Patana News Issue Volume 21 Issue 30

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 17th May 2019

Volume 21 Issue 30

www.patana.ac.th

FORMULA 1 IN THE CLASSROOM

Page 4

Also in this issue...

How Music Connects People/ Year 6 Clothing Drive / Thailand National Tennis Team 17/05/2019

Bangkok Patana School News

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

1

REVISING, REVIEWING AND MONKEYING AROUND! Mick Smith, Secondary School Principal Dear Parents,

pages of Patana learning have been written, sealed up and sent to examiners around the world. Our wonderful r Mills and I always complain at this time of year Year 13s have done all that they can and their places at that it ‘just doesn’t seem the same’ in Secondary university are mostly out of their hands now! Good luck to as two of our Year groups are effectively out of school them all and I look forward to reporting on Graduation in and the Lounges, Canteen, Snack Bars and corridors are a few weeks’ time. too quiet. Thank goodness for Year 7 who still noisily crave their ice creams after a nutritious lunch! As the end of the This week was the perfect time then for Key Stage 3 year begins to loom closer on the horizon, we reflect on students to bring our attention firmly back into school as what we’ve achieved and begin planning for the new they strutted their stuff in their production of The Monkey year ahead.

King, directed by Mr Pearton. What a wonderful feast of excitement and emerging new artistic talent. The Black Of course the main reason for our slight feeling of Box transformed into both heaven and earth as battles disquiet is the small matter of the external exams. Our raged, mortals faced immortals, demons fought monkeys Year 11 students are well underway with the marathon of and pigs(!), lessons were learned – sometimes painfully the (I)GCSE exams that stretch on and on until mid-June. or comically - and unlikely alliances were formed. All this After several years of seeing them in their smaller social directed by the beat of powerful drums that harnesses and teaching groups and keeping an eye on the noisy the collective energy of a cast of fifty students. Was lot who inhabit the first ‘pod’ in the Lounge, we are now it an allegory of the opportunities and challenges of getting accustomed to them either not being there at all, or globalisation in the early 21st Century, a story of how suddenly appearing en masse snaking their way silently hubris can lead to self-destruction if not recognised and upstairs to the Conference Centre. This slightly unnerving, stopped? Or, was it just an adventure story of marauding even hypnotic dance is only broken when they emerge monkeys who bite off more than they can chew? Either a couple of hours later, gulping in the fresh Bangna way, I really enjoyed it, congratulations to cast and crew. air, tumbling down the steps and out of the turnstiles for temporary respite at home. They chat nervously, excitedly, Our Heads of Year and Heads of Faculty take time anxiously ‘you did that one too…it was okay wasn’t it…oh aside at this time of year to reflect on the challenges they you thought that was the answer…er okay...” have faced, progress made and opportunities to support our students even more successfully next year. Last week Meanwhile, using the opposite stairwell Year 13 mirror Suzanne Lindley and Tony Berghuis led their team through this daily ritual. Their ordeal is shorter, more intense and a review of 2018-19. This included considering their team of course more final. By this weekend, some of them are leadership and how that can be used to impact positively finished with Bangkok Patana, all by next. After 15-16 on student learning. They also spoke about an important years of school, every single day at Patana for quite a few leadership trait needed by everyone at some point or of them, the laptops have mostly been replaced by old- another, resilience. Additionally there was discussion fashioned pen and paper, and thousands of collective

M

2

Bangkok Patana School News

17/05/2019

of how our core faculties of Mathematics, English and Science could use additional capacity (ie an additional teacher) to offer even more support and challenge to our students. I will share more on this at the upcoming Annual Parents’ Meeting.

behaviour of young people was top of everyone’s list.

We are already working very hard to address this and to educate our students to make good choices online that reflect the values of our community. I am also delighted to share that we will have additional social and emotional counselling capacity next year to help our students navigate adolescence successfully.

Finally, this week Ms Conroy and Ms Perriam worked with their Heads of Year to review 2018/19. As this has been Ms Conroy’s first year as Assistant Principal, she Have a great weekend! wanted to look closely at the pastoral curriculum and ask Mick Smith her team where they thought changes might be beneficial.

