REGENTS’ NEWSLETTER · 2015. 3. 6. · On Saturday 7th February, a small group of Regents’ children set off on an incredible adventure, filled with new experiences, Thai culture

REGENTS’ NEWSLETTER

EDITION 4 TERM 2 2014/2015

PRIMARY

I recently, (and very randomly) asked a small group of our Y3 pupils what they could tell me about the word ‘opportunity’. They all thought deeply for a while and then one child answered, “It has five syllables,” which was not quite the answer I was looking for but was accurate nonetheless. Her friend quickly interjected and said, “It’s kind of like when you get the chance to do different things”. They all nodded in agreement. I think our pupils are very lucky in that there are always a host of activities that they get to experience above and beyond daily lessons and the ongoing curriculum. This week alone I have: sat in rehearsals for the Y5 production; seen how the Maths coordinators are preparing for the on-line Mathsletics activities on Thursday and Friday, and listened to some of the Y6 pupils explain their ideas on developing an action-plan to fund the schooling for all the children at our community partner, ‘Hand to hand’. This last activity was particularly touching as it is an idea that is almost entirely pupil-driven and has such a well-recognised, worthwhile and ambitious outcome. At any one point in the term there is always at least one year-group that are either

preparing for a community partner visit, going on a curriculum trip, or being involved in one type of initiative or another. Every week children are involved in our pupil-led class assemblies. Our musical recitals occur frequently throughout the year and of course every week our children enjoy the learning opportunities afforded them by the Extended Learning Programme. I know sometimes amidst the hurly-burly of everyday school life it is easy to forget

how many opportunities our children actually get. I like Thomas Edison’s perspective on this, he said:

“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”

So we encourage all our Primary students to make the most of the opportunities that come their way. Not only is it a five syllable word, it is one of the most important words in the English language.

James Baker

ELEPHANT NATURE PARK

INTERNATIONAL DAY AT REGENTS

PRIMARY CLASS YEARBOOK PHOTOSHOOT

JAMES BAKER, DEPUTY HEAD OF PRIMARY

EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES COME IN MANY GUISES

THIS WEEK IN THE PRIMARY NEWSLETTER

“DIARY DATESSUNDAY MARCH 8TH PRIMARY FOBISIA MATHS TEAM RETURNS

MONDAY MARCH 9TH YEARS 5 AND 6 CLASS PHOTOS

TUESDAY MARCH 10TH YEAR 4 CLASS PHOTOS

WEDNESDAY MARCH 18TH YEAR 3 PRODUCTION, ‘PEACE CHILD’

THURSDAY MARCH 19TH YEAR 3 PRODUCTION, ‘PEACE CHILD’

MONDAY MARCH 23RD FRIDAY MARCH 27TH: LITERACY WEEK

TUESDAY MARCH 24TH THURSDAY MARCH 26TH: ASIA BOOKS BOOK SALE

THURSDAY MARCH 26TH LAST DAY OF THE TERM 2 EXTENDED LEARNING PROGRAMME

THURSDAY MARCH 26TH DRUM, GUITAR AND VOICE RECITAL

YEAR 4’S TRIP TO CHANTHABURI

On Saturday 7th February, a small group of Regents’ children set off on an incredible adventure, filled with new experiences, Thai culture and various animals native to Thailand.

After a long but pleasant journey we arrived in Chiang Mai and made our way to our hotel where the children were allowed to swim and relax before heading to Tha Pae Gate where an amazing and colourful flower festival was being set up. That evening the children were excited to witness various traditional Thai performances whilst having dinner, Thai style; seated on carpets with a variety of delicious finger-foods to demolish! The following day we headed to the Elephant Nature Park where the children were privileged enough to experience the Asian elephant in an environment that is as close to their natural habitat as possible. An interesting element to the park is that all the animals there, which includes dogs, cats, buffalo, cows, pigs and of course domesticated elephants, are in fact rescued from various unfortunate circumstances and are able to live the remainder of their lives at the park, happy and free.

