BASIS International School Bangkok eNewsletter

Message from the School:

Dear TUSKERS families,

What a fantastic week of learning and joy! Yesterday, we hosted a friendly football match, welcoming players from International School Bangkok (ISB). The weather was lovely and the game was neck to neck! The determination and spirit of our Team TUSKERS were truly commendable. A big thank you to our PE team, coaches, and all the parents for their support both on and off the field!

Following this, we have an even more exciting event tomorrow, Saturday, September 28th. We are honored to host the inaugural U9 and U11 BISAL Football Tournament, with 10 international schools from around Bangkok joining us! The tournament will run from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Please come join us and support our Team TUSKERS!

At BASIS Bangkok, we offer vibrant activities for the entire community. Please save the date for the upcoming events listed below.

Last but certainly not least, we are delighted to introduce Ms. Punyada Thanapumikul (Earny), who has recently joined our team as the Community Relations & Communications Manager. Earny will be working closely with parents, students, teachers and staff to ensure that everyone stays informed, connected, and engaged in all school activities. She will be instrumental in enhancing our communication efforts and fostering stronger relationships within our school community. We are excited to have her on board and look forward to the positive impact she will bring to our community!

Warm regards,
BASIS International School Bangkok

Message from Director of Academic Programs:

Dear Parents,

I hope this finds you well. As always, there is plenty going on.

One exciting update is that Grade 10 students will have the PSAT Exam on Tuesday 29 October, from 3-6pm at school. The PSAT is an assessment that will help us (and you) to understand academic areas that can be improved over the coming years to ensure a smooth and successful university application process. Students do not need to study for the PSAT. Students are working hard in class and need to focus on their classes. I will send more information about the PSAT in the coming weeks.

Here is some key information about the PSAT:

The test is digital and will be taken on school laptops;
The test has 2 parts: Reading & Writing + Math;
Students can bring their own calculators for the exam;
We will explain the format of the test to the students before they take it;
The results of the test will be available 6-8 weeks after the completion of the exam.

It was very nice to see many of you from the Middle School at our Coffee Morning for the Pre-Comprehensive and Comprehensive exams. To remind, Pre-Comp and Comp exams provide useful data for us to benchmark the achievements of our school against the very best students in the world. If you have a Grade 6 child, their first Pre-Comp exams will be the beginning of an academic journey where we push them to learn independent study skills and the ability to self-assess progress and areas of need as they mature. We see tremendous growth in students during the Middle School years and this prepares them very well to meet the challenges of High School where they have even more autonomy and choice.

As I always say, you can reach out to me anytime with your questions, concerns, or suggestions regarding academic programs at our school. I welcome the opportunity to speak with you; you are an important part of the school!

Best,
Mr. Ian
Director of Academic Programs

Early Years Newsletter:

Dear Families,

We are now halfway through our first trimester. Congratulations! It is normally a challenging and fun season of transitioning from the summer routines to the school routines, trying to stay healthy and making new friends.

Through my classroom visits I am witnessing how your children are adapting to the solid structures and routines that have been put into place so that we can focus on academic growth. I believe every moment of our day provides an opportunity to learn. As you know, at BASIS we hold high standards for ourselves as educators and for our students as learners. If your child is coming home and talking about school being hard and telling you they are tired, this is good news. It means they are being challenged. Teachers are always assessing students and determining if what they are asking a student to do is meeting the intended objective.

Please join us in modeling the growth mindset. My Thai coaches frequently say to me, “สู้ สู้ (suu suu!)” In the classroom children will hear, “You can do it. Try your best” or “It is ok if you can’t do it YET, you will learn. Try your best.”

Thank you,
Ms. Annie
Director of Early Years

Primary, Middle & High School Newsletter:

Message from Director of Primary and Upper School

Accelerated Curriculum at BISB

Every day I have the opportunity to observe a wide variety of learning strategies that facilitate the successful delivery of the BASIS accelerated curriculum.

Organizational and Time Management Skills are an essential part of this learning process. Subject Expert Teachers, Learning Expert Teachers and Academic Coach have established routines with the students to ensure that every minute of the lesson is dedicated to learning. In Mr. Charlie's class, every action has a purpose. Instructions are given to students before they enter the classroom, and students are ready to learn immediately. Materials are organized neatly on tables or on shelves ensuring that all students have access to and autonomy over the learning resources. The CJs and folders, cubbies and backpacks all provide structure for the learning as well. In Grade 1, students place their math homework in the basket as they enter the classroom. In Grade 10 World Geography, students enter the classroom with their laptops and class notes, and the learning begins with content discussion in small groups or directed by Mr. Colby. The readiness to learn is extremely high.