Next year we will have a whole school emphasis on Secondary School Principal Well-Being, which is central to the work of the Heads PS: Please do find time to attend the Parents’ Meeting of Year. We are very clear as a school that Well-Being is fundamental to fulfilling potential for our students. The on online behaviour next Wednesday (8am, Primary Heads of Year shared their challenges from this year and Hall). I think it may be the most important meeting of the how we might address them in future. It will be no surprise year in Secondary! for you to hear that social media and general online

17/05/2019

Bangkok Patana School News

3

RACING & DESIGNING FORMULA 1 CARS Richard Smith, Head of Faculty Design and Technology

L

ast week Bangkok Patana School was very fortunate to have F1 In Schools visit the Design and Technology Department to support STEM learning. Their three day visit offers a way to learn Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics related subjects with an exciting approach through designing and manufacturing scale model F1 cars and racing them against the clock. The cars are powered using small carbon dioxide canisters so they race down a track at very high speeds.

shape it’s into the workshop to practice skills of marking out, cutting and shaping. Once skills are fully mastered. student’s progress to a pre-machined medium density polyurethane block and start the skilful process of shaping the block to produce an F1 car that will accelerate down the track at lightening speed. During this process students check their work in a wind tunnel and make changes to reduce weight and drag and increase speed. Throughout their work students keep a record of all of their work in an F1 Log Book.

The idea behind F1 in Schools is that individual schools run ECAs or it becomes part of their curriculum and teams When the design is fully resolved and peak performance is enter national competitions, the winners proceed to a reached its time to race. Students race against the clock world final. Cars are designed in 3D CAD and machined and then the two fastest times enter the grand final “race using a 3 axis CNC router. Testing and developing a off”. competitive car is the key to success. Competition is stiff Year 5 and 6 joined in the first day producing concept and rules and regulations are very stringent. models and finally designing and racing a car while Year Each student designs, manufactures, tests and races a 8 students were joined by students from around Bangkok car, giving a great opportunity to further develop skills and had their chance to join the workshop on the second in iterative design, 3D CAD modelling and introduce day. The last day saw 30 Year 9 students focus on building students to technical design concepts like aerodynamics, skills that in Key Stage 4 D+T. drag coefficient, and power to weight ratio. This also gives In addition to racing scaled down F1 cars, students and students a glimpse at the technical engineering design teachers were able to test their driving skills on board F1 involved in real Formula 1 racing. racing car simulators with a track of their choice.

Students start the day by sketching ideas of aerodynamic It was an honour to host the three-day event as we value racing car profiles using a template that relates to the sharing engineering design approaches with our D+T size of the material, position and size of the wheels and the carbon dioxide canister, with lots to think about. The students and the wider school community. Many thanks to next activity is to produce a 3D visual model of the car all of the staff at F1 schools in Bangkok and Jim Myers for using Auto Desk Fusion 360. With the idea now taking making this a wonderful learning experience.

4

Bangkok Patana School News

17/05/2019

Maths in Motion – Bangkok Patana School STEM Challenge Scott Tooley, Head of Faculty Mathematics

Y

ear 7 students from around Bangkok took part in a challenge that provided them with a rich opportunity to use their mathematical knowledge in an applied setting.

Students worked both individually and in teams to set up virtual racing cars and then compete in two Grand Prix style races. Students battled to achieve pole position on circuits from China and Italy before going on to set up cars that would last the full distance in changeable weather situations.

The fun factor was not to be ignored and this was certainly evident as the rookie racers shouted at their virtual cars to try and make them go that little bit faster. Engine trouble, punctures and over-zealous driving was the end of many, but there were quite a few intrepid mathematicians that lasted the course and made it through to the chequered flag.

A truly exhausting day but students’ eyes were opened up to the world of engineering through a Formula 1 format.

Good mathematical knowledge including measure- Well done to all those students involved! ment, scale, percentages, distance, speed and time calFor more details on Maths in Motion, please visit http:// culations, combined with strong skills in problem solving, www.mathschallenge.co.uk/index.html collaboration, communication and time management, were what was needed for students to be successful.