The Elephant Nature Park staff had set up a varied and wonderful educational programme exposing the children to all aspects of the elephant’s care. This included: unloading 4,000 watermelons which only last 2 days; creating elephant enrichments; preparing elephant meals such as pumpkin and banana sandwiches; dung collecting which

is used as fertiliser on local farms; bathing the elephants in the river, and observing them in their adopted family groups. Jodi, one of the ENP staff, and Khun Lek, the founder, were extremely impressed with the children during their educational talks, as the children’s questions and curiosity outshone those of the adult volunteers. They both firmly believe that Regents’ students could join the Elephant Ambassador’s Programme and begin to make a difference by educating their peers, teachers, family, and the general public about the plight of the Asian elephant, with the hope of making a positive change for elephants in venues such as Nong Nooch Botanical Gardens and the Sanctuary of Truth.

BY HELEN BALL AND JONATHAN WAY, YEAR 1 AND YEAR 6 TEACHERS

ELEPHANT NATURE PARK – A HOME FOR RESCUED ANIMALS All the children left the ENP with a sense of empowerment about how to make a difference to the animals of Thailand. Below are some quotes from the children about what they gained from their experience.

If you would like to learn more about the Elephant Nature Park or ask the children who attended the trip this year any questions, please feel free to contact:

[email protected]

[email protected]

“OUR FAVOURITE MOMENT AT THE ENP WAS

JUST WALKING ALONGSIDE THE ELEPHANTS

BECAUSE IT WAS AMAZING TO SEE HOW THEY

LIVE. WE ALSO LEARNED THAT ELEPHANTS

HAVE FEELINGS LIKE HUMANS AND FEEL

EMOTIONS SUCH AS FEAR, LONELINESS AND

ANXIETY AND THAT IT IS BAD TO RIDE ON THEIR

BACKS AS IT ISN’T NATURAL AND CAN CAUSE

THEM PAIN.”

- STELLA AND BOP, Y6

“I LEARNED THAT ELEPHANTS HAVE

SENSITIVE FEET AND FEEL VIBRATIONS

THROUGH THE GROUND.” - PITT, Y6

JEREMIE, FROM Y5 SUMMARISED THINGS

NICELY WHEN HE SAID, “I WOULD LOVE

TO GO AGAIN TO MEET ALL THE NEW

RESCUED ELEPHANTS AND LEARN MUCH

MORE ABOUT ELEPHANTS IN THAILAND.”

BY JAMES BAKER, DEPUTY HEAD OF PRIMARY

On Friday 13th February Regents School held it’s annual ‘International day’. The event started with the International parade which is always a special event as the whole school is involved; teachers, parents and pupils walked around The Oval behind the national flag of their country. This year we had 58 different countries represented, quite a feat. Only in a school such as ours is it even possible to have such a meaningful and cohesive event, in the way that it simultaneously illustrated our cultural diversity and our mutual similarities and unity. On days such as these the whole school really does come together for: music and dance performances; sharing some wonderful and varied culinary dishes; browsing around the many stalls and simply enjoying one another’s company.

We saw some spectacular performances on the communal stage, such as the ‘Korean fan dance’, which had obviously been meticulously choreographed and practised to great effect. The students performed songs, dances and musical items from all around the world; there really was a festival-type feeling in the air.

If ever someone wanted to see some of the unique experiences which an education at Regents School has to offer, than our very own International day is surely a fine example. As our children grow up and eventually leave school these communal and multicultural events, as well as the day to day ‘back-drop’ of students coming together from all around the world, will be etched into their consciousness and will significantly help to breed a generation of individuals who fully understand tolerance, understanding and cultural diversity.

Of course the day was not just about the pupils, it was about getting the whole school community together: parents, teachers, community partners and friends. It was wonderful to just soak in the atmosphere, watch the various performances, talk to so many different people and, in my case, eat far too much Indian and Korean food. I think I am still burning off the calories from those soft-dough Chocolate-chip cookies.

REGENTS SCHOOL INTERNATIONAL DAY I love the quote by the American novelist, poet and environmental activist Wendell Berry who said:

Nobody can discover the world for somebody else. Only when we discover it for ourselves does it become common ground and a common bond and we cease to be alone.”

Our annual International days provide ‘common ground’ for everyone as well as being a wonderful day out for everyone. Our thanks go to all those who put many hours into preparing for the day, and to our parents, pupils and friends who attended. See you next year.

