Patana News Volume 18 Issue 27

Patana

NEWS

The Importance of Parent Engagement and Partnership Bangkok Patana is an IB World School, accredited by CIS and NEASC

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arents’ involvement in their child’s literacy has a direct, positive effect on their academic performance (National Literacy Trust, 2011).

In 1999, two researchers based at the London School of Economics tried to find out what was the single biggest predictor of student achievement at age 16 within the UK. The answer, it turned out, was parental interest in their child’s education.

One of the hallmarks of our school is the degree to which parents can be become involved in their child (ren)’s education. New teaching staff, particularly those arriving from the education system in the UK, are quick to remark on the extent to which we, as a school, communicate with and invite our parents into the school.

One of our ambitions at Bangkok Patana is always to further develop parents’ partnership with the school and parents’ engagement with their children’s learning.

Having been here at Bangkok Patana for 11 years, I am certain that our culture of parental involvement is now growing significantly. There are a many ways that parents participate. Here are a few examples: There are an increasing number of surveys asking for feedback on how we do things at the school.

Do please, for example, complete the survey reviewing our ECA programme that should have been emailed to you by the time you read this.

Each year, there are more and more information mornings and workshops to which parents are invited, and we are witnessing rapid growth in the numbers who attend these. Workshops focused on Anti Bullying and Digital Citizenship this term are just two examples.

There are increasing opportunities for parents to collaborate with students for community focused events. Recent examples include the PTG support for Secondary CAT

Clubs and the PTG working together with students during Fun Day preparations, which you can read about on the opposite page.

Our concerts, theatre productions, competitive sports meetings, etc., can see very healthy numbers of parent supporters. I enjoyed joining the TigerSharks parents at the Harrow BISAC meet last Saturday where the cheers for the successful relay teams were something special. I know many of you will join Patana Unplugged next Thursday, and I also know that our annual Dance Extravaganza will be packed out next term. These are just a few examples.

However, one of the most powerful means by which parents are involved is through structured conversations with their children specifically about their learning. Just last week, we had an open morning for Foundation Stage parents in which parents would have talked directly to their child about their learning. The Primary 3-Way Conferences are now very well established, and the next ones will take place in the week directly after the Songkran break. Today, I was privileged to be a part of the Year 7 2-Way Conferences as part of the Learning To Learn Connections week. Reflecting on this experience, it is so very clear to me that whenever we create dedicated time for students to discuss their learning with their parents, good things happen.

How do you think parental engagement and partnership can be further developed here at Bangkok Patana School? We would love to hear from you.

References Bojuwoye, O, 2009, Home-school partnership: a study of opinions of selected parents and teachers in Kwazulu Natal Province, South Africa, Research Papers in Education: Policy and Practice, 24(4), 461-75 Bonci, A et al (2008, revised 2010 and March 2011) A research review: the importance of families and the home environment [National Literacy Trust] U.S. Department of Education (2010) - http://www.ed.gov/ – last accessed 30-03-2016 Feinstein, L and Symons J (1999) ‘Attainment in secondary school’ Oxford Economic Papers Vol 51, Issue 2, Pp 300-321

By the Parent Teacher Group (PTG)

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un Day is the biggest community event in our PTG calendar.

A big initiative this year came from the various student run CAT and CAS activities. The PTG provided the students with an opportunity to showcase their charity, club or cause. In doing so, they also provided games for the younger children. The Haunted House, for example, is always a huge hit with the Fun Day participants. Each club/group made a huge effort in making Fun Day a community event, giving up their time and resources. We had 43 youngsters join us from the Mercy Centre orphanage, and students had their hands full with excited children.

We don’t want to single out any specific groups, but I hope this has given you an idea of the type of initiatives the students partake in.

On 18th March 2016 we had the great privilege to award each club/group with a cheque towards their cause. We had a grand time with lots of happy, smiling faces.

We, as the PTG, hope that this contribution will make a difference for the student organisations. We also hope this will raise awareness within the Bangkok Patana community of the various causes and projects our students are a part of.

We hope the CAT/CAS Clubs will join us again next year as part of Fun Day. It is an honour to support you and have a worthy cause to donate Fun Day profits towards.

Join the PTG Facebook group to keep up to date with news and upcoming events at school.