“Overall, today was an exciting yet informative event, teaching us the key fundamentals of aerodynamics. Additionally, we also had the opportunity to use a CAD program (Fusion 360) to design with, which is an important skill for the future. As someone who has participated in the event last year as well, the F1 team has certainly kept their standards high, giving us the best experience possible.”

John Greenbank, 9H In my opinion, I think STEM F1 was quite a mix of challenge, fun and competition. It was great seeing a wind tunnel being used to measure drag in aerodynamics for the first time. Also, the effort put in in the preparation of this event by the F1 and DT team was extraordinary. Everything ranging from the track itself to the materials was done perfectly.

Naphat (TK) Buristrakul, 8I This was my first time to experience STEM. I’ve learnt and do so many things that I’ve never done before, or never thought of. This was a really good experience. I’ve improved my designing skills, got to know new interesting knowledge and got to meet new people.

Tayapat (Tehya) Ketvoravit, 9P

17/05/2019

Bangkok Patana School News

5

Year 6 student selected for Under 12 Thai national team Y

ear 6 rising young tennis star Penn (Penne) Charusorn has been selected for the Under 12 Thailand National Tennis team!

After reaching the semi-finals of the Under 12 National Championship two weeks ago, plus winning the doubles, he was asked to play a playoff match against the other losing semi-finalist which he duly won 6-1 6-1.

He will be joining the Thailand National team at the 12 and Under ITF Team competition in the Philippines from 26 – 31 May.

learning how music can connect people

Andrea Ly, 8K

I

we made together and how it pleased the audience brought joy to us all. I was able to learn different techniques and skills from conductors from all the over the world. I had to adjust and learn their different style of teaching.

The joy and enthusiasm from the conThere were people from many different countries who ductors really had an spoke different languages so communication was not al- impact on the orchestra. This taught me that leaders greatways easiest. However, listening to the incredible sounds ly influence others. I remember my friends and I on the stage, swaying along with the melody of the songs and truly playing the pieces. The stages in both Vienna and Budapest were beautiful and very unique. I am extremely thankful for being able to perform in the grand Musikverein where King Rama IX had performed his compositions. I remember my friend and I struggling to walk up and down the stairs in our lavish dresses and high heels from stage to dressing room. It was truly worth it. Seeing the smiles of the audience after hearing us play brings warmth to my heart.

Not only was it an extremely fun experience, it was also an educational learning journey.

have been playing the violin since I was 6; even at that young age, I found a connection with the instrument. I have enjoyed every moment playing on it. I recently went to Vienna, Austria and Budapest, Hungary with a group of other musicians to perform in an orchestra; it has given me a new perspective on how music can connect people. Polly from Year 8 and Sammy and Gem from Year 9 joined me on this trip where there were two weeks of rehearsals, performances and exploring Vienna and Budapest. We were joined by other musicians of various ages from different countries to make music. It was an incredible and memorable experience that will stick with me forever.

6

Bangkok Patana School News

17/05/2019

Service above self: Interact Focusses on Quality Education

Manintorn (Mars) Lomtakul, Year 12T

I

nteract is a club that is part of Rotary International. Every year in Term 3, we think of a new mission and goal.

Our mission is to collaborate with our community through student-led actions promoting service over self. In previous years, we have collaborated with ArtRelief in Chiang Mai as well as helping Glorious International School (a refugee school) by organising a visit to Patana and providing them with art equipment.

Most recently we have established a focus on two SDG goals: Quality Education and Reduced Inequalities. We started the “Audiobook Project” which aims to provide English audiobooks recorded by Interact members, along with a soft copy of these books and Thai translations (from Right to Read) for students at Bangkok School for the Blind.

These soft copies can then be printed into braille for blind students to read at school. Additionally, we have organised an informal Art Auction to raise funds to buy school equipment for Glorious International School, having worked with them last year. Our art auction was a great success and we raised 12,000 baht.

new members. If you have any questions, please email malm20@patana.ac.th or dach20@patana.ac.th or simply drop by at our meetings on Monday. We would love to have you!

If you are interested in our art auction here are a few sample photos!

