Patana News, Vol 18 Issue 5

Patana

NEWS Communication is Key! P. 2

Bangkok Patana is an IB World School, accredited by CIS and NEASC

The Head of School’s Letter t has been a very smooth start to Term 1 and I have been very impressed with our students’ very positive attitude to school in general.

Students are making a real effort to stick to the clear uniform guidelines and I have seen numerous examples of students supporting other students in need. I have observed quality learning taking place in all of the classrooms that I have visited. We have successfully completed our first whole school fire-drill of the year which is so important being such a large school. The new Sports/ECA four block module has started very well and Mr Balo informs me that our Patana Tiger sports friendlies have gone very well too.

I thought I would take some time this week to focus on a very important school-related topic that needs to be clarified right at the beginning of the school year. It is what I describe as “Home-School Communication”. I sometimes refer to the communication triangle having three defined points that inter-relate in both directions; the school, the students and the parents.

Healthy communication channels operate when communication is transparent between all three parties.

The research quite clearly confirms that children do best in school when parents are involved with their education. During the first weeks of the new academic year, we have numerous opportunities for parents to visit the school and learn more about their child’s programme. We want parents to be comfortable talking with their children’s teachers, and teachers want to be able to contact parents with questions, concerns and positive reports of student progress. In this day and age, we have numerous resources to help support quality home-school communication including one-to-one meetings, telephone, home-school contact books and 3-Way Conferences in Primary and of course email. My advice to parents is to try and use a balance of each of the communication resources available rather than relying

on just one form. If it is quick response data sharing, I find email works very well. However if emotions are involved in any shape or form, the use of telephone or one to one meetings are more effective. We are fortunate to have a world class school website and our school Facebook page, which both get updated on a regular basis and are also effective communication tools.

At the beginning of every school year we normally get a lot of questions concerned with homework, particularly why schools set homework.

Homework/Home Learning is not simply busy–work assigned to keep students occupied at home. Homework and studying serve several educational needs that are imperative to receiving a complete education. Homework provides students an opportunity to develop self-discipline, positive study habits and time management skills. Children learn how to be independent and responsible. They can set homework goals and enjoy a sense of accomplishment when the goals are met. Children practice taking initiative by beginning assignments on their own and studying when necessary. Homework also closes the gap between school and home.

Learning should occur at home as well as school.

Homework tasks can be divided into three areas: Practice homework allows children to review what they covered in class.

Preparation homework helps children prepare for an activity or in-class assignment.

Extension homework includes long term assignments such as papers or

projects.

Parents also play an important role and can help students succeed with their tasks. Review homework tasks with your child and provide support and guidance, but be sure not to do the work for them. If homework tasks are unclear, communicate with the teacher and ask questions. Most importantly, parents should provide constant support and encouragement.

Demonstrate to children how important homework is by taking an interest and guiding them.

A good relationship between schools and parents starts with lucid communication links. I hope all parents will take advantage of the opportunities to build strong relationships with their children’s teachers. After all, parents are teachers too and schools cannot be successful without support from home.

One final note from me this week. I

had the pleasure to attend our first monthly PTG meeting on Wednesday.

The key objectives of these PTG meetings is for parents and senior admin to talk about the current issues at school, talk about upcoming events and seek solutions to any issues that may arise. It was a very productive meeting of PTG parents and senior management of the school and lots of good ideas were aired. As Head of School I greatly value all the good work Njah and her PTG team do for the school community.

Have a restful long weekend.

Matt Mills Head of School

By Satinee (Nina) Chatuchinda and Thanyamai (Mai Mai) Chansavangwonk he sun had not yet touched the dewy grounds of Bangkok Patana on the morning of the 12th September when 26 students and four teachers assembled together, ready to head to the beaches of Pattaya. We were taking part in the International Schools Reef Clean, which is an annual event. (Bangkok Patana also does another reef clean later in the year). This year we joined nine other international schools, and there were a total of 350 students diving or snorkelling to pick up rubbish from the ocean bottom.

