Patana News Volume 23 Issue 35

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

Patana

NEWS

Friday 18th June 2021

Volume 23 Issue 35

www.patana.ac.th

WE’VE GOT TO STAY OPTIMISTIC! Mr Mills’ last letter of the year

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Also in this issue...

Special Section on Secondary Arts Awards 18/06/2021

Bangkok Patana School News

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

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We’ve Got to Stay Optimistic!

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reetings everyone,

The global pandemic continues to impact our lives in so many ways. We have been living in the virtual world via Microsoft Teams for the past term and students, parents and teachers have had to adapt to classrooms being at home. It has been incredibly challenging for everyone, and I am very proud how well our school community continues to adapt and overcome the challenges that are thrown at us on a daily basis. One Patana student summed it up beautifully when she stated, “CSL has worked well, but nothing beats the whole classroom peer interaction, meeting friends for lunch in the canteen and participating in my favourite ECA after school.”

At this stage we are hoping to open school in Term 1 as planned and I will send you details of our opening arrangements in late July or early August. As we did at the start of this academic year, teachers will spend time assessing their students to see if there are any learning gaps because of the extended term three campus closure and make sure suitable accommodations are made to fill any of the identifiable gaps.

Guiding Statements Review 2021: A huge thank you to our Guiding Statements Review Committee members who did an amazing job.

Tiziana Sucharitkul, Dyan Zimmerman, Brian Taylor, Peter Taylder, Katie Chatterton, Neil Shah, Year 12, and Suphasinee (My) Sibsakul.

I am looking forward to launching the newly approved 2021 Guiding Statements changes in August.

Senior Delegates 2020/21:

Henry Brosnahan

Clara Boucher

Charlie Golsby

Divyansh Jain

Samantha Wallace

Congratulations to our five Senior Delegates who have done a superb job in their roles this academic year and we wish them all the very best in their tertiary years.

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2020/21 Yearbook We are very pleased with our academic success over the years and have a high expectation that our results will be stronger than ever this academic year. Over the past 11 months I have observed confident, polite students who are at ease in wanting to question to improve their understanding on any given new concept. Our students have had to be resilient and super focused as they experienced another long break from attending the campus in Term 3. All of our student successes are beautifully showcased in the 2020/21 Yearbook, which is being published as I write this account. Many thanks to our editors, Cheryl and Shana who have spent hours assembling this year’s compilation. Our resident photographer Khun Rooth has done a splendid job taking literally thousands of photos of our students in action over the past year.

I would like to thank every teacher and staff member for their professional dedication in helping guide our students to reach their full potential. I have been extremely impressed with the effort and focus teachers and students have put into their CSL programmes since 19th April, which was no easy task.

Special thanks to the myriad of Business Staff ably led by our Business Director Craig White, who continue to help and support the academic staff on a daily basis, what would we do without you?

Special thanks also go out to our wonderful supportive PTG who are so ably led by our PTG Chair, Phil Ngan.

Leaving Students and Teachers As usual, being an international school, we have a number of students and families leaving us this year and we want to wish all of them the very best for their future wherever they are moving to around the world. Please stay in contact with us, as we are keen to stay in touch and welcome you to our worldwide Alumni group – please take a moment to register on www.patana.ac.th/alumni to receive the latest news and reunion invitations.

We have several teachers leaving us this year as we do every year, and we want to wish them all the very best as they move on to new positions around the world.

This year we sadly say farewell to our Primary Principal Mr Jason Cooper who has been at the school for nine years and has been a very successful, instructional leader. We wish Jason and his family all the very best for their future as they return to Australia. I would also like to wish Secondary Assistant Principal –Curriculum and Assessment Suzanne Lindley and her family all the very best as they move back to the UK. A huge thank you to our Cross-Campus Principal Helen Thew who has taken on the Acting Secondary Principal position for this year and has quite simply been amazing. A very special farewell to our Year 13 class as they embark on their university years.

On behalf of Jason Cooper, Helen Thew and myself, we would like to wish all of our Bangkok Patana community a wonderful, safe, summer holiday and we look forward to welcoming you all back to school on Wednesday 18th August.

Enjoy your last weekend before summer.

Matt Mills Head of School

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Primary Sisters Continue to Shine in Piano Bangkok Patana School

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isters Larisa (Risa), 3L and Arisa (Ari) Wangwittaya, 6J have been busy taking part in virtual and live piano competitions during this academic year. Ari has taken home First Prize in both the Singapore International Piano Competition and the Hong Kong International Youth Performing Arts Festival. Younger sister Risa earned Golds at the Hong Kong International Youth Performing Arts Festival and the SEA Piano Competition and a First Prize in the

Piano League International Competition. Both girls were also invited to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York last year as winners in the American Protégé International Piano and Strings Competition and AADGT International Young Gifted Musicians Festival but could not attend due to COVID-19. It's not ideal to have to learn music online, but the girls try to keep their spirits high and continue to practice at home.

KEEPING BUSY IN BANGKOK

Lots of our wonderful ECA providers are offering summer camps to keep students engaged and busy (both online and face to face options available). Please contact them directly for more details and to enrol.

You can find all their information here.

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Making a Difference in the Community Netali Nahmias, 9G

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id you know that just a couple of miles from the fancy malls of Sukhumvit is one of the largest slums in Asia, a world away from the designer shops and fancy restaurants? I moved to Bangkok almost a year ago and I had been living comfortably in my privileged bubble until I started volunteering in the Khlong Toei slum with Bangkok Community Help. This really opened my eyes to the struggles of people living literally just down the road from me.

It's very important for those of us who are more fortunate to give at a time like this especially when so many are suffering. People in these communities like the Khlong Toei slum are struggling to get the simple things like rice and soap, things we all take for granted. In the care packages we supply a big bag of rice, instant noodles, oil, soaps, masks, medicine and more to give them the basics to survive. It also feels good to be part of such a large project that can affect so many lives. I originally joined this project through the same organisation that organises classes for children to learn English at weekends. I used to do that very often and I would teach them through games and activities. Because COVID got worse, that got shut down temporarily so I started volunteering to make up the packages. Supporting these families at times like these is the least that I can do and I hope what I'm doing can help them, even just a bit, and show that others do care.

