Patana News Volume 21 Issue 28

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 3rd May 2019

Volume 21 Issue 28

www.patana.ac.th

WE ARE RIGOROUS ISA ASSESSMENTS

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Also in this issue...

Thailand National Champions/ Clean Water Initiative / Community Social Impact Report 03/05/2019

Bangkok Patana School News

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

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We are Rigorous

Jason Cooper, Primary Principal n my August 2018 Patana News, I wrote about how pating in the assessment, as well as other regional schools success is measured. I started the article off by saying: – that is schools in the South-East Asia region.

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“Success can be different things to different people; there is no ‘one size fits all’ measure of success. Some people will measure their child’s success in terms of academic attainment, while others will use academic progress. Some will talk about success on the sporting field, or the passing of music exams, while others will use social engagement and friendships as an indicator of success. All of these are valid measures of success and one is not more important than the other.”

ISA 2019 MATHEMATICAL LITERACY RESULTS

ISA 2019 READING RESULTS

Here at Bangkok Patana we take a broad and balanced view of success, which is evident in our Mission Statement – Our mission is to ensure that students of different nationalities grow to their full potential as independent learners in a caring British international community. Growing to their full potential could involve taking the stage at Patana Plugged, being the lead role in the Primary Production, making the FOBISIA team, competing in a chess tournament, being on the Student Council, or achieving all of their academic targets. As you can see, success can mean different things to different people.

One of the many ways that we measure our success as a Primary school is by participating in the International Schools’ Assessment (ISA). This is a standardised assessment developed specifically for international school students in Years 4-11, and we make the assessment available to our students in Years 4, 5, and 6. Our students participate in online assessments in Reading and Mathematical Literacy, and our results are then compared to other schools around the world also sitting the tests. The reference norm used for this year’s comparative data comprises over 95,000 students from 398 international schools in 69 countries. The graphs below show the Bangkok Patana average compared to all other schools partici-

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As you can see from the graphs, Patana students outperformed all other schools, as well as the regional schools.

While this is something to be proud of, it is only one piece of the puzzle. As Principal of the Primary School, what makes these results particularly pleasing is that our students have achieved this academic success while also achieving sporting success, musical success and artistic success, all in an environment that prioritises happy and healthy children. This one measure of success highlights that it is possible for learning to be fun, exciting, and engaging, and also academically rigorous, further supporting our philosophy that happy, balanced and healthy learners are successful learners.

Bangkok Patana School News

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Patana Tiger Athletes are national champions!

Cindy Adair, Cross Campus Assistant Principal, Extra-curricular Activities

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ecently Bangkok Patana School has had a spate of successes on the Thai National sporting stage with several of our students winning National Championships in tennis and swimming. This is an outstanding achievement for them as individuals but also very encouraging for our staff who support them via our year-long Academies.

Many long hours of practice are required to reach this level of competition and these students have managed this whilst maintaining their commitment to their studies.

Congratulations to the following students:

We are looking forward to the Sports Awards where we will recognise all those students who have represented Thailand on the International stage by presenting them with a Thai flag.

Amelia Golden Thailand 100m Backstroke Age Champion

03/05/2019

Penne Charusorn Thailand Under10 Tennis Doubles Champion Pawinee (Balloon) Ruamrak Thailand Under16 Tennis Singles Champion Prim Pingkarawak Thailand 100m and 50m Backstroke Age Champion

Claire Hightower Thailand 200m Butterfly Age Champion

Bangkok Patana School News

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CATS CORNER

Tania Leyland, Youth Club and Community Services Coordinator

Community Social Impact Report

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t has been a while since we had any content for CATs Corner. This is because the CAT year ends at the end of Term 2 and the new student leaders take over in Term 3. They are now planning their activities for the start of Term 1 2019.

This planning time is vital in enabling each team to have a clear focus and vision. It culminates in a presentation to myself, Mr Smith and Ms Conroy, at which point the focus is agreed and the team has authorisation to continue. In very rare cases we decide that a team is not ready and recommend a year of planning and re-focus. A summary of the presentation proposals will be included in the last three weeks of Term 3 so please do come back and take a look.

