Dear Prem Community,
As we find ourselves at the February holiday just after half way through the school year, I wanted to extend a very sincere thank you for all of the wonderful community support.
Thank you so much for all of the excellent parent involvement at International Day, Chinese New Year, in the wonderful Mother Language Day yesterday, and for supporting some of our key student events including the Valentine’s Day concert, Grade 4 Marketplace and Grade 2 Exhibition. I know the children, Boarding community and teachers love to see you there. Your presence is so much appreciated by everybody. Education is very much a partnership between teachers and parents/guardians, and it is very heartening to see so much evidence of that.
Thank you for to all of the teachers, Boarding staff, and Prem team whose collective efforts combine to bring students a thoroughly rich educational experience. It has been an excellent half-term, and an especially busy one as we prepare to finally welcome our re-accreditation visiting team from CIS, NEASC and the IB when we return to school.
Thank you to all of you who have taken part in meetings and will represent Prem at the requisite Domain meetings. We feel well prepared, and are looking forward to hearing the Accreditation comments concerning Prem’s strengths and where we can improve even further!
I wish all families, teachers and staff a very well-deserved break and I look forward to seeing all students back on Tuesday 27th February,
With very best wishes,
Rachel Keys M.A. (Oxon), M.Ed.
Head of School
2/3/2024
🎉 Welcome to another vibrant edition of the Prem School Newsletter! 🎉
As we dive into the tapestry of teaching and learning that highlights the past two weeks, we can’t help but be reminded of the enriching journey offered to our students. Our teachers, the unsung heroes of our community, go above and beyond, investing their time and passion to extend learning far beyond the classroom. Let's take a moment to appreciate their dedication and selflessness.
Now, let's talk highlights! This past week was a whirlwind of exciting multicultural celebrations and impressive academic showcases. From International Mother Tongue Day, where our diverse community showcased the beauty of multilingualism, to the vibrant festivities of Chinese New Year, hosted by our boarding community, and our talented grade 3 and 4 students with their mesmerising Dragon and Lion dance performance, each event was a testament to the richness of our school experience.
Academically, our students shone bright. The Grade 5 Exhibition demonstrated the depth and interconnectedness of our teaching and learning approach, and our grade 2 students brought the animal kingdom to life. Our Spanish Ab Initio students were immersed in the flavour of Spain at "La Petita" restaurant. Meanwhile, our budding chefs in Thai Culture classes tantalised taste buds with signature Thai dishes while Kat U., one of our IBCP students, began an internship at Lime Leaf Cooking School.
The arts took centre stage with performances ranging from the Music Academy's eclectic “from classical to rock” Valentine's Day concert to the captivating theatrical production of "Woman in Black," showcasing the talent and creativity of our students.
And let's not forget the power of teamwork! OO-Jee, VP of the Middle School Student Council shares how they orchestrated a memorable Valentine’s event and Amelia, a grade 10 student from Germany speaks highly of her internship at Threads of Change. And then, of course, there are our Panthers athletics teams who have just finished an exciting season 2. Our community thrives on collaboration and support.
Beyond our campus, our marketing and admissions teams have been hard at work spreading the Prem spirit far and wide. From international campaigns to the upcoming launch of our very own app, we're dedicated to connecting with prospective families and enhancing the Prem experience for all.
So, as we reflect on the past weeks' triumphs and look ahead to what's to come, let's continue to embrace the spirit of curiosity, collaboration, and celebration that defines us as a community. Stay tuned for more exciting updates, and don't forget to mark your March calendar for the launch of the Prem app – your gateway to all things Prem!
Here's to another week of growth, discovery, endless possibilities and a fabulous February break. Go Panthers! 🐾
Tam Fawcett
Director Marketing and Admissions
2/17/2024
2/17/2024
International Mother Language Day Celebration at Prem
International Mother Language Day, established by UNESCO in 1999, serves to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. The day is intended to increase awareness about the importance of preserving and promoting mother languages, which are an essential component of an individual's cultural identity. The occasion also acknowledges the sacrifices made by the Language Movement activists in Bangladesh, who fought for their right to speak their mother tongue.
