Well-Being Projects in secondary
Lorna Conroy, Vice Principal Student Welfare
Asone of our core values at Bangkok Patana, supporting well-being is something we are wholeheartedly committed to. The connection between well-being and learning is well understood, but more importantly, the ability to support their own well-being will benefit students throughout their lives. A current Patana student may one day find themselves in a high-stress situation. They may be about to present to a large audience, face an intimidating interview panel, or navigate personal challenges while supporting a loved one. Helping students develop the skills to manage their own well-being, and to support others, is a vital life skill and essential to living a happy and fulfilled life.
In the Secondary School, all students follow a well-being curriculum, delivered on Friday mornings. In addition, students in Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 also take part in the Well-Being Toolkit, a programme designed to help them develop the skills and strategies needed to support their own well-being.
As part of the Toolkit this year, all students completed a wellbeing project. When students joined Year 7, their first year in the Secondary School, they were placed in tutor groups with peers they may not have met before. The focus of their project was to build a sense of belonging and community by exploring their differences and similarities. The outcome was a tutor group display celebrating diversity and unity. Feedback was very positive, with most students giving the project four out of five stars overall, and five out of five when asked whether it helped them get to know other members of their tutor group (7J survey). The final displays were imaginative and a genuine celebration of diversity and unity.
7J Display
Year 9 and 10 have been completing their projects this term. Year 9 were tasked with researching ‘just-one-thing’ that would help with either their physical or mental well-being. They had to research, provide credible evidence and present their findings. The choices were wide ranging including the benefits of eating watermelon, the importance of sleep, digital detox and the antioxidant content of berries. Feedback from the students highlights the positive outcomes of the project.
Student Quotes from 9H:
“I enjoyed taking time to research different sources on different lifestyle choices we can make and how they positively and negatively impact our physical and mental well-being. Researching is a great way for students like us to self discover new ideas and changes we can make in our daily lives.”Budh
“Creating my ‘Just One Thing’ poster on mindfulness meditation was something I really enjoyed. It gave me the chance to learn how being present and aware can help calm the mind and reduce stress. I liked exploring the simple practice of focusing on the breath and how it can make a big difference in everyday life. Putting the poster together also allowed me to be creative and share a peaceful message in a way that felt meaningful.” - Ken
“I enjoyed that we had complete freedom over the posters we created, so I was able to creatively design it just how I envisioned it inside my head. Something I learnt from this project was just how many vitamins and antioxidants berries provide. I found this especially interesting as I always eat some kind of berry every day, so it was cool to learn more about the health benefits of something that’s already part of my routine.” - Zoe
“I really enjoyed getting more insight on how research is done, looking through research papers and finding credible sources expanded my knowledge and aided my future skills in writing factual papers. I also got a better understanding on a topic I previously perceived as straight-forward. Overall, I found the process of making a ‘just one thing’ poster much more engaging and interesting than I initially expected.”Melody
“I quite enjoyed the research element of the project. Personally, I focused on the topic of sleep and its effects.
With the information that I learnt while researching this project I managed to improve my daily amount of sleep to a much healthier level” - Lukas
By the time students reach Year 10, and are in the mists of adolescence, talking with them about feelings, emotions and well-being is often challenging. So, their project was designed to be fun, interactive and a ‘low stakes’ way for them to discuss their emotions. So, we brought out the play dough – there’s nothing like play dough to get a bunch of 15-year-olds engaged! The Blob Project, as it’s known, challenged them to think
about themselves, their unique characteristics and what is important to them. Firstly, they created a blob figure to represent their unique set of characteristics and to identify what is important to them as individuals. Following this, they were then given a range of scenarios and had to think and model how their ‘blob’ would feel, react, and manage their emotions. This got them talking, and I really enjoyed seeing their creations.
Year 10 Blob Project Creations
Year 8 have only just begun their project, which focuses on exploring positive and negative emotions, as well as emotional regulation. They are learning that all human emotions are valid and that life naturally has its ups and downs. The project is based on the range of emotions represented in the movie Inside Out 2. As a whole Year group, they are creating an immersive theatrical experience spread across the drama spaces and ending in the Theatre, which will represent Joy. They will then spend time moving through the experience and, hopefully, gain a deeper understanding of emotions and how to manage them.
8R Exploring Causes of Anxiety
our community: inclusion and Belonging
Junior Student Representative Council (JSRC)
Thank you for tuning in to last week’s edition of Everyday Heroes!