A TRULY MULTI-CULTURAL EXPERIENCE

I was in year 4 many years ago - 1978 to be exact. The biggest excitement that tore through year 4 all those years ago was the news that we were to go to Bristol zoo. The excitement was volcanic. The highlight was certainly the 32 or so mile coach journey to the zoo. I remember nothing else apart from this. The day at the zoo flew by in a blur of Nutella sandwiches and fizzy drinks. I don’t think I learnt much – but had great fun.

School trips have certainly become a little more sophisticated, and Year 4 has just returned from a three day adventure in the Chanthaburi province. During this time they have visited a turtle sanctuary, explored the mangrove forest of Kung Kraben and navigated their way home across the beaches. They have trekked across the rainforests of Phliew National Park, clambering up steep rock ravines, and cut their way through the treacle-like heat; before risking their toes with the fish of the three-tiered

waterfall. They have clambered up the vertiginous sides of the Krathong Waterfall on Khoa Kitchakut National Park and swam in the cool pools below. They wandered the paths of Wat Charg Yai and contemplated the stories they found there. All in all I can say it was just a little bit better than Bristol zoo.

There was learning to be done, and reflections to be enthusiastically recorded on the blog – but this was not the only purpose of this trip. There are lots of ways of learning, from the acquisition of facts, to learning about how to learn effectively – ‘the skills of learning’. However, there

is also something that children can only teach themselves through experience – perseverance and self-challenge.

Taking on a task that seems bigger than they are and then working through it to the end; asking for help from teachers and friends to make it through. As the children struggled through the treks – it was extremely hot and it was very steep. As the children braved each new experience, one could see the doubt in their faces change to a look of determination and finally triumph. It is only by digging deep do the children find those hidden resources; through struggle and diligence and finding help and inspiration from others.

BY JONATHAN CREW, HEAD OF YEAR 4

FOUR GO ADVENTURING To find out more about the trip and the pupil’s experiences please go to:

http://chantaburiadventure.blogspot.com/

OSCAR HAD THESE WORD TO

SAY ABOUT THE HIKING,

“YESTERDAY WE HAD A GREAT DAY HIKING. WE

FIRST MET AT THE NATIONAL PARK. WE WENT

INTO THE FOREST AND CLIMBED OVER ROCKS,

BRANCHES, TREES AND SPIDER WEBS. WHEN WE

CAME TO THE END OF THE TRAIL WE STOPPED

AT A WATER FALL. MY FRIENDS AND I GOT TO

SWIM WITH THE FISHES. IT WAS AWESOME! I

WAS SCARED BUT THEN TAN WALKED IN; SO

I FOLLOWED. YOU COULD FEED THE FISHES

WITH BEANS. IF YOU DROPPED A BEAN BY YOUR

FOOT THE FISH WOULD NIBBLE YOUR FEET!”

TRISHALAA HAD THIS TO SAY,

“WE WENT TO THE MANGROVE FOREST

AND WE SAW A HUGE VARIETY OF

ANIMALS. IT WAS LOTS OF FUN BUT WE

WALKED SO MUCH MY LEGS HURT!”

ANU SPOKE OF HER EXPERIENCES,

“ I WENT TO A MANGROVE FOREST. IT

WAS SO MUCH FUN BEING WITH MY

FRIENDS AND MY TEACHER. WE SAW

SO MANY INSECTS, CRABS, AND SMALL

FISH.”

“HUMAN RESOURCES ARE LIKE NATURAL

RESOURCES; THEY’RE OFTEN BURIED DEEP.

YOU HAVE TO GO LOOKING FOR THEM;

THEY’RE NOT JUST LYING AROUND ON

THE SURFACE.”

KEN ROBINSON

ELYSE AND VERONIKA

ALSO COMMENTED,

“ WE WENT TO THE MANGROVE SWAMP

TO DO THE MANGROVE TRAIL. WE FOUND

TWO LATIN NAMES FOR TWO TREES,

THEY WERE CALLED AVICENNIACEAE

AIBA AND RHIDRPHORA MURONATA.

WE DID NOT SEE ANY DUGONGS BUT

WE DID SEE LOADS OF BURROWING

CRABS. WE ALSO SAW SMALL FISH AND

WADING BIRDS.”

