Dear Prem community,

Happy Loy Krathong!

As with most of the festivals in Thailand, Loy Krathong is about giving thanks and offering praise to the goddess of the river. This festival is often held around the full moon of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar. It is believed that at this time the rivers are fullest and the moon is the brightest.

The word "Loy" means "float." A krathong is a small, decorative float made primarily from banana leaves. The krathong is typically adorned with flowers, candles, incense sticks, and sometimes coins or small offerings. This act symbolises letting go of negative emotions and paying respect to the water spirits.

Loy Krathong this year was celebrated on the night of Monday, 27 November. This also coincides with Chiang Mai Yi Peng Lantern Festival which took place 26 and 27 November, 2023.

Yi Peng (sometimes written as Yee Peng) is a traditional Lanna festival that takes place in Northern Thailand. During the festival, participants launch paper lanterns called Khom Loi into the sky. Hence, it’s sometimes called the Lantern Festival or the Festival of Light. The act of releasing the lantern called Khom Loi symbolises letting go of bad luck and misfortunes from the past year and wishing for good luck in the coming year.

The Thai department organised the Loy Krathong Festival for the Prem community on 27 November. Students had an opportunity to make their own Krathong. Students and teachers were encouraged to wear the traditional Thai clothes during the Krathong making.

It was a wonderful experience to celebrate Loy Krathong here, at Prem and we look forward to representing Thai culture in  future events on campus.

Sukanya Charpentier (Boo)

Thai Principal

Talk for Writing Adventures: Unleashing Creativity and Imagination

In a delightful journey of literacy through play, the youngest learners at our school are immersing themselves in the world of storytelling. In Early Years Three, students are not only learning to retell stories but are becoming storytellers themselves. Using the engaging Talk for Writing maps, the children recently delved into the classic tale of the Enormous Turnip. What followed was a burst of creativity as they crafted their own narratives, working collaboratively to share imaginative ideas, invent new characters, and present their unique stories to the class. It's a testament to the power of play in fostering a love for literacy and igniting young minds.

Early Years Three’s storytelling journey began with the introduction of the Talk for Writing map, where the children learned different symbols and associated actions. This method aids memory and empowers them to retell stories with ease.

Taking a step further, the children collaboratively constructed their own story map. Key aspects and characters from the original tale of the Enormous Turnip were replaced with imaginative alternatives. In a spirited class discussion, various ideas surfaced, and the class collectively voted on their favourites. The apple took centre stage, replacing the turnip, accompanied by the introduction of a ghost and a skeleton puppy as the new main characters.

This creative process seamlessly connected with our units on 'Sharing the Planet' and 'How the World Works.' The discussion around the differences between turnips and apples prompted considerations of forces and motions. Children contemplated the unique challenges of pulling an apple from a tree versus a turnip from the ground, leading to a deeper exploration of the scientific concepts interwoven with our literary exploration.

The power of this interconnected learning experience was evident as the children, now armed with a deeper understanding of forces and materials, transitioned to small groups. Working collaboratively, they applied the same technique learned as a whole class to create their own stories. Drawing upon their creativity, communication, and thinking skills, the children crafted characters and narratives, embracing risk-taking as they confidently presented their unique stories to friends and teachers.

This literacy adventure not only enriched our understanding of storytelling but also served as a dynamic platform for the integration of various concepts and lines of inquiry. The enthusiasm and imaginative spark displayed by the children highlighted the harmony between literacy, scientific exploration, and collaborative learning.

Scan the barcode to listen to some of the children’s stories. 

Raghda Ibrahim

Early Years 3 Teacher

Senior School Loy Krathong 2023

The Senior School Thai Department graciously organised the Loy Krathong Event on Monday, 27 November, 2023. It brought us immense pride as it provided a wonderful opportunity to immerse teachers, parents, and students in the exquisite traditions of Thailand, thus upholding the rich heritage of Thai culture.  Throughout the event, we delicately crafted Krathongs from banana leaves, releasing them into the water alongside our dedicated team of Thai teachers.

We extend our deepest appreciation for the cooperation and enthusiasm shown by everyone. We truly value your involvement and sincerely thank you for considering our invitation to join us in this celebration. We earnestly hope that this year's Krathong event has left a positive and joyful impression on each participant.

Senior School Thai Department

What does Teacher Ersong’s Grade 6 Mandarin Language Acquisition Class look like?

Mandarin is seen as one of “the most difficult languages” in the world to learn. Does this mean it is impossible to learn?  The answer is no!

In our G6 Mandarin language acquisition class, we utilise various classroom activities to engage students’ in their learning so that they can develop the four key skills of listening, reading, speaking and most importantly, writing. Through student-led interactions, we encourage their motivation to learn and at the same time strengthen their meta-cognition of Chinese characters. This is the most challenging skill to learn! However, writing and reading in a relaxed and secure classroom environment provides students with the opportunity to experience many different aspects of Chinese culture and traditions. 

Ersong Zhang

Mandarin Language Acquisition 

Middle School Council (MS StuCo)

The Middle School Student Council is now well established and has been busy planning their next exciting venture for the Winter Wonderland event on Thursday, 14 December. They will be continuing with their theme of turning a space into an immersive experience for all and in keeping with this they will be creating a 'Christmas Town' in the Senior School undercroft. Please come and support them by visiting their stalls, playing their games and getting into the festive spirit.  Meet the MS StuCo: 

Alani, Alicia, Caroline, Cici, Domenica, Ella, Entong, Ev, Jamie, KaoHom, Mia, Naomie, Oo-Jee, Pun, Sissi, Sophia, Vicky, Yun

Claire Gordon

Theatre, PPS and G12 HR teacher

Loy Krathong celebration in the Prem community

Loy Krathong is a vibrant and joyful festival celebrated in Thailand that is full of fun and cultural significance. The reason for celebrating Loy Krathong is to pay respect to the water spirits, known as "Phra Mae Khongkha." Thais believe that these spirits reside in the rivers and waterways, and by releasing krathongs onto the water, they express gratitude and seek forgiveness for any harm that may have been caused to the rivers.

While Loy Krathong is a festive occasion, it also holds a spiritual significance. As people release their krathongs into the water, they often make wishes or let go of negative energy, creating a sense of positivity and renewal.

The Loy Krathong festival is celebrated all across Thailand, and nowhere is better than in Chiangmai, a special place to be during this festival, called “Yi Peng festival.” The celebration in Chiangmai typically Include parades, fireworks, beautiful lanterns floating into the night sky, and releasing delicate handmade Krathongs to the water.

In the Prem community, Loy Krathong is a time for friends and family to come together. Whether it's crafting krathongs, or enjoying the festivities, this festival fosters a sense of community and togetherness. Many students, parents, teachers and staff dress in traditional Thai costumes, adding a touch of elegance and cultural richness to the festivities. Students and their parents get creative with their own Krathong designs. They make Krathongs from banana leaves, flowers, candles, and incense. Some of them bring their own flowers and leaves from home to make a unique decoration.

On behalf of the Thai Language and Culture Department, we are proud to be a part of this Loy Krathong event in the Prem community. We saw the smiles of the children and parents who helped make the Krathong until it was complete and were ready to join the Loy Krathong event held at various locations after school. 

Loy Krathong serves as a multi-faceted celebration, encompassing elements of spiritual reverence, cultural tradition, environmental consciousness, and community engagement. The festival reflects people's connection to nature, water, and the cyclical rhythms of life. 

Khaekhai (Kik) Maimaytee

Thai Teacher

Boarding Loy Krathong 2023

On the evening of the full moon on 27 November 2023 the Boarders, the Boarding team, and Prem's family came together to uphold the Loy Krathong festival with joy and happiness. We meticulously crafted Krathongs from banana leaves and adorned them with vibrant flowers. An array of special dishes and delectable Thai desserts were thoughtfully served. Additionally, we took part in the tradition of floating Krathongs on the lake within our campus.

The warmth generated by the presence of each participant beneath the moonlit sky was truly special. We sincerely hope that everyone experienced happiness on Loy Krathong Night.

Wishing you all a joyous Loy Krathong!!!