This week, we shine a light on someone whose calm presence and steady hands have comforted countless students through everything from scraped knees to stomach aches. Whether it’s a reassuring smile, offering an ice-pack, or simply being there in times of need, we can always count on them.
Keep reading to discover the countless acts, small and big, that make a huge difference in helping our school become a better and more caring place!- Natnaree (Suri) Tiraratanakul 9H
Name: Chusana (Nub) Loetprongjit
Job Title: School Nurse
JSRC: What is your favourite dish?
Nurse Nub: Hmm, braised pork!
JSRC: What do you like to do during the weekends?
Nurse Nub: I like to cycle at Bang Kachao or at other places as well.
JSRC: How long have you been working at Patana?
Nurse Nub: 2 years.
JSRC: Is there anything you’d like to share from your time working here?
Nurse Nub: I’ve noticed that everyone is supportive of each other here. For example, if I need help with something, everyone is ready to help me.
JSRC: Do you have any stories from your medical career that you’d like to share?
Nurse Nub: I’ve worked at an ER at a hospital before, and there were very hard cases such cases involving open or telescopic procedures, or having to do CPR on a patient that has been in an accident. The main focus for every case is to help your patient to the best of your ability!
JSRC: Is there anything you’ve learned from your childhood that you’d like to share?
Nurse Nub: If you’re interested in something, put your mind to it and give it your all. Even if you’re scared- do it
scared. As you grow up, you’ll have less time and more responsibilities. So, if you have questions, ask them! Don’t be afraid of failure or starting over.
JSRC: Have you always known that you wanted to work in healthcare?
Nurse Nub: As a kid, I loved sports and music. But, one day whilst I was walking home, I saw someone struggling on the ground and immediately went to help them. That moment made me realise I wanted to help people.
JSRC: Is there something you’d like the students to know about you?
Nurse Nub: I think that a lot of students are scared to come in to see me and ask for help, afraid that I am mean. I want them to know that if they have any troubles or questions, I am happy and ready to help and support them as well as I can!
JSRC: Can you tell us a bit about your family?
Nurse Nub: Yes, of course! I was raised by my single mother, who wasn’t always around due to work, but she never held me back. Instead, she supported me in pursuing my goals. From her, I learned that I should never be afraid to speak up or take action for what I believe in.
JSRC: If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Nurse Nub: For everyone to be happy and healthy, and also for there to be no poverty in our country, since it brings suffering upon our people.
JSRC: That concludes our interview, thank you so much for your time!
Nurse Nub: Thank you!
JSRC
Natnaree (Suri) Tiraratanakul 9H
Sirianong (Plearn) Devakula Na Ayudhya 8A
Yu-ning (Emily) Wang 7C
Hrehaan Pillay 8W
Aviraj Sehgal 8R
Isabella Pitcher 8S
Nicole (Nikkie) Maria Araneta 9C
Areeya (Proud) Vijakkhana 7C
Sia Lee 7S
Sharyn Narula 8W
school announcements
SCHOOL FEES:
Invoices for school fee for Term 1- 2025/26 were issued on Wednesday, 14th May 2025. If you have not received your invoice, please contact the Accounting Department or send an email to accounts@patana.ac.th.
Please note that the payment due date is Friday, 13th June 2025. Payments received after this date will incur a late payment charge of 1% per month.
imPortant: Visa documentation requests for summer Break
If you require documentation from the school to support visa applications or extensions over the summer break, please request this as soon as possible. To do so, kindly complete the online request form via the Parents’ Gateway: Document Request from Admissions.
Please note that we require at least 3 working days to process these requests. The final date to request certified letters or documentation for visa extensions is Wednesday 18th June 2025.
Kindly be aware that no requests can be processed between 1st and 31st July. The Admissions Office will be open to support new requests starting from 1st August 2025.
safety reminder: use the Pedestrian Bridge
We’ve noticed more students (and some parents) crossing Soi Lasalle at street level instead of using the pedestrian bridge. For everyone’s safety, please use the bridge. A staff member is on duty to help guide you—let’s all do our part to stay safe!
