Dear Prem Community,
What I want to say this morning is how very proud I am of this incredibly hard-working, talented, proactive and contributive community. Yesterday, we had the opportunity to hear the summary of findings from the CIS, NEASC and IB Teams. The full report will be available to everybody in 6-8 weeks, and the comments from those team visitors still need to be officially approved by the three organizations.
However, I do want to share with you that yesterday commendations were warmly distributed to all at Prem who make up our dynamic community and contribute to the success of the high quality learning that takes place. Students were praised, especially for their commitment to environmental stewardship and service actions; parents were commended for their involvement in school and student life; teachers were highly commended for the quality of teaching and learning, and the leadership teams and Board were praised for their commitment to our Mission and Vision and the furtherance of international-mindedness, or Global Citizenship , in our curriculum and beyond. I would like to share with you an excerpt from Nigel Forbes-Harper at the end of the visit. He was the IB Lead visitor and, coincidentally, also the founding Head of Senior School when Prem first opened with 50 students over twenty years ago. He identified the standard of teaching as being outstanding across every division of the school - he said he was extremely rare for a visiting team to find consistently excellent teaching and learning in every single observation (over 100 classroom observations took place). That is exceptional feedback and it was extremely gratifying to have this recognized so explicitly. He also said:
“If I could finish on a personal note: I was unsure what I would find when I returned here after 20 years. What I found was a school community that had steadfastly stayed true to its founding principles and had flourished into something very special indeed. Special staff and special students achieving special things. I am glad that my colleagues here from the IB CIS and NEASC have had the opportunity to be here too. And now I can only say thank you, on behalf of the IB team, for your hard work, persistence and vision.”
So many, many congratulations everybody, and a particular thank you to all those parents who took part in the Community Survey and came in to join the Domain Meetings and Team Visit Meetings. Your feedback was extremely valuable to the team.
I feel extremely proud of Prem this weekend (actually every day!!), and it is a real privilege to work with such an outstanding faculty, remarkable students, unique operations team, and such a supportive parent body.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend,
With very best wishes,
Rachel Keys M.A. (Oxon), M.Ed.
Head of School
You may well have seen a number of visitors on campus this week. In fact we have had fourteen accreditation visitors from the CIS (Council of International Schools), NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges) and the IB (International Baccalaureate), who have come to Prem to evaluate all parts of Prem. The accreditation team is made up of educators from around the world who have experience looking at schools and helping them assess their strengths and areas for improvement.
The accreditation process has not just been happening this week, it has been a two year process of self-study and self-reflection that aims to help develop all areas of Prem as we move into the next five years, after which the next accreditation visit will take place. CIS/NEASC evaluates all areas of Prem, including Purpose and Direction, Governance and Leadership, Teaching and Learning, Well-Being, Staffing, Facilities, the Prem Community and Boarding at Prem. While the IB specifically looks at our four IB programmes (PYP, MYP, DP, CP) and how we deliver them at Prem.
As I said, the preparation for the accreditation visit started more than two years ago as we prepared for the Preparatory Evaluation visit from CIS and NEASC. This visit involved two evaluators coming to Prem to look at our initial responses to their standards and see if we were ready for re-accreditation. Their feedback was positive, advising us on how we needed to reflect on our strengths and areas for improvement. Over the next 18 months, we have conducted a self-study process, where Domain groups have looked at their standards, creating responses, collecting evidence and looking at our future aspirations. These Domain groups were made up of teachers, staff, board members and students, who all had the same goal of looking at what we do at Prem, how this benefits our students and Community and where we can look to improve. The Domain committees worked extremely hard, creating their responses and the accreditation team has praised how much work went into this and how well written and thorough our responses were.
During this process we have also looked at key areas, such as our Mission and Vision, how we embed Global Citizenship and Intercultural learning into what we do and Community Well-Being. Additionally, when you go through this process the IB asks a school to create a 'Programme Development Plan', where a school will focus on an area for development over the next few years. We chose 'Personalised Learning' as our programme development plan and have already started to see the benefits within our students of these developments.
Accreditation is very important to a school as it validates all the positive things we are doing at Prem, while going through the accreditation process helps us to reflect on areas we need to improve/strengthen and how we need to move forward in the future. Being a school that is accredited by IB/CIS/NEASC means that universities/colleges/schools know your children have been to a quality school. This is part of a 5 year cycle, where we gain accreditation and get reaccredited again after 5 years. After this visit we will move into Prem's fourth accreditation cycle (we have been accredited since 2012).
The accreditation visit is the culmination of two years of hard work and organisation from members all through the Prem Community. Without the work of the Domain Committees, the PSC, the operations team, the canteen, the transport team, Prem housekeeping, the teachers, the boarding team, the support staff and many others, this would not be possible. It has been a really valuable process and I'd like to thank everyone who has been involved in Prem's re-accreditation.