By 8.00am, our buses arrived at the Mermaid’s Dive Centre and the sleepiness of the early morning that had possessed us during the car ride decided to take flight and excitement began to stir within us with each ocean wave that collided with the pier. Perhaps it was the soft music that the breeze carried or the heat of the sun radiating on our necks that energised us on the boat all the way to Koh Sak, and remained with us when we finally arrived. It lingered

whilst the divers sorted their tanks and suits, and the snorkellers with their fins and snorkels. It persisted even in the sharpest dodge from the sea urchins, the awe at the tiny schools of fish, and when picking up the slightest bit of plastic that littered the beach.

The divers delved deep into Pattaya waters with an objective to retrieve anything that looked incongruous in the underwater world, and despite the currents and poor visibility, did a terrific job working together as a team.

Bangkok Patana goes to the same area every year, hoping that this regular cleaning will slowly help

ign up for Block 2 of the ECA (Extra-curricular Activity) programme begins on Monday 21st September at noon. Please see the dates below for Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the sign up: Phase 1 Phase 2

21st -25th September 30th September to 2nd October

Block 2 ECAs begin on 9th November 2015.

the area regenerate. However, every year we continue to find many polystyrene containers, most of them likely from people who carry a packed lunch but do not take the small step of using reusable containers. Picking up this garbage, which is not biodegradable makes us more aware of the litter that we produce.

Overall, this is a wonderful event to be a part of, and on behalf of the students and staff that took part, we would love to say a big thank you to everyone at the Mermaid Dive Centre for making this possible.

The calendar for this academic year is available on the front of the school website or click here to view it.

Click here for the Canteen Menu

By Andrew Tatam, Leader of Learning, Physical Education (Reprint from Patana News Vol. 18 Issue 2) arents and students will now be aware that our Extra-curricular Activities (ECA) calendar has changed with four blocks of ECA, replacing the previous 3-Term schedule. This change will effect timings for our 2016 FOBISIA Team selection process, bringing things forward in the calendar.

The format for the Games will remain the same as last year, which means that we will be selecting ten boys and ten girls from Year 5 and ten boys and ten girls from Year 6 giving us a team of 40 students. Competitors will compete in all four sports of swimming, athletics, teeball and football across three days of competition.

For those parents and students new to Bangkok Patana or those parents who have children who may just have shown an interest in the FOBISIA Friendly Games, I hope that the following information will help in any decision making.

The Primary FOBISIA (Federation of British International Schools in Asia) Friendly Games is a sporting festival and competition for British International Schools across Asia. We select teams to represent Years 5 and 6 and Bangkok Patana is in Group A1 with other large schools from the region: Tanglin Trust, Singapore; Dulwich College, Beijing; Shrewsbury International School, Bangkok; Alice Smith and Garden International Schools from Malaysia.

The Games will take place between Wednesday 25th and Friday 27th May and will be hosted by Bangkok Patana, making it a very special year indeed.

Selection is based on a number of criteria including the overall balance of the team being selected, the chil-

dren’s performances during ECAs and various timed or measured events held during the selection process.

This is an extensive time commitment and attending all of the ECAs does not guarantee selection. This year we will make an initial selection cut after Block 2 and a final selection after Block 3, which should allow those students not selected, time to make alternative ECA selections of their choice. Please also note that the FOBISIA squad selection is final.

If children wish to be available for selection they must meet the following ECA criteria from Block 2.

Please note that there may be extended ECAs or fixtures for FOBISIA trialists and eventual team members when school transport may not be available. Parents will need to make alternative arrangements should this situation arise.

Monday: Athletics ECA (optional but recommended in preparation for Record Breakers on Sunday 7th February which all those who continuing with the selection process must attend unless a very good reason can be provided) – Parental sign up required.

Tuesday: Tee-Ball ECA (compulsory) – Automatic sign up when signing up as a FOBISIA trialist.