Note:This is a supplementary device for Patana students, not a replacement of your
key stage 4 thai guest sPeaker
Diya Singhsachathet, 10B
On Monday 26th May, Thai Language Literature Year 10 students met the author Khun Ngarmpun Vejjajiva, who wrote ‘The Happiness of Kati’, which they have been studying. This novel focused on finding happiness in the little things in life despite the challenges we may face. In the interview, we learned about the process and her thoughts behind each significant moment in the book and the reason she chose it. The students also asked the author questions and got to know her more. As an answer to one of her questions, she shared a few words about happiness (the main message of her book). In life, people think that if you have everything perfect, the ability to move your body freely, having a happy family with both parents, etc, that you will automatically be happy, and if you don’t, you will be unhappy; that isn’t true. Happiness isn’t about the house you have, but it’s about the people around you that make it a hom; it isn’t about how much money you have or what you can do, it’s about what you decide to put your energy into; it’s about being appreciative of what you do have not what you don’t. This was an amazing experience for the students to meet the person whom they’ve spent the past term studying. Some students would like to share their memories with this event.
Chayada Leeswadtrakul, 10T: She showed us the power of perseverance despite her struggles and how she grew both as a person and as a writer. Her book encouraged us to appreciate the smaller things in life and spend
time with loved ones while you can, because you never know what the future holds. This experience reminded me to stay strong during difficult times and to be grateful for what we have.
Praefah Chotima, 10B: She told us her story about her growth emotionally from being embarrassed about her own book to being one of the top sellers in Thailand. She also walked us through her perspective on how she views this world and her mindset towards things, which opened a new door for many of us to understand our surroundings better. It made us truly admire the way she thinks.
Arthur, Nokhook, Mathew and Arnob Year 10: We thought this experience to be very meaningful and memorable and are grateful for this opportunity to meet with a very well known and successful writer as it gave us the chance to learn on directly from the author of the book, providing us with insights and knowledge people wouldn’t normally have. She helped us gain a deeper understanding of the morals taught in her book ‘The Happiness of Kati’ and understand where she got her ideas as well as how she ended up creating this book. We learned of her struggles throughout writing this book and we also got the chance to ask many questions. In conclusion, we are very grateful for the rare opportunity to meet Khun Ngampan Vejjajiva, an experience that will remain a cherished memory for our Thai classes.
The Flow
The pen touches the paper and the ink seeps into the space between the lines, There is no undo despite the uncertainties, Sometimes mistakes can be made that you come to regret as you move down the page, But acceptance is inevitable once you realise most things are out of your control, As you continue to scribble you may even start to appreciate what accidents can become,
You could choose to leave some pages blank,
But the things you avoid saying still say something,
It’s tempting to abandon ideas that are hard to put into words, Perhaps that’s why they’re worth committing to the page,
Lines are there to guide, but pay them no mind if you begin to write askew, And if you find a flow where words simply fall into place, by the end
You may be fortunate enough not to recognise your handwriting.
- Garam (Momo) Lee, 9H
june eco hero: the Wishful cast and creW
Ana Bolakoso 10V, SEC Co-President
This month’s SEC Eco Hero award goes to the cast and crew of Wishful, our recent Secondary School production. Alongside delivering a powerful performance, the team made a conscious effort to make the show as environmentally friendly as possible.
From the start, sustainability was part of the planning process. Costumes were sourced from the school’s existing costume cupboard and upcycled where needed. Instead of buying new outfits, students got creative with what was already available – a great example of reducing waste and reusing materials.
The same approach applied to the set design. Rather than using new or non-recyclable materials, the crew built the set using off-cuts and leftover supplies from the Arts department. Polystyrene, which is commonly used in theatre sets but is harmful to the environment, was deliberately avoided.
In its place, the team used natural elements like dried leaves and palm fronds to create texture and atmosphere on stage. These choices didn’t just help the environment –they added a unique and beautiful look to the performance.
The Wishful cast and crew showed that with a bit of extra thought and teamwork, it’s possible to put on a fantastic show while also being kind to the planet. Their efforts are a reminder that sustainable choices can be made in all areas of school life – even in the spotlight.
Congratulations to everyone involved. You’ve earned the title of June Eco Heroes!
tennis academy uPdates
Thisterm has seen a continuous hive of activity at the Tennis Courts with U12 and U11 BMAC team events, which included an additional green ball event for the U11’s, U11 singles and doubles events, an orange ball festival and a red ball friendly match with Bangkok Prep. Add to this the Bangkok U11 Games and a match with Voyager Academy Singapore in the next couple of weeks and you realise how these events are not only benefiting our Patana students but also underpinning many other international school programs in Bangkok.
