International Day

Relive the magic of International Day at Prem International 2024! 

Dive into the photos that showcase the essence of Unity in Diversity. From the diverse array of global flavours to the mesmerising performances, each snapshot encapsulates the joy and spirit of our community. Thanks everyone for such a special day!

Community News Published Every Other Week

Dear Prem Community,

As we have already shared with you, starting this month, our newsletter will be in your inbox every other Saturday, providing you with better, more diverse stories from all corners of our school community. If you’d like to share your news, please submit your articles every Thursday at noon by using this form: https://forms.gle/YFXBWA2V2BGFoXmM8 

We believe this change will make our newsletter more enjoyable and inclusive. Thank you for your support as we embark on this new way of sharing news. We're excited to keep you updated and connected every other Saturday! For suggestions, email Sandra,  sandrat@ptis.ac.th.

Sandra Thompson

Communications and Community Outreach

Marketing and Admissions

Happy Children's Day

As a representative of the institution, I would like to express gratitude to the management, staff, teachers, parents, and all students who participated in donating money and items to contribute to the National Children's Day activities in the year 2024. The event took place on Saturday, 13 January 2024, at the Huai Sai Subdistrict Administration Organization.

We would like to inform everyone that the institution has successfully utilised the donated funds and items to participate in the National Children's Day activities in the year 2024. The activities garnered significant interest from the children who attended, leaving a lasting impression on the participants. All the contributions, both monetary and in-kind, were distributed to every child. We extend our gratitude to the department head who allowed the staff to participate in this event and appreciate every representative and staff member who dedicated their time to organise this community event wholeheartedly.

Thanakun Thatthong 

Human Resources Department

The Heartwarming Caring for Cats Exploria

Our afterschool Exploria program, "Caring for Cats," is on a mission to raise funds and awareness for the stray cats of Chiang Mai. Teaming up with Adopt Me’ow, a fantastic initiative, a group of Junior school students visits the local shelter to socialize with the adorable cats and kittens. Back at school, we dedicate time to fundraising and spreading awareness for this meaningful cause. Together, let's make a difference for our furry friends

Claron McFadden Enchants Prem 

A Resonant Residency with Claron McFadden

Prem’s community has thoroughly embraced the opportunities provided by the ARThailand residency of the renowned soprano and vocal artist, Claron McFadden. Her first week has been a whirlwind of musical and creative exploration, touching the lives of students, teachers, and community members alike.

A highlight of these first few days was the unforgettable community concert. This event brought together a broad spectrum of audience members, ranging from young students to seasoned art connoisseurs, all united by their appreciation for Claron's artistry. The concert was a celebration of musical diversity and a testament to the power of art in bringing communities together, not least of all via the musical talent of Claron’s accompanying musicians, made exclusively from the Prem Senior School student body.

Claron's workshops have been a central part of her residency, engaging with a cross-section of music and English students. These sessions were not just about vocal techniques but explored the broader aspects of communication, expression and the power and importance of ensemble.

For an in-depth perspective on the way in which these workshops engage and inspire, we encourage you to read the additional article penned by teacher Sam Dawkins. Sam's insights offer a deeper understanding of the impact these sessions have had on our students.

The community and teacher workshops focusing on the "Swarm" concept have been met with overwhelming enthusiasm. Participants responded brilliantly to the interactive and improvisational nature of these sessions. These workshops underscored the importance of collective creativity and the unique connection it fosters within a group setting.

Claron's ability to engage across all divisions of our school community has been remarkable. Her workshops and performances have had a meaningful and invaluable impact on our students, highlighting the importance of integrating creative practitioners in educational settings. Working with artists like Claron not only enhances our students' creative thinking but also nourishes their human essence. Interactions that have helped develop haptic skills and focused on areas of connection that make our students feel more alive, more human, and more connected to each other and the world around them.

As we reflect on the success of the first week of Claron’s residency, we are reminded of the power of creative thinking in education. The presence of creative practitioners like Claron in our school is vital. They bring a unique perspective that enriches our students' educational journey, making it not just a learning experience but a life experience - we are all very much looking forward to next week!

Alex Soulsby FRSA

Creative Director

Collaborative and Creative Skills 

Our Grade 11 Lang B English students participated in a workshop led by ARThailand’s latest visiting artist, Claron McFadden. The focus of this workshop extended beyond mere vocal training; it was an exploration of ensemble work and the essence of human creativity, closely mirroring the themes Claron is renowned for in her "Swarm" workshops. 