This year, Prem celebrated International Mother Language Day in a way that honoured students’ right to speak their mother language and their responsibility to explore new ones. In addition to engaging in activities in their own mother languages planned by our amazing parent community, students were given opportunities to explore new languages. This exploration was made possible by the exciting language activities planned by the Senior School students.
Student involvement and excitement played a key role in the celebration. Middle school and high school students led various fun mother tongue activities at the language booths in the Prem Quad. In addition, senior school students volunteered and read stories to younger children in different languages, resulting in a beautiful experience of culture through language diversity. During the assemblies, students learned about the International Mother Language day, reflected on how Prem celebrates linguistic diversity, shared greetings and sang songs in different languages. The JS Student Council highlighted the connection between language and culture in an informative presentation about Chinese New Year!
International Mother Language Day celebration was a beautiful tribute to the IB commitment to multilingualism and language learning. The engagement of the parent community and student body in this event exemplified the importance of preserving and promoting mother languages for future generations. This would not have been possible without the incredible support of the school's parent community. The proactive group of parents responded enthusiastically to the call for support and planned language activities that introduced students to new languages and cultures. Thank you!
Mayada Bayomi, English as an Additional Language Coordinator
Tammy Gaysek, MYP/DP English Teacher, Literacy & Mother Tongue Coordinator
Lunar New Year Celebration
Last Friday, the entire school, both teachers and students, donned vibrant red attire to celebrate the Chinese New Year. The Quad buzzed with excitement as everyone gathered to witness a spectacular performance by G3/4 students showcasing the traditional Chinese art of dragon and lion dance. The dedication and hard work put into rehearsals by the G3/4 students truly paid off, delivering a captivating performance that beautifully encapsulated the essence of Chinese culture.
The event kicked off with enlightening introductions to Chinese New Year and the significance of the dragon and lion dance by four non-Chinese-speaking students. Their fluency in both Chinese and English added a unique touch, fostering understanding and appreciation among the audience. Following this, Mona IEP Grade 5 treated everyone to a mesmerising performance on the traditional Chinese instrument, the guzheng, adding a melodic dimension to the celebration.
The highlight of the day was, undoubtedly, the dragon and lion dance. The energetic and colourful display brought smiles to every face, showcasing not only the students' skills but also their enthusiasm for embracing different cultures. What made the occasion even more special was the participation of our Head of School Rachel, Director of Boarding Linda, Junior School Principal Justin, Senior School Principal Shaun and Head of IEP Jennifer in the lion dance. They gracefully received symbolic oranges from the lion's mouth, signifying good luck, and presented red envelopes containing New Year blessings. This involvement emphasised the unity within our school community.
The entire event served as a remarkable opportunity to showcase Prem's commitment to intercultural learning and understanding. The diverse performances and active engagement of the Senior Leadership Team conveyed a powerful message about the school's dedication to fostering cultural awareness. The joyous atmosphere resonated throughout the whole community, leaving a lasting impression of the charm and richness of Chinese culture. As we continue to celebrate cultural diversity, events like these strengthen the bonds within our school community and enhance our global perspective. Here's to more cultural celebrations and shared moments of understanding at Prem!
Peter Wang, Mandarin A Teacher & Jing Jia (Maggie), Mandarin B Teacher
2/17/2024
Grade 2 Spotlight: Animal Survival Showcase!
Our incredible Grade 2 students were beaming with pride as they wrapped up their Animal Survival unit! With newfound knowledge, they showcased their research and presentation skills in a mini-exhibition that left us in awe.
From fierce lions to elusive chameleons, each student brought the animal kingdom to life with passion and creativity. It's inspiring to see our young learners not only absorb but also share their learnings with such enthusiasm.
Kudos to our Grade 2 stars! Keep shining and exploring the wonders of the world!
Will Langston
Head Digital Media
PYP Synergy in Action- Showcasing Collaborative Learning
The Primary Years Programme (PYP), collaboration is integral to shaping educational experiences for teachers and students. The transdisciplinary nature of the PYP allows for opportunities for all subjects, to work together to provide the best learning experiences for the students. As teachers from different subjects come together, they contribute different perspectives and support each other to provide the learning experience for students.