It is though vitally important all levels, from Mini Tennis Red to Varsity team level, have the right support and appropriate competition, as tennis although simplistic in principle is a very hard game to play well and needs careful preparation and training to gain the fundamental skills at a young age to develop well.
The covered courts have as predicted, been a game changer and have allowed us to host many events without worrying unnecessarily about the weather, although if the rain and wind do pick up on occasion then we still get a bit wet!
The community programme has also seen a rapid uptake with many parents playing regularly and the cardio group sessions becoming more and more popular. This week’s session saw the 32 places snapped up in four seconds, yes you read that correctly four seconds!
Although the academic year is nearly finished we have put many plans in place to continue this growth and will be welcoming Coach Pie and Coach Rung to the full time team in August to support this and build for the future.
Daniel Ahl, Head Tennis Coach
year 10 Visual artists Visit the Bacc
Marie-Claire Redman, Art Teacher
Last Friday, Year 10 Visual Artists visited the BACC in Bangkok. This trip formed the launch of their new coursework project, Viewpoints, which will be the final project of their coursework Unit 1. BACC was an ideal venue for this theme, as although the students will go on to interpret Viewpoints in a multitude of personal ways, the building lends itself to a study of architecture, using technical drawing skills. The students had a productive day and were able to create a significant amount of practical work; Fine Artists were busy sketching from observation on paper, as were the Graphic Communication students and the Photography class were able to make use of various techniques in the gallery, such as using long exposures to
capture the movement of people or the skytrain, and all groups were inspired by the exciting compositions made possible by the spiral design of the gallery.
Seeing artwork in galleries and the types of themes and inspirations behind exhibited artworks gives students important insight into the purpose of art and the impact it has on the world. The more examples and discussions that students are able to enjoy the better, as these help students to generate their own artistic voice, based on their own ideas and experiences. Over the next few weeks, Year 10 students will continue to develop the inspiration they had in the gallery and start to create their own responses. Watch this space!
#300: fortnite’s neW ai featureWhat Parents need to knoW
Image courtesy of: https://www.waynedenner.com/instagrams-locked-reels-what-parents-need-to-know/
Below is a summary of Wayne Denner’s post about it here:
**FORTNITE’S NEW AI FEATURE**
Introduction: Epic Games has introduced a new AI feature in Fortnite that allows children to talk to characters like Darth Vader using voice or text.
Technology: The feature uses Google’s Gemini 1.5 for conversational AI and ElevenLabs’ voice cloning technology to recreate James Earl Jones’ iconic voice.
Parental Controls: A new setting, “Allow voice and written communication with AI Features,” is turned off by default for children under 13 or those below the age of digital consent in their country.
**SAFETY CONCERNS**
AI Imperfections: The AI can be unpredictable, and users have tricked it into saying inappropriate things.
Voice Cloning Issues: The use of voice cloning technology has raised concerns, including a complaint from the actors’ union SAG-AFTRA.
Children’s Understanding: Younger players might struggle to distinguish AI characters from real people.
**RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PARENTS**
Review Settings: Check and adjust the new AI feature control in your child’s Epic Games account.
Explain AI: Help your child understand what AI is and its limitations.
Open Communication: Discuss your child’s Fortnite sessions and monitor their interactions.
Stay Informed: Keep up with future updates and changes in AI-powered game features.
**FINAL THOUGHTS**
Engagement: Stay engaged and ask questions to ensure a safe gaming experience for your child.
Brian Taylor Vice Principal, Technology
for Learning
ommunity engagement at Bangkok Patana
Kulchad (Sheen) Thianthai, Co-President
DIABEONE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TEAM
DiabeOne is a student-led organisation dedicated to raising awareness for type 1 diabetes within our school and wider community. Although type 1 diabetes is a chronic metabolic medical condition that can cause problems if left untreated, the medical prognosis and steps to managing this condition are surprisingly simple.
WHO projects that diabetes will be the 7th leading cause of death by 2030 and we want to be part of a global effort to enhance the standard for diabetes diagnosis and care, especially for type 1 diabetics. We believe that access to proper healthcare - mental health support, nutrition, and medication (including insulin for type 1 diabetics) - is a human right, but also one which is not currently widely achievable for many in society.
Through our own initiatives to raise support for this within our own community, we hope to provide this fundamental right to as many more people locally as we can.