We meet every Monday in Mr Lyons’ room (HuM-112) at 12:40 pm. In our meetings we plan future events, whilst incorporating every member in decision making. This is a great opportunity for students to join and create a positive impact on the community. We are still in the process of planning next year’s action and would love the help of

LOST Property 17/05/2019

Please remember that if your child has lost anything (including water bottles) you can check on Firefly to see if it has been found or handed in.

Scan the QR code to view or visit https://community. patana.ac.th/community-events/lost-property Bangkok Patana School News

7

UNI COUNSELLORS’ CORNER UNI OFFERS...

SYLVIA (LILY) WILSON

Congratulations on offers from Durham University, University of Birmingham, University of Exeter and the University of Nottingham to study Law

Lily, who took part in the Model United Nations,, accepted the offer to study Law at Durham University, UK. “I chose to study law because I love the art of rhetoric and building a strong argument,” explained Lily. She has been at Bangkok Patana since Foundation Stage 1 and has been very active in music since Primary School.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT...

Durham University, UK

D

urham University is located in the North East part of the UK and was ranked sixth in the UK and reached the top ten for the 12th straight year in the Complete University Guide. Additionally, Durham ranks in the top 100 World Universities with three of their four subjects in the top ten worldwide.

the historic Cosin’s Library. The estate includes 63 listed buildings, from the 11th-century Durham Castle to a 1930s Art Deco chapel. Durham University owns a 227.8 hectare estate comprising two separate locations: Durham City and Queen’s Campus, Stockton. Durham City is the main location of the university and site of all the colleges.

Founded in 1832, Durham University has produced such notable alumni as the inimitable Sir Roger Moore, Lord Justice of Appeal in England and Wales Sir Andrew McFarlane, former Rugby player Will Carling, journalists Sir Harold Evans and Jeremy Vine, Olympic champion Jonathan Edwards, cricketer Nasser Hussain, authors Hunter Davies and Graham Hancock among the many more in its storied past. The current Chancellor, Sir Thomas Allen, succeeded famed author Bill Bryson who was chancellor from 2005 until 2012.

Durham University was the first university to open in England six hundred years after the opening of Oxford and Cambridge. Durham University owns a World Heritage Site in partnership with Durham Cathedral; Durham Castle, Palace Green, and the surrounding buildings including

UPCOMING UNIVERSITY VISITS UNIVERSITY / COLLEGE

COUNTRY

SP Jain School of Global Management

Singapore

LOCATION

Senior Studies, 2nd Floor

DATE

TIME

21.05.19

12:15

CLICK TO READ MAY’S CAREERS NEWSLETTER 8

Bangkok Patana School News

17/05/2019

Year 6 appeal for clothing donations for underprivileged children Sarah Horton, Year 6H Class Teacher

A

s part of Year 6 charity fundraising efforts this year, students will be organising a clothing drive to collect much needed clothing to be donated to our partner charity A21.

A21 is an organisation that works with poor communities and victims of trafficking along the Thai/Cambodian border. Many of the children are between 2 to 18 years old and live in small villages and slums surrounding the city.

We welcome any donations of new or second-hand children and young adult articles of clothing in good condition.

We are also collecting bedding, shoes, toiletries and underwear. We ask that the clothes donated are in relatively good condition (i.e. no holes, stains, rips) and that the toiletries and underwear are new or are unused. The main reason for this is to place value on the lives of the people we are giving the clothes to. It doesn’t have to be new, but it should be something we would wear ourselves.

Also, A21 are implementing a program focusing on nutrition and hygiene so any items such as new toothbrushes, toothpaste, hand sanitizer, soap, shampoo/ conditioners or towels would be very helpful.

Please feel free to contact Sarah (SAHO) if you would like any further information.

Thank you for your support!

only a few places left!

Book now!

VERBIER SKI TRIP 2020!

Still time to book your spot for the ski trip to Switzerland in February!

Click here for more information and the permission slip.

