Patana News Volume 18 issue 30

NEWS Patana

B a n g k o k P a t a n a i s a n I B W o r l d S c h o o l , a c c r e d i t e d b y C I S a n d N E A S C

Another Quiet Week in Secondary! Pg. 2

Letter from the Secondary Principal

Y ou’d think that as the end of the school year is only six weeks or so away things might be

getting a little quieter in the Secondary School. In some ways this is true, especially in the Canteen on days when only small numbers of Year 11 and 13 students are in for exams. However, when I look at what’s taken place just this week, never mind what’s on the horizon in the not too distant future, it’s clear that we’re still full steam ahead on the Bangkok Patana express.

Exam season is upon us and can seem all-consuming. We’ve already had Year 10 students sitting their end of year papers, followed now by Year 11 and Year 13 settling down to their external (I)GCSE and IB examinations. These represent the culmination of demanding two-year courses and for the Year 13 students, of their entire Bangkok Patana and school careers. I’m pleased to report that all has gone well so far. No-one has been ill or missed papers and generally feedback from students and teachers with the exception of one or two particularly challenging papers, has been very positive.

Mr Roff, IB Coordinator, even had to contend with an examination of his own this week when an IB inspector called in unannounced to check all our procedures are up to scratch. I’m glad to say that we passed the inspection with flying colours! One or two of the IB students are actually finished already while others have a week or ten days to go. Spare a thought for Year 11 whose exams continue until mid-June! Good luck to all our students!

The other big story of the week has been the continuing, energy-sapping, ferocious heat with ‘real feel’ (heat index) temperatures reaching around 47-48c each day. Please be assured that we take this very seriously across the whole school. Every day we share guidelines regarding heat management to ensure that the well-being of our students and staff are paramount. I’ve included some of that information on the opposite page.

On Tuesday, as you may have seen on Patana Life, we welcomed students from seven local international schools for a Quantum Physics day as part of our provision for our most talented Year 12 students. These opportunities for inter-school student collaboration on very challenging concepts are really beneficial for the students and highlight to us, once again, the positive impact upon learning of our wonderful new Science facilities. I’m afraid that I got a headache within just a few minutes of listening to students pondering the nature of light at a level far beyond what I could comprehend!

From a leadership perspective we’re already looking forward to next year. This week the Heads

of Year team led by Helen Thew and Lena Perriam, and the Heads of Faculty group led by Suzanne Lindley and Tony Berghuis, held Development Days to work collaboratively to critically review 2015/16 and put plans in place for 2016/17. I was able to spend time with both groups and very much enjoyed the level of debate and real care demonstrated for the well-being and progress of our students.

The Heads of Year agenda included: Student Safeguarding Student handbook revision with a particular focus

on behavioural matters Further development of the tutorial programme

The Heads of Faculty agenda included:

A focus on development and maintenance of a positive team climate

Vertical articulation of curriculum from Key Stage 2 right through to IB

Analysis of the survey we conducted among

academic staff of their use of formative assessment strategies in lessons

In addition to this both teams worked with James

Penstone, Cross-Campus Principal, to help develop new professional standards for Middle Leaders as part of our Performance Management system.

Add to this the Year 7 Coffee Morning, a Silver expedition to Kaeng Krachan for the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, the completion of STAR Week supporting student reflection on their targets and I’m sure you’ll agree that things are really far from quiet in Secondary at the moment even before ‘super’ events such as Graduation, various awards evenings and performances of Animal Farm in a few weeks’ time.

Have a great weekend, Mick Smith, Principal, Secondary School

Normal Practice

Heat Index below 33°C

The School shall provide adequate water supply at all teaching stations. Staff should inform students to apply sun lotion before lessons, games and activities. All Primary students should be encouraged to wear hats for break, lunch, PE lessons. All athletes and students should be encouraged to bring water bottles to training and PE classes. Mandatory regular water breaks. Where possible spend rest periods and direct teaching moments in shade provided around facilities. Students that wish to take a break should do so at any time. Staff to watch/monitor players carefully.

Level 1

Heat Index 33-44°C

During competitive and training matches, students should be rotated out on a regular basis. Staff to be mindful of those students who present a higher risk of suffering from heat related illnesses and

provide these students opportunities to take non-active parts in the lesson. Staff should brief students of possible heat illness and associated risk. Students showing signs and symptoms of heat related illness should withdraw from the activity and be

escorted to the nurse. Mandatory regular water breaks. Suggestion is that lessons take place in shade as much as possible. Modify training and/or games to allow for regular hydration and rest.

Level 2

Heat Index 45-54°C

All actions as per Heat Index Ratings under 45°C additionally: Staff should clearly brief students of extreme risk of heat illness. More regular water breaks. Primary athletes/lunchtime outdoor activities cancelled. Outside activities with high physical exertion moved to shaded areas where possible or indoors. Students showing signs and symptoms of heat related illness should withdraw from the activity and be

escorted to the nurse. Maximum duration of exposure in this temperature is one hour. Practices and or fixtures can be cancelled at the discretion of the Assistant Principal, Sports and Activities/

Head of School

Level 3

Heat Index 54°C

Heat Stroke Imminent & Extreme Risk

All non air-conditioned activities are cancelled.

Thai Schools will resume on Monday 16th May

Please be aware that traffic congestion will increase, especially on Soi Lasalle.