Donating to and volunteering in these projects is so important and impacts the lives of so many families. A few hours over the weekend or donating some things or money can help a struggling family through this hard time. If you can, please consider donating to or volunteering with Bangkok Community Help so we can make a difference to the people we share this city with. Details can be found in this link: https://bangkokcommunityhelp.com/

Uniforms at the School Shop P

lease make an appointment to purchase uniforms from the School Shop. Email Khun Wichit at wiar@ patana.ac.th to make an appointment until Wednesday 21st July from 7.30 am to 2.30 pm. The School Shop will

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be closed from Thursday 22nd July to Friday 30th July and re-open from Monday 2nd August. The School Shop will be closed on Thursday 12th August for HM Queen Sirikit’s birthday.

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Arts Awards 2021 Christopher Ferne, Head of Arts Faculty t is a real pleasure to lead the Arts in a school that values and celebrates artistic achievements so openly.

Study of the Arts is extremely beneficial for student growth and well-being as well as the development of key practical skills. Expressing openly opinions and feelings and communicating in unorthodox ways to an audience is true of all Arts subjects and this takes great courage. Not only is self-expression rewarding for the artist but it can have a profound effect on their audience. Patana Arts students continually astound us with their ability to deliver moving and memorable pieces and performances. We would like to acknowledge all who study the Arts at Bangkok Patana School for their hard work and talent. It is exciting to support your creative journey.

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We would particularly like to congratulate exemplary individuals who have exhibited outstanding commitment to their learning in the Arts during their Secondary education - our 2021 Arts Awards winners. Arts Curriculum leaders have composed articles to celebrate their winners. It is our pleasure to share these with you in this edition.

The Arts comprises Art, Music and Drama and we are delighted to say that many of our students excel across a combination of our subjects. In addition to this some students have ongoing Arts commitments outside of school such as Tianjuta (Pearl) Thianthai whose artwork forms the front cover of this week’s edition of Patana News. Pearl is passionate about dance and competes at national and international level. Her art piece depicts the moment just before stepping out onto the stage. It invites us to experience the excitement and anticipation felt seconds before the dancer will step out of her comfort zone and into the

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limelight. A feeling familiar to anyone who has had to perform in any capacity. Pearl graduates from Bangkok Patana this year and in September she will go on to study Architecture at the University of Michigan. Congratulations Pearl!

The Student Arts Council has proudly represented the Arts at Patana for the past three years. This year particularly, the team has taken on the role of visibly celebrating achievements in the Arts. Regular readers of Patana News will be familiar with the weekly Arts student profiles celebrating individuals’ specific achievements. The Arts Council successfully organised an enjoyable Patana Plugged this year and they have been a great support for further music events, IB Theatre Solo Performances and the IB Visual Arts Show. They are fantastic ambassadors for the Arts and the Arts Faculty would like to say a big thank you to them for their commitment. They will be introducing themselves through their own profile, later in this edition of Patana News.

Finally, I would like to share how impressed we have been with the creative talents of all our students during CSL. The quality of student work in the Arts whilst in these challenging circumstances has to be commended. Undertaking Arts activities provides us with opportunities to take ‘screen breaks,’ and observe both the real world and the inner world workings. This is amazing for mindfulness and with this in mind, we encourage all of you to continue to find opportunities to express yourselves creatively and skillfully, when you feel you can, over the summer break. I know I plan to do so.

All the very best!

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Year 11 Virtual Exhibition Ross Corker, Curriculum Leader for Art

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ue to the school closure this term unfortunately we were not able to have a final show of Artwork for our Year 11 students in the Exhibition Hall. But at Bangkok Patana School we don’t let something like that get in the way of celebrating our students’ hard work and achievements. Therefore I welcome you to explore our online GCSE Art Exhibition 2021. This show celebrates the hard work, creativity and achievement of all of our Art and Design students.

The students had the option to study one of three path-

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ways, Fine Art, Graphic Communication or Photography and Lens Based Media. Therefore, on show is a broad range of artistic styles and outcomes. Despite the challenges of the last few years, our students have been outstanding in their commitment to their development as young artists. This has led to a visually rich show, which includes a wide range of media and themes - sensitively observing the social, cultural and political times we are living in. Thank you to everyone for their contributions in putting together such a wonderful exhibition.

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A Passionate Performance Across the Arts O Christopher Ferne, Head of Arts Faculty

ccasionally we are lucky enough to encounter a student for whom a genuine love and an understanding of the Arts is embedded in their character. A passion that renders all of the Arts inextricable. For them, distinctions that define Arts subjects seem to disappear it’s all a platform for expression! Alexander Coke Smith deserves a special mention for truly living the Arts and providing us with so many unforgettable performances across Art, Music and Drama whilst at Bangkok Patana School.

Reflections from Ross Corker, Curriculum Leader for Art I first worked with Coke when he signed up to the ‘Miniature Worlds’ Elective. Instantly, his passion for drawing, making things and temple architecture was clear to see.

Using photographs and secondary images, Coke went on to create a miniature version of the Angkor Wat temple site in Cambodia - all inside a wooden box about the size of a shoe box. Looking back now, this is where the flame (or what his father described to me as the obsession!) was lit and Coke began making more and more miniature models of temples and Thai architecture.

During Year 12, Coke took his interest in Thai temple architecture, and its influences further, by using it as the starting point to an Extended Essay in Visual Arts. Coke went on to produce a personal, engaging and informative piece of writing which truly expressed his knowledge and understanding.

All of this subsequently led to the creation of what can only be described as a spectacular three-dimensional model city of old Bangkok. Coke’s own description of his work reads as follows: “Old Bangkok displayed throughout time as a series of small scale handmade models, showcasing the time period 1782-2009. My inspiration behind the work is old photographs and maps that show the same, and yet somewhat different, city than today. My art is created with card, toothpicks and whatever else I find lying around.” Built in stages over time, with phenomenal attention to detail, Coke brought old Bangkok back to life in all its glory. Despite not studying on the IB Visual Arts course, Coke’s passion for making things led to an invitation to exhibit his work at the final IB Exhibition as a guest artist. His show was extremely well received by the audience and allowed Coke to further share his interests and artistic ability.

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LAURA MACRITCHIE, CURRICULUM LEADER FOR MUSIC

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oke has been a strong advocate for the Music department throughout his time at Bangkok Patana.

He started out as a member of the Key Stage 3 Vocal Ensemble. This singing experience led him to become a committed member of the Senior Choir and Chamber Choir. Coke is a true showman and always catches the audience's eye; his unique gestures and expressions in his performances will be missed.