Communication skills are also fundamental to effective learning. BISB students are assertive communicators who are eager to share their ideas and learn from others. The Grade 4 and Grade 5 Science Fair is a perfect example of the confidence and ability to impart their knowledge and understanding on others. During the Science Fair, students were able to initiate conversations with peers and adults in a friendly and academic way when presenting their hypotheses and conclusions. They listened attentively to questions and applied subject-related vocabulary to explain the reasoning behind their findings. The success of the Science Fair was the result of the effective collaboration skills the students practiced in making observations, gathering data and preparing the posters.

Students are rising to the occasion every day as they meet and exceed expectations and standards.

Ms. Allison
Director of Primary & Upper School

Message from Dean of Middle & High School

Dear Middle School parents,

This week, our Elective Computer Science students gave presentations to the other students during AE period in the Connection areas. The whole group learned about digital safety, were given tips for how to secure one’s data and identity online, and how to identify many of the common scams or unsafe practices they may encounter in the digital world.

Well done to our brave presenters – and thank you for the important and relevant information.

Dean Andrew
Dean of Middle and High School

College Counseling Corner:

Greetings BISB Community,

Welcome to the College Corner, a snapshot of the College Counseling process at BASIS International School Bangkok. I am Kate Irving – your College Counselor.

Last week I attended the CIS/EARCOS Institute on International Admissions and Guidance in Bangkok. There were 244 college representatives in attendance along with 201 school counselors representing 36 countries. Professor Shanton Chang, of the University of Melbourne, was the keynote speaker and his talk focused on developing students’ employability skills for university and beyond. Increasing students’ employability and providing them with skills beyond the classroom will prepare them for an ever-evolving workspace. They can have the skills for a new kind of job like Chief Listening Officer which pays USD $180, 000 a year. The job requires institutional knowledge as well as communication and adaptability skills.

At BISB we work to prepare our students both academically and personally. The skills they will need for 21^st Century jobs are built both in the classroom and in their extracurricular lives. Skills like adaptability, creativity, collaboration, and emotional intelligence are what will fortify them for a changing career tide. Businesses are looking for employees who are not just accounting majors, but people who can make analysis driven decisions. Engineers and architects need to be both creative and solutions driven. Lawyers must be able to examine the advances of law in relation to the impacts of technology, and doctors need to contend with societal inequalities as the world becomes more connected.

To aid our BISB high school students in the development of their portfolio and their skills, we have implemented a variety of student jobs and volunteer opportunities on campus. Our Grade 9 and 10 students are pairing with science teachers as Lab Assistants, and our art teachers will be training their Art Apprentices to both support the art program and enhance their knowledge of careers in art. We are also implementing a Peer Mentor Program and multiple volunteer opportunities within the community. I am so proud of this community and what we can accomplish together.

Along with many educational and inspirational workshops presented, I was also given the opportunity to represent BISB in a High School counselor fair. I spent two energizing hours speaking to college representatives about BISB’s unique and robust offerings. I introduced myself and the school to at least 80 college representatives and I look forward to doing more of these in the future. It was a great chance for the “new school in town” to show off.

I hope all of you have a lovely weekend. If there are any questions you have or topics you want me to cover in my College Corner, please send me an email.

Thank you,
Ms. Kate Irving
College Counselor

P.E. Corner

TUSKERS Sports Academy: Thriving and Evolving

Dear TUSKERS Families,

We're thrilled to share that our students are thriving in the Sports Academy, demonstrating exceptional mental, physical, and social development.

Our structured training approach has yielded impressive results, with students effectively applying strategies learned in game situations. This progress is a testament to their dedication and our team's commitment to fostering a strong sporting culture at BASIS Bangkok.

We extend our sincere gratitude to parents for their unwavering support. Your presence and encouragement have played a vital role in inspiring our young athletes.

In this week's newsletter, we’d like to emphasize the importance of wearing the right uniform for training. It plays a crucial role in enhancing performance, bit by bit. The right uniform also symbolizes that students are physically prepared to learn and take the best experiences of the day back home.

I kindly request that all students wear school jerseys for their respective sports. This fosters uniformity and team spirit at its best.

Upcoming Events:

September 28th: U9-U11 Boys BISAL Football Tournament at BASIS (8:00 AM - 1:00 PM)
October 3rd: U9 Mixed Basketball Competition at BASIS with RIS (Minburi) (4:00 PM - 5:00 PM)
October 5th: Swim Puppy Dash at Bangkok Prep (7:30 AM 12:00 PM)
October 5th: U11 Boys Football at BPS (8:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
October 5th: U12 Boys and Girls Basketball at BPS (8:00 AM - 12:00 PM)

Swimming Highlights:

Our young swimmers have been making waves! This month, they focused on refining essential swimming skills, including flutter kick, balance, and stroke techniques.

