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BASIS International School Bangkok Newsletter - August 22, 2025

Important Notice

This will be the final newsletter sent to parents via Schoolzine. Moving forward, all parent communications will be shared through ACE Student. If you experience any difficulties setting up or accessing your ACE Student account, please do not hesitate to reach out to us for support.

Message from the School

Dear BASIS Families,

Thank you to all parents who joined our Meet the Teacher Night events this week. It was a true pleasure to welcome you on campus and to share more about the meaningful learning experiences our TUSKERS enjoy each day. We appreciate the time you took to connect with our teachers.

Coming up next, we are excited to invite you to our upcoming Coffee Morning sessions, organized by grade level. These sessions will give us the opportunity to dive deeper into the curriculum and ways we can continue working together to support your child’s growth.

Please note that there have been some changes to the date and time. Kindly review the confirmed schedule below.

Next week also marks the start of Sport Academy and Music Academy practices. Kindly review your child’s schedule and ensure timely pick-up.

Parents are also invited to observe the first session of the Sport Academies, where coaches will introduce themselves and share an overview of the journey ahead.

Warmest regards,
BASIS International School Bangkok

Early Years Newsletter

Dear Early Years Families,

This year, instead of traditional Coffee Mornings, we will be hosting Parent Workshops designed specifically for our Early Years community. These sessions will be classroom-focused and address both academic and social-emotional needs as they arise throughout the year.

The workshops will be led by our Dean of Early Years, Mr. Fred, our Intervention Specialist, Ms. Ing, the classroom teachers, and myself. Our goal is to create a more intimate and interactive environment where we can share strategies, strengthen home–school connections, and deepen understanding for all adults supporting a child’s learning journey.

To ensure the best possible experience, attendance will be by RSVP only, with limited seats available. We will begin these workshops in September and continue through November. Sessions will take place after the student day and be held in your child’s classroom. Final dates will be shared soon so that you may mark the date on your calendar.

Congratulations to all of our Early Years students for completing the first week of our CharacterStrong Kindness Kick-off activities!

👉 Please see our CharacterStrong Kindness Parent Newsletter below.

CharacterStrong Kindness Parent Newsletter

Ms. Annie
Director of Early Years

Message from Dean of Primary and Upper Schools

Message from Dean of Primary School

Dear Primary Parents,

It was lovely to see so many of you at Parent’s Evening this week! We appreciate your time and are grateful for your support.

We are very happy to have a ‘Homeroom’ time set aside for Grades 1-5 this year. This is a very important part of the students’ day as they connect with their teacher and settle into their day. We have also begun using this time to focus on our TUSKERS values and teach the students even more about how they invest in relationships through our “Character Strong” program. During this first month of school, we are focused on KINDNESS and how this impacts our relationships with others. We appreciate your support in ensuring that your child can start their day on time by attending their Homeroom class, which is the official start to their school day.

I am so pleased to see most of the children wearing their lanyards! Please ensure that your child has this with them daily, as they will use their lanyard to enter and exit campus.

Many of you have asked about our lunchtimes. The children have the same amount of time to eat this school year as they did during the previous school year. Rest assured that we allow them the extra time to eat if needed, and they are welcome and encouraged to bring their water bottles into the canteen.

I hope to see you at our Parent Coffee Mornings next week.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Jenny Evans
Dean of Primary

Message from Dean of Upper Schools

Dear Upper School Families,

This first full week back has been a busy and positive start to the term. Homework has begun, and we encourage families to help students establish a routine that includes a set time and place for study, away from distractions, while also balancing their schedules with much-needed rest. Invitations for student hours have also gone out this week. Please respond to the SET so that we can plan support sessions effectively.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Meet the Teacher Night on Wednesday. It was wonderful to see parents engaging with their child’s teachers, building those important connections that strengthen the partnership between home and school. We also appreciate all who attended Friday’s Middle School Residential Trip information night, and we are grateful to the EEC representatives for helping us share details about the exciting itinerary ahead.

Looking ahead, we invite parents to join us for the Middle School Coffee Morning on Wednesday, August 27, and the High School Coffee Morning on Thursday, August 28. We’re also excited for the Middle School Residential Trip to Chonburi, taking place from Thursday, August 28, to Saturday, August 30. It promises to be a memorable experience for our students as they learn, grow, and bond outside the classroom.