The Boarding Team

Weekend in Boarding

We are very aware that our students have quite a lot of work to do at the moment, so we had a reasonably chilled weekend here in boarding. We did take a group to one of the biggest events here in Chiang Mai - the City Life Garden Party.  A wonderful atmosphere with plenty of street food and local crafts to experience. Being back here on campus, I watched Astrid making Cinnamon Buns, it is so rewarding to see the students trying something new. I am sure this will not be her last time learning to bake. The evening saw the 'Big Match' between Manchester City and Liverpool which the students (and the staff) enjoyed watching. On Sunday, coach Sid took some of our students for golf lessons and other students seized the opportunity to go for a bike ride as the weather was so good. Our main event was Monday evening, when our wonderful Thai boarding staff got together to lay on a very special Loy Kratong evening. Floats were made by students and visitors, Northern Thai food was 

enjoyed, and then the highlight of the evening was floating the Kratongs on the lake at Prem, everyone enjoyed the candle display, the lanterns and the Thai desserts.

We had a wonderful weekend, fantastic weather and the good company of our students!!

Linda Buck

Director of Boarding

Prem Students Shine a Light for Christmas:

It was a glitzy evening of Christmas Celebrations as Anantara Chiang Mai held their ‘Lighting of the Tree’ Ceremony on Thursday, 30 November.

Prem’s Drama and Music Exploria Team were at the heart of the celebrations delivering a delightful selection of Christmas music and readings with a flourish of joyful singing of Christmas Songs old and new.

Needless to say, the VIP guests at the event have now started their Christmas celebrations following this wonderfully atmospheric evening, with Prem students leading them on their Christmas Sleigh!

Chris Johnson

Director Music Academy

Artist Residency Thailand and PREM’s Drama Department invite you to join us this Monday, 4 Dec at 6pm for an hour of creative excellence!

PREM’s Artist Residency Thailand program, in collaboration with our Drama Department, is excited to announce a fantastic evening event with the celebrated Irish storyteller, Niall De Burca. Taking place at our amphitheatre at 6:00 pm, this Monday, 4 December, it promises to be a fantastic evening of family-friendly entertainment on our beautiful campus.

Niall's residency is more than this single performance; it's an integral part of our commitment to infusing educational excellence with creative engagement. During his time, he will be working closely with our IEP Department, utilising storytelling as a dynamic tool for English language acquisition. Moreover, his engagement with PREM’s teaching faculty will offer valuable professional development opportunities, enabling our educators to enhance their teaching methodologies with innovative storytelling techniques.

Come along on Monday as we invite the PREM community to join us for this memorable

evening. Don’t miss this opportunity to witness Niall De Burca, a master storyteller, in action, and to experience firsthand the quality of artists and practitioners who engage with our faculty and young people.

Alex Soulsby FRSA

Creative Director

U20 Girls’ Soccer Sevens Tournament at BISP

Our U20 girls' football team seized the extraordinary opportunity to partake in BISP’S annual Soccer Sevens Tournament held in Phuket. With over 100 participating teams representing 9 countries, this year's tournament marked a significant milestone for our team, as none of us have ever experienced something quite like this. Our departure from Prem at 4 in the morning was the kickoff to this unforgettable experience.

After landing, we wasted no time and headed straight into the heart of Phuket’s old town where we surrounded ourselves with live music and beautiful pastel coloured buildings. Naturally, we were all eager to explore Phuket’s tropical beaches. This provided us with the perfect place to unwind and spend meaningful time together.

Day 1

The morning of tournament day one, our spirit was immediately cut short. Stepping onto the fields at BISP was an eye-opener for us. It was like nothing we'd faced before—the competition was on a whole other level. We were underprepared and we did not even have the chance to warm up or stretch before starting our first ever Soccer Sevens match. While playing our first match, it was hard not to dwell on the thought that we do not train half the amount of time that the other teams do. Nevertheless, we powered through our first match. Although the match ended being a Prem Panther’s loss, we undoubtedly grew as players as we learned how to better organise our team.

As day one unfolded, it became clear that there were lessons for us to learn as a team, lessons which can only be taught through tough experiences. We swiftly recognized the areas where we needed to improve and changed our approach immediately both on and off the field. We began showing up to matches early and having clear team communication. We left day one with one win, three losses, and a better than ever 2023 U20 girls’ football team.

Day 2

Day two. We started off the day with our most challenging match ever, and yet, it was this match which symbolised our rapid progression as a sports team. Our team beautifully adapted to the quick paced game style of Soccer Sevens. We passed with precision and never ran harder. We left the group stages with this match’s win. Securing the fourth position out of six teams in our group, we were in a pivotal position as we geared up for the knockout stages and aimed for a shot at the Plate.

During the quarterfinal match, our team showcased a level of play that surpassed all previous performances. Our defensive line exhibited aggression by pushing past the halfway mark, while our offensive players relentlessly aimed for goals. We played every minute with determination and won our spot in the semi-finals.

To conclude

Unfortunately, our first Soccer Sevens tournament did not end with us playing in the Plate finals. It ended with a loss, but disappointment was not a lingering sensation. We felt grateful. We were grateful for the warm sand we felt at the beach, for the humiliating losses we faced on our first day, for the triumphs and exhilaration on the second, for the unforgettable three days we had.

We are grateful for our exceptional goalkeeper who has brought us two shiny golden medals here in Chiang Mai. Having her on our team is vital, and her only being in 8th grade makes it even more impressive. We are grateful for our coaches Khun March and Khun Fah. Their dedication went beyond just tactical guidance; it was a bond that united us as an extraordinary team. We would like to give a big thank you to everyone who made this journey possible. We are all eager to return to Soccer Sevens in the future. Lets Go Panthers!

Sophia Muñoz 

U20 Girls Football Captain

Art Supplies needed for Local Thai Schools / Donation box at Front gate

As part of our G8 community project initiative (which is now an Exploria), we are doing art activities with children in local Thai schools which will help give these children more experiences and opportunities. We would really appreciate any art supplies, books and clothes that you might not need or want anymore. There will be a donation box at the front gate, so please come and donate.

Thank you for your help. If you have any questions please contact:

Naomie - naomies@ptis.ac.th

Pun Pun- supassarat@ptis.ac.th

Mia- miag@ptis.ac.th

Ella- ellab@ptis.ac.th

Tan Tan- tantankhunk@ptis.ac.th

Upcoming Event: PREM JV Basketball Invitational Tournament

With six Girls teams & six Boys teams coming from Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, & Bangkok we are set to host our annual JV Basketball Invitational on Friday 19 January & Saturday 20 January. It will be two full days of games & individual skills competitions culminating in the final games & All Star Games Saturday night in the Gym. Each participating player gets a tournament t-shirt with skills winners and championship teams taking home medals and a team trophy. This tournament will be run by volunteer students from the MS & HS Athletics Councils. Please be aware of this upcoming event in order to plan to support our JV Boys & JV Girls teams as they take on visiting rivals in our Panthers Gym & Outdoor SS Basketball Court. 

Adam Copus

Co-Athletics Director

It's that time of year again when we transform our beautiful campus into a Festive Winter Wonderland. Explore and support the many stalls selling baked treats and handmade gifts from students and local artisans while being entertained by the talents of our students participating in the Winter Wonderland Concert. Our Student Councils and other students are busy preparing other surprises for the event. Whether you're seeking unique gifts, delicious treats, or simply an early evening of festive joy, our Winter Wonderland has something for everyone. 

Don't miss out; mark your calendar, bring your family and friends, or join by signing up for your own stall. We look forward to seeing you and your friends on 14th December, 3:30 - 6:00 p.m. @ Prem.

https://forms.gle/Z9mTg9tFT3HbdyRb8

We will be collecting toys, blankets, and food for our supported charities. Please bring any unwanted toys (in good condition, if battery operated - working condition), used or new blankets, and non-perishable food) and place them under the Christmas tree in the Quad on 14th December.

Traidhos Camp would like to invite children aged 5-8 to join Traidhos Winter Outdoor And Nature Craft Camp on 18-22 December 2023. Please scan the QR code to register or contact camp@threegeneration.org