During this session, students were not just learning to use their voices in innovative ways, but were also delving into the art of nuanced communication as a unified group. The workshop shed light on the crucial aspects of tone, body language, and the intricate dance of giving and receiving cues in a collective setting. 

This was not just about individual skill development; it was an immersive experience in understanding the power and beauty of working cohesively as an ensemble. 

The experience was invaluable as it aligns seamlessly with preparation for their internal oral assessment in Grade 12. It goes beyond the conventional curriculum, instilling in them a deeper appreciation for the collective human spirit and the power of creative collaboration. Following this, students are now poised to channel their experiences into reflective blog posts, further developing their writing skills in anticipation of Paper 1 next year. 

This workshop with Claron was a shining example of the kind of creative engagement we cherish in the Prem community. It underscores our commitment to nurturing not just academic competencies, but also the collaborative and creative skills essential in today's interconnected world.

Sam Dawkins, 

Curriculum Leader Language Acquisition

Alex Soulsby FRSA

Whole School Creative Director

Prem 24 Hour Arts In 2024 Highlights

In a whirlwind 24 hours, our incredible students delved into a sensory journey, exploring the nuances of light and experimenting with various materials and processes. The mantra? Play, embrace mistakes, and take risks—resulting in creations that truly enliven our environment.

Beyond the artistry, students enjoyed BBQ, workshops, critiques, and more, fostering an atmosphere of creativity and collaboration.

"Participating in the 24-hour art challenge was an exhilarating journey where creativity met the clock. Venturing to the swimming pool amidst the freezing temperatures added an unexpected thrill to our 24h art challenge. The juxtaposition of creativity and the chilly plunge made for a uniquely invigorating and unforgettable experience, uniting artistry with a dash of daring adventure." Jerry, G11

In Theatre: G12 students crafted original pieces addressing contemporary issues, from bullying in the armed forces to the pace of modern life and existential dread! The culmination of their intense workshopping was a series of captivating and vivid performances. G11 students offered a sneak peek into 'The Woman in Black' with a teaser trailer. They built sets, workshopped scenes, and created a complex sound design, giving us a taste of the magic to come.

Kudos to all our talented students for an inspiring 24 hours of artistic exploration!

Grade 3 Camp

On 4 and 5 January, we took our enthusiastic students on an incredible journey to our Grade 3 camp! The first day started off with learning how to set up our own tents and organise our belongings. We then headed out on a boat tour along the Ping River. The Traidhos staff helped support our students along with the Grade 3 teachers and teaching assistants. We made connections to our current unit of inquiry and reflected on our last unit focusing on sustainable choices. The children used their research skills to observe the river to make notes of resources found along the river. We used our Grade 3 camp journals to compile information collected along our journey. After having lunch the children had the opportunity to explore a restaurant that had ancient artefacts. Connecting with our current unit focusing on how present day life is shaped by ideas and discoveries of the past- students engaged in an alphabet hunt finding old artefacts. We had conversations about their purposes and how the artefacts have changed over time. 

The next event… off to the market! The children explored a local food market in small groups, they took a shopping list and 500 baht. Each student took on a role in their group to help them purchase specific food items, speak in Thai to purchase the items, and engage in a money exchange. There were many skills practised during this task, time-management skills being one of them! The students loved this experience and the market was filled with laughter and excitement as they hurried to find each item on the list.

After we purchased our food for dinner, the students returned back to campus and successfully cooked their own three course meal! They proved to be risk-takers when trying garlic pork, a meatball noodle soup and stir fried vegetables. We enjoyed a variety of fruits for dessert. Later we headed back to the campsites to end our amazing day with songs, reflection and wait for it….  a marshmallow roast! This proved to be a highlight of our Grade 3 camp! The children showered and settled down for a nice sleep in the tents.

On Friday we enjoyed a full breakfast at our cafeteria and took part in many team building activities. The students used their social skills to work with partners and in small groups. A highlight of the day was being blindfolded and walking through a forest with our peers. We needed to use our communication skills to help our partner successfully move past the trees, and over hills.

At the end of our two day camp the students felt an array of emotions… happiness, exhaustion, pride and accomplishment. We are truly proud of all our Grade 3 students for showing perseverance, determination and enjoyment in all the learning engagements provided by the teachers and Traidhos staff. Well done Grade 3!

