BASIS International School Bangkok eNewsletter

Message from the School:

Dear BASIS Families,

The first week of Semester 2 was packed with exciting and meaningful activities! From the Sport Potluck and the ECA Fair to the NJSH Induction Ceremony, the energy on campus has been incredible. A heartfelt thank you to all our students, teachers, and parents for your unwavering support and active participation.

Kindly be reminded to register for ECA by Friday, January 24^th 2025 at 5.00 P.M. Registration sign-up forms can be submitted by Clipboard Application. For more information, please refer to the catalog here.

This week, we also conducted a Lockdown Drill to ensure the safety and preparedness of our school. The exercise is a vital part of our safety protocols, reinforcing everyone’s ability to respond effectively in case of an emergency. We are committed to continue refining our procedures to further enhance the safety and readiness of our school community.

The highlight of the week was definitely the visit by The Bear Necessities, a cappella group from Brown University, USA. Their performance was just enchanting! Our Elementary School Choir had the honor of opening the show, making the event even more memorable. Thank you, all parents, for your generous donations in support of the Children’s Foundation of Thailand (CCF) as part of this event. This weekend, January 18-19, 2025, we would like to also invite everyone to support our choir students at the VOICES FOR CHANGE Charity at Central World. Your presence and encouragement mean a lot!

Before the performance, our high school students had the opportunity to enjoy lunch with the talented members of The Bear Necessities. These inspiring guests, representing diverse academic majors, shared their experiences and foster friendship with our TUSKERS. It was a truly heartwarming moment of learning and exchange!

Next week, we are excited to welcome our new students’ families to the B.O.S.S. Camp on Monday, January 20th, 2025, from 8:30 to 10:00 AM. This orientation session will provide essential information, followed by a Q&A to ensure our new members have all the support they need.

Please also mark your calendars for the much-anticipated Early Years Swim Gala, happening on Monday, January 20th, 2025, from 3:30 – 4:30 PM.

We can’t wait to cheer on our youngest swimmers! See you there!

Warm Regards,
BASIS International School Bangkok

BASIS Photo Week – Family Photo Shoot Reservation

Dear Parents,

We are excited to announce the upcoming photo shoot week at BASIS International School Bangkok, scheduled from February 3–7, 2025. Please find the details below to ensure your child is prepared for their photo session:

Class Photo Schedule:
Each class has a designated photo shoot time. Kindly check the schedule for your child’s class and ensure they are wearing their school polo shirt and are ready for their session.
Parent & Student/Sibling Photo Shoot Sessions (After School):
If you have booked a parent-student or sibling photo shoot session after school, we kindly ask you to arrive 15 minutes earlier at the Blackbox Theatre prepared and ready before your scheduled booking time. This will help ensure a smooth and timely process for all participants.
Booking Information:

You can make your booking for the parent-student or sibling photo session via the school reception or through our School Line Official account.
Time Slots are limited, so please secure your preferred time early.

We greatly appreciate your cooperation in making this event a success and look forward to capturing memorable moments for your family and our BASIS community.

Should you have any questions or require further assistance, please feel free to contact us.

Best regards,
BASIS International School Bangkok

Important Update on Textbook Returns and Future Policy

Dear Parents,

We’re reaching out to share some important updates regarding our textbook policy to ensure we can continue providing top-quality learning resources for all BASIS students.

In previous years, we described a "Textbook Fee" in our fee structure. This term may have led to some misunderstandings, as the intent of this fee has always been to cover the usage of textbooks throughout the academic year rather than ownership. Starting next year, we will adjust this terminology to “Textbook Usage Fee” to reflect this purpose more accurately.

The textbooks we provide are carefully selected to support our rigorous curriculum, and the actual cost of these resources often exceeds what we charge in the usage fee. Many families, particularly those with multiple children at BASIS, may have accumulated several copies over time. This has led us to reevaluate our approach to textbook management to help keep resources accessible and sustainable for all students.

To assist with our inventory renewal process, we kindly request that textbooks be returned at the end of the academic year. This ensures we have sufficient resources available for the following school year, minimizing the need for reordering and supporting a smooth start for students.

We deeply appreciate your understanding and cooperation, and we apologize for any previous lack of clarity around this policy. We’re committed to making this transition as seamless as possible and are grateful for your partnership in helping us maintain an exceptional learning environment.

Thank you for your ongoing support of BASIS International School Bangkok. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Warm regards,
BASIS International School Bangkok

Save the date for School Events and Academic Calendar:

Disclaimer: Kindly note that event dates and times are subject to change. We encourage you to check the latest newsletter closer to the event for the most accurate information.

Early Years Newsletter:

Dear Early Years Families,

As we return from the holiday season and begin the second half of the school year, I want to take a moment to thank you for your continued partnership and support. This is a crucial time in our academic calendar, and we are excited to build on the growth and progress your children have already achieved.

With this in mind, I’d like to emphasize the importance of maintaining consistent routines, both at home and at school. Children thrive when they have predictable schedules, and arriving at school on time sets the tone for a successful day of learning. Being present and ready when the day begins helps your child feel prepared, engaged, and connected to their peers and teachers.