Coke has been a constant presence in the Music department, has formed multiple bands and has given many memorable performances at Patana Plugged over the years. In addition, he has embraced many guest performances with the Patana Big Band and Patana Jazz Ensemble and has been known for some unique solos at Patana Jazz and Blues. Coke has a real passion for Music and his stage presence has attracted many audience members over the years. The Secondary Music Team wishes you well and hope you will continue to make and enjoy music.

KATIE MEADOWS, SECONDARY TEACHER OF DRAMA

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heatre director, Julie Taymore, talks about the idea of an ideograph, she says, “If I were to boil it down (the subject), what would be the one image that I could hang my hat on?”If I were to apply this to Coke, it would be a heart, representing his passion and energy for theatre. Coke’s passion for expressing himself creatively comes through in all his work. Always at the core of this passion is the love he has for his cultural background.

I remember when Coke was working on his Solo performance. I would walk into my classroom to the soundtrack of classical music, the studio lights dimmed with a spotlight, precisely placed on his set and Coke trying to master the physicality of an ape, completely focused and in-role. His drive and commitment never cease to amaze me. Coke is already an artist in his own right. He is not afraid to take risks and have his voice heard. I wouldn’t be surprised if, sometime in the future, Coke will be touring his one man show, completely infused by all the arts disciplines and underpinned by a labour of love.

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Visual Arts Awards 2021

Ross Corker, Curriculum Leader for Art TAHILIA CONSTANT

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ahilia Constant has made outstanding progress in Visual Arts during her time at Bangkok Patana and I am very pleased to celebrate her achievements by announcing that she has received the ‘Visual Arts Award 2021’. Tahilia’s achievements in Visual Arts culminated in an inspiring final show earlier in the year, at the IB Exhibition. Her work covered a broad range of themes, media and techniques - with stand out pieces including a series of found wooden figures, distressed with fire and painted meticulously, using an Aboriginal Australian dot painting technique. Another piece focussed on the stunning headdresses worn by the tribespeople of Northern Thailand, created in silk paints and incorporating a striking gold background. Additionally, Tahilia’s ability to work with materials in a way that really accentuates their individual aesthetic quality and beauty, really highlights her originality and diverse methods.

Tahilia commented on her own work by saying: “It captures facets of my life where each art piece is inspired by something that resonated with me. I explore the themes of Identity and the Environment and through the use of a range of media, I show a personal connection to the subjects that I have selected.”

Prior to IB Visual Arts, Tahilia studied the GCSE Fine Art course, which is where she developed her understanding of the creative process and her technical skills. She explored personal themes, leading to the creation of bold and contemporary figure paintings on canvas.

Earlier in her time at Bangkok Patana, Tahilia was the Year 7 Residential T-shirt competition winner for 7M. Mrs McGuire, who was her tutor at the time, could already see her artistic potential at an early age. Later on in Secondary school, Tahilia entered a prestigious whole school competition to create designs for a mural in the Arts Centre, to celebrate Bangkok Patana School’s 60th Anniversary. Along with a more senior student at the time, Tahilia’s work was chosen as a winning design and her ideas were incorporated into the final mural which we all love to see so much as we enter the Arts Centre.

I am pleased to share that Tahilia’s artistic journey will continue after Patana as she has been offered a place at the Royal Academy of Art, The Hague. Congratulations Tahilia and we wish you all the best for your artistic endeavours in the future.

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Visual Arts Awards 2021

Christopher Ferne, Head of Arts Faculty

YING CHI KU Christopher Ferne, Head of Arts Faculty am delighted to announce Ying Chi as a ‘Visual Arts Award 2021’ winner. I have had the privilege of teaching Ying Chi for the past five years, this includes the duration of her HL IB Visual Arts course and prior to this her GCSE Graphic Communication course as well as a year of Key Stage 3 Art! Ying Chi has always been diligent, thoughtful and attentive and her sensitive art making style is evidence of this approach. Ying Chi brings great care to her work both practically and conceptually. She likes nothing more than creating intricate drawings, refined to meticulous detail. However, it has been in the last couple of years during her IB Visual Arts course that Ying Chi has really challenged herself and stepped outside her comfort zone, quite literally into the streets of the Khlong Toei slum!

Why? Because an initial fascination with cityscapes and architecture led her to a passion for artistically investigating the polarity of communities within an urban environment such as Bangkok.

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of the train reflects our continuous ignorance as we fail to look beyond our daily routine to wider communities. his is perfect as a digital drawing displayed on a LED TV as it gives the impression of something you would see displayed as an advert on the BTS platform or inside a mall.

Cyclical City also features as this year’s Yearbook cover. Ying Chi described this ‘form following function,’ approach best herself when talking about her scale model of the Khlong Toei slums, “I would like the audience to physically interact with my pieces. Placing the Klong Toei slum model near the floor encourages viewers to lower themselves and move beyond their regular physical envelope.

This mirrors the strides one must take outside their comfort zone to acknowledge those beyond their immediate community, as well as the power an audience member may hold in society.” Ying Chi’s impressive firsthand research, careful planning and openness to explore materials purposefully resulted in a very coherent Art show collection both rich in visual variety and coherent in message with Ying Chi really cares about the ideas she communicates Ying-Chi’s sensitivity underpinning all of it! artistically. She recorded the personality and atmosphere of the Khlong Toei slums with attention to detail coupled Ying Chi’s love for the arts extended beyond the classwith empathy for her subject, the community. This care and room and she was always looking for opportunities to use sensitivity was present in each piece of work she devel- her creative skills. She enrolled herself on a ten-week Haroped for her final collection. Perhaps most impressively is vard University Architecture course - Architectural Imagihow she challenged herself practically, she really did let nation. She designed impressive large scale props for the go of the safety provided by working on a small scale and Star Wars Christmas Assembly. She is a talented musician challenged herself by exploring larger and more expres- and over the last couple of years she has played bass sive ways of working across a breadth of media, including in a student band called ‘LaSalle,’ regularly performing painting, drawing directly with pen, model construction at school concerts including Patana Jazz and Blues and and casting, photography and digital painting.

Patana Plugged. She was also a member of Playing for Change which saw her performing Music on a monthly Ying Chi’s artwork is conceptually based and so for basis with her band at refugee clinics. each new piece created for her collection she selected materials that would best deliver her desired message with It has been both impressive and a pleasure to witness impact. For example her Cyclical city piece exploring ide- Ying Chi’s development whilst at Bangkok Patana School as of wealth disparity, especially in urban Bangkok where and I wish her all the very best for the exciting journey she growth is exponential. As commercial buildings emerge, is about to embark on as a student on the Architecture traditional dwellings are forgotten. The endless revolution Degree course at Manchester University.