BY ABBY WHITE, GAPPIE

Over the last half-term, our gap-students: Abby, Cliff, Motsi and Intern Mona visited the Abundant Life Home on various Sundays to teach the children at the orphanage how to speak English. The Abundant Life Home is one of Regents’ Community Partners. It provides care and support for children who have been orphaned due to AIDS and who are living with HIV. The founder Karen Sanchez invited any Gap Students who were interested to come along and hold English classes. Our days started with a long journey to the orphanage. Once we were there we set up a small outdoor classroom area, equipped with only a whiteboard and the students themselves.

We began by introducing ourselves in English, and then moved on to a lesson-plan we had brought along with us. (Thus far we had taught the students about foods, and adjectives used for describing people and objects). We noticed that even though we were covering basics, the children knew very little English. Therefore while we were loosely following the lesson plan, we mostly

practised conversational English. We also had the children describe what they had recently eaten and then to also try and describe us the teachers, and themselves. This was extremely amusing, as the children were not actually very sure how to describe us, so they decided to joke around with it. This was actually a good thing as they experimented with more words than they would have done by taking it seriously. The children in my group then proceeded to tell me they were from places such a Korea and Germany, which they also thought was hysterical.

This was so rewarding for us; seeing those children so happy and excited for us to be with them. The positive atmosphere was refreshing and the children all had a great sense of humour. Even though there was a lot of joking around between them, I was really impressed by their note-taking skills and engagement throughout the lesson, despite the fact that they were sometimes struggling to understand, as we could not explain things to them in their own language. Our lessons were very successful and rewarding. We thoroughly enjoyed our time at the Abundant Life Home and hope to return soon.

THE ABUNDANT LIFE HOME

BY DALE FARRINGTON, LEARNING SUPPORT ASSISTANT

What a fantastic few days we had just before the half-term break. The variety and quality of Round Square related activities on offer to our students was truly breathtaking – from art and crafts to action and adventure, from short day visits to extended residential trips. How did we manage to pack so much in to such a short space of time?

As with any project of this scale, a lot of planning and hard work is involved. As Primary Round Square Coordinator, it was a pleasure to work with all my colleagues from the Primary School. Everyone was very supportive, inventive and enthusiastic and all went above and beyond their line of duty to make the week a huge success.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all, along with the administration staff, maintenance staff, drivers,

maids, chefs, gardeners, outside agencies and parents who all played their part in making it the most exciting RS Week ever. It was a true Regents community effort and demonstrated exactly why the Round Square IDEALS are so important and relevant to all our pupils, from Nursery to Year 6.

In closing, I mustn’t forget the most important members of our school, the pupils. To see each and every one of them involved in so many varied activities that challenged them and got them out of their comfort zone, was a real pleasure. Please take the time to ask your children how much they enjoyed themselves and in what ways they were challenged;

you will quickly recognize the benefits of such an active and exciting week.

Roll on next year!

PRIMARY ROUND SQUARE WEEK 2015

BY LUCY LEWIS, HEAD OF PRIMARY MUSIC

This week and last we have been treated to two delightful Rising Stars Recitals in the Globe Theatre. Our first, a Violin and Vocal Recital, showcased many of our ABRSM Violin Exam students who will be taking Grades Prep-3 in June of this year. This week we enjoyed a Brass and Vocal Recital where the audience members were astounded by the talents of our children from the very youngest to our most experienced. At both recitals our Voice Students uplifted us with beautiful solos and duets and got our feet tapping and hands clapping with upbeat and enjoyable numbers.

Both recitals comprised many ensemble and solo items; beautiful classical melodies and contemporary numbers. The individual styles of all our students brought a unique performance to the stage every time.

Mr Tony, Ms Fern, Ms Namtarn and Mr Clarence expertly guided and supported the children and the wonderful audience of

parents, friends, teachers and siblings were so encouraging.

Thank you to all who took part and to the music team who supported the technical and practical requirements of the Recitals.

OUR RISING STARS SHINE ONCE AGAIN!

RISING STARS OF THE GLOBE THEATRE

BY CHARLIE AND BELLA, STUDENTS IN 6P

Regents is a Round Square School and on Friday 27th February 2015 we interviewed Ms Aina to find out what being a Round Square School actually means. We are both fairly new to the school and we don’t know much about it yet so it was a very interesting and informative meeting.

WHERE DID IT ALL BEGIN?