By Andrew Haughton, Head of Faculty, Careers and University

B

angkok Patana’s aspiring medical students had the chance to meet with three alumni from the Class of 2015 to learn what it takes to make a successful application to study at Medical School.

Medicine is one of the most competitive university courses to enter and with just 7.5% of UK places offered to international students, the need to prepare early is vital.

Prince is studying Medicine at the University of East Anglia, Colette is at the University of Sheffield and Helena, who has spent the last eight months working in a medical clinic, holds four unconditional Medicine offers at Exeter, Edinburgh, Glasgow and the University of East Anglia.

For more information on studying Medicine in the UK, go to: https://community.patana.ac.th/cug/applications-and-timelines/uk

University/College

Representative Location

Date

Time

Grand Open Day of University of London International Programmes

The Regent's International College (RIC) 03.04.16 13:00

Northeastern University

-

Senior Studies, 2nd Floor

04.04.16 12:15

Otterbein University

Alyssa Libby

Senior Studies, 2nd Floor

07.04.16 12:15

Dartmouth College

-

American University Alumni Association (AUA)

19.04.16 17:00

Bryn Mawr College

Jennifer Russell Senior Studies, 2nd Floor

28.04.16 12:15

Connecticut College

Bridget Moore

Senior Studies, 2nd Floor

28.04.16 12:15

Kenyon College

Beverly Morse

Senior Studies, 2nd Floor

28.04.16 12:15

Occidental College University of Richmond

Charlie Leizear Senior Studies, 2nd Floor Tamara Lapman Senior Studies, 2nd Floor

28.04.16 12:15 28.04.16 12:15

Click here to access the Canteen Menu

By Sam Mooring, Mathematics Curriculum Coordinator

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ast Wednesday, Bangkok Patana played host to the inaugural Bangkok International Schools Junior Maths Challenge. It was a day filled with mathematical endeavours for teams of three from Years 7 and 8. Students competed as individuals and teams, in rounds with rapid-fire short questions, longer-term group questions and the energiser (a mathematical relay race).

As if the mathematics wasn’t exciting enough, what made this competition truly unique was the fact that it was entirely run by our senior students. Having previously travelled to Singapore and Saigon to represent the school at SEAMC, Benjada (Nucky) Korprasertsri decided that she would like to organise a similar competition for younger students. Along with her team, she invited other Bangkok international schools and set about writing over 80 questions across a variety of topic areas. There may have been a slight last-minute panic on the evening before, but everything was organised on time and the day proceeded very smoothly. Shrewsbury won the competition overall, but our own students competed admirably and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Poon Vichivanives (11L)

Benjada (Nucky) Korprasertsri (12M)

I would like to say thanks, and congratulations, to the team of student organisers: Benjada (Nucky) Korprasertsri, Achu Balasubramanian, Kunakorn Kunthamas, Chester Huang, Peerat (Poon) Vichivanives, Arnav Mahajan, Jason Chandra and Yuqing Wu. The following students represented Bangkok Patana School on the day, and performed admirably: Fasai (Prin) Pulkes, Odele Pang, Natasha Leenabanchong, Gunn (Te) Pungpapong, Tanat (Puddy) Boonkongchuen and Mark Chan.

THE ROAR Produced by the Athletics Council

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

Millie Ribeiro

For coming 1st overall as an individual at BISAC Swimming

Andre Sprenger For being an inspirational role model for the Varsity Softball Team

BIG UPCOMING EVENTS

Songkran Holiday Enjoy a relaxing two week holiday! Whether you are at home or on a beach, make sure you have a great time!

Upcoming Fixtures…

Year: 13

Year: 13

What motivates you to wake up at 5:30am and swim?

Same thing that motivates me to swim at all – spending time with the swim fam!

What position do you play in softball?

Centre Field

What is your favourite TV show?

Suits Would you rather swim 400m Butterfly or 400m Breaststroke?

I would rather swim 800m butterfly than 400m breaststroke.

If you weren’t swimming, what would you be doing?

Leading a country.

What is your favorite sports team/club?

Golden State Warriors

What is your inspirational quote?

“FUNDAMENTALS” - Coach Do you have a pre-game routine?

Yes, I go to my boy Lacrosse and do our pre-game handshake.

