Head of School Message

Dear Prem Community, 

I would like to thank everybody - students, teachers, all support and boarding staff for their hard work amid some difficult environmental conditions this term. Not only did everyone continue with fortitude despite the high AQI, we were also learning, teaching and working together in some very extreme temperatures. Therefore, particular thanks are due to our security, housekeeping and ground staff, who continue to work with pride even when it is uncomfortable to do so.

We are glad to welcome the coming Songkran break, a very important event in the Buddhist calendar, which heralds the start of the Thai New Year. New beginnings are always a gift: a chance to look back with gratitude; to reset our resolutions; to repair or renew relationships, to branch out and try new things and generally start afresh. In Thai tradition the festival starts with house-cleaning, includes precious family time and also provides for water-fun, a pertinent annual reminder that life should include more than a little glee and joyfulness amongst the difficulties and challenges that simply being alive entails. 

Taking the time to hold close to us all that we are grateful for is important. Any review of global news reminds us that those values inherent in our vision statement are not shared universally (That we educate global citizens who strive for excellence, live sustainably, lead responsibly, celebrate diversity, and whose integrity champions a just, more equitable and peaceful world). As we pause for this break, let’s keep in mind all those who are victims of injustice, inequity and war and acknowledge those who work in the service of others. 

Prem’s ‘service learning’ offerings were the subject of discussion and review with an educational consultant last week. We are proud of the way these service learning opportunities give rise to such important character attributes and competencies such as compassion, empathy, collaboration, open-mindedness and proactiveness. Reflection and action are two essential components of an IB education and you can read about many examples of both of these, in this week’s Community News.

I wish you a very safe and refreshing couple of weeks. 

With very best wishes, 

Rachel Keys M.A. (Oxon), M.Ed.
Head of School

Happy Songkran!

"Sawadee Pii Mai," which translates to "Happy New Year," are probably the words you'll hear the most all-around in Thailand during Songkran.

Songkran is a festival celebrating the Thai New Year, which takes place on 13-15 April every year. Water is an important element of Songkran, especially during more recent times when the throwing of water has become a huge part of the annual celebrations.

We celebrate Songkran to mark the beginning of the Buddhist New Year by visiting the temple on the morning of Songkran day and participating in the Bathing of the Buddha. This is an essential ceremony where devout Buddhists gently pour scented water over the Buddha images (Phra Phutharup) at home or at the temple, pour water on the hands of revered elders, and ask for blessings. They also splash water on their families and friends.

We do this because people believe that water will wash away bad luck, and splashing water during Songkran will bring New Year blessings. Traditionally, in Chiang Mai, the first day of Songkran is usually spent cleaning the house to remove accumulated bad luck. The second day is spent going to the temple to pray for good luck and bringing sand to the temple to prepare for the building of traditional sand castles. The third day is also spent at the temple for prayers for those who have passed away, and it is a day for Rod Nam Dam Hua, a way to honour elders and ask for their blessings. The third day is also the day when the traditional sand castles are built out of the sand that was brought to the temple the previous day.

How did we celebrate Songkran here at Prem? At Prem we celebrated Songkran by taking part in the Rod Nam Dam Hua Ceremony. During Rod Nam Dam Hua, we honour the elders, apologise for any wrongdoings and thank them for all they have done for us. We pour scented water on the hands of elders and ask for their blessings. Our community was encouraged to wear the Thai traditional dress during the Rod Nam Dam Hua ceremony. During Thai culture classes and in preparation for Songkran, students also learned how to make 'Tung Sai Moo,' the art of handmade paper cutting from Northern Thailand. I wish everyone a good experience during this Songkran holiday.

Happy Songkran!

Sukanya Charpentier (Boo)
Thai Principal

Prem joining MRISA Conference

I would like to share with you some very exciting news! Prem has been looking to join an international schools conference/association that would complement everything we do with CMAC (Chiang Mai Athletic Conference) and our other tie-ups within Chiang Mai.

We got the chance to apply for the Mekong River Schools Association (MRISA), which includes the following schools:

• United Nations International School, Hanoi (UNIS)

• Hanoi International School (HIS)

• South Saigon International School (SSIS)

• International School of Phnom Penh (ISPP)

• Vientiane International School (VIS)

• KIS International School, Bangkok (KIS)

MRISA were looking for two more schools to join, to make it into a conference of eight schools and Prem was among a number of applicants. Members of the MRISA conference came to visit the Prem campus and A. Rachel and myself presented to the MRISA group on the benefits of Prem joining MRISA and what we can bring to the conference.

Last week we received the news that our application had been successful and from the 2024-25 academic year we will be probational members of MRISA.

What does this mean?