Swimmer of the Month Recognition:

We're proud to announce the following Swimmer of the Month recipients:

Early Years: Jacob KCL

Primary School:
Grade 1: Aya, I-Pon
Grade 2: Putta, Ava
Grade 3: Brook, Nam-Ing
Grade 4: Krist, Kana
Grade 5: Titan, Saiya

Middle School:
Grade 6: Sean, Vevey
Grade 7: Poon, Ben
Grade 8: Titi, Praewa

Swim Academy: Keen, Yo-I, Prann, and Gud

We look forward to another exciting month of sports and development!

Sincerely,
The TUSKERS Sports Academy Team

Library Corner:

Hello from BISB Library!

To start, I want to thank the wonderful students that submitted applications to be a BISB Library Assistant. I can’t wait to begin working with you. I will inform students and parents of the training orientation date in the next few weeks. This training session will be after the October break.

This week in the library we celebrated our freedom to read with Banned Books Week 2024! For Grades 4 and 5, we discussed the history behind book banning and censorship in the United States. Since the 1980s, the American Library Association has worked to keep diverse, important works on library shelves and Banned Books Week was created to celebrate a love of reading, the importance of multicultural stories, and the human right to information. Many books like Harry Potter, Captain Underpants, Alice in Wonderland, 1984, and Fahrenheit 451 have been challenged or banned for a variety of reasons. You can read more about the history of Banned Books Week here: https://www.ala.org/bbooks/banned.

Each library class, depending on grade level, looks different. Here is what we focused on for EY and primary classes this week:

Nursery: Feelings – happy and sad. Storytime: The Rabbit Who Listened by Cori Doerrfeld.
PK1: Feelings – calm and peaceful, with yoga! Storytime: Hurry Up! A Book About Slowing Down by Kate Dopirak and Christopher Silas Neal.
PK2 and Kinder: Parts of a story – problem and solution. Storytime: Stuck by Oliver Jeffers.
Grades 1 and 2: Book checkout and extended reading time
Grade 3: Famous Failures – Architect Zaha Hadid: Storytime: The World is Not a Rectangle: A Portrait of Architect Zaha Hadid by Jeanette Winter.

Finally, I am so excited to announce The Page Turners: A Teacher-Parent Book Club designed for the adult BISB community! For this club, we will meet twice during the academic year to discuss two different books. I will have a few copies available in the library, but club members will be required to find/read the books before the assigned meeting times. Please see the flyer below for the first book club book: Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderer’s by Jessie Q. Sutanto. Our first meeting of the year will be Friday, December 6^th, 2024.

I will send the registration link for the first club meeting later on in November. I hope to see many of you there!

Happy reading,

Ms. Erika
Librarian

Academic Spotlight

Grade 1 – Planting Activity

Our Grade 1 students kicked off their Life Sciences unit with a hands-on seed planting activity! Using recycled plastic cups, the students planted seeds which will guide them in learning about the life cycle of a plant, its different parts, and what plants need to grow. This interactive lesson not only introduced key science concepts but also sparked discussions on how we can care for the Earth through small, eco-friendly actions. Students are excited to watch their seeds sprout as they continue to explore the wonders of nature!

In today's Thai Language and Culture class for Grade 4, students had a hands-on experience making ยำ (Thai spicy salad). They learned about the key ingredients, such as fresh herbs, lime, chili, and fish sauce, while exploring the balance of flavors that make Thai cuisine unique—spicy, sour, salty, and sweet. This activity not only introduced students to traditional Thai dishes but also deepened their appreciation for Thai culinary culture. Everyone enjoyed the process, from preparing the ingredients to tasting their delicious creations!

In our grade 6 Biology class, we have been exploring the fascinating world of cells and their organelles. To deepen their understanding and make learning memorable, we hosted a creative project where students could express their knowledge in a unique way. The goal of the fashion show was to have each student represent a specific organelle, showcasing its function and importance through costumes and presentations.

Why the Cell Organelle Fashion Show?

Enhancing Understanding: By transforming scientific concepts into tangible representations, students can better grasp the roles of various organelles. This hands-on approach helps reinforce their learning in an enjoyable manner.
Creativity and Collaboration: The project encouraged students to work together, fostering teamwork and collaboration. They brainstormed ideas, designed costumes, and practiced presentations, all while supporting each other's creativity.
Public Speaking Skills: Presenting their organelle to peers helped build confidence and improve their public speaking skills. Each student had the opportunity to explain the function of their organelle, enhancing their understanding through teaching.
Engaging Learning Experience: Learning about cells through a fashion show made the subject matter more relatable and exciting. Students were enthusiastic and engaged, sparking curiosity about biology that we hope will last beyond this project.