In the meantime, I am very pleased to launch the new style ‘Community Action Team Social Impact Report 2018/2019’. This is now a fully web-published digital report and includes a summary of activities and achievements. Please follow this link to access it https://sites.google. com/patana.ac.th/community-action-teams-annual-/home

Collaborative Projects - RISE and Upskill The RISE CAT club has recently partnered with the CAS project called “UpSkill” to donate computers to the charity Place of Grace. RISE supports the Place of Grace. Place of Grace is a community centre that runs children’s and young people’s’ clubs and provides a safe environment for the children in the slums. They build positive relationships and give encouragement to better the children’s lives. Place of Grace is based in the slums in Mahathai community of Bangna. They also run a food bank service for the families on register. 160 children and teenagers are registered on their books. UpSkill’s goal is to teach key educational tools such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and information searching skills on the internet, alongside rebuilding used machines, installing key software and providing them to underprivileged children in local schools.

Recently members of Upskill made a visit to Place of Grace along with donations to help support the learning of the children and the owner of the organisation, John Robinson.

A member of the group who visited said, “It was a very small space for a charity although there were many toys and equipment for the

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children to play with. The organisation was very limited in its use of technology and was in great need for an upgrade.”

Other members commented: “Despite the small space, seeing the children excitedly line up to visit the charity made me feel like our donation would be able to benefit the charity to a considerable extent.”

“I could see that the owner, John was very passionate about his organisation. He clearly cares about the children visiting and seeing that motivates me to work with more charities such as Place of Grace.”

The biggest donation of this visit was a personal desktop computer, complete with software and peripherals (e.g. keyboard, mouse, monitor).

Overall, we think that our collaboration with UpSkill has proven to be quite successful as Place of Grace now has more technology to assist them in various ways throughout the organisation. We hope to be able to collaborate with UpSkill in the future and potentially other groups as well to help with charitable goals.

Henry Phan Hoang Huy, 13D

03/05/2019

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cube care provides clean water for rural village in kanchanaburi Ling Ling Chen, 12I e are a student run CAS project called Cube Care which originally focused on a different aspect of maintaining a good standard of health, putting an emphasis on providing specialised medical care for isolated village communities and forest rangers, as well as designing packaging that is functional and easy to understand. We chose this goal as many of us in this project are Science students, and as a result of the constant study of problems less privileged people may face, we decided to establish a CAS project that could significantly ease the burden of ill health, whilst remaining attainable with the resources that we have.

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quality of life in the village, so we felt that it needed to be addressed first and foremost. We would also like to thank Colonel Paiboon Pumpichet, the 2nd Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment Commander and his team, for assisting us in finding a village in need of aid, and helping to specify and design an appropriate water filter for us. “In order to build the water filter, we needed to raise a total of 40,000 baht.�

To reach this goal, we found sponsors by contacting companies that might be interested in supporting our cause. We also sold products at the school concerts e.g. cinnamon and nutmeg candles at the Christmas Concert.

However, we are still not entirely done with fundraising yet as we are looking into expanding our cause and doing much more than this, so please keep an eye out for any future updates.

However, the money we raised ultimately went into purchasing parts for a cost efficient, sustainable filter for Baan Nam Phu Village in Kanchanaburi. We had to change our primary objective after getting in contact with the village where we discovered that there was a pressing need for a water filter, as water supply to the village There were a lot of communities in the area which were was often compromised with silt and carbonates. Water lacking clean water but we picked this specific village insecurity was a severe problem that was impacting the because it serves as a central community for all the

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neighbouring ones and had a daycare for young children.

The water filter design was based on the conventional water filters that were done in science experiments: using rocks, gravels, sand and charcoal. However, it was adapted to make it more durable in the long run and can be used on a larger scale by supplying the whole village with a filtering rate of 6.5 litres per minute. Instead of having one large tank where the materials were layered over each other, the water filter was separated into four different tanks, each tank consisting of a different kind of material. This was so that it would be easier to replace materials inside the tanks later on, and the system would be much more sanitary as the tanks were connected with pipes in a way where sediments in the water would not be able to pass through, instead collecting at the bottom of the tanks where murky water could be drained through a tap.