Mr. Oliver
Dean of Upper School

College Counseling Corner

Greetings BISB Community,

As we know, the BASIS Curriculum is a globally recognized academic program built around exceptional teachers that yields extraordinary results. At BISB, we will experience the full impact of our program with our first graduating class in 2027. In just one more year, our students will experience the unique and exceptionally impactful BASIS Curriculum Grade 12.

The final year at BASIS International School Bangkok is a bridge from traditional classroom learning to applying knowledge in a real context. By this time, most students have their Advanced Placement (AP) courses and university application requirements completed. As such, Grade 12 is designed to be the culmination of their whole educational experience through three elements: daily college counseling courses, college-level Capstones, and the Senior Project; a unique opportunity to independently pursue their own research interests and prove to university that they are lifelong learners ready to take on a rigorous university program.

WHAT IS A BASIS CAPSTONE COURSE?

Capstone courses are the teacher-created counterpart to AP courses. While AP courses typically cover a breadth of content, Capstones offer students the opportunity to explore a topic’s depth. Our teachers’ talents shine as they develop these college-level original courses tied to their own academic passions. In each course, students transition from classroom-style learning typical of high school to seminar-based or lab-based learning typical of college courses. Universities come to expect BASIS students who are ready for a challenge and poised for success on their campus.

SAMPLING OF CAPSTONE COURSES OFFERED ACROSS THE BASIS NETWORK

SAMPLE SENIOR YEAR SCHEDULE

WHAT IS A BASIS SENIOR PROJECT?

The Senior Project, the pinnacle of the BASIS Curriculum, is a prestigious program where students undertake an off-campus research project or internship of their choice during the final trimester of their senior year (Grade 12).

Each senior selects a BASIS faculty member as an advisor and collaborates with an external mentor at their research site. They develop comprehensive project plans, compile bibliographies of resources, and create personal syllabi, all of which must be approved by a committee of teachers and administrators.

At the end of the trimester, students return to campus to present their findings to peers, staff, and parents. To stay engaged with the school community during their time in the field, and to impress universities, students blog about their experiences throughout the project.

While we wait and plan for the first BISB Grade 12 students to plan out their own projects, I would like to share some sample Senior Projects from America. You can look through all Senior Projects from all BASIS schools the last two years here: https://basisindependent.com/academics/the-senior-year/senior-projects/.

SAMPLE SENIOR PROJECTS FROM BIM AND BISV

Chelsea worked with Professor Makarand Panjape at Georgetown’s Nanotech and Biomedical Device Lab while independently researching ways to improve drug delivery to infants. She received firsthand lab and research experience that prepared her for her future in the field. Chelsea had an interest in biomedical research throughout high school, and with her strong portfolio of summer research, academic strengths, and personal drive her project is a top example of a BASIS student ‘s potential. Now at Harvard University, Chelsea continues to follow her STEM passion projects. You can read her blog here.

Humanities focused Senior Projects allow students to follow an artistic passion through an academic research lens. Brandon interned at an artist’s gallery and studied Abstract Expressionism, Traditional Chinese, and Abstract Chinese Art. With no real prior art knowledge, his passion project was inspired by his uncle to explore the world of Chinese art and history. His blog and presentation are a beautiful exploration of his journey. He is now a sophomore at University of California Davis majoring in Biochemistry. His blog can be found here.

Please join me next week at the High School Parent Coffee on Thursday, August 28, as Mr. Toby and I guide you further through our rigorous and unique high school program. Please bring your questions.

Thank you,
Ms. Kate Irving
College Counselor

Library Corner

Hello from BISB Library!

This has been a wonderful week in the library, with students attending their first library lessons of the year and checking out books for their enjoyment. This week, we focused on reminding students how to take care of their library books, textbooks, and how to find the books they love in the library.

Next week, we are excited to welcome parents back in the library starting before school on Monday, August 25^th. A reminder that this year’s library hours for students and parents are as follows:

BEFORE SCHOOL

Monday – Thursday, 7:15 a.m. to 7:45 a.m.

AFTER SCHOOL

Tuesday – Friday, 4:00 p.m. to 5 p.m. (4:30 on Fridays).

Parents may check out up to 6 books per visit and may keep them for 3 weeks at a time. Please note that you must always wear your BISB lanyard to enter the Library, and can only enter through the front turnstiles near Gate 2. Please also be reminded that students under Grade 3 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times. If you have any questions regarding the library, please feel free to email me anytime at e.wigren@basis.ac.th. Please review the library checkout policy and parent access policy before visiting.