W hile horse-riding is not part of the School’s sports programme, since early 2015 four Bangkok Patana

students have become familiar faces on the podiums at various equestrian venues.

From the Thailand Championship series organised by the Thai Equestrian Federation to the club-level competitions, these students have performed fantastically and have achieved many placings. No other school in Thailand — local or international — have students participating in these competitions with equal success, especially in dressage (the so-called ‘horse ballet’).

The student’s most recent results at the RBSC Polo Club’s Equestrian Open over 6-8th May were as follows:

Larinda (Glao) Nandhabiwat (12M) Dressage Prix St. George Level 1st (highest level of the event) (HRH Princess Sirindhorn Cup winner)

Lissa Welser (9I)

Dressage Preliminary Level 1st (B. Grimm Cup winner) Dressage Preliminary Level 3rd Show-jumping 90 cm 5th Show-jumping 70 cm 9th Show-jumping 100 cm 11th Lina Welser (9J)

Show-jumping 105 cm 2nd Show-jumping 110 cm 4th Show-jumping 100 cm 6th Pylintara (Tia) McLean (9R)

Dressage Preliminary Level 2nd Dressage Novice Level 6th

On behalf of everyone at Bangkok Patana School we would

like to congratulate Glao, Lissa, Lina and Tia on their incredible performances in the equestrian ring and wish them the very best of luck in their upcoming competitions.

Many thanks to Mr Reungvit Nandhabiwat for the information provided.

Photographs courtesy of

Thai Schools start the new school year from Monday 16th May. Please ensure that you arrive on time for your bus this week as traffic congestion is expected to increase.

If you will be coming to school for the Swimming Galas in Foundation Stage, Year 1 or Year 2 next week and would like to use the school bus, please book at least one day in advance. If you will drive your child to school that day, please remember to cancel their Transport.

Please remind your children to check the area around them and ensure they take all of their belongings with them when they exit the bus at school or at home.

Students who use electronic devices on the bus to and/or from school should ensure that they have headphones so they do not disturb other bus users. Any games, movies or other should be age appropriate for all bus users. Older bus users should be aware and mindful of the younger students on their bus.

Please be reminded that all changes to afternoon buses must be received prior to 11:00am. Any requests after this time may not be accommodated—24 hours or more notice is preferred. Please plan ahead to help our Transport staff make the necessary changes to accommodate your request. The Transport staff can receive between 50-100 changes per day!

For all transport queries and requests please email [email protected] or call 02 785 2470.

University/College Representative Location Date Time

Cardiff Metropolitan University - Senior Studies, 2nd Floor 18.05.16 12:15

Seoul National University Hye Weon Senior Studies, 2nd Floor 18.05.16 12:15

Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School

Miss Jyotika Khanijou Senior Studies, 2nd Floor 19.05.16 12:15

Singapore Institute of Management Ms Iris Neo Senior Studies, 2nd Floor 30.05.16 12:15

#31: Goo.gl and Pettson’s Inventions App

Have a great mindful-tech weekend.

Brian Taylor Assistant Principal, Campus Curriculum Technology Integration

Google’s url shortener is one of the simplest to use. It has several advantages in that is keeps the history of all of the urls you’ve shortened and a count of how many times it has been accessed. Clicking on the details of the url also allows you to generate a handy QR code that you can paste into your presentations or flyers. Remember goo.gl or bookmark the link.

Pettson’s Inventions app uses problem solving, physics and thinking skills to create amazing inventions. Each challenge slowly increases in difficulty and there is a great two player mode that my boys enjoy. The app costs $2.99 and is available in the iTunes and Google Play stores. Click on the image to watch the review beforehand.

I nvoices for school fees for Term 1 2016/2017 were sent to families/companies on Wednesday 11th May 2016. If you have not received your invoice please contact the Accounting Department or email

[email protected] Please note that the due date for settlement is on Friday 10th June 2016. Payments received after this date

will be subject to a late payment charge of 1% per month. Thank you, Accounting Department

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EU REFERENDUM OVERSEAS VOTER REGISTRATION

From the British Embassy Bangkok

Taking part in the EU Referendum

The British Embassy Bangkok and British Chamber of Commerce Thailand are proud to be working with the UK Electoral Commission to help promote voter registration among UK citizens living overseas.

Registering from overseas

If you are a UK citizen living overseas, then you may be able to vote in the EU Referendum on 23 June 2016. In order to do this you must first register as an overseas voter. If you aren’t registered, you won’t have the chance to have your say at the referendum.

You can register to vote online at gov.uk/register-to-vote. It only takes a few minutes. To register as an overseas voter you must have been registered to vote in the UK in the last 15 years.

Once you have submitted your registration application, you can then choose how to cast your vote from outside of the UK – either by proxy (when you appoint someone you trust to vote on your behalf) or by post.

Voting by post or proxy

Make sure to register by 16 May if you want to vote by post in the EU Referendum. This is so you have enough time to receive and return your postal ballot paper. If you want to vote by proxy, you have until 7 June to register.

Make sure you register and submit your application to vote by post or proxy as soon as possible.

You can read more information at aboutmyvote.co.uk

Anapana Meditation Course for Children

Anapana or 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 as well as for every day life.

The next Anapana Meditation course will be on

Sunday 15th May for children aged between 8 - 16 years. The course is completely free!

To enrol or for further information, please contact

Eva Sophonpanich [email protected]

You may also find this site useful: www.children.dhamma.org/en/children/about-meditation

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