Tuesday 5th April Volleyball U13 Girls’ HOME Thursday 7th April Volleyball U13 Boys’ Away Volleyball U13 Girls’ Away

If you have the chance, Go and support your friends and fellow TIGERS!

Now even more ways to follow the action!

Tiger Sports @BPSSPORTS BPS Sports Patana Tennis

By Genevieve Ahl, Services Manager

H

ave you seen the exciting new ‘Helicopter’ School Transport Service that will be available for students next year? If you are interested in this option please book soon as we have limited availability. Click here for further details.

Primary parents of Year 1-6 students will have received confirmation of their 3-Way Conference time slot. Please be reminded that if your conference is on Wednesday afternoon you will need to cancel the school bus if applicable. On Wednesday students will be put on their default bus of 13:50 or 14:30 as there are no ECAs except for selective Gymnastics, Swimming, Tennis, Dutch and Thai ETP. Please plan ahead and inform Transport of your plans. On Thursday 28th April, all transport has been cancelled to and from school for all students in Year 1 to 6. If you would like to use the school bus with your child on this day please book in advance to check availability.

Next week is the last week of Block 3 ECAs. ECA buses will continue Monday – Friday.

Please be reminded that there will be no school bus on Wednesday next week as there is no school! Enjoy the sleep in!

The Transport Office is staffed from 6.00am – 6.00pm Monday to Friday and can be contacted by calling 02 744 2470 or emailing transport@patana.ac.th

T

o ensure a smooth start, all students on the Set Lunch Programme must top up their Patana Card for Term 3. Those on Set Lunch must take their Patana Card to the Top Up point in the Student Lounge on Thursday 7th or Friday 8th April at one of the following times: 07:15 - 08:00 / 09:00 – 09:30 / 12:00 – 13:00 If anyone is unsure if they are on set lunch or not they can stop at Reception to enquire.

By Rachel Jones, Head of Admissions

A

gentle reminder to any families who may be leaving at the end of this academic year to please notify the Admissions Department as soon as possible.

As the School requires one full term's written notice of withdrawal, the deadline for submitting withdrawal forms for students who will not return in Term 1 2016/17 is Monday 25th April 2016. We understand that not all families will have made a final decision at this stage, however, if you believe there is a chance that you may be leaving it is recommended that you advise Admissions; we will put you on a list of potential leavers and advise a date by which we will need to confirm your situation. Please note that any withdrawals not on the poten-

tial leavers list that are received after 25th April will be subject to the late withdrawal fee of THB50,000 per student.

Please be advised that it is not necessary to submit withdrawal forms for students graduating from Year 13. Kindly note that if your children will be remaining at Bangkok Patana School next academic year there is no need to contact Admissions.

We are grateful to the families who have already informed us of their intentions for next academic year. This has greatly assisted us in managing waiting lists and in planning for next academic year.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss your situation please contact rajo@patana.ac.th or call +66 (0)2785 2205.

Clay...Shaping Our Happiness Exhibition by Kimiko Oka May 3 - 29, 2016 Open Daily from 9:30 am - 5:30pm, Tuesday - Sunday Opening Reception - Saturday, May 7th from 5:00-9:00pm Four years ago, when Kimiko Oka's daughter Poko was twelve, she knew that Poko needed something new in her life that would help her grow. Something that she would enjoy and look forward to doing, something that could be shared with others, and something that would help her develop skills that she would use her entire life. They discovered that clay was the perfect medium for them to work on together. They were hooked, finding that the hands-on work was similar to therapy.

Working with clay is soothing in many ways. Touching it is relaxing, and choosing and putting on colour takes concentration and a creative process. Clay lets Kimiko and Poko work from the heart as well as the mind. All of their finished pieces are symbols of their happiness, and clay has become a very important part of their lives. In this exhibition, Kimiko Oka shares her and Poko's beautiful and unique pottery as a symbol of the happiness they share, showing how art-making can be a process of bonding and sharing as well as creating.

Clay... Shaping Our Happiness will be on view in the Neilson Hays Rotunda & Garden CafĂŠ Galleries from May 3rd through May 29th, 2016, while an opening reception will be held on Saturday, May 7th from 5:00-9:00 pm.

For further information about Kimiko Oka’s work as an artist please email kimipoko@gmail.com.

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