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Music Awards 2021 Bangkok Patana Music Department

For all the Music Awards performances, video clips and sound, please access the Google Folder here

Choir AUDRY SHELFORD

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udry has been a dedicated member of the Senior and Chamber Choir for five years. She is a passionate vocal leader and always strives for the ensembles to sound their best. Audry often takes initiative in rehearsals by helping her section and revising parts that are challenging. She has a great ear for part singing and is a positive member of the ensemble. Audry we wish you the best of luck next year and will miss singing with you!

Jazz KENTARO KAWAKITA

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entaro is a member of the Patana Big Band. He is reliable, resilient and always comes prepared to play. He exemplifies what it means to be an ensemble player: dedicated, responsible, mindful, determined. In addition to his skills as a team player, his solo trombone performance of Charade with the Patana Big Band this past April captured the true essence of the piece and one might say that he actually exceeded his potential!

Congratulations Kentaro!

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Orchestra RADA (SAMMY) ANURAS

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fter being an active member of the Patana Orchestra for several years, Sammy stepped in as the principal violinist of the ensemble in the second term of this year.

She showed dedication and commitment from the first day of being in the position. She continues to be a role model for all orchestra members by being prepared and active at all times. Sammy is featured in the Orchestra’s home video of Bizet’s Carmen, showcasing deep knowledge and understanding of, and great passion for music.

CHAMBER CHOIR PERFORM IN THE LOUNGE

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Musician of the Year WEI-HSUAN (CHEYENNE]) LU

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heyenne is the principal cellist of the Patana Orchestra. She regularly leads section rehearsals and plays the solo parts of the orchestral pieces. She is the cellist of the Patana String Quartet as well. Being a talented musician, a diligent student, a great cellist and a kind person, she continues to be extremely helpful to her teachers and peers alike.

Cheyenne’s IGCSE compositions and performance received extremely high marks. Although they will not be offering Top in Thailand or World this year, she would have been a strong candidate.

Her theme and variation composition demonstrated skillful weaving of ideas developing her theme in several movements. She performs with great maturity on piano and cello. She placed 3rd in the Trinity piano competition, completed her Advanced Certificate and ATCL and plans on taking LTCL in the future.

PATANA ORCHESTRA AT HOME

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Musician of the Year KAVIN RUANGLERTBUTR

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avin has been an active member of the music department. He has been involved in many student led bands, been a committed member of Jazz Ensemble and strong IB candidate.

Kavin’s most notable performance in the Patana Jazz Ensemble was Perfidia where he played an intricate guitar solo. It was very challenging for Kavin but he persevered and performed it very well. He is very observant, listens, calculates and comes back to the next rehearsal trying his best.

Kavin’s music technology work for IB is outstanding. Again, his reflective process allows him to consider his work and take it forward. Kavin pushed himself outside his comfort zone when he performed and composed on Logic Pro. He was able to discuss his creative choices on a regular basis but also took feedback on board and found different ways to communicate his music.

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Drama Award 2021 Nita Dewse, Curriculum Leader Drama HENRY BROSNAHAN

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here are some students you know are likely to win the ‘Drama Award’ about three years in advance because they are so committed and passionate and invested in theatre both in the classroom and out from a young age. Henry is one of those students. He has studied Drama and Theatre at both IGCSE and IB Levels, has been in practically every musical and dramatic production available to students throughout his time in Secondary (not to mention numerous performances with Senior and Chamber Choir), he has attended ISTA events and theatre trips as both a student and intern Ensemble Leader and has been a member of the Student Arts Council for the last two years, holding the title of president for the last year.

Even before the Arts Council existed, you could rely on Henry to pop by the office and ask if there was anything he could do to help; onstage, backstage or front of house – Henry was always nearby to lend a hand. Although we have not been able to do any productions in the last year and the curriculum has been more limited in its offerings of artists in residence and suchlike, Henry continues to reap the most out of opportunities that are given; he always challenges his own comfort zone constantly exploring a wide range of theatre, as he did with his solo performance where he studied Japanese theatre theorists - Tatsumi Hijikata and Kazuo Ohno’s contemporary theatre Dance practice – Butoh. His piece was incredibly mature and thought provoking and many students and adults that watched his performance came away talking about his commitment and energy as an actor.

Although Henry has already returned to New Zealand, where he is hoping to study a double degree in Theatre and Literature at Victoria University in Wellington, I would like to send him this virtual round of applause from the Drama department and Arts Faculty at Bangkok Patana. Thank you for all your help and enthusiasm over the years. I look forward to hearing how your artistic journey continues.

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Celebrating IB Music - Class of 2021

Laura MacRitchie, Curriculum Leader Music

Sophie West: Voice - Member of Senior Choir, Chamber Choir, Jazz Ensemble, Soloist.

Notable Performance: Can’t Sleep Love Chamber Performance Reason for Celebration: Strong vocalist, inspirational vocal leader in choirs, Aryan Malik: Alto Sax, Tenor Sax - Member of Big Band, Jazz Ensemble Notable Performance: Cabaret Band.

Reason for Celebration: Passionate about discovering new music and is able to analyse to a high level.

Kavin Ruanglertbutr: Music Tech - Member of Bass Gtr, Elec Gtr, Big Band, Jazz Ensemble Notable Performance/Work: Exceptional Music technology coursework, Perfidia-Apri 2021 jazz performances.

Reason for Celebration: Perfidia - required technique that Kavin didn’t have at the time. He worked very hard to play that part.

Raphael Ayrle: Voice, Piano - Member of Senior Choir, Chamber Choir, Jazz Ensemble Notable Performance: Silent Night Christmas Assembly Reason for Celebration: Developed as a strong bass soloist and has been a foundation of the choirs!

Tharit Siamwalla: DK, Guitar - Member of Jazz Ensemble, Big Band Notable performances: (1)Sir Duke, Thai jazz song and (2)Kiss me in the morning, Jazz and Blues last year 2020, jazz performances in April 2021 Reason for Celebration: Great team player - strives to achieve his best and takes great pride in his work with the Jazz Ensemble.

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Meet the Arts Council Arts Council members

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he Arts Council is a student lead team that has worked with the Arts Faculty for the past three years. We work on promoting the amazing art events that take place at Bangkok Patana throughout the year. These have included music concerts, art exhibitions and theatre performances. We are all passionate about the arts and are continually working together to raise awareness of the Arts at Patana. The Arts Council hosts a regular page in the Patana News where Secondary students are invited to show or talk about their current work and experiences within the arts. Below are our members and a small introduction about themselves.