Wednesday: Non TigerShark FOBI-

SIA Swimming ECA for children who are not already Tiger Shark swimmers – Parental sign up required.

This is optional, but all children have to attend at least one of the two time trial galas during Block 2 and 3.

Thursday: Appropriate age group Football ECA (compulsory). If your child is involved in the Year 5/6 Aladdin Jr. rehearsals on a Thursday in Block 2 please contact me directly. – Automatic sign up when signing up as a FOBISIA trialist.

If your child fully understands the level of commitment expected, and would like to try out, you need to sign them up for the relevant Year group Girls’ or Boys’ FOBISIA Games option on the ECA sign up for Block 2 which begins on Monday 9th November.

If invited to continue trying out for our 2016 FOBISIA team after Block 2, your child must attend Monday, Tuesday and Thursday ECAs, plus a Wednesday Swimming ECA for any non-Tiger Shark swimmers in Block 3. If finally selected after Block 3 your child will need to continue with their Block 3 ECAs into Block 4.

If you have any questions regarding this years’ FOBISIA Games please do contact me at antt@patana.ac.th We certainly feel that all students benefit from the process of trying out across the four sports whether they make the final team or not so I would encourage your child to give it a go!

Good luck to all of those Year 5 and 6 risk takers out there who are willing to take up the FOBISIA challenge for 2016!

by Owen McDevitt, Head of Year 7 he first Year 7 Coffee Morning of the year was a busy event with over 100 attendees. As may be expected, a vast array of information was conveyed to parents in presentations

by Tony Berghuis, Senior Teacher for Key Stage 3 Curriculum and Assessment, Brian Taylor, the Assistant Principal for Cross-Campus Technology Curriculum Integration, Laura MacRitchie, the Head of Music, Andy Thain, the Learning to Learn Co-ordinator and Owen McDevitt, the Head of Year 7.

Lena Perriam and Scott Tooley, Head of Key Stage 3 Pastoral and Head of the Mathematics Faculty respectively, were also on hand to answer questions after the presentations. There was also an opportunity for parents to meet

the Year 7 tutors once again, as well as to mingle with other parents.

Andy Thain had everyone on their feet in a brief session that demonstrated some of the activities and skills explored within Learning to Learn; it was very entertaining to see some initially reluctant participants became zealous competitors after being grouped and issued with a task that pitted parents against parents.

All of the information from the Year 7 Coffee Morning can be found on the Firefly Year 7 Tutorial page and can be accessed via the link below: https://community.patana.ac.th/ student-welfare/year-7-tutorial/ y7-parent-communication

Calling all Australian Families Please contact our Australian representative Andrea Chaplin on ptgtigers@gmail.com to become involved in the preparation for the International Day.

Upcoming University Visits University/College

Representative

Location

Date / Time

University of California, Los Angeles University of California, Davis

2nd Floor Senior Studies 2nd floor Senior Studies

17th Sept, 12.00pm 23rd Sept, 12.15pm

2nd Floor Senior Studies

24th Sept, 12.00pm

Brandeis University Case Western Reserve University Emory University New York University University of Rochester

Connie Wu Mu Chou Abu Dhabi Campus, Charles Hornstra Beau Benson -

25th Sept, 12.00pm 25th Sept, 12.15pm 25th Sept, 12.00pm 25th Sept, 12.00pm 25th Sept, 12.00pm

American Education Exhibition

hosted by AEO Tour

2nd Floor Senior Studies 2nd Floor Senior Studies 2nd Floor Senior Studies 2nd Floor Senior Studies 2nd Floor Senior Studies Plaza Athenee Bangkok - A Royal Meridien Hotel, Ploenchit

Hawaii Pacific University Ecole H么teli猫re de Lausanne Universiteit Maastricht Massey University NZ Baylor University Ghent University Global Campus University of Southern California