Lastly, please watch the attached library video welcoming you to the Library, answering common questions, and inviting you to the Library Coffee Mornings on September, 9^th at 8:30 a.m. in the Library (Primary/MS/HS) and September 10^th at 8:30 a.m. in the Library for Early Years. Next week, we will share another video for you explaining the library’s Mature Readers Policy and how to know if your students have a BISB Library book.

We look forward to seeing you in the Library soon!

Happy reading,
Ms. Erika
Librarian

Hello from the Library

Sport Corner

TUSKERS House System – Building Community, Inspiring Excellence

At BASIS International School Bangkok, our House System—Hongsa, Singha, Nilmangkorn, and Naga—brings students together in the true spirit of the TUSKERS. Throughout the year, they take part in a wide range of events across academics, sports, arts, and music, with every effort adding to their house’s success.

Points are awarded for achievements, participation, teamwork, creativity, and school spirit, ensuring every child has a role to play. In regular events, houses earn 10 points for 1st place, 8 for 2nd, 6 for 3rd, and 4 for 4th, with 2 points for participation so every contribution counts. Major showcase events such as Sports Day, Music Festivals, and Arts Celebrations bring even greater excitement, with double points on offer. Extra points are also awarded for full participation, house spirit, and recognition of academic achievement and positive contributions in class.

With the running leaderboard celebrated in assemblies, newsletters, and around school, our students are inspired to give their best, shine in their talents, and support one another. Together, they show what it means to be determined, creative, and unstoppable TUSKERS!

TUSKERS Sports Academies – Sign-Up Extended!

The TUSKERS Sports Academies sign-up has been extended until Friday, 29th August! This is a fantastic opportunity for your son or daughter to take part in an exciting year of sport, representing our school in both BISAL and BMAC events. With competitions in swimming, badminton, football, and basketball, our students will compete against some of the top schools in Bangkok. Don’t miss the chance to be part of the TUSKERS Sporting Program—where teamwork, passion, and determination come together. Let’s make this a year to remember—join the pride and be unstoppable!

👉 Please sign up via the ACE Student App.

Please note: We understand that some parents may be concerned about committing to a full year of registration. If your child decides to discontinue participation in the second semester, the remaining balance will be credited to your family. This credit may be applied to other school activities or deducted from future school fees. We hope this provides reassurance and flexibility as you make the best decision for your child.

ECA Corner

Thank you to all parents for attending our ECA Fair on Monday. We are delighted to have received such an enthusiastic response and so many registrations.

If any selected activity cannot be opened, we will contact you as soon as possible and arrange a refund.

Our ECAs will officially begin on Monday, September 1. Stay tuned! We can’t wait to embark on this exciting journey with all our TUSKERS!

BASIS VEX Robotics Academy

Thank you for supporting your child in this year’s VEX IQ Robotics Competition Team tryouts. The event was an exciting and challenging experience, and we are proud of all the students who participated.

For students who are interested, beginning in January 2026, students will have the opportunity to join the VEX Robotics Skill-Building Course. This program will allow them to further develop their skills in building, coding, and collaboration. It will also provide excellent preparation for next year’s team tryouts.

Warmly,
Mr. Martin Shores
Engineering and Computer Science Specialist

Community Sport Activities

We warmly invite all students, parents, family members, faculty, and staff to take part in our Community Sports Activities, happening from Monday to Wednesday. This is a great opportunity to come together, stay active, and enjoy some friendly competition. Activities include basketball, badminton, and football, open to participants of all levels.

Facility Updates: Enhanced Outdoor Play Area for Early Years

The additional shading area for Early Years has been installed and the wooden deck floor at the Early Years outdoor playground has been renovated. These upgrades provide greater safety and comfort, allowing our youngest learners to enjoy their outdoor playtime throughout the day!

2024–2025 Yearbook Pre-Order Form is Now Open!

We are excited to offer you the opportunity to pre-order the official BASIS International School Bangkok Yearbook for the 2024–2025 academic year!

This beautifully designed yearbook captures the unforgettable moments, student achievements, special events, and school spirit from across all grade levels. It’s a keepsake your child will treasure for years to come.

Price: 450 THB per copy
Collection: Available at the Front Office by end of August 2025
Limited Quantities: Reserve your copy early to avoid missing out!

Please complete the details in the link below to confirm your order.

Yearbook Pre-Order Form

Let’s preserve this incredible school year — one page at a time!