“I am passionate about the arts and have enjoyed participating in many of the events including choir and theatrical performances.

As an IB visual arts student I am currently working on sketches and paintings exploring self expression and movement in relation to my theme of mental health” - Gemma Verde, Year 12

“The Arts have played a huge role throughout my school years as I have been participating in dance showcases and plays in my previous schools as well as at Patana. I took IGCSE Drama and Photography and I hope to continue being an active participant in upcoming Art events in the future, as I continue my journey into IB. I believe the Arts are a great medium of self-expression and communication. As a member of the Student Arts Council, I want to showcase the amazing talent in our school and to raise awareness of the power of the Arts whether that is a painting, a piece of music or drama performance” - Reem Omair, Year 11

“I have studied drama in IGCSE and IB and have been doing a range of artistic hobbies while being cooped up at home. The arts have always been there for me, especially during these harsh times. It has given me a way to express myself and seek enjoyment. I am absolutely passionate about the arts and strive to spread this passion and joy to others through the Arts Council.” - Angela Braun, Year 12

“Acting has always been a passion of mine throughout my school life. It takes me out of my comfort zone and it is an activity I really enjoy” - Max Masson, Year 11

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“I study both Drama and Art. I do also enjoy getting involved with music outside of school” - Tisha Hannaford, Year 10

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“I enjoy all aspects of the arts, from performing to enjoying how shows and performances are brought to life. I joined the Arts council this year in hope of being able to further promote the arts at Patana. I participated in the musical Shrek in Year 6 and since then, have participated in Patana United in Year 7”- Gracie Minchin, Year 9

“Ever since I was a child, two of my greatest passions so far in life have been traveling and art. My parents have always liked travelling to different parts of the world, growing up I developed a passion for traveling and an interest in art, music, dance, drama, painting, sketching, sculpting, photography, poetry and even writing stories.

Art is an exhilarating experience for me. I do these things partly because it’s fun and entertaining but also because it encourages me to express myselfand make sense of my emotions. Art helps to connect to with yourself and is the best medium of self expression” - Ashvika Bansal, Year 8 We unfortunately have had to say goodbye to some of our founding members. Below are some of our leavers’ highlights’ from being a part of the Arts Council: “I have loved being a part of the Arts Council not only for the friendships it has given me, but also because it has given me the opportunity to raise the profile of the Arts at Patana. It has been a pleasure meeting so many young artists and hearing about their passions; I hope we have encouraged even more students to get involved in the Arts”Henry Brosnahan, Year 13

“Overall, my experience with the Arts Council has been amazing, even though I would’ve preferred to stay until the end of Year 13. I have always enjoyed the meetings at lunch and all the members cooperating and helping each other by suggesting different ideas and perspectives. I also enjoyed helping out at events, such as the Arts Exhibition or at concerts, since I get to watch as well as help out. The main highlight of my time with the Arts Council would be meeting and getting closer to all the team members, as everyone has a different strength within the arts, therefore making everyone unique and fun to be around” - Anantara Gibson, Year 11

“Being a part of the Arts Council team was an enjoyable and rewarding experience. I was given the opportunity to work alongside some of my fellow peers who were all also involved in the many arts here at Patana. One of my many highlights would definitely be organising the concerts with the team, such as Patana Unplugged and Plugged, as well as being able to MC for the event”- Kianna Crane, Year 10

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ARTS COUNCIL

Reflecting on the Arts at Bangkok Patana Sophie West, Class of 2021

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hroughout my time at Bangkok Patana, the majority of it was spent within the walls of the arts centre. The arts at Patana has played a major role in my life, especially my childhood. You would always find me singing, dancing or directing some sort of production, whether that be dressing up at home or bossing around my young friends in Foundation Stage. As a very enthusiastic and creative person, I love how many opportunities I have been given to meet new people, such as professionals and other students with the same passions. As well as performing in a variety of different shows from Year 1 to 13 and learning new information in so many diverse areas. After recently graduating, I regularly reminisce on the many wonderful memories it holds. Throughout the two years of learning IB, I struggled as an individual and I'm so glad I had teachers, students and friends supporting and helping me through any highs and lows. I cannot thank those people enough. I can see how much I have grown as an individual and as a team player and cannot wait to use the skills I have been taught to progress more in the future.

out in a crowd and you should use them to your advantage.

If you have ever thought about joining a school musical, play or extra-curricular within the Arts, I strongly suggest doing so. If you are nervous about it, just know that everyone is accepting and that everyone makes mistakes. You will make new friends and hopefully find a new undiscovered passion. It's sad to see that my time at Bangkok Patana is over but I'm excited for what the future brings for theatre and music. You can be sure I will be visiting as an alum in the near future so I can come and watch more musicals, plays and concerts.

When answering the question "Why are the arts so important to you?" Many reasons come to mind. Firstly, art comes in a variety of different formats making it so diverse and accessible to many audiences. Art allows for multiple perspectives and opinions which can generate interesting discussions and conversations. Secondly, if I were to describe in one word how I have experienced theatre at Patana, I would say “family”. A fond memory of theatre and the Arts Centre was watching my older cousins perform in the “big” school productions. They were an inspiration to me and were the reason why I was so eager to do drama in Secondary school. From participating in almost all the school musicals and plays, I have found a group of people who I consider my “drama family”. I enjoyed being able to act and have fun in a safe space, which felt free of judgment and reminded me of how I spend time with my own family. If I have learnt anything from theatre, it's that being unique and having different strengths to one another makes a group or individual more outstanding.

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Gaining Confidence Through Music Kirsten Shelford, 9M love music. I listen to all genres of music and in Year 7 I joined the choir. Singing was something I have always loved to do and listening to my sister sing never failed to bring my mood up. I loved singing so much that I decided that I would join the senior choir and I think it is one of the best choices I have ever made.

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my confidence and I never thought I could have that much fun in my life. Before joining choir, I was always quiet and not confident, but choir changed that for me, and I have never been happier.