In the weeks ahead, our focus will be on deepening academic skills, fostering independence, and preparing for upcoming events, including Chinese New Year, the Kindergarten Space Expo, and engaging classroom projects. As always, we are here to partner with you in your child’s education. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions, concerns, or ideas to share. Let’s continue to make this school year one of growth, joy, and discovery for all of our students.

Warm regards,
Ms. Annie
Director of Early Years

Primary, Middle & High School Newsletter

Message from Dean of Middle and High School

Dear Middle School parents,

Next week is Pre-COMP Review week. This means students will focus their lessons entirely on systematic preparation for the upcoming pre-comprehensive exams (Tuesday 28^th- Thursday 30^th Jan.). We would like to provide a few tips to parents on how they can help students prepare effectively for these exams.

Time Management
During this time, many of your children will be furnished with study packets to complete over the course of the week. Please help your child to manage themselves at home to ensure time is dedicated to completing the work for each subject.

Creating a study schedule - Spread out the work over several days so that your child doesn't feel too overwhelmed. These study packets are not normally meant to be completed all in one day, but should be consistently worked upon, a little each day, so that they are completed by a specific date.

All students will be offered the following template to help them plan their review for next week.

Distraction free environment
Please set aside a dedicated study area at your house that is free from distractions like screens, noisy siblings or pets😊. Please consider removing access to devices whilst your child self-studies. If they wish to communicate with peers about any of their review materials, this can be done during school time especially during AE period. At home your child should be doing their best work independently through the material, rather than relying on friends’ help – as will be the case in their real exams.

Re-assurance and encouragement
A certain amount of pressure can be a good thing, as it motivates action – however too much external pressure to achieve can also have the opposite effect on children, causing them to panic or ‘shut down’. No-one knows your child better than you do - Please try to balance high expectations with understanding. Your children are still young and for many of them this is the first time they have taken high-stakes exams of this kind. Treat it as a learning experience, so you can your child can learn what areas need to be improved upon for next time – The ‘real’ COMP exams in June.

Encourage Active Learning
Encourage your child to engage actively with the material. This can include summarizing notes, creating flashcards, or teaching the material to someone else, such as a family member. Another active learning technique is to try to recall from memory, and note down, as much about a single topic as possible – then compare this to the notes taken in class. This is a more effective way of revising than simply re-reading one’s existing notes or a textbook.

Encourage Breaks
Remind your child to take short breaks during study sessions to prevent burnout. Short, 5-minute breaks can occur every 30-45 minutes to help improve concentration and retention of content.

Be Supportive and Positive.
Offer words of encouragement and support. Let your child know that you believe in their abilities and that their best effort is what matters most.

Mental Health Week – Monday 20^th – Thursday 23^rd January

In parallel to pre-comp review week, Next week our National Honors Society have organized a series of activities to raise awareness of mental health, whilst also providing fun and stress-relieving activities for our middle and high school students. These activities will take place during the final period of Monday-Thursday next week, and as a result, students will miss their regular final period class.

Here is the poster the NHS have prepared for the event.

If you have concerns about your child’s mental health, or their preparation for the upcoming exams, please contact me – a.taylor@basis.ac.th

Best wishes,
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.

Yesterday, students in Grades 9 and 10 had lunch with The Bear Necessities, Brown University’s premier all-suspendered, all-spectacular a cappella group. As part of their Thailand tour, the Bears visited us at BASIS International Bangkok and will be the main performers at the Charity Event VOICES FOR CHANGE this weekend Jan 18-19, 2025 @ CentralWorld. All funds raised will be donated to CCF, Under the Royal Patronage of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

High School Lunch with the Bears

During lunch, the Bears had a lot to share with our students about life at college, Brown University, choosing a major and a career, and how their extracurricular lives juxtapose with their academic lives. Their university majors range from Biology to Graphic Design, and Computer Science to International Affairs and they all share a love of music. The lunch conversations were lively and educational. Many of the high schoolers attended the afternoon’s acapella performance in our Black Box. We learned even more about this amazingly talented group following their set, as Mr. Nick and Mr. Jonathan asked them questions about following their creative passions alongside academic pursuits. They are all scholars of the highest caliber and took on average 6-13 AP exams (unless they were in an IB program) in high school. The combination of smarts, confidence, pursuing a passion, and motivation are the keys to their success.

Thank you to The Bear Necessities for sharing your talents, your advice, and your dedication to the education of youth across the globe.

STUDY AT BROWN UNIVERSITY (Cialfo.com & Brown.edu)

Why study at Brown?

Brown University, founded in 1764, is a leading Ivy League research university located in Providence, Rhode Island. With a 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio, Brown’s undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs offer intensive learning and research experiences through Open Curriculum that respects and develops each scholar’s interests. Thir Open Curriculum allows students to craft their own course of study focused on their interests and goals.

