BASIS International School Bangkok eNewsletter

Welcome Back!

Dear All,

The end of our first week back in school! Woohoo!

A few notes I would kindly ask you to review:

Very lovely to see so many Nursery and PreK1 mummies and daddies at our coffee morning today! Prek2 and Kinder parents – we have your coffee morning next Friday – Blackbox at 8:45!

Apologies for changing the Early Years and collection arrangements during the week. However, the drop-off was causing many of our babes to become upset. It is tough – but… please do not wait very long after drop off as the children find this really emotional! Things have been much better after the changes.

See the notes in the newsletter regarding the MEET THE TEACHER evenings – the week after next!

Please do drive with utmost care around the campus – and kindly do follow the advice of our fabulous security team!

Ensure that you enjoy your well-earned rest this weekend – ATK tests on Sunday night and bring to school on Monday morning, please!

Take great care everybody! Alan.

Meet the Teacher Night

Your children's teachers would love to introduce themselves to you and provide an outline of the course they are offering this year. No doubt, many will offer some advice on supporting children with homework; ensure you have each teacher's contact details - and more!

We ask that children do not attend these sessions. However, if you live so far from school this is impossible - be so kind as to supervise your own children, keeping them with you through the evening. Quite probably, each evening will last nearly one-and-a-half hours.

If you have a child in Nursery, PreK1, Prek2 or Kinder - please come into the school on Wednesday, Sept. 7th at 4:30 PM - and kindly go to your child's classroom.

If you have a Grade 1 to 8 child - please come to school on Thursday, Sept. 8th at 5:30 PM - and you will be directed to the appropriate classroom.

We very much look forward to seeing you and urge that every family sends at least one representative!

Many thanks, Alan.

Note: In case that there is not sufficient parking lots, please find the map here for alternative parking

Note from the Head of School: Staffing Changes

Dear Families,

I wanted to update you regarding some staffing arrangements :

Ms. Lisenka (our new drama teacher) is expected to join us next week. Ms. Lisenka comes from BASIS, Shenzhen where she taught drama for five years – but went home to South Africa in the summer. South Africa can be a little arduous when it comes to obtaining documentation for visas – and this is why she joins us after the first day of term.

I know many of you will recall Ms. Rachael Simon – a LET in Grade 3 last year. Sadly, she informed us last week that she must return to the USA to deal with pressing family issues. This, inevitably, meant we had to make some hasty staff rearrangements. As a consequence, we have employed Mr. Alex Dovey to be the LET and Math teacher for grade 5 – and he will commence duties very soon – conceivably early next week (I am sorry, I dare not be anymore specific as we are dealing with the bureaucracies of work visas – however, he is in Bangkok). Mr. Alex has extensive teaching experience and possesses a Master’s degree in Education. Of course, Grade 5 parents will have a wonderful opportunity to meet with him at the Meet the Teacher evening in September.

Presently, if you have a babe in Mr. Fred’s PreK2O class, you will be aware that he is being ably assisted by fellow teacher, Ms. Chelsea. Kindly note that a further staff member will join that class in the capacity of Teaching Fellow the week-after-next. This lady is called Ms. Natcha. Ms. Natcha has been teaching for over ten years, and speaks Thai, Chinese and English. She also has particular expertise in swimming.

Ms. Fai, one of our wonderful Teaching Fellows in Early Years will go on maternity leave in October and return just over a month later. In her absence an existing Teaching Fellow in the school – Ms. Jom, will take on her role. I am very sure you will want to join me in wishing Ms. Fai continual health and happiness with regard to the new addition to her family.

If you have any further questions regarding the above, do not hesitate to contact me.

Take care,

Alan

Head of School

New BISB Sports Teams!

We are thrilled to inform you that we are starting our BISB Swimming Team and Football Team:

BISB Swimming Team

We are happy to announce that our swim team practices will start on Tuesday September 6th. Our amazing swimmers competed at a meet in July at Verso International School and put in a fabulous effort! Our students professionally dealt with the pressure and many surpassed their best times at the meet.

We are looking forward to building on that experience. Hence, our swim team will have practices every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am. Students are expected to be ready and in the pool at 7am. If your child is in grades 1-8 and has interest in joining the team, please let the school know by Line official @bisb by THURSDAY September 1^st. Coach Andrew will reach out for selection process and more information prior to the first practice.

BISB Football Team

We are happy to announce the start of our football academy at BASIS.

There will be two teams:

Grades 2-4
Grades 5-8

Grade 2-4 students will practice one day per week on Wednesday mornings at 7 AM. G5-8 sStudents will practice one day per week on Friday mornings, at 7 AM. Students are expected to be on the field ready to play at 7AM. Our school is working towards hosting an event with other schools in November and setting up friendly matches with other institutions.

If your child is interested in trying out for the team, please let the school know by by Line official @bisb by THURSDAY September 1^st. . The coach will then reach out with more information prior to the first practice, which will be starting the week of September 5th.

Best regards,

PE Department

Save the Dates: Coffee Mornings with the Head of School

PreK2 & Kinder - Friday 2^nd September from 08:45 – 09:45

Grade 1 - Friday 23^rd September from 08:45 – 09:45

Grades 2 & 3 - Friday 30^th September from 08:45 – 09:45

Extracurriculars Fair - Friday, September 9

Our ECA fair for the 2022 fall term will be held on Friday, September 9th from 3:00 PM onwards. Stay tuned for more information which will be dispatched soon. ECA's will run from Monday, September 26th to Friday, December 9th.

Middle School Residential Camp to Na Pha Pa Yai

Parents of Middle School students,

Please refer to the itinerary and packing list document here in preparation for next week's residential camp trip. Please ensure that your children arrive at school before 06.45 AM on Thursday, Sept. 1st to depart for the trip. Thank you!

Nam_Pha_Pa_Yai_Itinerary_and_Kit_List.pdf

AP INFORMATION FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENTS

Dear Middle School Moms and Dads,

I received a variety of questions from your good selves – and am duly answering below!

We plan to invite Toby Walker – Vice President of BASIS Independent Schools, to conduct workshops specifically on the topic of APs, and also to share his experience of BASIS high schools and the tertiary educational options potentially open to our children in the future.
Please stay tuned for further updates regarding the workshop.

Take care
Alan Wilkinson
Head of School

Activities for the BISB Community

SOCCER DAY (PARENTS & STAFF)

Every Tuesday from 5pm-7pm on the back field. The skill level is a 6/10 so anybody who is very new to soccer might want to come watch first.
ATK test is required only on weekly basis
If you are interested, please join line group "BISB football fun Tuesday 17:00". https://line.me/ti/g/bIaBkwH92l

YOGA LESSON ON BISB COMMUNITIES (PARENTS & STAFF)

Every Tuesday at 5.00 – 6.00 pm and 1^st Lesson starts on August 30^th, 2022
Please bring your own mat
Venue will be advised upon arrival
ATK test is required only on weekly basis