One of my biggest inspirations is my sister. My sister has always been a great singer and she is one of the reasons I have been in the Senior Choir for one year and it has that I joined choir. I have always looked up to her and been the best experience ever. Walking into the music whenever I watch her perform it makes me want to work room and picking up new pieces of music just reminded harder like she has. She has been there for me and helped me that choir is not only about singing, but also about en- when I was struggling, and I am very thankful for her. joying it and making new friends. I think that music is imMusic is the greatest. All the years I have done music portant because it raises my mood, gets me excited, or it makes me calm and relaxed. It makes me feel emotions have been the greatest and I will be continuing it and I that I thought I would never feel and that is what I love hope that many people start thinking about joining choir so much about it. I would really recommend taking choir too. I hope the new Year 7’s will think of joining choir bebecause it does not matter if you sing or not, you can have cause Ms MacRitchie has been one of the best teachers I have ever had, and she has taught me so much and bereally good fun and that is why it is so great. cause of her I have improved my skills so much.

Throughout the years I have been in choir, I have done many performances like BICF (Bangkok International Choral Festival), Christmas concerts and many others. After doing all these performances I realised that it boosted

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Lessons from the Euros Cindy Adair, Cross Campus Assistant Principal Sports and ECAs

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ootball fans will be aware this week marks the start of the Euros 2021. This competition is sure to deliver highs and lows, triumphs and defeats and is a lovely distraction from the pandemic. No-one expected however, the dramatic collapse of Danish mid-fielder Christian Eriksen during pool play in Group B. The fit, young, professional player suffered a cardiac arrest during the game. What followed has produced some iconic images shared all around the world. The Danish Captain Simon Kjaer is rightly being hailed as a hero for his quick actions as a first responder, he secured his team-mates airway and called for medical assistance, then assembled his team to form a protective shield around the player to give him some semblance of privacy whilst being treated. The medical team performed CPR and administered an AED (Automated External Defibrillation) very quickly and thankfully after only one round Eriksen came around and was swiftly taken off the field for further assessment by a cardiologist. When play resumed the Danish looked shaken (as to be expected) and even as Finland, their opponents, scored the winning goal they respectfully refrained from celebrating.

So what lessons can we take from this extraordinary incident?

• Everyone should learn first aid, the quick actions of Kjaer, no doubt had a hand in saving Eriksen. All BPS Teachers undertake either EFR and/or Lifesaving training which includes how to administer CPR and an AED. In Primary, students are introduced to CPR during their annual Water Safety Week and again in Y6 when they study the Cardio Vascular system. In Secondary, students are exposed to First Aid and CPR training as part of their tutorial programme and also PE. • Time is of the essence, the chain of survival suggests early recognition, early CPR, early defibrillation and finally, early expert post resuscitation care are the key factors in survival or a patient.

• AED’s save lives, did you know Patana has three AEDS – these are available for use in an emergency by any community member. They are stored at the Sports Complex, Secondary Nurses Office and Sports Hall. The AED is a portable device that delivers a electric current to re-start the heart and it operates by omitting clear and simple audio instructions that anyone can follow, even if untrained.

•

A great Captain stays calm under pressure puts the needs of their team first

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We all love to win but being humble in victory, is an appropriate response in some situations

We wish Christian a speedy recovery.

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UNI COUNSELORS’ CORNER University Offers

Manya Mittal

University of Toronto, University of California Los Angeles, University of California San Diego, Purdue University, University of British Columbia and McGill University.

Computer Science

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was attracted to the University of Toronto due to its renowned Computer Science programme. The University of Toronto will give me access to excellent facilities and experienced professors that will undoubtedly prepare me well for my future. At the University of Toronto, I will have unparalleled opportunities to work for leading tech companies that will enable me to have an impact on the world. I am excited to live in Toronto and explore its vibrant city life, as well as meeting new people from UofT’s diverse student body.

My interest in Computer Science stemmed from observing the transformation that technology has caused to everything around me. It fascinates me how progression in computer science is moving us towards a more digitised lifestyle. I aspire to be a part of this revolution and lead technological change in the future. I hope to use my problem-solving and programming skills to express my creativity and solve the challenges that I encounter.

At Bangkok Patana, I was one of the Secretaries General for the Model United Nations where I ran the after-school club as well as organising multiple conferences with the rest of the secretariat. I was also Co-President of RISE, a student-led club that aims to improve the well-being of children in the slums of Bangkok. As a co-Leader of Patana Development Bank, I also organised the Techathon, a coding competition, in which we used the funds to make micro-finance loans to families in Kenya and Tajikistan.

In the Spotlight...

University College Birmingham, UK

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niversity College Birmingham is well-known for its specialist programmes, offering career focused education and training. The school specialises in vocational programmes in specialist fields at a wide range of levels, from apprenticeships to post-graduation. The Enterprise Hive at UCB supports students in their entrepreneurial ambitions. In addition to regular classes, the Hive offers workshops delivered by experienced professionals and tailored mentoring and networking opportunities. With an international focus the school delivers specialist courses to 900 overseas students from 65 countries.

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Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Reflections

Kieran Clarke, Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Leader his year’s Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award (DofE) cohort has been simply amazing. To continue with their Award despite the numerous, and at times, seemingly insurmountable challenges, is a real testament to their commitment to self-improvement and willingness to help those in their local community. Whether it was macro projects like eliminating world hunger or helping an elderly neighbour with their shopping, their contributions to others are sincere and the benefits have been felt by many.

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HRH Prince Philip was a champion of the infinite potential of young people and a pioneer in non-formal education and learning. As we mark his 100th year, the Award family is determined to ensure that The Duke’s vision can continue and grow for many years to come. HRH Prince Philip would have been very proud of Bangkok Patana DofE participants’ accomplishments achieved through the DofE program.

To read about the experiences of this year’s DofE Bronze and Silver participants please click here.

Congratulations to the following students that have achieved their Bronze and Silver Award and to those Bronze students who have nearly finished their Bronze Award.

BRONZE Sirikorn (Jin) Dansiri Senna Lertpisitkul You Wei (Terry) Lu Aprillia Mitchell Krishaan (Krish) Phlaphongphanich Celina Sidgwick Si Chao Xiong Yiting (Freya) Yao Tanat (Johnny) Tungsubutra Nicolas Zimmerman Pia Kapur Erin Richards

Rinrada (Gina) Suksatit Natalie Hoglund Alison Chang Isaac Goh Sharnipa Tantiponganant Kaitlyn (Katie)Cheng Ayesha Sachdev Ari Kim Zara Pedersen Carly Schlaeppi Winston Fan Natalie James

Elyse Hawson Kris (Punn) Pakdeejit Jack Zimmerman Sarah Gannicott Phisira (Paengrum) Chatchupong Marwin Banluelap Ed Smith Gaia Bruno Haruna Kitabatake Linzhi (Lily) Xiao Niamh Sehmar

SILVER Alyssa Arkotxa Lakha Arnav Baliga Evelyn Cannon Sophie Charpentier Kamolnisa (Gao) Kamalanavin Kentaro Kawakita Kylie Kim Yu Ling (Nicole) Lu Shrish Mahesh Olivia Millard

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Emiri Miyake Luanne Poh Meja Stalberg Tund Theerawit Kazuma Uji Kirsten Winyard Wang (Hubert) Bo Jun Praewa Mollison Hansae Ryu Jian-Siang (Shawn) Chen

Bangkok Patana School News

Torrance Semple Matthew Broadbent Wei-Hsuan (Cheyenne) Lu Stuti Rawat Lauren Lim Runrad (Honeymay) Pathomsak Aadit Kumar Meadow Armiger Polly Nevin

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STUDENTS SPEAK Examining Cryptocurrency Profiles Yizhen (Tina) Kong, 12T, Patrick Ledoit, 12G and Yibo (Bobby) Zhao, 12C

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s the world enters the 21st century, the effectiveness of traditional financial systems is being reassessed.

The first cryptocurrency emerged when Satoshi Nakamoto invented the Bitcoin in 2009, a decentralised digital currencywith a fixed money supply that enables peer-topeer transactions to take place without the need of intermediaries. The Bitcoin rose steadily despite fluctuations in 2014 and 2015; yet, it was not until 2017 that it surpassed $1,000. 2017 saw Bitcoin lead an unprecedented and the longest rally by cryptocurrencies to date. (CoinDesk, 2020) Its price soared from $5,000 in October 2017, peaking at $19,783 on December 17th 2017. However, five days later, it experienced a plunge of 45%, that of which continued throughout 2018.

Contrasting them, we see that the exchange rate between two national currencies EUR-USD is less volatile than the BTC-USD. This can be explained by the difference in nature of the two types of currencies, with cryptocurrencies being decentralised and the national currencies often being intervened by their respective governments.

Regardless, it is wise to question the contribution and volatile performance of this new device as technology continues to advance, and cryptocurrency gains traction with more people.

In 2008 the financial crisis struck, causing halts to major global economies, skyrocketing unemployment rates and tamping down stock values; once a dominant financial institution Lehman Brothers went bankrupt. The aftermath of this recession brought light to the instability of our modern banking systems, and one year later, the first ever digital currency - Bitcoin - was launched. Although there seems to be strong links between the financial crisis and this groundbreaking invention, whether one did cause the other is unclear. Nevertheless, as Professor David Yermack of New York University put it during an interview with Marketwatch, the “timing of its launch could only have helped attract users.” (Hankin, 2018)

Having lost more than 80% of its market value since the December spike, Bitcoin stood at less than $3,500 in November 2018; other cryptocurrencies followed suit.

According to critics, it was akin to the Tulipmania of 17th century Holland (Popper, 2019) - a bursting financial bubble. On the other hand, some see the sharp decline as a natural response to the increase; unlike the Dollar or Euro, having a fixed money supply allowed the Bitcoin to refind its price equilibrium rapidly. We elucidate this by comparing the price change of the Euro (EUR) exchanged with the Following suit, more than 2000 cryptocurrencies US Dollar (USD) to the price change of the cryptocurrenemerged over the past decade. Investments in them have cy Bitcoin (BTC) exchanged with the US Dollar (USD) in the form of two graphs shown overleaf: EUR to USD and made people affluent, but, in other cases, have wiped off their fortunes. This was especially evident after the cryptoBTC to USD. currency crash of 2018, which reminded cryptocurrency holders of the 2008 financial crisis and amplified the potential pitfalls of investing in digital peer-to-peer currency. And this is also our primary reason to carry out this research. In the volatile settings of cryptocurrencies, we understand investors’ need to reduce risk, and, hence, this is why we place heavy emphasis on exploring a multitude of cryptocurrency portfolio arrangements that would minimise the effects of a bear market.

Read the article in full and their recommendations on Scientia Magazine here.

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CAT/CAS CORNER

Student Empowered Education (SEED) Club Jiwon Woo, 12D

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tudent Empowered Education (SEED) Club is a student-led organisation formed by senior students under the umbrella of an organisation called Speaking Hub. The organisation serves as an online platform that enables Thai high school students to practice speaking English with volunteer teachers in online classes. Through this club, students will also learn about social issues and the Sustainable Development Goals.

SEED Club works towards the same goal as Speaking Hub: to improve the overall quality of education in Thailand.

The objective is to empower international school students in giving back to the community and provide students in low-income schools with better opportunities in education. We also aim to empower Thai high school students by equipping them with English speaking skills, providing them an invaluable tool in all facets of life.

Over one year, we plan on holding various activities to strive towards this objective. The activities include multiple service trips, held both online and offline, fundraising events and book donations.

Our very first fundraising event is a nationwide children's book writing competition. Commended entries will be printed and used as a English learning resource for our trips! Further details about it can be found on our poster or our website.

To join our club, simply contact Tina Kong in Year 12. Anyone in Secondary school is eligible to join us. Visit our Instagram page: @bps_seed and our website. Together we can make a difference!

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Reader’s Theatre 2021 Damon Parker, Cross Campus Teacher Librarian

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hroughout Term 3, volunteers from Year 3 and Year 4 have been practising to read a chosen book in the annual Readers' Theatre competition.

The Readers' Theatre is an event which challenges children to bring a book to life using just their voices and actions. Normally, this would take place in teams, with no props, backdrops or costumes allowed; even the original book is only used for reference. The event would then culminate in a celebratory event, to an audience in the school theatre with winners declared in each yYar group.

This year, due to school closures, we relaxed the rules a little to allow for easier participation.

As the school campus remained closed we chose to move this years' competition online. This has created challenges for our teams, but they have persevered and managed to develop some fabulous recreations of the various stories.

This year, we have decided to celebrate all of our finalists through recorded Teams meetings. We invite you to enjoy the different retellings through this collection of videos and help us congratulate each of the teams for their outstanding efforts.

You can watch all of the Year 3 videos here and the Year 4 videos here on YouTube. Click on the link in each finalist to view the individual video or enjoy one from Year 3 and one from Year 4 one the next page.