Last week, we were excited to have our first PYP Exhibition transdisciplinary carousel for Grade 5 students, showcasing the potential of collaboration between teachers and students. During this first time event, specialist teachers took part in discussions with students about their chosen inquiry topics, providing valuable insights from their specific subjects.
The students, actively engaged, listened carefully as the specialists shared their expertise, adding different perspectives and information that enriched the students' understandings. These conversations prompted students to make broader connections within their chosen inquiry topics. This PYP Exhibition transdisciplinary carousel not only motivated students' curiosity but also highlighted how they can make meaningful connections across various subjects.
The Primary Years Programme, with its emphasis on collaboration, creates an educational ecosystem where the synergies between subjects add immense value, promoting a comprehensive and well-rounded development for both teachers and students alike.
Mary-Ann Van De Weerd
Deputy Junior School Principal, PYP Coordinator
2/17/2024
Culinary Arts in IBCP
Today I took a trip with the IBCP students to a cooking school called Lime Leaf, where I am going to start my internship. The IBCP students came to do a cooking class called “All about almonds” where we learned how to make 4 different dishes with the same ingredients. So far we have made biscotti, sweet pastry, frangipane, and ricciarelli. I’ve never made any of these before, but this is a really good experience because most of the techniques we are learning are very useful with baking in general. I am looking forward to learning more about the culinary arts during my internship.
Kat Unflat
G11 IBCP SUMAS - Sustainable Culinary Arts
Exciting Immersion Experience In the Spanish Ab Initio Language
On Friday, 9 February our students had the incredible opportunity to immerse themselves in the vibrant world of Spanish language and culture during our ‘Food and Drink Unit.’ The students dove headfirst into a hands-on experience that brought Spanish vocabulary to life in a delightfully authentic way.
From the moment they entered the “La Petita” restaurant, our students were transported to a lively Spanish setting, with colourful decorations and the aroma of freshly prepared dishes. With great anticipation, they embarked on a journey to explore the rich culinary traditions of a Spanish-speaking country.
Throughout the session, students enthusiastically participated in conversations entirely in Spanish, practising essential language skills such as ordering food and drinks, asking questions, and interacting with classmates. The G11 students related with their peers with patience and they each navigated the complexities of the language.
The experience was nothing short of wonderful, as students not only expanded their Spanish vocabulary but also gained a deeper appreciation for the cultural nuances inherent to the culinary arts. As they savoured traditional Spanish Paella dishes and shared stories of their own culinary adventures, bonds were formed and a sense of camaraderie filled the room.
This immersion experience not only enriched our students' language proficiency but also fostered a greater sense of cultural awareness and empathy. As we continue to explore the diverse web of languages and cultures, we are delighted to witness our students embrace new experiences and forge connections that transcend borders.
Stay tuned for more exciting language immersion experiences as we embark on our journey of exploration and discovery together!
Carla Ramirez
DP Spanish Teacher
Thai cooking for Senior School Thai Culture class
Over the past week, Grade 7 & Grade 8 students in Thai Culture Class had the opportunity to learn about Thai life and culture through cooking two famous Thai dishes: Pad Thai and Egg Fried Rice. These are considered the national food menu of Thailand, recognized and celebrated worldwide. Pad Thai and Egg Fried Rice are signature dishes and a must-try for tourists visiting Thailand.
In addition to learning about the ingredients used in these two menu items, students also acquired the skills to cook step by step with the assistance of our Cooking Academy, contributing to the success and joy of the activities. This accomplishment was met with satisfaction and happiness. In the end, all students enjoyed the food they prepared and shared their opinions on the taste and insights gained from the experience with Thai cuisine.
Teacher Jang and Teacher Ni
Senior School Thai Teachers
Valentine’s Day Celebration
What’s the best way to celebrate Valentine’s Day? Making your loved ones feel loved, of course.
