Photo Week Bangkok Patana School News

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the m o r f t s The late

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PTG

Bangkok Patana School News

Click here to join the PTG Facebook page

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Bangkok Patana School News

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CATs Corner Tania Leyland, Youth Club and Community Services Coordinator Interact ‘giving tree’ activity with the Mercy Centre

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ue to the rain, the Mercy Center children arrived late and thus, their whole program was pushed back. As a result, Interact only had 15 minutes to do their giving tree project organised by Ritz. During those 15 minutes, the children had lots of fun.

We are confident that our input has a massive impact and are looking at ways to extend the engagement time.

CAT Incubator

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he development of student leadership skills is an integral aspect of our activities here in the Youth and Community team. This year we have introduced an ECA called CAT Incubator. The purpose of the ECA is to provide a space for students to consider global issues that they are concerned about, bring them down to a local level and explore a potential ways in which they can address the issue through community action.

Students are supported in the process of setting up a CAT and ‘walked through’ the administration procedures that need to be followed.

They have the opportunity to ‘test the water’ with their activities and fundraising to see what works and what doesn’t. Three teams who are currently growing well in the incubator are Future Film, Right to Read and Hub Saidek.

Follow the links to their FireFly page and find out more about what they are doing: Forward Film - https://community.patana.ac.th/student-committees/community-action-teams-cat/community-incubator/forward-film Right To Read - https://community.patana.ac.th/student-committees/community-action-teams-cat/community-incubator/right-to-read Hub Saidek - https://community.patana.ac.th/student-committees/community-action-teams-cat/community-incubator/hub-saidek

Click here for the Canteen Menu 8

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#75 #DeviceFreeDinner

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short one from me this week. We’re thinking of having a campaign for #DeviceFreeDinner. What do you think?

Drop me an email on brta@patana.ac.th with your thoughts. As a stimulus for the conversation take a look at these short, funny and insightful YouTube clips produced

by Common Sense Media.

Have a great weekend,

Click this link to view https://goo.gl/edVHtj

Brian Taylor Assistant Principal, Campus Curriculum Technology Integration

International Day 29th November

Calling all Australians This is a final reminder to return your registration form to the Cashier at the front of school if you would like to represent Australia at International Day. If you have not received the form, please email the Australian Country Representative, Jane Oswald: sjoswald@ozemail.com.au

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Bangkok Patana School News

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This year, the SEC are asking you to bring your own ‘plate-sized’ air-tight food container (e.g. Lock & Lock, Safe Lock or equivalent) to the Food Tasting Hall on International Day instead of using disposable plates.

However, please make sure you DO NOT buy anything new just for the event.

We hope you can help us make a difference!

What are your small steps?

Lily Boucher 10

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International Day 29th November

Come and join the

Great Canadians on Bangkok Patana International Day. Please contact us for T-shirt information.

Ann – eanngb@gmail.com Caroline – caroline@epboucher.com

Cash donations welcomed Baking encouraged!

Join us in the Food Hall

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Community

W O RR O M TO

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Community

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Community

BCT AUDITIONS! All the world’s a stage!

Next up with BCT: Shakespeare’s classic comedy, As You Like It, a play about finding safety and love. For complete list of characters and an audition application, please email: info@bangkokcommunitytheatre.com Auditions will take place at Bistro 33, Sukhumvit Soi 33 at 7:00pm. The play will be performed on the 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 29th, 30th and 31st March, 2018 at BNH Hospital in the stately Conference Room.

Anyone aged 16 and over can audition to take part in this BCT show. Even though our productions are in the English language, some of our most active members are non-native speakers.

Questions? Want an audition form? Email info@bangkokcommunitytheatre.com and check out the BCT Facebook page.

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Community

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For daily updates, snapshots and news on life at school you can find us here...

643 Lasalle Road (Sukhumvit 105) Bangna, Bangkok 10260. THAILAND Tel: +66 (0) 2785 2200 Fax: +66 (0) 2785 2399 www.patana.ac.th Email: reception@patana.ac.th 18

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