GLUCOSE TRACKING APP DEVELOPED FROM 2023
Currently, our main team goal is to spread awareness about type 1 diabetes and establish the diabetes management app we have been developing. This app is designed to empower patients by making it easier to track glucose levels, medication adherence, and overall health metrics—an essential step toward independence and
confidence in diabetes management. This app would also include features being: a reminder (to test blood glucose level before and after meals and to take insulin), an insulin to carb ratio calculator, the ability to scan barcodes and search for meals’ nutritional values (more specifically Thai food since similar apps won’t provide nutrition information on them and this could uplift the apprehension of type 1 diabetics in thailand when consuming these foods) and if possible a provide a chat with a endocrinologist that could possibly answer diabetic’s urgent questions.
2024 ACHIEVEMENTS
• Keynote Community Engagement Group featured at Association Science Education conference
• Hosted World Diabetes Day awareness event at lunch with balloon dart game and questions about Type one diabetes
• Conducted a hair donation drive
• Hair donation towards type 1 diabetes patients that experience hair loss
• Educational Posts
• Developed Glucose tracking app
• Research Paper
EVENTS FOR 2024/25: HAIR DONATION
To support our mission, we organize impactful fundraising events, such as World Diabetes Day, bringing together students and the broader community to rally for diabetes care and education.
A significant milestone this year was our dart competition fundraising event, where we successfully raised money for the Mah Fah Luang Foundation aiding patients with donated hair. This is because one of the consequences of with getting diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes is hair loss. These contributions are helping expand access to vital care for those who need it most.
In addition, we organised a hair donation drive to support individuals experiencing hair loss, a potential consequence of type 1 diabetes and its treatment. We also created a series of educational Instagram posts to raise awareness and foster a sense of community support online.
NEXT STEPS
This year has been marked by exceptional achievements, and we’re excited to build on this momentum. Next year, we plan to introduce more interactive events to engage the community, further expand our educational outreach, and continue refining our diabetes tracking app.
Our dedication doesn’t stop there. We are currently developing an educational curriculum for Thai schools to raise awareness about type 1 diabetes. By introducing this program, we hope to cultivate a culture of understanding, reduce stigma, and empower students with life-saving knowledge about diabetes management and prevention.
At DiabeOne, we are driven by the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to live a healthy, fulfilling life—regardless of their diagnosis. We aim to create an understanding that type 1 diabetes is not only achievable but supported by an informed, compassionate community.
chasing dreams!
Richard, 4M
My name is Richard, and I enjoy watching different YouTubers. I’m inspired by a YouTuber named Foltyn (real name Kearsten). He does gaming videos, reaction videos and food videos. So, I thought, “Why don’t I do this myself?”
For a long time, I have wanted my very own YouTube channel, and so finally here I am. If anyone has a dream go chase it before it’s too late! If you want to give up,
DONT! Remember this: diamonds are made from pressure…
My hope right now is to reach 1,000 subscribers, and my big dream is 1 million subscribers. I want to make people happy, so I keep making videos as much as I can, and keep chasing my dream. It will eventually happen!
Patana ParticiPates!
Achievements from Our Community
Masafumi Irie, Parent
On
25th May, at the Thailand Extreme Fest 2025 (BMX Flatland) competition held in Pattaya, Sola Irie, 4C and Umi Irie, 4M achieved remarkable results in the Under-16 category—placing 2nd and 3rd, respectively. This national-level competition reflects the growing presence of BMX Flatland in Thailand. Congratulations Sola and Umi on your achievements.
Achievements from Our Community
Sisi Leung, Parent
Bangkok
Patana students delivered outstanding performances at two recent inter-school chess tournaments. At the April 27th event, the school won Champion in the Best School Team category, with strong showings from Evie Choi, Lele Song, Caden Kong, Ronan Huang, and Yun Myat Nandi.
Individual results:
Evie Choi – U10 Champion
Lele Song – U9 Champion
Caden Kong – U9 1st Runner-Up
Ronan Huang – U8 2nd Runner-Up
Yun Myat Nandi – U7 Champion
On June 1st, our students earned the 1st Runner-Up Best School Team Award at the KIS Inter-School Chess Championship. Congratulations to Caden Kong, 4M, Edison Ye, 6J, Lele Song, 4A, Evie Choi, 5S and Leslie Li.
Individual highlights:
Edison Ye – U13 1st Runner-Up
Caden Kong – U9 Champion
LINE ID: pieonibakul7
LINE ID: pieonibakul7