This design is a far more cost efficient and sustainable system than ones commonly purchased in supermarkets.

Over the Songkran break, we had the opportunity to visit this rural community (4 hours from Bangkok with 7km of rocky roads) which consists of 897 people in the North-West of Thailand. We were extremely happy to see the water filter up and running, providing the village and its surroundings with clean water and improving the health and well-being of children and adults alike. Our money also went into buying five solar cells to power the daycare and important community areas, decreasing the burden of having no electricity in the village.

BANGKOK PATANA SCHOOL

KS3 DRAMA

THE

MONKEY KING

BY ROBERT GARRETT

BLACK BOX THEATRE

This trip ultimately motivated us to expand Cube Care’s horizons and goals for the future, which now include potentially contacting GRIFAD.org, a charity providing water filters from the UK, to maintain our mission of improving good health for a wider impact. In addition, we would like to help other villages, attempting to adapt to the differences in needs and geographical situations of each village to deliver the best healthcare facilities possible. However, we will keep close ties with Moo Baan Nam Phu and build on this connection by collaborating with other clubs and organisations which specialise in providing different needs.

MAY 2019 14th and 15th @ 6.00pm Tickets 200 Baht Available from Arts 122 Lorem Ipsum

LOST Property 03/05/2019

Bangkok Patana School News

Visit https://community. patana.ac.th/ community-events/ lost-property 7

UNI COUNSELLORS’ CORNER UNI OFFERS...

JAMES ASHFORD

Congratulations on your offers from University of Leeds, University of Nottingham, University of Exeter, Coventry University, University of Plymouth to study Medical and Human Physiology

“Physiology has always been something that has interested me, with a growing love and passion I have developed my contextual understanding on Physiology itself which has helped concrete my future career choice.). I played several sports which gave me an understanding of the importance of human health through recovering from injuries myself.”

IN THE SPOTLIGHT...

University of Exeter, UK

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he University of Exeter is a public research university based in Exeter, South West England. A member of the Russell Group of UK universities, it combines excellence in teaching and research.

It has its origins in the Exeter School of Art and Exeter School of Science, founded in 1855 and 1863 respectively. The schools merged, becoming the Royal Albert Memorial College, then the University College of the South West of England and finally in 1955 the University of Exeter, when it received its Royal Charter.

The University is spread across four campuses: Streatham and St Luke’s in Exeter, and Penryn and Truro in Cornwall.

In 1993, Camborne School of Mines was merged into the University of Exeter.

The University of Exeter is organised into six academic colleges. Their many research institutes and centres include the Centre for Leadership Studies, the Bill Douglas Centre for the History of Cinema and Popular Culture, the Living Systems Institute and the Environment and Sustainability Institute. Its research themes are often interdiscipliUniversity of Exeter alumni include J. K. Rowling – who nary and include climate change, translational medicine studied a BA in French and Classics – and politicians Saand exoplanets. jid Javid and Caroline Lucas.

UPCOMING UNIVERSITY VISITS UNIVERSITY / COLLEGE

University of Waterloo University of Chicago

COUNTRY

Canada USA

LOCATION

Senior Studies, 2nd Floor Senior Studies, 2nd Floor

DATE

TIME

09.05.19 13.05.19

09.15 12:15

CLICK TO READ MAY’S CAREERS NEWSLETTER 8

Bangkok Patana School News

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it is time to start thinking about winter!

VERBIER SKI TRIP 2020!

Had enough of the heat? Well, get ready for winter by booking your spot for this fabulous once-in-a-lifetime trip to Verbier, Switzerland in February 2020. It’s never too early to start thinking ahead!

Your booking will include flights, hotels, transportation in Switzerland, accommodation and board, ski rentals, ski lessons, full medical and accident insurance, and many other fun activities including a skiing competition, prizes and a barbecue night.

Applications are being accepted from 7th May 2019 and your deadline for the deposit payment is 24th May 2019 so download your parental permission slip and all the details here now. Don’t be late and miss out on what is sure to be a fun and snow filled trip to Switzerland!

Click here for more information and the permission slip.

NEW IN AT THE LIBRARY EARLY YEARS LIBRARY

PRIMARY LIBRARY

SECONDARY LIBRARY

Fiction

Fiction

Fiction

Non-Fiction

Non-Fiction

Senior Fiction

DVDs

Graphic Novels

Non-Fiction Audio Books

DID YOU KNOW THAT WE ALSO SUBSCRIBE TO THESE MAGAZINES? 03/05/2019

Bangkok Patana School News

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World Scholars Cup Christopher Wright, English Teacher

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talented Bangkok Patana team of debaters and collaborative writers took on the best of Bangkok schools at the World Scholars Cup competition at Brighton College at the end of March and came home with a bundle of prizes. Their excellent efforts also saw teams qualify for the global round of the competition, which will be held in Asia at the end of June this year. The Patana team comprised the following students: Alyssa Arkotxa Lakha, Shrish Mahesh, Arnav Baliga, Rie Ayama, Luanne Poh, Ishani Saran, Aastha Sawlani, Tavisha Khanna, Natalie Hoglund, Ahmar Khan, Aryan Malhotra, Yizhen Kong, Utkarsh Bagaria, Sunu Chang.

The strength of the teams lay in their diverse interests and specialities. Competing against more than 15 schools, Luanne, Rie and Ishani won first place in collaborative writing, with Ishani also picking up the gold medal and Rie the silver medal in debating. Tavisha, Natalie and Yizhen won gold medals in science and essay writing. This year topics for the debates included, ‘this house believes that the homeless should be allowed to sleep in schools’, and ‘this house believes that all clothing should be gender neutral’.

Piano sisters take home top prizes C

ongratulations to Arisa (Ari) Wangwittaya, 4K and Larisa (Risa) Wangwittaya, 1T for their outstanding performances at the 2019 London and Paris Grand Prize Virtuoso International Music Competition. The sisters performed beautifully, with each girl taking the First Prize in their age groups and Ari also winning the “Exceptional Young Talent Special Prize”. The girls were invited to perform at the Amphitheatre at the Philharmonie de Paris on 10th April, 2019 and at the Elgar Room at the Royal Albert Hall in London on 15th April, 2019. Well done to Ari and Risa for all your hard work!

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#120: Do you want Apple to know your Significant Locations?

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t parent workshops and student assemblies I often ask the question “Apple or Android?” I have to say that the majority of our community are Apple phone owners. I have both, as I’m often testing our school platforms to ensure they behave as expected in both ecosystems. I’m on the fence as to which one is better – they both have their strengths and weaknesses to be honest. However, recently I discovered an aspect of the Apple environment that I was a little concerned about. I’ll let you decide if you want Apple to track and store the information related to what they consider to be ‘Significant Locations’ in your life. This has been around for a while and the data is encrypted, but I’m a little suspicious of what Apple needs it for, and who they share it with. Watch the video and decide for yourself:

Have a great ‘tracked-free’ weekend.

Brian Taylor Assistant Principal, Campus Curriculum Technology Integration

click here for the Canteen

Please note the menu is updated for the following week on Friday at 1pm

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Bangkok Patana School News

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PATAROMA @ Yoga Cafe BKK • Dadfa

PRICING: 1 BAG • 300 THB

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Location: Yoga Cafe BKK 33 Lasalle Road, Khwaeng Bang Na, Khet Bang Na, Krung The Maha Nakhon 10260

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the m o r f t s The late

W NE

!

E T DA

PTG

Join the PTG Facebook page here!

SATURDAY 25TH MAY

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COMMUNITY

The BWG will donate proceeds raised from the charity lunch to; Gift of Happiness Foundation in Thailand and Steps with Theera

ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย

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Oven Baked Tiger Prawn and Scallops โ Pot au Feuโ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย

ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย

ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ศ ศ ศ ศ ศ

ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วฆย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย

ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย

ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย

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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 times to calm those nerves, but also for everyday life.

The next Anapana Meditation course will be on

Sunday 12th May for students between 8-16 years.

The course is completely free!

To enrol or for more information, please contact Eva Sophonpanich at evasophon@hotmail.com You may also find this site useful: http://www.children.dhamma.org/en/children/about-meditation.shtmlÂ

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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 Tai, 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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