Lee Stevens
Assistant Head of School
Education Fair ChiangMai
On Saturday, 24 February, the Prem Admissions/Marketing/Student Ambassador team was fully engaged showing off Prem at the Chiang Mai Education Fair held at the Shangri-La. With over 400 registered families, the atmosphere was buzzing with enthusiasm from the moment the fair opened its doors at 9:00 a.m. until a gradual slowdown around 3:00 p.m. The response from those who visited our extensive display was overwhelmingly positive.
As well as our team engaging individuals and families, two multimedia presentations provided a comprehensive insight into the exceptional curricular and co-curricular opportunities that come with a Prem education. Parents were particularly impressed with our Student Ambassadors who confidently engaged visitors in multiple languages. Many thanks to Athena, Beeya, Sonam, Sophia, TIll Till and Zhifang for their exceptional contribution to marketing Prem that day.
Adding to our allure were impressive performances by two of our Music Academy students. Daisy, G5, mesmerised the audience with her piano performance of Theme and Variations by Pagannin and won 2nd prize in the Junior Section. Christina, G12, stole the spotlight with a stellar vocal performance of Time to Say Goodbye, earning the coveted first place in the Senior Talent Show. The talent and dedication displayed by our students not only reflected their individual capabilities but also underscored the nurturing environment and opportunities provided at Prem.
The positive response and genuine interest exhibited by the attending families serve as a testament to the reputation and excellence that Prem upholds. It's a reaffirmation of our commitment to providing a holistic educational experience that nurtures talent, fosters creativity, and empowers students to excel in all facets of life.
We eagerly look forward to welcoming new members into our vibrant school community.
Tam Fawcett
Director Marketing & Admissions
The Power of Sign Language
Since the beginning of the year, Grade 2L students have been having fun with American Sign Language (ASL) during lessons to help improve their reading, writing, and phonics skills. A number of studies have found it beneficial to use hand shapes, gestures, and facial expressions from sign language to model spoken language.
In our class, we learn the ASL alphabet during phonics lessons to help with memory, participation and engagement. ASL helps reinforce phonics ideas like letter sounds, breaking words into syllables, and word families. Signing helps students remember important foundations for reading and spelling words. When students engage their hands and eyes, it helps them understand language rules better. Seeing new vocabulary signs makes a deeper connection through hearing, seeing, and hand motions. Signing tricky spellings like words ending in "-tion" helps lock in the correct letter order.
Students also use various signs for classroom language, which helps with communicating needs without interrupting learning. For example, students know the sign for 'me too' and use it during class discussions. This engages students in the discussion while improving participation and involvement.
Signing also helps students who struggle with reading and those learning English as a new language. Seeing language through clear hand cues and mouth shapes builds confidence. Signing improves memory of new words and helps with pronunciation. In Grade 2L, we see signing as a powerful tool to unlock reading potential and engage students in a variety of learning experiences!
Lara Walsh
Grade 2 Teacher
Celebrating Young Authors and Illustrators: Creative Writing Club for Grades 1-5
In the last Exploria term, students in Grades 1 to 5 had an exciting time in the Creative Writing Club. The club is all about helping young writers learn and have fun with different types of stories. Some kids wrote stories by themselves while others worked together to write and draw stories.
During the Exploria sessions, everyone worked hard to create different kinds of stories. Some liked doing it on their own and others liked working with friends to make stories together. The main goal was to make a final piece that everyone could be proud of and share with the Creative Writing Club.
As time went on, everyone got more and more excited about the big finish—the Publishing Party. On the last day of Exploria, the club got together to celebrate all the young writers and artists. They sat in a circle and each person took a turn sharing their stories, songs, comics, and poems. There was a lot of laughter, snacks, and everyone was amazed by how creative the young thinkers were.
The Publishing Party was not just a show-and-tell, but a time for the group to enjoy each other's work and feel proud of what they achieved. There were snacks, stories, and the room was filled with the happiness of finishing something special.
"We were so impressed by how creative these young minds are," said teacher Grace, who leads the club with teacher Alix. "When kids have a place where they can share and support each other, amazing things happen."
The Creative Writing Club wasn't just about writing alone; it also showed how fun it is to work together to make stories. The students learned how to give helpful feedback to each other and enjoyed seeing their ideas turn into stories and drawings with the help of their friends.
As the Publishing Party ended, everyone was excited about the next session of the Creative Writing Club. "We can't wait to see what stories the kids come up with next time!" said Teacher Alix. With a successful term behind them, the Creative Writing Club for Grades 1-5 shows that young writers have so many creative ideas. They're already thinking about the amazing stories they'll create in the sessions to come.
Grace Gedrich
Grade 2 Teacher
College & Career Activities
The Prem College Office is busy with activities aimed at helping our students prepare for their future college applications and career aspirations. Here are some examples of what has been going on and what is coming up:
On 16 February, representatives from Bhutan's Royal Thimphu College paid us a visit. They interacted with many of our students, providing insight into life as a student in Bhutan and the diverse range of courses offered at their institution. Prem is hoping to create some kind of collaboration with Royal Thimpu College for our students in the future.