17/05/2019

Bangkok Patana School News

9

STUDENTS SPEAK Hidden Tricks In Airport Design

By Karnsiree (Ling Ling) Chen, Year 12 irports were defined by French anthropologist, Marc Airport planners also take into account the shopping Auge, as “non-places” in 1995. These are places area after the security scans by placing a broad view of which are devoid of identity and have uniform structure- the shops ahead as you sit and recollect yourself after like transnational corporations like starbucks which remain gathering personal belongings from the x-ray machines. constant all around the world. Airports are machines de- This is a visual cue reminding your brain that it is now “time signed to move people to their intended destination. to shop”. According to an airport design consulting form, this is considered the turning point where the passenger Every feature in an airport is carefully thought out due transforms into a valuable customer. The shopping area is to its uniqueness in the psychological field: you are giving also strategically placed between the security point and up your identity by giving over identification and being the gate, forcing passenger to walk through it before arsubjected to security searches, and airports are designed riving at their gate. This lures passengers into shopping by to soothe this subconscious fear of being examined. This making the temptation to shop stronger by enhancing acis important to encourage people to conform to the rules cessibility. through subtle cues.

Many terminal walkways also curve to the right because One of the most commonly used process is “wayfinding” the majority of the human population is right-handed and which consist of visual suggestions to nudge passengers therefore tend to look more in that direction. More shops in the right direction without them feeling pressured. For are therefore placed on the right-hand side, allowing pasexample, the colours and shapes of signs often differ from sengers to unconsciously browse as they make their way terminal to terminal, the carpeting patterns change, and to their gate. Shopping is a particularly important focus there are often large memorable landmarks for orienta- for airport designers as they are considered “perfect custion. Most of us have probably had the sense we were tomers”. They fit an ideal target market with time available going the wrong way at the airport as a result of subcon- and no where else to go, are able to fly and therefore scious wayfinding clues. have a disposable income and after going through the This turns passengers into “civil security workers who are stress of security and passport checks are likely to be in an ideally adept at the efficient submission of comprehensive indulgent mood. surveillance”, writes Rachel Hall, author of the book The It is integral that passengers remain calm to nurture the Transparent Traveler: The Performance and Culture of Air- longing to shop. This is done by giving the customers a port Security. Whereas in the past passengers were simply sense of control through providing a variety of options on customers, today they are also expected to act as civilian places to sit and spend our time. Information booths and officers who extend the work of security workers beyond flight information directories, are also frequent and highthe checkpoint. This, too, is accomplished through (not so ly visible. Airports have become so successful that some subtle) nudges. Signs throughout airports in the US con- have even become destinations in themselves, an obvious tinually remind passengers that they are “The Final Line of example being the Jewel shopping mall at Changi Airport.

Defense Against Terrorists” and “If You See Something, Airports are becoming increasingly individual and geared Say Something”. “Now you fly and serve,” writes Hall. “In towards the future of urban travel and will no doubt conorder to get the honor to serve you must perform voluntary tinue to evolve to suit our increasingly advanced lifestyles. transparency.”

A

10

Bangkok Patana School News

17/05/2019

PLEASE NOTE THAT MONDAY 3RD JUNE IS NOW A SCHOOL HOLIDAY IN HONOUR OF THE BIRTHDAY OF HM QUEEN SUTHIDA - THE SCHOOL CALENDAR HAS BEEN AMENDED

Monday 20th May Visakha Bucha Day holiday in Lieu

DATES for your

Diary...

Friday 24th May Sports Award Dinner Tuesday 28th May PTG AGM Friday 31st May Bangkok Patana AGM Monday 3rd June HM Queen Suthida’s birthday (holiday) Wednesday 5th June Patana United Thursday 6th June Patana Primary Concert Friday 21st June End of Year Whole School Assembly

17/05/2019

Bangkok Patana School News

11

12

Bangkok Patana School News

17/05/2019

the m o r f t s The late

17/05/2019

PTG

Bangkok Patana School News

Join the PTG Facebook page here!

13

PICKED OUT YOUR SUMMER READING YET? NEILSON HAYS BOOK SALE

25TH &26TH MAY 9.30AM - 4.00PM

BOOK DONATIONS WELCOME! INFO@NEILSONHAYSLIBRARY.ORG (THIS TOTE ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE BOOK SALE)

14

Bangkok Patana School News

17/05/2019

COMMUNITY

17/05/2019

Bangkok Patana School News

15

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 16

Bangkok Patana School News

17/05/2019