To help people do this, the Middle School Student Council (MS StuCo) decided to provide a service where staff and students could order roses or paper roses handcrafted by our amazing crafts team, buy heart candies, or handwritten letters to be delivered to their loved ones personally!
While this event has gone smoothly, we had our fair share of challenges. Sometimes we were rushing to get things ready before the actual date. We could have never overcome these challenges without our lovely team of people and the collaboration they have shown throughout our planning stages up until the delivery day, no one would have gotten their roses, candies, or letters without these people!
MS StuCo works together as a team sharing their individual skills and talents to make the best opportunities and experiences for the Middle School community and beyond.
Oo-Jee, Grade 8
Vice-President
Middle School Student Council
2/17/2024
Boarding Chinese New Year Celebration
We maintained the festive atmosphere last week as we extended our celebrations for Chinese New Year with our amazing boarding community! Our evening was filled with laughter, joy, and delicious food as our boarders and parents came together to usher in the Year of the Dragon. Special thanks to everyone who contributed to the memorable performances, and a shout-out to the parents who shared their culinary skills.
Another Fun Weekend in Boarding
Prem's boarding was so much fun! Students baked tasty cookies with teacher Noina, which made the whole place smell yummy. After that, they went to the strawberry farm to pick strawberries under a beautiful, clear sky. It was like a little adventure with lots of laughter and good times. To finish off our fun weekend, some students went to the pool for a cool swim while some watched a movie in the Boarding Lounge.
Weekends are all about doing fun things together and making cool memories with boarding friends. If you are interested in joining Boarding, email Linda Buck, Director of Boarding, dirboarding@ptis.ac.th
Boarding Staff
2/17/2024
The Woman in Black
Last weekend you could have been forgiven for thinking Prem was haunted such were the ghoulish and ghostly emanations from the Senior School.
Yes, this last week, we had the pleasure of bringing Susan Hill's electrifying ghost story The Woman in Black to the stage in the drama studio. This small cast play featured just three actors playing all the roles and swapping roles every night. The story explores the eerie world of Eel Marsh House and the hauntings of a mysterious woman and ends with a spine-chilling finale. Many who came to see the performance can testify to the skill of the performers in raising the tension and atmosphere to levels such that audience members screamed out loud during the show.
I would like to thank the community for supporting drama at Prem and especially the PSC,Khun Viroj and his team and teacher Mark Bosworth and the arts faculty for supporting the production. Congratulations to David, Andreas and Nicolai in G11 Theatre who have grown so much as performers and delivered their parts with elan!
Ian Johnston
Director of Drama
Do Something You Love
As Valentine's Day was fast approaching our music students from all Grade levels decided to celebrate their passion and love for music by presenting a Valentine's Day Concert. This really was a celebration of musical talent and passion. A wide range of students from all Grade levels performed their favourite music from classical through to pop and rock. Well done to all of the students who performed in the concert.
Our next Music Academy Concert will be on Thursday, 16 May. We will be sending out a sign up sheet during April for anyone who would like to take part in this concert.
Chris Johnson
Director Music Academy
ONE LOVE Project - Prem Music students perform for the charity
Prem shared their love of music with a large bustling crowd at Nimman 1 on Thursday, 15 February as part of the charity ONE LOVE project. Through their musical performances they were helping to raise money for underprivileged children in the provinces. The event was well attended and the audience were very appreciative of our Prem Music Team performances. Thank you to Christina, Elaine, Ivan and Gabriel.
Chris Johnson
Director Music Academy
2/17/2024
Threads Of Change Internship
Hello Prem Community!
My name is Amelia, I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of the Prem Community on my Internship as a Grade 10 student from Germany. For the last two weeks, I have been working and supporting the Threads of Change Shop. This work has entailed:
- Assessing how the shop is currently used by the Prem Community
- Understanding how the shop can support the community of students, parents and teachers
- Conducting a Stakeholder Analysis
- Hosting student, staff, and parent interviews
- Documenting and presenting my findings
- Putting together an implementation plan for suggestions and improvements based on feedback
The Threads of Change Shop is a wonderful idea! It not only helps support the school community but also provides an opportunity for Prem Students to give back to the wider community. The Shop offers affordable preloved uniforms and encourages students to learn practical entrepreneurial skills by working there.