Looking ahead, we have several exciting events planned. Next week, on 4 March at 12 p.m. in the Senior School Undercroft, we will host representatives from various universities throughout the United States for our Mini USA Fair. This will be an excellent opportunity for students to learn about study programmes, admission requirements, and campus life at these institutions. Following closely on 15 March, we will hold a Mini Australia Fair in the senior school, where we will be joined by universities including the University of Sydney. Students can learn about study opportunities in Australia, interact with representatives, and get valuable information about pursuing an education there.
In addition to these engagements, we held a College and Careers Marketplace event on 28 February. This event provided an invaluable resource for our Grade 11 students as they prepare to navigate the complexities of college applications. At the event, Grade 12 mentors manned various tables, each focusing on a different aspect of college applications and career paths. Our mentors provided tailored and practical advice to our students' diverse interests, including "Applying to Canada," "Careers in Arts and Communication," and "Tips on how to reduce application stress." The setting allowed for meaningful interactions, giving students firsthand knowledge and guidance to help them gain confidence as they prepare to begin their academic and professional careers. The overwhelming positive response from our Grade 11 students demonstrates the importance of first hand advice and experiences provided by our Grade 12 mentors. As we reflect on the success of this event, we would like to thank our Grade 12 mentors for their dedication and support. Their willingness to share their experiences has undoubtedly had a long-term impact on our Grade 11 students, providing them with some of the tools they will need to confidently navigate the future.
We warmly invite parents to join us at our upcoming mini fair events. It would be an excellent opportunity for parents to connect directly with universities, learn about scholarships, visas, and student life, and gain a better understanding of tuition and academic programmes in the USA and Australia.
Dawn Parry
WS College & Career Counselor
Sharing Good Practices
In the Diploma Program English Language B course, students are examined in four skills - Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. Today, teacher Chris joined G12 English Language B class to share his insights into effectively preparing for the Listening Paper. In his previous job, teacher Chris taught the Diploma Program English Language B course and the students benefited from his insights. Students were able to explore a range of strategies for this challenging external exam. They indicated that this was a beneficial experience in preparing them for success in the May IB Diploma Program Listening exam.
Sam Dawkins
Curriculum Leader Language Acquisition
Boarding Holiday: Rest, Adventure, and Flavorful Delights
During this mid term break while most boarders headed home to be with family, some of the students stayed in boarding. We got a nice break to rest and chill, but there were also fun activities planned. We visited an oranges and raspberry farm, with the juniors going to a Dinosaur Hidden Village and Indoor Family Entertainment Center, while the seniors chose to explore a lively shopping mall. We visited the Chiang Mai University night market for some delicious street food and wrapped up the holiday with Mexican food. It's been a unique and enjoyable mix of relaxation, adventure, and great food for those of us spending the holidays here in boarding.
A special thank you to teachers Linda, Jang, Krisha, and Jood for their work in keeping the boarding holiday fun and memorable for all who stayed on campus over the mid term break.
Bobby Woraphon
Junior Boarding Parent
Marketing Administrator (Digital Marketing)
On Saturday, 24 February, our Junior and Senior School students showcased their skills in a talent competition. Join us in congratulating Christina (Grade 12) for winning 1st Prize with her beautiful rendition of "Time to Say Goodbye," and Daisy (Grade 5) for earning 2nd Prize in the Junior Section with her impressive piano performance of "Theme and Variations" by Paganini. Well done, Christina and Daisy!
Chris Johnson
Director Music Academy
PSC March Meet Up - Community Potluck Breakfast
Something different - This month we will enjoy a casual potluck breakfast with the opportunity to socialise and also have an informal discussion about PSC volunteer opportunities, events, and goals.
It will be another chance to give input on how you feel the PSC can best support the community and for you to provide ideas and suggestions on PSC activities and initiatives.
The volunteer job descriptions attached HERE are a starting point for discussion at the potluck Breakfast. Any volunteer positions can be adjusted according to parents’ interests, strengths and abilities.
Please come and bring your ideas, suggestions and a small contribution to the breakfast, if you wish, or bring just your appetite.
We look forward to seeing you!
TUESDAY, 5 MARCH 2024
8:15 - 9:30 A.M.
PREM BOARDING LOUNGE
Please bring a container and feel free to take home any food that may be left over.
Your PSC Team
We have a lot to celebrate at PREM in many areas. One area is the PREM Panthers Athletics program. When gathering data to share with a third party for marketing purposes I realised just how many unique experiences student-athletes are afforded at PREM. I wanted to share some of the results of that data dive with our community. Youth sports, in an international school setting, is always a collaborative partnership between the school, the wider community, teachers, coaches, the student-athlete, & their family. The end result is an enhanced experience for students inline with PREM's stated goals of "personalised education" & "meaningful relationships." We should all be proud to be PREM Panthers! S2 Stats Pack 2023-24
Adam Copus
Co-Athletics Director
Tell us what’s going on in your corner of Prem. Submit your article by noon on Thursday of each week here: https://forms.gle/xCKe9GLgqQqgPjMz9. Your article will be published on these dates: