Patana News Volume 25 Issue 26

PATANA NEWS

Friday 24th March 2023 Volume 25 Issue 26

When in Doubt Go to the Library!

By Stephen Murgatroyd

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Also in this issue...

Patana Page-Turners: Fierce Females!

Step Up and Stand Out! FOBISIA Leadership Conference ASE Science Conference Exploring the Depths: PMCG Trip Patana Pathways Year 4 Sliming and Smiling!

Solo Festival - Sign Up Now! Silver DofE International Award Trip Patana Classic Meets Jazz

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www.patana.ac.th

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

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When in Doubt - Go to the Library!

Stephen Murgatroyd, Cross Campus Head of Libraries

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ibraries, and their concept of sharing knowledge, information and learning, have been around for centuries, but where they were once available for use by the privileged few, today they are there for everyone. The level of literacy, centuries ago, was so much lower than it is today and only professional ‘scribes’ and the aristocracy were able to read and write; it was very much a ‘protected’ and ‘guarded’ occupation by those who had the skills. The invention of the printing press allowed books to be printed far quicker and far cheaper than they had been previously, leading to a rise in general literacy and therefore access to information and knowledge. It is not known who invented the first working printing press, but it is known that the oldest known printed text originated in China during the first millennia AD. The oldest known printed text is called the ‘Diamond Sutra’, a Buddhist book from Dunhuang, China, printed around 868 AD. However, it was Johannes Gutenberg, a German goldsmith and inventor, who developed the Gutenberg Press, who opened Pandora’s Box, so to speak, which then led to the widespread printing of books and the rest, as they say, is history.

Our libraries at Patana are available for use by our whole community (including our Alumni - please contact Mark Lanzuela at raln@patana.ac.th if you would like to find out more) and everyone has access to all of the wonderful resources we have to borrow from our three dedicated age-group appropriate libraries. We are also fortunate to have a wonderful team of librarians who are always there to help you find the items you need and to answer any questions you might have.

Reading is like having a master key to unlock the mysteries of the world around us and enabling everyone to find their place within it. Words are such a powerful medium and our libraries are full of them, in all their wonderful and varied formats - from books, to audio CDs, to magazines, as well as newspapers and DVDs. Throughout the school, from our youngest learners in Nurs-

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ery to our nearly graduated Year 13s, reading is a skill that is taught, shared and used extensively to develop and encourage inquiry and interest, to debate and discuss issues of the day and to ignite passions that will drive a desire for more.

Essentially, everything we do as a school is centred around words and reading, and the library (be it in our library spaces, or within the class libraries throughout the school) is the hub from which this all emanates.

A reading culture is something that is cultivated with every child or student from their first day at Bangkok Patana and evidence of this can be seen in so many different places…

•In the vast number of books borrowed from our libraries •In the wonderful ‘Patana Page-Turner’ articles shared in the Patana News every month by Ms Marshall •In the number of children and students who come into the library spaces every day to curl up in a chair to read by themselves or to share and discuss a book with friends •In the interest shown towards the award books we share with them •In the books that are borrowed as a result of having extracts from a variety of books read to them •In the joy on the faces of the younger children as they listen to stories from their teachers every day •In the engagement with the activities that run in our libraries, based around books, their characters or quizzes challenging their general knowledge •In the enjoyment of the children in Year 5, who had a wonderful time with their Readers’ Cup challenge in Term 1 •In the excitement of the children in Year 3 and Year 4 as they choose the picture books they will bring to life in the Readers’ Theatre

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•In the engagement of the Secondary students taking part in the Kids’ Lit Quiz, a reading competition that takes place all over the world •I will stop there, but the list could go on …

VISITING AUTHORS Over the past couple of years we have got used to seeing our visiting authors on the screens in our classrooms via MS Teams, but this year we will be welcoming in-person visits once again. The virtual visits have been a wonderful way of connecting our children and students to the creators of the books they enjoy reading, but nothing beats the personal touch of the real thing! This May and June we are fortunate to have Matt Dickinson returning. He is an adventurer, a mountaineer, a documentary filmmaker as well as an author of books for both our Primary and Secondary students. He will be sharing his experiences throughout the whole school during his two week stay, the highlight of which will be a whole school assembly on Monday 29th May when we will be celebrating the 70th anniversary of the first successful climb to the summit of Mount Everest in 1953.

Our younger children will also be enjoying the delights of Gail Clarke, an author who writes picture books dealing with environmental issues in a very children friendly and engaging way. She will be sharing her books with the children in FS, Year 1 and Year 3 at the end of March.

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The libraries love to get involved with the learning and activities that take place in all parts of the school. Recently, we have created displays to celebrate Valentines Day, Lunar New Year, Ramadan, Pride Days and International Women’s Day. This helps to link the library to whatever the children and students are engaged with as well as highlighting special areas of interest to the whole community.

PLANS FOR NEXT YEAR At the end of this year we will be saying goodbye to Mr Damon Parker, our Cross Campus Teacher Librarian, who is heading back to the UK with his wife. We would like to wish them both all the very best in their future adventures and would like to thank Mr Damon for everything he has brought to the libraries in the four years he has been with us. We are fortunate to have a very passionate reader to start in August, who is looking forward to continuing Mr Damon’s great work across the school – Ms Tracey Barton will be bringing her unique level of energy and enthusiasm to the role, starting in Term 1 next academic year; the teacher librarian role will continue to be in safe hands.

To make sure you make the best use of our libraries, please come along and pay us a visit. If we don’t have what you are looking for, then we will do our level best to get it in for you. Remember, we deal in the most powerful thing that the world has to offer - words - in the safest environment you can imagine. It is the best combination you could ever hope for.

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Patana Page-Turners

Welcome to your monthly round up of reading recommendations. This month’s theme…Fierce Females!

INTERVIEW: MATT MILLS, HEAD OF SCHOOL 1. What is one of your fondest or most favourite reading memories?