Fun Facts

Brown has the oldest undergraduate engineering program out of all of the Ivy League schools.
Brown University was originally named “The College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations” but was renamed after Nicholas Brown donated $5,000 to the school in 1804 when tuition was only $5.
The mission of Brown University is to serve the community, the nation and the world by discovering, communicating and preserving knowledge and understanding in a spirit of free inquiry, and by educating and preparing students to discharge the offices of life with usefulness and reputation.
Bear Necessities Bass, Thailand native, and “Business Manager,” Nicholas, shared with us this quick tour of the Brown University campus taken one blistery day on his cell phone. It’s a beautiful campus, in a cute town, with a strong reputation for excellence.

Have a lovely weekend,
Ms. Kate Irving
College Counselor

Library Corner

Hello and Happy New Year from BISB Library!

I am so excited to be back at school, and to see our TUSKERS back in the Library.

This month we are celebrating our love of STEM through Story Time Science, a collaboration with the Science department! This story-time will take place after school on Wednesday, January 29^th from 3:45 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. It will include three scientists, three stories, and three hands-on science experiments! Please note that attendees cannot enter the library after 4 p.m. as this event follows a timetable to keep things moving.

Additionally, the Library will be offering two book clubs this term for different age groups: BISB Book Club for Grades 4 and up, and BISB Bookworms for Grades 1-3!

For students in Grades 4 and up, BISB Book Club includes 3 books for every club member (these are theirs to keep), as well as an end of term virtual discussion with the books’ author. Each week when we meet, students will discuss chapters from the book assigned, engage in dialog around story writing, and connect with other club members around their shared love of reading. Additionally, this club will create 1 project of their choice to share with the BISB community at the end of term.

For Grades 1-3, BISB Bookworms is a club designed to build a love of reading, creating, and storytelling. Each week, students will read one a colorful children’s book chosen by Ms. Erika, covering a variety of themes and topics. After reading, students will create a unique craft or project that correlates with the book. In addition, BISB Bookworm members will prepare a small performance for this year’s Book Week Creative Storytelling Showcase in March!

For more information on the book clubs, please find the book club flyers below.

Thank you and happy reading,
Ms. Erika
Librarian

ECA Corner

Thank you to all the families who joined us for the ECA Fair on Wednesday. It was wonderful to see our students exploring the diverse range of activities we offer. We believe these opportunities will inspire them to discover new interests and develop their skills.

A kind reminder to register for ECAs by Friday, January 24th, 2025, at 5:00 PM. Registration can be conveniently completed via the Clipboard Application. For detailed information about the activities, please refer to the catalog below:

ECA_Catalog_Semester_2_2024_2025_.pdf

Ballet RAD 2025 (GRADED EXAMINATION IN DANCE 2025)

Regarding the policy of the Vana Academy of Music to offer ballet instruction according to the curriculum of the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) from the United Kingdom, and to have students undergo assessments in accordance with RAD standards, which are globally recognized, students who wish to register for exams at various levels are required to pay the exam registration fee set by RAD. Additionally, in order to prepare for the exam, applicants must enroll in a preparatory course for the RAD standard, which will be taught by qualified instructors appointed by RAD only.

More information:

For English version Application please contact Line: oneacademyrama2 or Tel :097-3078724

ECA Ballet and Cover Dance

We are excited to announce the upcoming International Young Dance Competition 2025! This prestigious event is an excellent opportunity for young dancers to showcase their talent and passion for dancing.

Competition Schedule & Event Information:

Preliminary Round:

Dates: 1 November 2024 – 15 March 2025 (On-Site and Online Options)

Early Bird Registration (Special Price): 1–30 November 2024
Normal Price Registration: 1 December 2024 – 15 February 2025 (Please check the pricing on the attached poster)

Competition Day:

On-Site: 22, 23, 29, and 30 March 2025
Online: Submit video clips by 15 February 2025

Venue:
Puey Ungphakorn Centenary Hall, Thammasat University, Thailand

This competition is open to all students with dancing skills who are eager to participate and challenge themselves. Students interested in competing can register directly through the link provided in the poster attached below.

International Young Dance Competition 2025

ECA Ballet and Cover Dance students for more information contact One Academy via official Line account: @oneacademyrama2

BASIS String Orchestra

We are excited to welcome students interested in joining the BASIS String Orchestra! This is a great opportunity to enhance musical skills and perform in school events.

This program offers a wonderful opportunity to learn and master string instruments, including violin, viola, cello, and double bass, while building teamwork and performance skills.

Please refer to the catalog below for more details.

Contact us via School Line Official @bisb, Email: ECA@basis.ac.th or reach out directly to Mr. Ben at b.detrick@basis.ac.th

Come and be part of our musical journey!

BASIS_String_Orchestra_Catalog.pdf

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 Dr. Golf and a distinguished guest host for our final session.

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!

Join our BASIS Community Sports Activities!

We invite all parents, students, family members, faculty, and staff to join our fun Community Sports Activities.

Here’s the schedule:

• Tuesday: Badminton (5:30 - 7:30 PM)
• Wednesday: Football (5:30 - 7:00 PM)
• Thursday: Badminton & Basketball (5:30 - 7:30 PM)

Just bring a water bottle, and if you’re playing badminton, don’t forget your racket! No reservations needed, but please sign in at reception if it’s your first time using the facilities this year.

Students aged 14 and up can join without parents but must also submit the form at reception.

We hope to see you there!