YEAR 3 FINALISTS Edward and Tong Tong from 3A read Not Now, Bernard by David McKee Joohwan and Joshua from 3H read Oi Dog! by Kes & Claire Gray and Jim Field Sia, Anika, Hei Hei and Kiko from 3H read The Very Sleepy Bear by Nick Bland Abigail and Melon from 3L read Oi Dog! by Kes & Claire Gray and Jim Field Nicha and Ella from 3L read Not Now, Bernard by David McKee Fira and Qiqi from 3L read The Very Sleepy Bear by Nick Bland Tam, Audrey and Athena from 3W read Not Now, Bernard by David McKee Tia and Elise from 3W read Not Now, Bernard by David McKee

YEAR 4 FINALISTS Arya from 4C read The Thing by Simon Puttock and Daniel Egnéus Hugo, Liam and Kaiden from 4C read Morris Mole by Dan Yaccarino Aria, Taisuke, Win and Ying Ying from 4K read Lucie Goose by Danny Baker and Pippa Curnick Arlyn, Ava and Eva from 4T read Poo Bum by Stephanie Blake Chloe Rosa and Chloe from 4T read The Thing by Simon Puttock and Daniel Egnéus

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THANKS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Each year, the Readers' Theatre is only possible because of the commitment of teachers who give up their time to mentor the groups of readers. For this, we would like to thank Ms Tanya Peake-Hutchins, Mr Max Dunn, Mr M (Stephen Murgatroyd) and Mr Damon Parker.

This year particularly, the support, encouragement and YEAR 3

help, technically, from parents has also been essential to enable the children to be successful. For this, we would like to acknowledge all of the stellar efforts of parents who found themselves involved; thank you.

Finally, this event would not be possible without the outstanding efforts of children who join together to create such wonderful performances. Thank you to all of the children involved.

YEAR 4

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#189: Microsoft Lists

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ho doesn’t like to make a list and tick the items off? How about a Microsoft lists? Never heard of it? Well, neither had I until last week. It's a work management and tracking tool that allows you to structure, visualise and share data across the life cycle and status/ownership of your project. Microsoft created lists to compete with products like monday.com and Airtable. It’s an evolution of sharepoint lists so it's designed to make people already using sharepoint lists even more productive. If you’re not familiar with sharepoint lists, then it doesn’t really matter. A list is a table of data similar to a spreadsheet. Some examples of how you might use MS lists include: • to create an issue tracker to track the progress of an issue across its entire life cycle • to create an event itinerary for a conference to track who is speaking when and in what room • to create an asset tracker so you can track who is assigned a particular piece of hardware, what the repair status is and the check-in/out status.

• Lists is a new app in the Microsoft 365 launcher and it integrates with MS Teams and other 365 applications. There's currently an iOS app for lists and the big M are in the process of developing an app for Android.

Enjoy your weekend.

Brian Taylor Assistant Principal, Campus Curriculum Technology Integration

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Desert Island Discs With Glenn Malcolm, Primary ICT Teacher

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his column follows in the style of the famed BBC podcast which features a celebrity every week – here we feature our own Bangkok Patana celebrities! What eight songs, one luxury item and one book would you take with you if you were stuck on a desert island?

Today Glenn Malcolm, Primary ICT Teacher is stuck on a desert island.

MR MALCOLM, IF YOU WERE STUCK ON A DESERT ISLAND WHAT EIGHT PIECES OF MUSIC WOULD YOU WANT TO HAVE WITH YOU? Music for Chameleons – Gary Numan Plush – Stone Temple Pilots Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes – Paul Simon Thunder Kiss – White Zombie Walk Like a Panther – The All Seeing I Listen to Mr Malcolm’s playlist here

The People – The Music The Boy with the Bubblegun – Tom McRae Love is the Law – The Seahorses

PICK ONE LUXURY ITEM YOU WOULD WANT TO HAVE WITH YOU. THIS ITEM MUST BE INANIMATE AND OF NO USE IN ESCAPING THE ISLAND OR ALLOWING COMMUNICATION FROM OUTSIDE. The Guggenheim Museum WHICH ONE BOOK WOULD YOU WANT TO HAVE WITH YOU? The Waste Land by TS Eliot Catch the real Desert Island Discs on BBC. Now that you are stuck at home, what are you listening to? Have a list of your own? Let us know! Contact SHKN with your favourites.

Check out special offers for the Patana Community here

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Wildlife Spotting with Coke Have a Whale of a Great Summer!

WHALE-WATCHING IN THE GULF Alexander Coke Smith, Environmental Sciences and Systems Leader

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ime for a final edition of Wildlife Watching with Coke this academic year! I am highlighting a wildlife activity that is not unfamiliar to many here in the Bangkok Patana Family – the famous whale-watching that can be had off our coastline.

As many of you know, there is a local species of whale that resides in the upper Gulf of Siam. The Eden’s Whale (Balaenoptera edeni), as it is currently named, is a relatively new species to science. Previously called the ‘Bryde Whale’, these whales have been a part of the Gulf ecosystem for tens of thousands of years. Their remains have been found hundreds of kilometres north in to the upper reaches of the Chao Praya River Basin when sea levels were much different than they are today.

Currently there are over 200 leviathans living in our immediate vicinity and they can be seen with a fair amount of success from boats that go out regularly to spot them. Watching these 15-meter mammals gently swim through their waters pursuing anchovies and other species of small fish is an experience everyone should have. However, what is unique about this population is that our local Eden’s can be seen “trap feeding” on a fairly regular basis. Trap feeding is a very rare feeding strategy where by the whale uses it’s fluke to maintain a fairly static buoyancy to stay just about

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the surface of the water and open its massive mouth to simply allow the small fish to fall in to be trapped and then consumed. In addition, in some cases scientists believe they have observed these whales actually “standing” on the bottom of the shallow sea with their caudal fins being used like legs to perform this feeding strategy.

The cool thing is that not only whales can be seen on these boating expeditions. Just last weekend, I went out to sea searching for the whales and was very fortunate to see a small pod of one of the rarest mammals in the world – the Irrawaddy Dolphin! These playful, little cetaceans were very active that afternoon and provided us with a show we will never forget. On top of rare animals, serious birders might be lucky enough to spot extremely rare avian vagrants to our area, such as the Short-tailed Shearwater and Parasitic Jaeger, which are species that one would expect to see in Arctic and Sub-arctic waters but every year one or two make their way to the Gulf of Siam!

If you would like more information on these trips, please contact Coke Smith (cosm@patana.ac.th) and he will recommend the best guide in the business.

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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 34

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