My fondest memory of reading books was when I was living in Wellington as a 12 year old and I was a real tree climber. My house backed on to a large native bush and in the weekends I would grab the book I was currently reading, raid the refrigerator for a snack and then head into the bush and climb a real high tree up into the canopy, secure myself and get straight into the next chapter of my book just with trees and the birds singing for company. One time I fell asleep in a tree really high up but woke up and couldn’t believe I hadn’t fallen, my book was still firmly clasped in my hands!

2. Which fictional character would you most like / least like to meet in real life and why?

I would most like to meet Clarice M Starling. Clarice is a fictional character and protagonist of the novels The Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal by Thomas Harris. In the 1991 film adaptation of The Silence of the Lambs, she was played by Jodie Foster, while in the 2001 film adaptation of Hannibal, she was played by Julianne Moore. I admired her steadfast resilience under such extreme circumstances and how her intellectual ability shone through.

I would least like to meet Dolores Umbridge!

In Harry Potter, Dolores is an extremely strict teacher that tried breaking down her students, forced them to injure themselves, had way more authority than she should have had and outright threatened to torture the main character who later on is given a role in the government where he can essentially decide who lives and who dies!

FS AND KEY STAGE 1 BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS: Shannen Campbell, 13L That Rabbit Belongs to Emily Brown by Cressida Cowell. This is a book that I remember reading from my childhood. It follows Emily Brown who sets out on a journey to get her rabbit (Stanley) back after it was stolen from her in her sleep. She encounters many obstacles on the way and ends up teaching valuable lessons to the Queen, who Stole the Rabbit from her. Emily is the Heroine of the story, staying true to what she believes while also being open to learning new things and helping others.

Meja Stalberg, 13P A is for Awesome! by Eva Chen. As a little girl, I wish I could have read a book like this. The author Eva Chen introduces the alphabet in a fun and empowering way by connecting each letter to a powerful woman. It features various diverse illustrations and important values and traits such as confidence, creativity, and kindness. Through these illustrations and characters, “A Is For Awesome!” highlights the importance of celebrating and uplifting girls and women. More importantly, I believe that it also acts as a foundation to help young girls acknowledge and embrace their strength, potential and capability as individuals.

Eve Molony, 13C Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans. Madeline is a children’s book that features a young girl who is brave and resilient in the face of adversity. Madeline is a fierce and independent character who stands up for herself and her friends, even when faced with danger. The book portrays Madeline as a role model for young girls, demonstrating that courage and determination are essential qualities for success in life.

3. What does the term ‘Fierce Female’ mean to you?

A fierce female is a multifaceted woman who works to empower herself and empower others. She isn’t afraid to acknowledge her fear, her doubts and her insecurities; but she tries so hard to be brave and courageous. She works hard and is unflinching in the belief of her personal values.

Curious if we have any of these books available in our libraries?

Search online here, or contact our library staff here.

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Happy Reading!

KEY STAGE 2 BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS: Kirsten Winyard and Prin Chantarangkul, Year 13 Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger. This book series follows the adventures of a young girl named Sophie Foster, who discovers that she is not human; but rather a powerful elf with special abilities. As she navigates the unfamiliar and dangerous world of the elves, Sophie faces a number of challenges and obstacles, including powerful enemies, difficult choices, and personal betrayals. Throughout the series, Sophie demonstrates her strength, resilience, and intelligence, and she learns the importance of trust, friendship, and staying true to oneself. There are also a number of other inspirational female characters in the series, who hold positions of power and authority in the Elven world.

Matilda by Roald Dahl. This is a novel about a determined young girl named Matilda Wormwood. Matilda is a voracious reader and loves to learn, but her family doesn’t appreciate her intelligence and treats her poorly. Despite this, Matilda discovers she has a special power - the ability to move things with her mind. She uses this power to stand up to bullies, take control of her own life, and help her kind teacher, Miss Honey. Through her strength and perseverance, Matilda shows that anyone can overcome adversity and achieve greatness.

KEY STAGE 3 BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS Kirsten Winyard and Prin Chantarangkul, Year 13 Graceling by Kristin Cashore. This is a young adult fantasy novel, set in a world where some people are born with special abilities called Graces, characterised by heterochromia (having eyes of different colours). The story follows Katsa, a young woman with a Grace for killing, who earns a fearsome reputation, but comes to resent her own powers. She meets another Graceling, Prince Po, with the affinity of combat and the two embark on an adventure across the lands. Along the way, she meets other fierce females, including Po’s grandmother and Bitterblue, who challenge the traditional ideas of femininity and prove their strength and intelligence. Throughout the story Katsa learns to embrace her power and chooses to fight for justice and freedom.

Divergent by Veronica Roth. The first book of a trilogy, Divergent is a science fiction novel which takes place in a post-apocalyptic Chicago. The protagonist, Beatrice Prior, must navigate a society divided into five factions, each representing a different

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virtue. Upon taking a faction placement test, Beatrice discovers her status as ‘Divergent’, which sets her apart from the rest of society and poses a danger to her. In her journey, Beatrice joins the Dauntless faction, undergoes initiation procedures, and develops a romantic relationship with her instructor, referred to as Four. The climax of the story revolves around Beatrice’s uncovering of a plot to overthrow the faction system, requiring her to make a significant decision regarding her loyalties. The novel as a whole is a thrilling tale that dives into the themes of identity and bravery.

Lihi Rotenburg, 13C The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Katniss is a fighter who despite the odds (which are not in her favour) finds success through perseverance.

KEY STAGE 4 AND 5 BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS:

Jack Haughton, 13S The Diva Rules: Ditch the Drama, Find Your Strength, and Sparkle Your Way to the Top by Michelle Visage. Best known from RuPaul’s Drag Race, Michelle Visage is not your average diva. Powerful, positive, and polished, this diva’s not only glamorous, she’s a savvy businesswoman and the epitome of a ‘fierce female’. YASSSSSS GURL! SLAY! Elizabeth the Queen: The Life of a Modern Monarch by Sally Bedell Smith. This one doesn’t need any introduction.