The fashion show was not just an educational experience, but also a chance for students to shine and showcase their unique interpretations of cell organelles.

More Photos :

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1AIj7-RCY-x3wbWm-ejFV1TTMKLV1Ydsd?usp=sharing

Well-being Corner:

Dear TUSKERS Families,

It is with immense excitement that we announce our upcoming "Parents Series," an engaging and comprehensive program designed to address a myriad of topics pertinent to parents throughout their journey. This event will be hosted in the Black Box, featuring Ms. Ked, Dr. Golf, and a distinguished guest host for our final session.

For those who had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Golf at last year’s event, we are delighted to share that this year, she will be collaborating with Ms. Ked, our new school counselor. Ms. Ked, a certified marriage and family therapist with a specialization in relational therapy, brings a wealth of expertise and a unique perspective, drawing from her dual citizenship in Canada and Thailand. Her dedication to raising awareness about mental health is truly inspiring.

Our series will commence in September with a compelling session on "Effective Communication with Teens," followed by a diverse range of topics each month. Please refer to the attached poster for a detailed schedule of this year’s topics.

We eagerly anticipate your participation and look forward to seeing you there!

Ms. Ked
School Counselor

Community News

Community Event: Charity Mini-Marathon – December 8th, 2024

Get ready, TUSKERS families and friends! We are thrilled to invite you to join us for the charity mini-marathon at Nakornthon Hospital on December 8th, 2024.

This year, BASIS Bangkok is proud to partner once again with Nakornthon Hospital for the "Run with Love for the Thai Red Cross" event, marking its 14th annual run and our fourth year of support. All funds raised from the event will be donated to the Thai Red Cross, helping to provide essential medical care and social welfare for those in need.

Sign up now by scanning the QR code on the event poster! Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to make a difference and bond with the community.

We can’t wait to see you there!

Grade 10 students participating in Thailand's Military Reserve Training.

We are incredibly proud of our Grade 10 students who are participating in Thailand's Military Reserve Training. With the support of the school, these young men are committing to three years of training, across Grades 10 to 12. This program will definitely help build discipline, resilience, and leadership in our students. We look forward to seeing their continued growth and development throughout this remarkable experience.

Flood Relief Donation

A heartfelt thank you to the BASIS community for your overwhelming generosity in supporting flood relief efforts in Northern Thailand. Your donations of necessities, including 150 electric fans, cleaning supplies, medicines, clothing, and dry goods, along with THB9,999 in cash, were delivered to the Mirror Foundation. We are deeply grateful for your kindness.

Last Friday, a team of six parents and our facility manager represented our school, traveling with a caravan of five vehicles to deliver these contributions. It’s incredible what we can achieve together in just one week. Your efforts have made a significant impact on families in need.

For those wishing to offer further support, the Mirror Foundation welcomes volunteers daily. If you're interested in joining, you can sign up through the link below. Thank you again for your generosity and community spirit.

Warm regards,
BASIS Bangkok Parents Association

Photo Highlights

Announcement of National Youth Award 2025 Submission by Thailand Ministry of Education (MOE)

Please see the attached documents for program details and application. Submission for consideration is invited from students who participated and received awards in International Competition(s)during October 1st 2023 to September 30, 2024.

The said competition(s) must have participants from at least 4 countries. Submission due date is October 18, 2024.

There are five award categories

Academic
Art, Culture & Music
Vocational & Craft
Sports & Recreation
Moral, Ethics & Social Responsibility

Please review the guidelines for submission carefully. If parents are interested in submitting evidence to the Program for their child(ren), please be informed that you will need to spare a few business days to submit documents to the school for signature by School Management. The documents will then be returned to you for your own submission to the MOE via method of your choice. If you choose the postal submission, it must be postmarked between September 23rd and October 18th 2024.

If you have any questions about the program, please contact the MOE at 02-281-9752 during the official office hours.

หลักเกณฑ์คัดเลือกเด็กนำชื่อเสียงฯ

ใบสมัครเด็กนำชื่อเสียง-บุคคล

Interest Survey for School Bus Service:

Dear BASIS Parents,

Thank you to the parents who have shown interest in our School Bus service. So far, only two families have expressed interest in this. However, we would like to offer one last opportunity to see if we can arrange the school bus routing for families living in the same area who may benefit from this service. If you are interested, please fill out the form and submit it to us by Monday, September 30th, 2024.

Please submit the form or if you have any further inquiries, feel free to reach out to us at communication@basis.ac.th

Sincerely,
School Management