Jillian Smith and Jeremy Gaysek  

Grade 3 Teachers

Grade 4 Market Day 

Grade 4 students are applying what they have learnt about entrepreneurs and creating a Market Day! Please join us on Thursday February 1st from 1pm - 3pm in the quad to support their creativity and purchase items to raise money for a local charity!

Megan Gless

Grade 4 Teacher

Joyful Learning Experiences

Recently, teacher Rebecca brought the senior IEP Grades 7&8 Class C students to join teacher Sam's Grade 10 MYP English class. The focus was on learning English sentence structures in an innovative and joyful way. Students used culturally relevant frameworks and creative thinking to express their newly acquired knowledge through the use of posters. There was also much laughter as we used chopsticks, spoons and Justin Beiber to practise our understanding of compound sentence structure. This was another great example of collaboration between departments and sharing of joyful learning experiences which characterises learning here at Prem!

Sam Dawkins

Curriculum Leader Language Acquisition

Intercultural Understanding Summative Assessment

In collaboration with teacher Claire, the Grade 11 PPS (Personal Professional Skills) students showcased their culinary prowess and cultural awareness. Students embarked on a unique summative assessment, delving into the origins of a traditional dish from a country other than their own. This involved comprehensive research on the country, the specific region of the dish's origin, and intriguing historical facts.

The students not only displayed their culinary skills but also fostered intercultural understanding through the sharing of diverse dishes. This collaborative process proved instrumental in promoting a rich exchange of knowledge among the students and cultivating invaluable life skills.

Teacher Claire expressed her astonishment at the unwavering commitment, dedication, enthusiasm, and effort exhibited by each student. She extends a heartfelt "Well done to all" and expresses gratitude for their amazing contributions. This culinary exploration not only enriched the students' academic experience but also highlighted their exceptional teamwork and cultural appreciation. Keep up the fantastic work!

Claire Gordon

Drama and PPS teacher

Weekend in Boarding

Our boarding students participated in several events over a fun-filled weekend in boarding. 

We began by taking a stroll down the busy street and seeing the vibrant atmosphere during Saturday Walking Street. As a way to end the weekend, teacher Yuki provided a relaxing pool session that was the perfect balance of companionship and leisure. These shared moments not only made the weekend exciting but also strengthened the student's bonds with mentors and roommates. 

Engaging activities contribute to a fulfilling and exciting boarding experience by fostering a sense of community and well-being.

Nae Hota

Boarding Parent, Senior School/ IEP Teacher

and Grade 6 Fire Homeroom Teacher

Healthy Lifestyle Celebrations

Does your Junior School aged child play sports, or engage in active pursuits outside of school? We would like to celebrate PREM JS students who are involved in even more sporting activities outside of school by sharing their photos and a brief write up in Community News. I know we have a lot of JS students involved in a range of sports outside of school including windsurfing, figure skating, additional swimming, additional golf, ice hockey, additional football, additional basketball, rugby, horse riding, etc. If you would like to see your child celebrated for their extra efforts in the area of healthy lifestyle & sports please fill in the form (link & QR code below) with the details requested and we will take it from there!

Celebrating Junior School Young Athletes!

Adam Copus

Co-Athletics Director

To All Grade 5 Parents,

Please Join us at the 2024 PYP Exhibition Workshop on Tuesday, 23 January at 8:15am in the Library. 

At this time we will share all of the important information about the upcoming Exhibition for Grade 5 students. You will be working with your child to learn more about the process of the Exhibition, and have a chance to learn more about their passions and potential topics. 

We look forward to seeing you there! 

Teacher Alix and Teacher Alison

Dear G6-11 Parents and Guardians,

It is our pleasure to invite you and we sincerely hope you can join us for our Parent Workshop - Personalised Learning in Senior School session on Thursday, 25 January. (please see below for more information). 

Please fill the RSVP form if you would like to attend.

This is a celebration of the love of life and everything around us, friends, family and the beautiful campus in which we study. Please do come along and join us either as a performer or audience. There is no cost for attending the concert and refreshments will be available. Tuesday 13 February 3.45p.m. - 5.00p.m. at SS Undercroft.

The Music Academy is about to introduce Jazz Piano and Music Technology individiual and group lessons. Please click on the QR code in the poster in order to receive more information. Thank you.

Come join our weekly mindfulness group, always open and welcoming. Take a supportive hour of the week for yourself, to develop your inner awareness, peace of mind, self-knowledge, and family life!