Brandon Fairchild Joshua Gan Felix Schulte-Stathaus Linda Oostenrijk Garrett Peery Taewan KIM David Park

2nd Floor Senior Studies 2nd Floor Senior Studies 2nd floor Senior Studies 2nd Floor Senior Studies 2nd floor Senior Studies 2nd floor Senior Studies 2nd Floor Senior Studies

29th Sept, 12.00pm 29th Sept, 12.15pm 29th Sept, 12.15pm 30th Sept, 12.15pm 30th Sept, 12.15pm 30th Sept, 12.15pm 30th Sept, 12.15pm

New York University

26th Sept, 1.00pm

THE ROAR Produced by the Athletics Council Athlete of the week

Upcoming Fixtures

Alessandro

Monday 21st

Kho Pablo

Football – Girls’ Varsity HOME

Year: 10

Tuesday 22nd Basketball – Girls’ U13A Away

Team: Varsity Boys

Wednesday 23rd

Football

Basketball – Boys’ U15B Away

Position:

Basketball – Boys’ U13B Away

Midfielder

Football – Boys’ Varsity Away Football – Girls’ Varsity HOME

Who is your sporting icon: Andres Iniesta. This great athlete is one of the best midfielders in the world due to his intelligence on the football field. But not only is he a great athlete, he is also very humble and charismatic.

Football – Boys’ 2nd Team Away Football – Boys’ JV Away Football – Girls’ JV HOME Volleyball – Boys’ Varsity HOME

What is your favorite sporting quote: " Football is simple, but it's hard to play simple" - Johan Cruyff.

Volleyball – Girls’ Varsity Away

What is your favorite after sports snack: Sometimes, when I finish training or a match I drink a bottle of Gatorade to keep myself hydrated.

Volleyball – Girls’ JV Away

How long have you played your sport: I've been playing football since I was 6 years old.

Volleyball – Boys’ JV HOME Thursday 24th Basketball – Boys’ U15A Away Basketball – Girls’ U15A HOME Basketball – Boys’ U13A Away Basketball – Girls’ U13A HOME

Recent Results & Highlights Shrewsbury Invitational Tournament JV Boys’ Football Champions JV Girls’ Football 2nd place U15 Boys’ Basketball 2nd place Varsity Football Boys’ Football 5 - 7 Assumption College Girls’ Football 3 - 9 Bangkok Sports School JV Volleyball Boys’ Volleyball 2 – 1 NIST Girls’ Volleyball 2 – 1 NIST Varsity Volleyball Girls 2 - 0 SHB Boys 2 - 0 SHB

Rugby Sevens – Boys’ U15A HOME Tennis – Boys’ U13A HOME Tennis – Girls’ U13A HOME

Touch – Girls’ U15A HOME

Coming up…

35 DAYS till SEASAC Football/Volleyball www.facebook.com/bpssports

e are pleased to announce that two trainers from the Freedom from Chemical Dependency (FCD) organisation will return to Bangkok Patana from Tuesday 29th September to Friday 2nd October. Ms Marley Bennett and Mr Dave Waterman will be working mainly with Year 9 students, meeting with them every day, but will also give presentations to Years 8, 11, 12 and 13.

FCD is a non-profit organisation that provides substance abuse prevention education for schools.

Since 1976, they have taught over a million students of all ages. Their mission is to:  Encourage and support the non-use of alcohol and other illegal or illicit drugs during the growing years  Empower young people to make healthy, responsible choices

regarding alcohol and other drug use  Teach students and adults how to recognise the early warning signs of substance abuse and to intervene appropriately  Educate students, parents, teachers, and administrators on the physiological and psychological effects of alcohol and other drugs  Promote awareness of drug addiction, including alcoholism, as a progressive, chronic, and often fatal disease  Provide educational communities with the guidance and training necessary to implement comprehensive, effective approaches to substance abuse prevention The partnership between Bangkok Patana and parents has always been a vital and crucial element in the pastoral care we provide. To this end an FCD session will be offered to all parents to

meet and discuss common concerns about substance abuse prevention for their children in Bangkok. Some of the topics to be addressed include:  Effective ways to communicate with your child about drugs and drug use  Up-to-date facts about current drug use and trends  What to say about your own experiences with alcohol and/or drug experimentation  How to spot early warning signs of trouble and effective ways to respond This meeting will take place on Thursday 1st October at 6.00 pm at Bangkok Patana in the Conference Centre. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to meet with the FCD educators and to hear their stories.

hy we have yellow handled serving spoons at the buffet?

The yellow handled spoons are used for vegetarian dishes.

Have a look next time you are in the canteen.

Who can go into the canteen first?

There is a daily rota listing when each Year group can enter the canteen first. This is to help manage the queues in the canteen and is clearly displayed at the entrance to the canteen. For example Year 7 can enter first on a Friday.

Where is the canteen menu posted?

The weekly menu can be found online and also on the board at the entrance to the canteen.

Are there dishes with nuts in them?

The Primary School has a nut free policy but in Secondary school there are some menu items may contain nuts. Any nut dishes will be clearly labelled.

By Genevieve Ahl, Services Manager fternoon buses will depart from the school car park 15 minutes after the finish of school/ECA, or earlier if everyone scheduled for the bus arrives promptly. Please do not delay getting to your afternoon bus otherwise you may find that the bus has gone and your parents may need to be contacted to come and collect you from school.  When

parents/students do not cancel their afternoon bus home it causes unnecessary waiting time on the bus for other users. Every day there are approximately ten Secondary students who do not inform transport that they have made alternative arrangements home. Please help to reduce this number by asking your parents to contact the Transport Department if you are not going home on the school bus.

By Jackie Houghton, Assistant Principal Professional Learning live Leach (M.Org. Coaching) will be returning to Bangkok Patana this time to work with the Year 8 students and tutors from 24th – 25th September. Parents from across the school will also be invited to hear him present on positive education on Friday 25th September at 8:00am.

Creating Flourishing Individuals and Organisations Clive Leach will talk about the strengths, mental toughness, resilience and mindfulness approaches that are relevant for all children whatever their age and which are also good for parent well-being too.

Click here to sign up for Clive Leach’s workshop.

 Remember

that any changes to a student’s ECA schedule must be communicated to the Transport Department.

 Don’t

forget there will be no school transport tomorrow, Friday 18th September – school is closed for students, so there will be no buses in the morning!

Friday 25th September 2015 Cross Country Varsity XC Football Boys' Varsity Football

Girls' Varsity

Football Girls' JV Saturday 26th September 2015 Football

Boys' Varsity

Tennis

Boys' U13A

Tennis Girls' U13A Volleyball Boys' Varsity Volleyball Girls' Varsity Sunday 27th September 2015

International School Bangkok ISB Invitational International School Bangkok International School Bangkok

TBC Away | Main School

ISB Invitational

Away Home, Invitational Tennis Doubles Tennis Centre Home , Invitational Tennis Doubles Tennis Centre ISB Invitational Away ISB Invitational Away

Cross Country Varsity XC

Bangkok Patana Fun Run

Golf

Harrow International School Bangkok

Varsity Golf

Away , Main School Away

Ancient City Riverdale Golf Club, Pathum Thani

ANAPANA MEDITATION COURSE FOR CHILDREN Anapana (Mindfulness of breathing) teaches children improved concentration skills and enhances calmness of the mind. This technique helps to relieve anxiety and is very useful at exam time to calm those nerves, but also for everyday life.

The next Anapana Meditation course will be given on Sunday 11 October for children aged between 8-16 years.

The course is completely free!

To enrol, please contact Eva at 081-8456153 or email to evasophon@hotmail.com for all further information.

You might find this site useful: http://www.children.dhamma.org/en/children/about-meditation.shtml

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