Please consider choosing the Threads of Change Exploria next semester. It helps reduce waste which aligns with one of Prem’s values, Sustainability. Also, come into the shop to see what’s available or consider donating your pre-loved items.
I want to thank all those who took part and gave feedback, your input is very much appreciated. It will be used to help the Threads of Change Shop make positive improvements in the future.
I would also like to extend a big thank you to teacher Erica and teacher Silvia for their time in supporting and guiding me during my internship and to Prem’s Head of School Rachel for approving my application.
Thank you for making me feel so welcome. You are all very fortunate to have such a beautiful campus. Have a wonderful half-term break. I hope to be back here very soon.
Amelia, Grade 10
Germany
2/17/2024
HOW ARE WE FEELING - Community Wellbeing, PSC "Meet Up"
Thank you to all parents who joined this month's PSC Monthly "Meet Up." We took a closer look at the importance of Wellbeing for our children and community.
Thank you to counsellors Elacia and Katie for sharing some helpful insights on how we can help our children, ourselves, and our community.
Wellbeing at Prem contributes to creating a positive school culture where kindness, respect, and compassion are valued, leading to a more enjoyable and fulfilling educational experience for everyone. Wellbeing in our community helps develop essential life skills such as resilience, empathy, and mindfulness, promoting inclusivity, diversity, and acceptance and reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Thank you also to our Head of School Rachel and Assistant Head of School Lee for providing us with updates from Junior and Senior Schools, the academic calendar for 2024/2025, and the upcoming accreditation visits.
As a caring community, please support our Grade 11 students who presented their project, the "Rice Project." They are seeking in kind donations of rice or cash donations to buy rice for one of the communities G11 supports. Read more about this project in the meeting slides below.
All information regarding our meeting can be found in the meeting slides: HERE
We look forward to seeing you next month for our Breakfast gathering of PSC "Meet UP." Look out for more details. Please feel free to send any questions, suggestions, or ideas to pscsecretary@ptis.ac.th by Friday, 1 March 2024.
Have a wonderful break!
PSC Team
2/17/2024
Panthers End of Season 2 - Launch of Season 3
This past weekend marked the end of CMAC Season 2 competition for the Prem Panthers teams.
I want to congratulate the U20 Girls Basketball Team on their third place finish at the CMAC playoffs tournament over the weekend. The U20 Boys also played extremely well on Saturday finishing in fourth place in a highly competitive field. When both of our Senior Basketball teams are playing for a medal at the end of the year clearly there are great things going on at Prem in the Basketball program- and not just at the U20 level. U20 is the end of a student-athlete journey that begins in U8- with many great coaches, teammates, & learning experiences along the way. Thank you & congratulations to all but especially to our Grade 12 Basketball players Kauani, Amelie, & Noa each of whom led by example with dedication, communication, skill, strength, & passion.
I would like to join with parents & students in thanking our Season 2 Panthers Coaches. These coaches have long hours on the van around Chiang Mai, they miss a lot of family dinners and substitute relaxing evenings at home (after long days of teaching) for emotionally charged youth sports competitions all over Chiang Mai- multiple nights a week for months at a time. There is simply no youth sports possible at Prem without our dedicated coaches.
Thank you to Season 2 Coaches:
-Teacher Lee & Peja (Parent) (U16 Boys Basketball)
-Teacher Wendy & Teacher Kelly (U16 Girls Basketball)
-Teacher Phil (U20 Boys Basketball)
-Teacher Wendy & Teacher Kelly (U20 Girls Basketball)
-Teacher Sam BB & Teacher Mayada (U14 Girls Football)
-Teacher Max, James (Parent), Josh, & Jamtruel (Students) (U14 Boys Football)
-Teacher Luke, Sam Du (Parent), Tanin, & Alfie (Students) (U12 Boys Football)
-Teacher March, K. Fah, & Lanna (Student) (U12 Girls Football)
-Teacher Shaun & Teacher Vicky (JS Track & Field)
-Teacher Andrew E., Teacher Andrew M., & Teacher Ambika (SS Cross Country)
-Teacher Anna, Coach Sid, Sophia, Lanna, & Alfie (Students) (U8/U10 Football)
Thank you as well to:
-Prem Transport staff
-Exploria Leaders (Teacher Lee, Teacher Max & Mr. Nic)
-Prem Medical staff
-Marketing & Photography staff (Ms. Tam, Teacher Will, & Mr. Ice)
-Our growing list of cooperative food & beverage vendors
-The SS Athletics Council (Grade 12s will now leave our group)
-The PSC & our Parent community at large
We now have a few weeks off before signups for Panthers Season 3 / Exploria Session 3 begins. Please note the mandatory Season 3 team uniform requirements coming soon in an email from Teacher March & refer to Teacher Lee's recent email for full details on team sign-ups. I will quote a relevant section here:
"...sign ups for Session 3 take place in the first week back after February Break. Below is the timeline:
Monday, 26 February: Exploria/Sports Session 3 Information/Brochures Sent Out
Tuesday - Friday 27 February - 1 March: Exploria/Sports Session 3 Sign Ups
Monday, 4 March: Exploria/Sports Session 3 Starts
Saturday/Sunday 9/10 March: Exploria/Sports Session 3 Second Sign Ups"
Upcoming & Notable:
-The Panthers Season 2 Photoshoot, for JS & SS Season 2 players, is Wednesday, 28 February from 1:30 - 5:30 p.m. Check out the poster for more details.
-The Prem Invitational JV & Varsity Volleyball Tournament will be held on 22-23 March. For more details, contact teacher Lee.
-The SS Ball Hockey Exploria Club will continue to sell pizza by the slice every Tuesday at Lunch times outside the Library as a fundraiser for their April trip to Hong Kong for a friendly U16 Tournament.
-The SS Athletics Council has begun early stages of planning the Year End Panthers Banquet (to be held in late May). Many more details to come later on that front. A call out for nominations for "Female Athlete of The Year," "Male Athlete Of The Year" & "Coach of The Year" will follow shortly.
-Please note the Panthers Instagram account (prem_panthers) has a recent post on Golf experiences from students TJ (G9) & Luning (G11). If you are a Grade 6-12 student engaged in extra sports outside of school please pass me the information- we'd like to celebrate more students finding 'Balance' through sports & active pursuits on the Panthers IG on a more regular basis.
-Two selected Junior School (Grade 1-5 + IEP) young athletes are celebrated each month in Prem Community News with a focus on students who enjoy participating in additional sports outside of school. Any parents interested in seeing their child celebrated in the 'Panther Prints' section of Prem Community News is invited to fill in the form connected to the 'Young Athletes' QR Code attached below. Our next two articles will focus on two young ice hockey players (I couldn't resist...): Grade 2 student Alex B. & Grade 1 student Felicity.
-The Season 2 Stats Pack (for all S.2 Panthers teams) will follow in next week's email.
-Panthers Season 3 Practice Schedule: HERE
I hope everyone has a great February Break and I hope you all sign up for as many Season 3 teams as you have an interest in (the right time to start a new sport is right now):
CMAC Season 3 (see weekly training times above):
-U12 Girls Futsal - Teacher Adam & Alfie (student)
-U12 Boys Futsal - Teacher Sam BB
-U14 Girls Volleyball - Teacher Sam D & Lanna (student)
-U14 Boys Volleyball - Teacher Amy & Daniel (student)
-U16 Boys Volleyball - Teacher Lee & Mr. Bobby
-U16 Girls Volleyball - Teacher March & Ms. Fah
-U20 Boys Volleyball - Teacher Lee & Mr. Bobby
-U20 Girls Volleyball - Teacher March & Ms. Fah
-SS Badminton (U12, U14, U16, U20) - Teacher David & Teacher Ersong
On behalf of the team,
Adam Copus
Athletics Co-Director
2/17/2024
2/17/2024