Kurt Hahn was the founder of the whole Round Square organisation. He once said something that has now become quite famous and is often quoted by people in Round Square: “There is more in you than you think!” We thought about what this means and we came to the conclusion that even though you think you may not be good at something that you are actually a whole lot better than you think you are and have the potential to do more. Round Square is a world-wide organisation and there are lots of schools that are members (around 180.) Regents became a member of Round Square in 2001.

BUT HOW CAN A SQUARE BE ROUND?

Interestingly, we found out how Round Square got its name! The first meeting ever held was on a round table in a square room - and it is as simple as that!

ROUND SQUARE INSIDERS SO WHAT IS ROUND SQUARE?

All the people who are a part of Round Square have the same way of thinking and the same goals. This is not linked to all the academic things that we learn; it is the holistic education. There are the 6 pillars of Round Square (or IDEALS as they are known) and although we don’t talk about them all the time, we realised that they are in ELP’s, trips and classroom activities all the time. Here are some of our experiences of Round Square:

INTERNATIONALISM

During International Day I learnt how many countries are represented at Regents and realised that we are a truly international school.

DEMOCRACY

Working in groups to make shadow puppets.

ENVIRONMENT

I participate in the ‘natural arts’ ELP.

ADVENTURE

Lots of people participated in the ‘Fear Factor’ Round Square Week option which was very adventurous.

LEADERSHIP

We have many leaders in schools including House Captains.

SERVICE

We all have Community Partners that we help.

We have an award at our school called ‘The Global Citizenship Award’ and this is a way of recognising everything Round Square that we do. Soon, there will be a launch of the new-look diary, where we record our experiences and aim to achieve a different award every two years.

Having seen the diary, we think that we are well on our way to achieving our Global Leader Award.

THERE IS MORE IN YOU THAN YOU THINK KURT HAHN

BY HANNAH NAOWASUK, ASSISTANT HEAD OF PRIMARY (KEY STAGE 2)

The Global Classroom Student Leaders were presented with the second of their five challenges during the recent webinar. The envelope, marked with a number 2, was described by one of our students as ‘a flat doughnut!’ The mystery package actually turned out to be a CD! The children were asked to use the music found on the CD to create a school song. The song was to, once again, represent our school ethos i.e. what is it that makes Regents so special? With the support of Ms Lucy, I was able to whittle the entries down to one winner…a joint, family,

effort by Bodgan (Year 6) and Lika (Year 3). I won’t give too much away about the content of the song as the Music department, including instrumental teachers, are now on-board with ‘jazzing-up’ the soundtrack and supporting me in creating a music video. All I can say is that the song was heart-warming and begins with ‘I love my school and I’ll tell you why….’ Watch this space for further details of our ‘school song.’

GLOBAL CLASSROOM SONG WRITING COMPETITION

BY JAN OTT, MARKETING ASSISTANT

Regents International School Pattaya’s marketing department has already begun work on the end of 2014/15 Yearbook.

It is an enormous task that can take weeks of preparation and hard work.

Class photographs are currently being taken, with Early Years pictures finally complete.

Regents School is using a brand-new photography company to add the professional feel to all pictures - ‘REMBRANDT FAMILY STUDIO’.

The photographers are very professional and well organised. The initial shots look great and are receiving excellent feedback.

We can tell the students are enjoying this experience, with one funny-face-shot per class lightening the mood.The Yearbook will be available to all parents at the end of June.

Rembrandt photographers will also be attending various

Regents’ school events and activities over the coming month. They will be around to capture the special moments and have already been a part of our International Day last month. See them here - clicky.

After some great results, we would like to offer the parents an exciting opportunity to have their sons and daughters

photographed professionally. This photo-shoot will be taking place at the end of March and start of April.

Parents will soon have the option to sign up for this experience and have great studio photos of their children taken, printed and framed.

Further information will be available in the next week or so on how you can opt in or out for individual student photography, so watch this space.

EARLY YEARS AND PRIMARY CLASS PHOTOSHOOT

SAY CHEEEESE !

HUH ??!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

v All items on sale are nut-free v All are low in sugar content v Starts after the half-term holiday

MORNING BREAK HEALTY EATING OPTIONS

Muffin Monday: Nepal service group Tamar Tuesday: Tamar Bakery Wacky Wednesday: Our Home Baked Goods Fun Thursday: Epicure Green Grub Friday

Healthy fruit

muffins

All items 20

baht or less Cookies,

biscuits

Mini pastries Fresh fruit

smoothies