MRISA is not only an athletics conference, it hosts an arts exchange, cultural exchanges, MUN and professional development for teachers. Joining MRISA will give our students many more opportunities to travel and meet students from other international schools in South East Asia, helping our students to have fantastic experiences and see international school settings within other cultural settings.

MRISA is perfect for Prem, as most of the schools are a direct flight from Chiang Mai away and the schools are a similar size to Prem, offering us good competition and unique exchanges.

As a member of MRISA, schools have to join the 7 core events each year (Below), but there are also other invitational tournaments, exchanges and events that we are invited to. Here is a list of the Core events:

• Arts Exchange (Most likely to be hosted at Prem in January 2025)

• Junior Volleyball (Grades 6-8) 

• Senior Volleyball (Grades 9-12) 

• Junior Football (Grades 6-8) 

• Senior Football (Grades 9-12) 

• Junior Basketball (Grades 6-8) 

• Senior Basketball (Grades 9-12) 

Here is a video of what to expect from one of the MRISA tournaments. If you have any questions or comments on Prem joining MRISA, please feel free to email me or A. Adam (dirathletics@ptis.ac.th).

We are very excited about the prospect of being part of both CMAC and MRISA and giving our students even more opportunities.

Lee Stevens
Assistant Head of School

Parent Conferences

Parent conferences were a fantastic opportunity for meaningful engagement and collaboration!

In the Junior School, parents had the pleasure of attending student-led conferences, where our young learners proudly demonstrated what they've been learning. It was inspiring to see our students taking ownership of their learning journey and showcasing their progress.

Meanwhile, in the Senior School, parents, students, and teachers came together for insightful discussions and reflections. These meetings provided a valuable space for sharing perspectives, setting goals, and strengthening the partnership between home and school.

Thank you to all parents for your active participation and support in your child's education journey!

Holistic Health Care Amidst Environmental Challenges

Recently, teachers delved into holistic health care during the burning season, focusing on well-being amidst environmental challenges.

Teachers had three enriching options to choose from:

• Wellbeing Workshop on Health & Burning Season

• Yoga with Carla

• Coworking Space, Jazz Vibes, & Juice Bar

Led by Soo, a holistic health nutritionist, teachers explored how the hot, dry season impacts our bodies and learned simple yet effective holistic practices to stay healthy and prevent illness. Soo expertly blended modern science-based knowledge with ancient wisdom from Ayurveda and Chinese medicine, offering practical tips on food, breathing, exercise, and mindfulness to help prevent respiratory issues and anxiety.

One teacher reflected, “That was great. I never even thought about my liver and what it might need during the hot season.” Meanwhile, another enjoyed the co-working space, appreciating the opportunity to work and connect with colleagues in a relaxed atmosphere.

At Prem, we aim to nurture not just academic growth, but also holistic well-being. 

William Langston
Head Digital Media

Junior School Music Concert 2024

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for our Junior School Music Concert on 22 March 2024, at the Prem Auditorium! It was a fantastic morning filled with music and joy, and we're excited to share the highlights with you.

Our concert featured students from EY1 to G5, all showcasing their amazing talent through music. This year's theme was "Musical Explorers: Journey Around the Globe," where we discovered music from 13 different countries. It was like taking a musical trip around the world!

We sang beautiful songs from different countries, performed cultural dances, and played various instruments. Each performance taught us something new about a different culture, showing us just how diverse and wonderful our world is. A huge round of applause goes to all the students who worked hard to make the concert a success. Your dedication and passion shone brightly on stage, and we're so proud of you all!

Let's keep the spirit of exploring and learning alive, remembering the joy of experiencing different cultures through music and celebrating our differences and diversity. Thank you to everyone who made our Junior School Music Concert unforgettable. Your support means the world to us!

Rujira Chen (Pao Pao)
Junior School Music Teacher

Junior School Art Show

It was an exciting week in the Junior School as all of the Early Years and Junior School students showcased their creativity and hard work at the Art Show! Artwork filled the JS Piazza and it was so great to see students, parents, teachers, and other community members engaging with vibrant artworks on display!

Kelly Ann Fahey
PYP & MYP Art Teacher

Grade 4 Mini-Exhibition Influence and Change

Grade 4 has been inquiring into how people’s actions have caused a shift in thinking and outcomes to support human and children rights. After engaging and focusing into international mindedness, children rights, responsibilities, and influence, students started their investigation stage by thinking about different issues that affect their lives as a 9-10 year old in Thailand. They then chose the one that they were interested in, such as: street dogs, infectious bugs, pollution, global-warming, climate-change, noise pollution, air pollution, bullying, rights to play, poverty and conflict/war. Students completed a Know, Think, Wonder about their issue and then a Frayer Model to define their issue and come up with examples and non-examples.