Bianca Bertoli, 13B Woman at Point Zero by Nawal El Saadawi. This is a powerful novel in translation by Nawal El Saadawi that tells the story of a woman named Firdaus who faces oppression and abuse in a male-dominated society but ultimately finds the strength to take control of her own life. The novel’s depiction of Firdaus as a fierce, independent woman who refuses to be victimised has made it a seminal work in feminist literature.

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Step Up and Stand Out RISE and the Place of Grace Yunha Park, 13P

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y involvement with RISE began in the early days of Year 10 when I was encouraged by my fellow peers to be involved in helping impoverished children. My enthusiasm for aiding the less fortunate encouraged me to take a leap of faith and enrol in a leading role. Taking charge and participating with the “Place of Grace” foundation was certainly a challenging administrative process, especially during the peak of COVID-19. Though, as lockdown restrictions eased, as a club we were able to raise money to purchase everyday essentials and gifts for the children to enjoy.

Soon enough, we were given the ‘go’ to personally deliver the gifts to the children and it was enthralling to see the beaming energy on the children’s faces. Upon our visits, members of RISE would spend time helping the children in the foundation with their English reading and speaking abilities, as well as introducing fun ice-breaker games for the children to enjoy and take a break from their schooling. Learning of what some of these children had gone through whilst maintaining such a positive outlook reminded me of my privilege as a student attending Bangkok Patana School. My empathy for those children only grew with every visit and it motivated me to use my privilege to help make a difference, no matter how big or small.

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As the children attending the ‘Place of Grace’ foundation come from impoverished backgrounds, it definitely was not possible for them to have access to some of the privileges that I am able to have. To enliven their days at school, as a club we collectively purchased a video game console and board games for the children’s use. Toys and snacks that were collected from fundraisers were donated upon every visit so that each child could have entertainment. As a club, our proudest accomplishment was the donation of THB 47,000 towards the purchase of a ‘safe-house’, to protect children who have inadequate family supervision living in the slums.

Though completely changing the lives of the children would be impossible, as a club we aimed to have an impact on the children’s well-being. Providing the future generation with the materials that they require for a better quality of life and future is an extremely important aspect that often gets overlooked, and as students with privilege, it is vital to help everyone, regardless of their background. RISE has helped me take a different approach to the way I view the importance of my privilege and how it can be dedicated to improving the lives of others.

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Senior Leaders Attend FOBISIA Conference Cindy Adair, Cross Campus Assistant Principal, Continued Professional Learning

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fter a three-year hiatus, the FOBISIA Leadership Conference returned with a bang and was hosted in Bangkok. Bangkok Patana had five members of the academic leadership team in attendance. Matt Mills, Matt Seddon and Cindy Adair were also presenters. The Conference brings together school leaders from all over the region to undertake professional learning, take part in discussion forums about pertinent issues and be inspired by fabulous keynote speakers. The line up this year was no exception and included: Diana Osagie – Courageous Leadership; Angela Browne – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; Linda Cruse – Authentic Problem Solving / Global Citizenship; Simon Mann – Crisis Management; Katriona O’Sullivan – Leading an Equitable and Inclusive School; and Alison Watson – Educating the Future of Construction.

Many thanks for the team over at FOBISIA HQ for all your hard work putting together the Conference. A shout out to the Tigers Dance Academy who were invited to open the Conference. The students impressed with their technique and stage presence.

LET’S HEAR OUR SENIOR LEADERS’ HIGHLIGHTS/REFLECTIONS: “‘Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.’ -Benjamin Franklin. This quote sums up my last four days attending my final FOBISIA Leadership Conference as I learned a great deal from involved meaningful dialogue, made some new friends and experienced a great deal of fun!”

– Matt Mills, Head of School “ This was my first time at a FOBISIA Conference, and I really enjoyed it – from the quality keynote speakers, engaging workshops, first class setting and opportunities for networking with likeminded professionals. The theme of resilience and wellbeing was so important following COVID and the inspirational stories from leaders who have overcome challenge and hardship was inspirational. Having come from Ireland, I especially enjoyed listening to Dr Katriona O’Sullivan and discovering, by coincidence, that she is working on STEM project for young females with my sister-in-law Dr Jacqueline McCormack. The world might be a big place, but events like this bring is closer together.” – Sarah McCormack, Primary Principal “Having not had a face-to-face FOBISIA Leadership Conference since 2019 what a welcomed experienced it

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was to all be back together.

The five Keynote speakers were exceptional highly motivating speakers who were so passionate about education that I could not help but to be inspired and am looking forward to sharing my takeaways with my Cross Campus team. However, what brought a smile to my face the most was seeing our Varsity Dance Academy team open the entire conference with two mesmerising dance performances that were highly spoken about by other school leaders throughout the rest of the conference. I always love it when the students’ actions doing the talking!” – Helen Thew, Cross Campus Principal “The highlight of the conference for me was a workshop

by Matt Hall which centred around developing a culture of coaching conversations for teachers to support wellbeing. I also really enjoyed delivering a workshop on our approach to AI technology, and leading a discussion around how this may impact the future of education.” – Matt Seddon, Secondary Principal “ I attended a workshop on the mind, body connection with Nicholas McKie. It explored the importance of tuning into your bodies responses to leadership seductions and ensuring you listen to your heart, head and gut when making key decisions. I also really enjoyed the opportunity to present to colleagues.” – Cindy Adair, Cross Campus Assistant Principal “What an amazing conference! FOBISIA showed us the true value of connection, relationships, resilience, and the importance of the Educational field through inspirational speakers and highly engaging workshops last weekend.

Thank you to everyone involved in organising and planning this top-quality event!” – Luke Jones, Secondary Assistant Principal “One standout moment for me was undoubtedly the keynote address delivered by Dr Katriona O'Sullivan, in which she explored the concept of the Caring Classroom. This is a topic I feel passionate about and it was wonderful to hear her story of the power of a caring relationship between teacher and student can change lives as well as improve academic progress.” – Lorna Conroy, Secondary Assistant Principal

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Dance Academy at FOBISIA Conference Vallary Lokre, Cross Campus Head Dance Coach

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he Dance Academy is proud to share the recent achievement of Tiger Cats Varsity team who were invited to showcase at the 29th FOBISIA Leadership Conference.

After the performance, the team were treated to a five-star brunch at the Mariott Marquis Hotel – a fulfilling morning for everyone involved! Our dancers not only take responsibility for their own dancing and put in the hard work, but they are also great organisers, student leaders and support each other every step of the way. They prioritise the overall success of the team and despite having differing opinions and individual preferences, they always choose to go with what’s best for the collective that they are. They respond incredibly well to

peer feedback and their strength lies in their unity. No wonder, this was a huge success and a proud moment for the school!

In the words of FOBISIA CEO, Mr John Gwyn Jones, “We could not have asked for a better start to each day than having students perform and the Tiger Cats Varsity Dance Team were simply outstanding. They opened the whole conference with a bang and set a wonderful tone for the day ahead, uplifting everyone. We have received many compliments on the performance and many of us at HQ had delegates tell us how impressed they were.”

Admissions Withdrawal Reminder: Admissions Department

WHEN IS THE WITHDRAWAL DEADLINE? We require one term’s notice of withdrawal, so any families leaving in June 2023 should please submit a completed withdrawal form to the Admissions Department by Monday 17th April 2023.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I MISS THE DEADLINE? There is a late withdrawal fee of THB 50,000 per student for withdrawals made after the deadline if students are not on the potential leavers list with an agreed extension.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I AM UNSURE OF OUR PLANS? Please contact Rachel Jones, Head of Admissions, at rajo@patana.ac.th as soon as possible.

Many thanks to all of the families who have already been in contact with Admissions and best wishes to those families who will be leaving Bangkok Patana this year.

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ASE Science Conference Matt Baker, Head of Faculty, Science

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he vision was to partner with the best of the best within the field of Science education to deliver an unprecedented opportunity for subject specific professional learning to delegates from the region. The result was #ASEConfAsia2023, a conference of “Excellence in Science Learning for All” at Bangkok Patana School on Friday 17th March 2023.

The buzz and energy during the day was palpable. After three years of online CPL events due to COVID, the thirst for getting back to face-to-face events is genuine. Networking opportunities built into the conference schedule allowed deep connections to be made between delegates that will continue to support Science learning long after the conference.

As the conference came to a close with a most enjoyable St. Patrick’s Day themed social event generously sponsored

by Philip Harris, there was one question on everyone’s lips: “When does the signup for next year’s conference go live?!”

As the UK’s foremost professional community for Science educators, The Association for Science Education needs no introduction to Science teachers. The ASE is a Registered Charity with a Royal Charter and has been supporting all those involved in science education from pre-school to higher education for over 100 years.

Similarly, Science teachers recognise Philip Harris / Findel International as a leader within the field. With over 200 years of experience, they empower science departments with high quality equipment, expert advice and technician-to-technician support. #ASEConfAsia2023 brought together 150 delegates from over 40 international schools across 10 countries in the regions for an inspiring day of professional learning. The Teacher Strand featured a Keynote by Professor Christine Harrison from UCL followed by a veritable smorgasbord of over 20 different exciting workshops for delegates to choose from.

The Technician Strand was run by Jackie McKie, the Head Technician at Philip Harris in the UK, ably supported by our very own Bangkok Patana School Technician Team: Khun A, Khun Turbo, Khun Gun and Khun Wit.

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REFLECTIONS FROM OUR STUDENT AMBASSADORS: “Being a part of this conference made me realise how much effort is put into teaching students and improving science education as a whole. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to present in front of teachers and to share my views about science education: I felt really fulfilled about how teachers were very open and interested to learn more about getting the motivation to learn as a student. It was very inspiring listening to different conversations, and I believe that the ASE conference is an important step in the process of achieving Excellence in Science Learning for All.” - Gao, 13L “It was a privilege to be able to be a part of such a grand event. Presenting and being a part of the process of improving education within science was an extremely fulfilling experience. Seeing first hand the time and effort teachers put into the theory of how to teach showed me just how much teachers care about their students. I hope that the ASE conference

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happens at Bangkok Patana again so that more students can aid in the achievement of “Excellence in Science Learning for All.” - Amaan, 13D

“Participating in the conference was truly an eye opener; the amount of time teachers put into planning their everyday lessons shocked me! I didn’t realise how much some small details mean in the grand scheme of things, such as how a certain teaching style benefits only higher level students, and thus needs to be used in conjunction with another teaching style to support lower level students. My takeaways from the conference are two things that I feel everyone needs to realise: teachers invest a lot of time doing their job really well, and science learning isn’t easy, which is why teachers are continually striving to improve it.” -Dan, 9R “I am extremely grateful to have been a part of the ASE Conference. As well as gaining insight on effective classroom teaching, I also met a range of different people from all over the world, all brought together by one thing - our passion for science. The workshops I attended were all incredibly riveting, as well as informative. I had the privilege to welcome the participants of this event by speaking at the official welcome.

Being a student ambassador has a been a great experience and I hope to do it again in the future.” - Tanna, 9L “It was a great honour to have participated in this event.

Over the course of the experience, I had the opportunity to enhance my public speaking skills, and I found the discussions among the teachers to be really interesting, as I gained a newfound appreciation for the amount of effort teachers

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put in improving our science lessons, to make them more enjoyable to all students. Moreover, the dissection of the heart, lungs, and brain was a highlight of the event for me, as it offered an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the different parts of these organs. I hope that the ASE Conference will be held in Bangkok Patana once again in the future, as it was an amazing experience!” - Yeonjae, 9R

“I am so grateful to have been a part of the ASE conference experience, since I gained an insight into the incredible scientific community and deepened my appreciation for science. Throughout the day, I was able to engage with a variety of different teachers, all with different perspectives on how to teach students so that they can reach their full potential. I got to learn about different study methods as the workshop leader showed us the progress of her students between actual, real-life exams. Earlier in the day, I had the opportunity to explore the uses of wireless equipment and their benefits in the lab. It was so intriguing to see how our learning experience has the potential to improve even further as technology advances! Overall, I had a great time at the ASE conference and hope to see them back at Patana soon!” - Alisa, 9V “It was a great opportunity to be able to meet so many different people from different schools and take part in some of the amazing workshops. I particularly enjoyed the MicroScale Experiments because it was a way of doing chemistry that I haven’t done before. I felt proud that I was able to chaperone newcomers to their locations in our amazing science centre. I look forward to the next ASE conference at Bangkok Patana!” - Nico, 8M

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Exploring the Depths: PMCG Trip Lucas Perren, 12W

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ast weekend, the Patana Marine Conservation Group (PMCG) took part in a diving trip around the islands near Samaesan, South of Pattaya. The group of 14 students and three teachers left campus Friday afternoon with high hopes for the coming weekend. PMCG’s main goal is to ameliorate the polluted state of the oceans – often organising beach and reef cleanups. However, this trip focused more on surveying the environment as well as developing our diving experience and abilities.

Six students took the opportunity to enhance their skills in the RAID Explorer 30 course – a programme which would enable them to further explore the ocean and its diverse ecosystem. From navigation to wreck diving, each of the five dives specialised in teaching core skills for a diver. Throughout the course, the main objective was to improve buoyancy and maintain trim position; two key concepts for divers which are necessary to master in order to control their sub-aquatic motion.

Saturday morning had us exploring dive sites near Samaesan. The Explorer 30 group would focus their first dive on buoyancy; we completed drills such as hovering, intended to teach us the fundamentals of positioning in the water. In the meantime, others explored the depths, taking note of the vast biodiversity – spotting small stingrays, urchins, cuttlefish, corals, and even an octopus! Next came navigation, the Explorer 30 team had to use either a compass or natural landmarks to demonstrate their ability to navigate below the surface.

Sunday had us set off to Samaesan once again, this time to explore the Hardeep wreck. The historical wreck sat 28 metres below the surface and the dive served as a great example to display the effects depth has on light, air consumption, and nitrogen narcosis when exceeding 20 metres. We were able to enjoy relatively high visibility compared to the standard in that area, which allowed for further enjoyment of the shipwreck.

“The Dive Trip was an amazing opportunity for me as I got to pass my Explorer 30 certification while also enjoying my last school trip with my friends.” - Elio Pauze in Year 13, student President of the PMCG. I am filled with gratitude as I reflect on the amazing trip and unforgettable diving experience, made possible by the staff: Ms. Brown, Ms. Steph, and Mr. Owen and the amazing dive instructors: Tim McCabe and team from Thai Ocean Academy. After the COVID-19 pandemic, it is really nice to see the school return to the way it was, pre-shutdown, while still keeping safe. I look forward to taking part in future diving trips with the PMCG and encourage young students with an interest in marine conservation and aquatic life to join and help make a difference.

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Gao has accepted an offer to attend Imperial College London to study Geology.

At Bangkok Patana, Gao appreciates the opportunities for learning outside of the classroom – from Geography field trips to the Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) International Award and the ASE Conference. These hands-on experiences, strengthened by her practical lessons in IB Biology and Chemistry, determined Gao’s decision to study Geology at a research-intensive institution.

Click to read more about Gao’s Patana Pathway!

Nozomu received Early Decision for New York University to study Liberal Studies.

At Bangkok Patana, Nozomu’s English Literature courses in both the (I)GCSE and IB programmes exposed him to “fresh insights into different interpretations [of literary texts]”, which he credits as a “very enjoyable experience of discovery”.

Click to read more about Nozomu’s Patana Pathway!

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Sliming and Smiling!

Beth Bruggen, 4T

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e wanted to raise money for the Adoptable Puppy Cafe charity because I fostered a lovely puppy called Luna. We think it is great that there is a charity for soi dogs because there are so many of them and they need our help.

So, then we thought about what we could make that people would want to buy. Should we bake something? Should we make crafts? Then we realised we all love making slime, and our friends love playing with slime, so we could make and sell different types of slime.

We all made sure we had collected the ingredients and equipment before everyone came to my house for a slime-making playdate. Ms Tracey helped to tell the rest of the year about the sale and kept the queue of excited customers under control. We sold out in 10 minutes during break time on Thursday 16th March. We had raised a whopping amount – THB 1,640!

We would like to say thank you to everyone who supported our sale. We hope to be back next term with another charity fund-raiser sale….

Learn more about the Adoptable Puppy Cafe here: https://www.facebook.com/theadoptablepuppycafe/

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Patana Participates!

Achievements from Our Community

Rodney Fountain, Secondary History Teacher and Patana Parent

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n the month since Round 1 of the Thai National BMX series, L&D Racing have been searching for more pieces of the jigsaw that, when pieced together, make a fast lap. A perfect lap in BMX race is rare. In a practice session a rider might execute a good start and use all of the dozen or so features and the three near vertically banked turns (‘berms’) to generate speed. In a race, however, there are seven others committed to doing the exact same thing, usually on the bit of the track you’re on. In this 35-second sprint there isn’t much time for thinking; a rider needs to attack and defend simultaneously around the undulating track whilst making constant calculations about the line they’re going to take, only to re-calculate as someone snatches it from them.

Riding on instinct, it’s common for most riders to finish a race incapable of telling you anything about what just happened. Think ‘Top Gun’ on wheels.

This is the situation that Nico Lovegrove (Year 8), Frank Myers (Year 8) and Freddy Minchin (Year 9) and I throw ourselves into during the race season and which keeps us coming back for more. Whilst BMX racing is known for its ferocity on-track, it’s also hailed as being a sport that’s uncommonly warm, welcoming and which nurtures anyone who wants to expe-

rience the unparalleled excitement of racing these unique bikes. Nobody jumps on one for the first time and successfully pilots it around the track and so new riders are given all the time they need to develop. It’s in this framework that operation ‘Less Last’ is happening, giving the boys chance to grow in skill and confidence with each race whilst those with way more laps under their belt are banging handlebars a few meters ahead of them on the track. After their three heats (‘motos’) on Saturday, the weekend was over for Nico, Freddy and Frank and they had Sunday to reflect on which piece of the jigsaw they’ll slot into the puzzle for Round 3. For myself, my 1-3-1 results in motos meant a nervous wait for the final (‘main’) on Sunday. 30 seconds after the starting sequence of ‘Riders ready…watch the gate’ had sounded, I came over the line first after being in second, first and third places at various points on the track as the race unfolded.

There’s a world class track just 40 minutes from Bangkok Patana’s gates and teams from all over Asia flock to it. If you’re interested in experiencing it for yourself contact rofo@patana.ac.th or follow the L&D Racing team on facebook.com/pedalsreadygo

Kenneth Shim, Patana Parent

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elly Shim, 12E, recently represented Thailand in the Men’s National Under 18 Ice Hockey Team, competing at the Division 3 World Championship in South Africa.

The team finished with a Bronze in a very tightly contested tournament. Way to go, Kelly!

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Silver Duke of Edinburgh International Award Sara Srisakulchawla, Ema Hashimoto, Claire Tantapakul, Shiksha Srivastava, Shihyun Lee, Amaya Fahr, Year 11

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or our Silver Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) International Award assessed journey we spent a weekend (10th-13th March) kayaking around the Kaeng Krachan National Park, Baan Lung Kae Homestay and Hornbill Camping.

On Friday 10th March after school, we set off on a three-hour journey to Kaeng Krachan National Park, where we arrived before sunset. Upon arrival, we held a group meeting to plan the activities for the following day before proceeding to pitch our tents. After several attempts, we finally succeeded in setting up our tents and moved on to prepare dinner for the evening. We then retired to rest, in preparation for the demanding activities scheduled for the next day.

Our objective was to observe and document the environmental and biodiversity features of the coastline, alongside any significant social and cultural elements.

providing an unparalleled sense of calm and serenity. We were privileged to have been able to experience such natural beauty and to have gained a newfound appreciation for the delicate balance of the ecosystem in this remarkable national park. When we first signed up for the trip we were not sure where it would located and what it would entail but this location was truly serene.

SOCIAL AND CULTURAL:

Our kayaking journey around Kaeng Krachan National Park proved to be an exciting experience, as we not only explored the beautiful environment but also gained insight into the local community. We soon learned that fishing is a significant source of income for the locals, and as such, we had to be careful not to get tangled up in the fishing nets as we kayaked. We were amazed by the skills of the fishermen and appreciated the vital role they play in the local economy. It was evident that fishing was not only a significant source of income but also a way of life for the local community, with many people camping and fishing along the coastline, casting their net lines.

As we kayaked further down the coast on the second day, we spotted a noodle shop near a temple. Although we could not eat there as we had to prepare our own food, It was apparent that the shop was located there to attract customers who visited the temple, as we also saw locals coming to the temple.

This observation gave us an insight into the lifestyle of the local people, and we were fascinated by the interweaving of the local culture with the natural environment.

ENVIRONMENTAL:

Throughout our journey, we made several observations about the environment, some of which were unexpected. Firstly, in terms of pollution, we were pleasantly surprised to find fewer plastic materials than we had initially anticipated.

However, we occasionally spotted plastic bottles floating on the water and some litter in areas where people had been seen. Overall the area was very clean with pleasant waters to kayak in.

During the journey, we also encountered a variety of animals such as cows, birds, and dogs. It was an incredible experience to witness these animals up close and in their natural habitat. We took advantage of every opportunity to observe and appreciate them, as well as the surrounding environment.

The flora and fauna of the national park was truly breathtaking.

We were awed by the extensive greenery that surrounded us,

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The temple revealed the likely religion of the locals living there to be Buddhism. The beautiful architecture and intricate designs of the temple made it a beautiful sight to behold. We even saw hidden statues when observing the biodiversity from our kayaks.

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Patana Classic Meets Jazz Laura MacRitchie, Secondary Curriculum Leader, Music

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ive music was back in full force last Wednesday evening with the premier of Patana Classic Meets Jazz. This latest addition to our Patana Concert Series allowed us to create an opportunity for all of our ensembles to perform. It was fantastic for students, parents and staff to listen to live music again.

staff members joined our choirs to sing on this momentous occasion.

I would like to thank all of our student musicians, music staff and support staff for helping to make this event a success. The months of preparation, planning and organization was evident in the final event.

Official Photographs Please like and subscribe to our Secondary Music YouTube Channel

The stage presence and level of performance of our students was exceptional. We forget that for many of our students, (over 80%), this was their first experience of a Patana concert. The Big Band opened the show with an entertaining set including the soulful rendition of “Respect” by our very own Lucy. Krista, Beam and Thiti sang with confidence as they entertained us with the Jazz Ensemble. Our staff band rounded things off and the students were in awe of seeing their teachers on the stage.

Even Khun Puree made a star appearance with his harmonica!

STUDENT PERFORMER REFLECTIONS: “I am a student in Year 11 who is currently in part of the Patana Orchestra and Patana String Quartet. Being a member of these ensembles with talented musicians allowed me to not only improve my individual violin skills, but also taught me the importance of collaboration and team work in creating cohesive, and harmonious music. Recently, we performed several pieces called Momentum, Hungarian dance, Sanctus, and Frolicsome Finale in Classic Meets Jazz. During the preparation period for this concert, every Wednesday and Thursday, both Orchestra and String Quartet practised tirelessly to build up our skills. After we got familiar with the songs, we went through the details like being precise with the timing, tone and dynamics to perform our best in Classic Meets Jazz. Although it was quite challenging as it required a high level of effort from everyone, a sense of accomplishment we felt once we were ready to perform was truly rewarding.

We then moved to a more classical setting for the second half. Our amazing Buildings and Grounds team transformed the stage in mere minutes to an intimate choral and orchestra stage. There were some top-level performances by the Orchestra and Choirs that took us through a journey of musical genres. This was the first time we had performed with 100 voices in a mass festival choir piece. It was a very special experience for the Key Stage 3 singers to join the Senior Choir in singing “Sing Your Song”. We closed the concert in a dedication to Mr Mills by performing “Sanctus” by Faure. 27

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On stage, I felt a mixed feeling of exhilaration and nerves, as the pressure of making mistakes got me worried, especially when I was performing in a string quartet while standing up. However, once we started to play through, I gradually felt more calm. Once we finished playing, the audience’s positive reaction, like cheering and clapping gave me a sense of satisfaction.

Overall, participating in this concert as a member of orchestra and string quartet definitely was an enriching and unique experience for me.” - Younha (Isabell) Ko

“The Patana Classic Meets Jazz concert was a thrilling experience. I had a lot of fun rehearsing some beautiful songs and it was great when some of my favourite teachers joined us on stage. It was also good to have more than 4 male singers in the room helping out with the baritone part. I came away from the evening knowing a couple more teachers better. It was especially lovely to see the Orchestra, as well as the Senior, KS3 and Staff Choirs all coming together for the last song to give a musical goodbye to our very special Mr Mills.” - Felix Darley

Battle of the Bands

Laura MacRitchie, Secondary Curriculum Leader, Music

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n Saturday 11th February our music students took part in the FOBISIA Battle of the Bands at Bromsgrove International School. This was our first Bangkok Patana entry at this event and we won 2nd place! We are incredibly proud of our students for taking part in this event.

“It has been a dream of mine to compete in a Battle of the Bands competition when I first dove into the world of music.

Seeing other talented musicians at our school always ignited my passion and drive, making me strive to one day play alongside them. As time flew by, I grew as a musician, and with that came many opportunities for me to play with people who I was inspired to play alongside. And with the many surreal performances, we eased into a comfortable dynamic with each other. Because of that, I was thrilled to take part in this competition as soon as I heard about it. Although I was excited to showcase the high level of musicianship our band had to offer, I was most excited for the opportunity to watch musicians from a wide range of schools across South East Asia express their musical prowess in one short 8-minute performance, and I was not let down. Not only did The Battle Of The Bands re-ignite my spark to perform, it also expanded my musical horizon. I have never thought a music performance could contain so many elements, From visual elements to cho-

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reography, and crowd interactions. Our band has always focused on the musical aspect of each performance, making sure we didn’t miss any dynamics, articulations and more. But we disregarded many elements of a performance that pulls in the audience and immerses them in the music we convey.

Now with this re-ignited passion, the band and I are exhilarated to apply these new-found elements displayed in The Battle Of The Bands into creating more engaging performances in the near future.” - Pittayut (Fame) Pisuttisarun Watch their performance below!

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Primary Update: Smart Watches Sarah McCormack, Primary School Principal

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ver the last months, we have noticed an inSmart watches can be taken out of bags once crease in the number of students wearing a child exits the school gates at 2:30pm or once smart watches to school. their ECA has ended at 3:30pm or 4:30pm. However, we ask that children refrain from taking or While we encourage our students to develop insending images whilst on the school bus. dependence and learn how to tell the time, smart watches do offer online functions like that of a Smart watches are valuable and precious items. mobile phone. Features such as gaming, internet Please be aware that the school takes no responbrowsing, and the ability to make and receive sibility for loss or damage of smart watches. calls are potentially distracting for our students We would appreciate that if you can discuss and can pose a risk for safety and privacy. these guidelines with your child and ensure they In light of this, we have made the decision that understand the new arrangements before Term 3 effective from Term 3, students will be required commences on Monday 17th April. to keep their smart watches safely stored in their Thank you for your cooperation and support in bags during the school day. maintaining a safe and positive learning environment for all our students.

Transport Corner Transport Department

If your child will be absent from school for any reason during the last week of term, please inform our Transport Team by sending an email to transport@ patana.ac.th in advance. This will help prevent any inconvenience to other users.

Block C ECAs will continue until the end of Term 2 on Friday 31st March. Please let the Transport Team know in advance if you can’t attend your ECA for any reason.

DEADLINE FOR CHANGES:

YEAR 11 AND YEAR 13 BUS USERS: There are still some students in these Year groups who haven’t provided their transport requirements for Term 3 to Transport Office. Please submit this information as soon as possible to enable necessary changes based on the exam schedule. Please plan ahead as last-minute requests may not always be accommodated.

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ECAS:

All students must be aware of their afternoon transport arrangements before coming to school. Please ensure that your child knows, and that Transport is informed in advance, if there’s a change to the regular routine. The deadline for changes to afternoon buses is 11:00 am, but earlier is preferred. Late changes cause additional work for many staff and messages may be missed. Your assistance in planning ahead is greatly appreciated.

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March Madness in Primary Spanish Mariela Bianciotti-Sennecke, Leader of Learning, Primary World Languages This is a follow-up article from the Patana Life blog post on March Music Madness in Primary Spanish. s the March Madness (Locura de Marzo) global music competition has come to a close, we are excited to announce the winning song: No Puedo (I Can’t) by Paulo Londra from Argentina! Our Primary Spanish students share some of their reflections about participating in the global competition:

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“I enjoyed the excitement of finding out which songs would win and I also liked the reveal video which had a lot of suspense. I learnt the meaning behind the song which helped me vote and understand the song. Overall, it was a fun experience and a fun way to learn Spanish.” - Kirin, 6B “Locura de Marzo gave us an opportunity to learn about Latin countries and different types of music genres. It made Spanish way more fun! Voting for the songs was really fun and it brought excitement into the lesson.” - Amelia, 6T “The thing I enjoyed the most in the competition was listening to the music because it really calmed me down and it was overall awesome. I have learnt about Spanish speaking bands.” - Usub, 6J “It was fun listening to various songs that are different from the songs I listen to. I learned to accept music from other cultures and respect it.

I also learned how to say which songs I like and don’t like, and which song will win.” - Kiaan, 6P “I loved how everyone had different opinions and we were all discussing over which song was better.” -Luca, 6P “It was so fun listening to all these songs; I learnt a lot from these songs and they were so catchy. I loved the teamwork and challenges. This was my first time hearing Spanish songs and it was interesting. I hope that I can do this again in Year 7.” - Lottie, 6D

nings I didn’t like but as the song progressed it became one of my favourites! Also, listening to the music for the first time was an amazing experience, I even still listen to them outside of school.” Hugo, 6T “I have learnt many things in this competition especially the amount of new Latin countries! The highlight of this competition was by far coming to Spanish class then watching the video to find out who won each round. If I could suggest an activity for term 3, it would be practicing the songs and singing them.” -JB, 6F “Throughout this Spanish music competition, I have learnt new Spanish music genres and now I like to listen to some of the songs at home.” - Tom, 6J “The thing I enjoyed the most throughout the Locura de Marzo competition was coming to Spanish every lesson and watching the videos that revealed the results of the final votes and seeing if I had voted for the winning one. During the competition, I listened to many Latin songs which I wouldn’t normally listen to at home.” - Chloe, 6S “I’ve learned that Spanish music is very interesting to see the different styles and what I have enjoyed the most is learning about the stories behind the music.” - Isabella, 6D “Throughout my time in the Spanish music competition, I have learned so many new styles of music and so many new Latin artists. One of my highlights was waiting for the video to say which artist would get through to the new round. There would always be a big cheer after the video.” - Elizabeth, 6L “What I enjoyed the most throughout this competition was getting to listen to different songs in Spanish and reading the story behind them.” - Jessica, 6D Although our Year 6 students did not achieve a perfect bracket to win this competition, the ideas and suggestions provided by students in their reflections will be implemented in Term 3 to continue learning Spanish through the lyrics of the 16 competing songs. Click the image below to listen to a playlist of all songs featured in the Locura de Marzo competition!

“Learning about Spanish songs keeps me engaged. We learnt how to give our opinions and compare the songs in Spanish.” - Brinz, 6L “Spanish has been more lively, more engaging. I’ve learnt is to be open-minded, for example one of the song’s begin-

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Desert Island Discs With Nicola Thornback, EAL Teacher, Year 1 and Year 2

Throughout Terms 2 and 3, we will be revisiting previous contributions to the Desert Island Discs column.

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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 EAL Teacher, Year 1 and Year 2, Nicola Thornback, is stuck on a desert island.

MS NICOLA, IF YOU WERE STUCK ON A DESERT ISLAND WHAT EIGHT PIECES OF MUSIC WOULD YOU WANT TO HAVE WITH YOU? Hotel California - Eagles

The Weakness in Me - Joan Armatrading

Common People - Pulp

Suspicious Minds - Elvis Presley

Romeo and Juliet - Dire Straits

Over - Drake

Mr Brightside - The Killers

Rehab - Amy Winehouse Click to listen to Ms Nicola’s playlist

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. Citronella!

WHICH ONE BOOK WOULD YOU WANT TO HAVE WITH YOU? The Sun Also Rises by Earnest Hemmingway Catch the real Desert Island Discs on BBC. What are you listening to? Have a list of your own?

Let us know! Contact STML with your favourites.

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#244: Ten Top Tips for Stronger Passwords

According to a Google survey, more than half of us (52%, to be exact) routinely re-use the same passwords, with around one in ten employing a single password across all of their online accounts. What that means, of course, is that any hacker successfully cracking our password would find themselves with access to not simply one of our online accounts, but several (at least).

That, along with the fact that many people’s favoured passwords aren’t exactly impenetrable, makes it easier to see why some sources put the number of online accounts being broken into at around 100 per second.

In the guide you’ll find a number of top tips on setting stronger passwords such as how to get creative, what to avoid, and the value of multi-factor authentication.

Have a safe weekend.

Brian Taylor Assistant Principal, Campus Curriculum Technology Integration

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COMMUNITY CY-2023-020

SPECIAL EVENT

ASOKRAMA Explore the evolution of Bangkok’s cultural landscape as seen in the historical footage from the Thai Film Archive SATURDAY, 1 APRIL 2023 · 14:00-16:45 The Siamese Heritage Trust (SHT) is delighted to extend this invitation to all interested parties, to a public screening of films from the collection of the Thai Film Archive. In this event, participants will explore and discuss the management of Bangkok’s cultural landscape through the historical footage that depicts city sceneries, dating from the late 19th century until today.

The screening is to be joined by distinguished panellists, including Professor Tongthong Chandransu, Professor Chatri Prakitnonthakan, and Mr Nakrob Moonmanas*. Participants will also enjoy the opportunity to view historical documents related to the history of Bangkok, from The Siam Society’s Rare Book collection.

Beverages, snacks, rare publications, and souvenirs from The Siam Society will be available for purchase to raise funds for SHT’s activities.

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DA TE :

Saturday, 1 April 2023

TIME: 14:00 – 16:45

VENUE :

The Siam Society Auditorium

SC AN TO R EG I ST ER :

ADM I SSI ON :

Free of charge

CON TACT: info@thesiamsociety.org

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COMMUNITY

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For daily updates, snapshots and news on life at school you can find us here...

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