Students began to investigate their issues, first by coming up with three questions related to the key concepts, especially focusing on change and responsibility questions. Students used books, articles, videos and interviews with experts to help answer their questions, writing down key words in a graphic organiser. Then took those key words and information to write a summary for each question. These summaries were transformed into the body paragraphs in their informational texts.

Here is their published book!

Since Grade 4 students were now experts on their issues, they started thinking about action, thinking ‘now that I know all of this information, what am I going to do about it?’ As a class, we explored the five different types of action; participation, advocacy, lifestyle choices, social entrepreneurship, and social justice. In small groups, students brainstormed actions that could be done in each type of action. Individually, students decided on one action to take that would hopefully influence a change in people’s thinking or actions. This included, contacting the PSC to organise carpooling between parents from different villages, creating a video to inform people about their issue, create a presentation to share with others at assembly or in a different grade level about their issue, plan an event to raise money, create a board of resources to help students who are having friendship issues, and emailing a company about including a flyer that they created on Noise Pollution to their customers. 

During their Mini-Exhibition held on Wednesday, 27 March, students showcased their process to audience members. Students used communication skills, speaking loudly and confidently to inform people on their issue in hopes to change that person’s thinking. Audience members completed a thinking routine “what do I already know about this topic?” and after “what do I now know about this topic?” along with answering, “what in the presentation changed or informed my thinking?” and “what is one thing I might do now that I have visited the exhibition?”. Students will use this feedback in order to see if they were actually able to impact people’s thinking. 

This process is a smaller version of what students will encounter next year for their PYP Exhibition, which is a cumulation of their learning and skills within the PYP from EY1- Grade 5. The mini-exhibition was an excellent opportunity for students to gain confidence and experience to prepare themselves for next year. We are so proud of the hard-work and dedication Grade 4 students have put into becoming influential people! 

Megan Gless
Grade 4 Teacher

Leadership Symposium Brussels Belgium 2024

Our students recently had the privilege of embarking on an eight-day educational symposium in Brussels, Belgium, an experience enriched by the diversity of cultures and the unity of purpose. The symposium served as a dynamic platform for exploring the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal Number 5 - Gender Equality. Through a series of workshops, our students delved into critical topics such as leadership, communication, and social justice. These sessions provided insights and perspectives that went beyond traditional learning environments, highlighting the significance of gender equality in today's global landscape.

Moreover, this trip offered an exceptional opportunity for team-building exercises with peers from South Africa, Belgium, China, Germany, and the United States. These interactions were not just about enhancing teamwork skills; they were a bridge to fostering international understanding and respect among students from diverse cultural backgrounds.

A highlight of the trip was the extended workshop on the Theater of the Oppressed, which offered our students a unique lens to view and address social issues. Their learning journey continued at the House of European History, where they gained insights into European history, enriching their understanding of the continent's diverse narratives. A visit to a chocolate factory provided a delightful exploration of the Low Countries' culture, blending historical learning with sensory experiences.

Upon returning to Thailand, our students will extend their learning through projects inspired by their experiences in Brussels. These projects are a continuation of their commitment to understanding and advocating for gender equality and social justice, principles that are central to the Prem goals of inclusion, diversity, and inter-cultural understanding. This trip was a testament to our students' ability to learn, adapt, and contribute meaningfully to discussions of global significance, preparing them to be thoughtful, knowledgeable, and caring citizens of the world.

Mayada Bayomi, English as an Additional Language Coordinator and 
Jeff Lowman, G11 Home Room, Geography, Theory Of Knowledge Teacher

Iven G7 gains a coveted place at the prestigious Liszt Academy of Music

Congratulations to Iven, a G7 Prem Cellist and Music Scholar, who has just achieved a remarkable milestone by securing a coveted place at the prestigious Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, Hungary.

Iven’s musical journey is a testament to her unwavering commitment to her craft and tireless pursuit of excellence. Through countless hours of practice and 110% determination, Iven has honed her skills and earned recognition for her exceptional talent. Her acceptance into the Liszt Academy not only signifies her individual achievement but also highlights the exceptional quality of education and mentorship provided to Music Scholars at Prem. As she embarks on this new chapter, Iven’s success showcases the transformative power of dedication and passion in pursuit of one’s dreams and serves as an inspiration to all of our aspiring young musicians.

Congratulations Iven, we are so proud of what you have achieved!

Christopher Johnson
Director, Music Academy

Boarding Weekend life

The weekend started on Friday night as our boarding staff gathered up the enthusiastic boarders who had signed up for the Chinese Hot Pot. We headed to Long Hua, a popular Chinese restaurant near Chiang Mai University, where most of the attendees thoroughly enjoyed the delicious Chinese food. The following day was packed with activities, starting with volleyball matches held in our school gym. Some of our sports-loving boarders cheered on their friends, while others signed out to Central Festival for groceries and supplies. Sunday afternoon brought a delightful boba tea-making session, with many boarders eagerly participating. Thee and Tiki led the cooking of the boba, while younger boarders brewed Thai tea. It was joyful to see everyone pitched in and helped each other out. Later in the afternoon, teacher Jang facilitated a mindfulness activity where boarders crafted bracelets with colourful beads and end up the weekend with Teacher Bobby supervised a relaxing swimming session.

Boarders gathered at the school's swimming pool, enjoying a chill swim and some water games.  Engaging in these activities helped to reduce their screen time. Overall, the weekend was exceptionally enjoyable and memorable, thanks to the strong bonds of friendship among the boarders. Particularly the older boarders treat the younger ones as if they were siblings. They had a good time spent at their home away from home.

Renuka Suayan (Noina)
Thai teacher / Boarding Parent

Parent, Teacher and Student  Eco-Committee Meeting

We extend a warm invitation on behalf of the Eco-Committee to join us for our upcoming parent, teacher and student meeting. This gathering presents an opportunity for us to share our progress and discuss upcoming initiatives for environmental awareness within our school community. 

Mark your calendars for the week of Earth Day, as we convene on Friday, 26 April, the week we return from our April break. We will meet on the 2nd floor of the library from 3:45-4:30 p.m.

We kindly request your confirmation of attendance by 25 April to Dr. Emma Shaw: emmash@ptis.ac.th 

We look forward to seeing you on 26 April,

Eco-Committee

Prem Invitational Volleyball Tournament 

On Friday and Saturday 22/23 March, Prem hosted the annual 'Prem Invitational Volleyball Tournament'. This is a JV (Junior Varsity) and Varsity tournament for boys and girls with teams from Bangkok, Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai involved. With 44 games taking place over two days in the Prem gym, the atmosphere was always raucous, with close competition and great sportsmanship on show.

The games took place from 9:00am to 9:00pm on Friday and Saturday and the Prem Panthers teams did an absolutely fantastic job, with three of the four teams reaching the finals against some strong competition. 

Our JV boys and JV girls exceeded all expectations, having had mixed results so far this season. Both teams showed fantastic improvement, reaching the semi finals and coming through games they weren't expected to win. In the finals, both teams came agonisingly close to winning, but just lost out by a couple of points.

The Varsity boys got to the semi finals, coming up against a strong Grace team. The semi-final was close with Grace edging it in two sets. The Varsity girls went through their pool undefeated and played CMIS in the final, who they had a really close pool game against. The final was back and forth with CMIS prevailing in the end, but the girls and all teams can be proud of their efforts.

All our teams developed so much over the two days and showed great team spirit and fight to achieve what they did. Coaches March, Fa and myself are extremely proud of all our Prem Panthers volleyball teams! 

Lee Stevens
Assistant Head of School

Introducing Our Panthers Coaching Community 

The PREM Panthers are fortunate to have coaches from all corners of our PREM community. Our U8-U20 coaches are SS Teachers, JS Teachers, PREM Parents, Youth Assistant Coaches, & Alumni. In International schools community members like teachers, parents, & alumni, make the best sports coaches-- for reasons too numerous to mention here.

When someone in our community shares their passion for a particular sport with a group of young student-athletes the whole community is strengthened in ways easily, and not so easily, seen-- immediately and in the long term. I personally think young people have never needed connection & community more than they do right now in our post-pandemic technology-obsessed world. Sports are one pathway to connection & community-- perhaps the best. So much of youth sports is really not about the sports!

Over the course of the coming months, I will be sharing a little sports-focused biography of each of our Panthers coaches in order to increase community awareness of who our coaches are, which teams they have coached this year, & what they believe in. If you would like to join our Panthers coaching community, please don't hesitate to contact myself or Lee Stevens. 

Adam Copus 
Co-Athletics Director

Dear Prem Community,

We are delighted to invite you to the opening of our incredible IBDP Visual Arts exhibition: Flourish&Wither - Bloom'n'Doom. This event marks the culmination of two years of work from our thirteen talented Grade 12 artists.

In order for the opening event to run smoothly, please aim to arrive at 11.40 am on Monday 1/4/24 morning and head on over to the Grade 12 studio in the Art House to celebrate with our amazing artists. There will be light refreshments available.

11:40 - 12:00: Enjoy some incredible Piano Jazz Improv
12:00 - 12:10: Creative Director opening address and ribbon cutting - accompanied by the Awesome Jazz Band
12:10 - 2:45: Artists will be present to discuss their works and share their learning

The exhibition will be open throughout April and May. Thank you so much for your support, and I am excited to see you all there.

Come join us! Every week, we sit together to explore family wellbeing through mindfulness, Positive Psychology, and understanding social-emotional skills for your children. 

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: