Dear Prem Community,
I hope you are all doing well. The rains have come, the skies have cleared and the temperatures are down so it was a particularly good week in school last week.
I do hope you have time to read the Community News in full this week - it is a particularly excellent edition! All of the articles showcase wonderful aspects of Prem students’ lived academic, social, emotional, environmental, creative and kinesthetic learning. One of my favourites is the EY3 “Respect Wall”.
Respect is the cornerstone of any kind and effective community and organization. Our 5-year olds have an excellent understanding of the meaning of respect - an essential aspect of Prem’s mission is that we keep that commitment to respect and compassionate, meaningful relationships for the whole of a child’s lifetime at Prem, even when they develop through the more challenging years!
In this edition you can view the Grade 10 students’ Personal Projects, all of which were excellent, so varied and demonstrating new skills and areas of passion: Students have taught themselves new languages, how to code, how to create a beautiful animation, how to establish a life-saving community initiative, how to use art for pleasure, for business and for social justice and so much more. Congratulations to Grade 10!
You can also see student creativity on display in the excellent robotics challenge led by our technology teacher Daisy Mwangi, in the fabulous student-led Dance Festival, and in the Grade 4 Gallery walk where students displayed their artwork in response to a social or economic issue. The recent Music Academy performances were a delight to listen to from the youngest early learners to the expert recitals of our older students.
On the environmental front you can read about the ongoing work of the Eco Committee, and see some very cute pictures of the newest members of our community (baby goats!!). We are grateful to all those who work on the Farm, Forest School and contribute to Prem’s environmental learning programme. It was beautiful to see our Junior School enjoying their belated Earth Day activities yesterday afternoon.
On the Sports Front please join me in congratulating the U14 girls Volleyball Team. Their final match of the tournament was one of the most amazing I have ever seen. They won 25-1, and set a new record for 20 undefeated points!! Wonderful performance by the girls and superb training and support from coach A. Amy Qu!
There are lots of events coming up so please read the events section and advertisements closely. I would like to draw your attention to the Public Holiday on Wednesday 22nd of May, your opportunity to watch the livestream of Prem Graduation on Friday 24th May, and the Prem Careers Evening next year. This is a new initiative, and we very much hope that many parents will come along and share their professional expertise!
Have a wonderful weekend. Tonight I will be celebrating with the Grade 12 students the official end of their school life at Prom. They endured so much difficulty and disruption over the pandemic years, but somehow survived and thrived. Now they can finally rest, relax and feel so proud of what they have achieved.
Happy Reading,
Warm regards,
Rachel Keys M.A. (Oxon), M.Ed.
Head of School
On Monday, the Grade 10 students concluded their personal project journey with a remarkable Personal Project (PP) exhibition. The Personal Project is designed to allow students to delve into topics of personal interest, showcasing the skills and knowledge they've honed throughout the Middle Years Programme (MYP). It fosters independent learning, creativity, and critical thinking. This year's cohort exemplified all these objectives through an impressive array of topics and interests.
The exhibition displayed a wide variety of projects, reflecting the diverse passions and intellectual curiosity of the students. From scientific investigations and artistic creations to community service initiatives and technological innovations, the range of projects was truly outstanding. Each project not only highlighted the students' dedication and hard work but also their ability to apply MYP principles to real-world issues and personal passions.
Moreover, the students demonstrated excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Throughout the exhibition, they engaged with the school community in an informative, friendly, and entertaining manner. Their ability to articulate their projects, share their learning experiences, and interact positively with visitors was commendable. This not only showcased their projects but also reflected their growth in soft skills, such as public speaking, active listening, and effective dialogue.
On a personal note, I would like to express my gratitude to the students for embracing the personal project process with such a positive and open-minded attitude. Their enthusiasm and commitment were evident in every aspect of their work. I would also like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt thanks to teacher Kirk for his invaluable contributions as Personal Project coordinator. His dedication to improving, refining, and developing the Personal Project at Prem has significantly enriched the students' learning experiences and the overall quality of the program. His efforts have played a crucial role in guiding students to achieve such high standards of excellence.
Luke Ramsdale
Middle Years Program Coordinator
Grade 4 students at Prem International have been delving into the realm of dialectical thinking!
Dialectical thinking teaches us to embrace diverse perspectives and listen attentively to differing opinions. It's all about effective communication and open-mindedness. To bring this concept to life, our budding artists expressed two contrasting perspectives through captivating paintings on canvas. Using a range of art mediums, they skillfully depicted issues researched during their mini exhibition in the last unit of inquiry.
Will Langston
Head Digital Media
In the vibrant world of Early Years 3, the concept of respect recently took centre stage. With curiosity and eagerness, we embarked on a journey to unravel the meaning of respect and its significance in our lives.
"What is respect?" we asked, and the responses poured in, each one a testament to the tender hearts and insightful minds of our young learners. Rocco expressed, "Respect is being kind to each other.” Kaitlyn said, “to listen to each other.” Mia said, “Doing kind things.” Dora added, “When someone is talking you wait after they finish talking.” “Respect by tidying and sitting nicely," Leo said.
Then we wondered, "Who should we respect?" We heard lots of different ideas, from respecting the Earth to respecting ourselves, our friends, our toys, our school, our work, animals, everyone and everything!
With newfound understanding, we embarked on a reflective journey, each child selecting a focal point to explore how respect manifests in action. "We need to respect the Earth by using less water. You need to close the water when you finish using it” said Kiwi, highlighting the importance of taking care of Earth and our environment. Alex said, "Respect the animals by giving them food," emphasising the significance of showing kindness to all living creatures. Elsa added, "Respect ourselves by doing good things," underlining the importance of self-respect and positive actions in shaping our character.
Inspired by our collective insights, we embarked on a collaborative project to create a Respect Wall. Using our communication and thinking skills, we brainstormed essential elements to include on our wall. "Let's include what respect means," suggested Dora, while Danny proposed, "We can put ‘Do you know this is a respect board’”. Kaitlyn emphasised the significance of understanding 'why' we respect, and Doris stressed the importance of acknowledging 'who' deserves our respect.
In addition to our discussions and individual reflections, we also engaged in a Visual Thinking Routine. We looked at various pictures and talked about what we see, think, and wonder. It was fascinating to observe different examples of people showing respect in different ways. We captured our insights from this activity on our Respect Wall, providing an opportunity for everyone to contribute their thoughts. We invite you to come and visit our wall, take a moment to reflect, and share with us what respect means to you. Your input is valued as we continue to deepen our understanding and practice of respect in our Early Years 3 community.
As each idea found its place on the Respect Wall, we all felt proud and united. This showed us that we have a shared commitment to fostering a culture of respect in our Early Years 3 community!
Raghda Ibrahim Aly
Early Years 3 Teacher
The Grade 9 students have been showcasing their engineering and programming skills in an exciting mBot challenge! From the thrilling Sumo Challenge to the mind-bending A-Maze-ing Race and the groovy Dance Challenge, these young innovators have been transforming their mBots into autonomous machines, pushing the boundaries of technology and creativity.
In these challenges, students put their creations to the test, evaluating obstacle detection, navigation, strategic decision-making, technical execution, and more. But it's not just about functionality – judges were also looking for entertainment value, creativity, and the efficiency of decision-making algorithms.
Through hands-on experimentation and problem-solving, our Grade 9 students are honing essential skills in robotics, programming, and teamwork. They're not just building robots – they're building futures filled with endless possibilities. Definitely, they emerged victorious in these thrilling mBot challenges!
Perpetual Mwangi (Daisy)
Computer Science Teacher & Education Technology Integrator
Last week's Prem's '24 Dance Festival was a spectacular success! The auditorium was packed for an evening filled with dazzling performances. But it was more than just a showcase of talent; it was a Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) project organized by our amazing students Ugyen, Raffy, Jimmy, Fah, and Meiji. Kudos to them for setting it up! CAS projects are a vital part of the IB curriculum, encouraging students to engage in artistic pursuits, sports, and community service, helping them become well-rounded individuals.
Entry proceeds will support future CAS projects, ensuring that more incredible events like this can happen. Huge thanks to everyone who performed and contributed to the success of the event! Let's continue to support each other's creative endeavors.
Will Langston
Head Digital Media
The Eco-Committee hosted a meeting led by Dr. Emma and Marie (G9) for parents as well as teachers and staff available to discuss our projects and accomplishments. We were very keen to be able to share our hard work and efforts put into the projects we have had this school year. This meeting also allowed us to hear ideas from a wide range of people about what we as a committee can do to support the community regarding the environment and the world around us. This meeting gave us ideas about solar panel projects, the Stop the Smoke campaign, and the river cleanup initiative. These ideas gave us valuable information and we are all considering what we could do as an Eco-Committee.
We would like to thank everyone who attended. Your insight was very valuable and we will consider every suggestion given at the meeting, thank you all!
Oojee
Grade 8 student
We're thrilled to welcome two adorable twin baby goats to our Traidhos Three-Generation Farm, born on 11th April! We need your help to name our new goat twins! Drop your name suggestions in the comments below. Let’s come together to give these cuties the perfect names!
Meet the bigger one, a female who looks just like her mom with a beautiful white and beige coat. She loves to eat and is quite the foodie!
The smaller one is a playful male with a pure white coat. He enjoys playing with our billy goat and is already a favorite among the students.
Our farm offers a hands-on learning experience where students connect and engage with the natural world and learn about sustainable agriculture. They participate in enlivening activities like planting, harvesting, and tending to animals, fostering responsibility and understanding where their food comes from.
Will Langston
Head Digital Media
Another fun weekend for our Boarding students. We started by savouring delicious Mexican cuisine and followed by diving into the wonders of the Chiang Mai Aquarium.
In the evening, our students unleashed their inner athletes, playing badminton and basketball, proving that boarding life is not just about academics, but also about building bonds and staying active! 🏸🏀
On Sunday, we kicked back at a Café, savouring delicious coffees and refreshing smoothies. Then, we had a blast feeding the elephants, connecting with nature and soaking up the fresh air.
Join our boarding community and spice your weekends busy with cool activities!
Bobby Woraphon
Junior Boarding Parent
Marketing Administrator (Digital Marketing)
The Music Academy's final concert of the year was a vibrant celebration of musical talent and community spirit. It was a delight to witness the array of gifted young musicians performing across a diverse spectrum of musical styles. From classical compositions to contemporary hits, the concert showcased the impressive versatility and dedication of our students.
A highlight of the concert was the visible joy radiating from both the performers and the audience. The supportive atmosphere created by family and friends in attendance added a special warmth to the event, making it an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.
This concert was particularly significant as it marked the farewell performance of Iven from Grade 7 (Cellist). Iven has been a remarkable presence at the Music Academy, and she will soon be embarking on an exciting new chapter. She has earned a prestigious scholarship to study at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Iven and wish her all the best in her future endeavours.
Congratulations are also in order for all the performers who contributed to making this concert a resounding success. Your hard work, passion, and talent were truly inspiring, and we look forward to seeing where your musical journeys will take you next.
Christopher Johnson
Director Music Academy
We are thrilled to announce the arrival of our new performance piano in the auditorium! This beautiful instrument is not just an addition to our facilities; it's a gateway to new musical journeys for our students and visiting musicians.
This state-of-the-art piano will enhance our ARThailand & Music Academy programs and provide our talented performers with the perfect tool to share their musical passions. We look forward to the incredible concerts and recitals that will grace our auditorium, enriching our community's cultural life for many years to come.
Stay tuned for upcoming performances and get ready to be moved by the powerful expressions of our aspiring artists!
Will Langston
Head Digital Media
The future of Prem Volleyball is looking bright with both our U14 teams bringing home gold medals from the CMAC U14 Volleyball tournaments. On Thursday 16 May our U14 Boys travelled to CMIS and our U14 girls played at Prem, in what had been an unbeaten season so far. Full of confidence, our teams certainly lived up to their billing as pre-tournament favourites.
The U14 Boys, coached by A. Sam D and assisted by A. Bobby, won both their pool games, which led to a close semi-final versus Varee, after overcoming Varee, they faced Grace in the final and won both sets comfortably. Made up of Grade 7 + 8 players, our U14 volleyball boys have practised hard and can always be seen at break and lunch times honing their skills.
The U14 Girls, coached by A. Amy and assisted by Coach Alvarado, stormed through every game, beating all the teams they faced by big margins. At different points in the day, our girls served 18 and 20 points in a row. In fact, in the final versus ACIS, they won the second game 25-1. It is also great to see that we have so many girls interested in volleyball, that we had enough to enter a Girls B team, who also performed very well.
Well done to all our U14 volleyball players and coaches, and also to all our volleyball teams who all performed very well in a great season.
Lee Stevens
Assistant Head of School
Last week we held our Monthly PSC Parent Meet Up. Meet Up is an opportunity for parents and other community members to find out what Prem has to offer in supporting you and your family and provide you with a platform for feedback, questions, and suggestions.
This month A. Lee reviewed the highlights of the CIS, IB, and NEASC evaluation reports; overall an amazing result and one we all should be happy and proud of.
A. Katie presented a proposal of monthly scheduled Parent Workshop concept; "Parent Academy" and provided an opportunity for parents to suggest topics and titles of workshops for the new academic year.
The PSC has been busy preparing several events and initiatives. Please look out for information on our Career Evening for senior students, our Language & Cultural Buddy program, and our annual Car Boot Sale next month.
We look forward to welcoming you all again next month on Wednesday, 5 June 2024, for our last Monthly Meet Up of this academic year. Please consider supporting the PSC with your time so we can provide further support to the whole community.
Any questions, suggestions, and comments; as always to pscsecretary@ptis.ac.th by Friday, 31 May 2024.
Leigh-Jane Obermayer
PSC Chair/Coordinator
Career Evening at Prem
Thursday, 26 September 2024
5:30 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.
Calling all parents and Prem community members! Prem would be glad for your support with this educational event we are preparing for next school year.
Prem's Career Evening is an opportunity for our senior school students to interact directly with parents, teachers, and other community professionals, ask questions, and gain valuable insights into different career paths and help make decisions about their future education.
We are looking for people with a variety of employment experiences to participate in one or more of the following:
- Have a booth in the auditorium where you can answer questions from students about your career (we are hoping for a large group of community members).
- Participate in a short Q&A panel of professionals from our community.
- Serve as an experienced interviewer one-on-one with students who want to practise their job interviewing skills.
The Prem community has amazing resources that can help students prepare themselves for the future. Let’s share our strength with our students! Please complete or share the registration form with your connections. Alternatively, if you have questions, or suggestions or would like to help organise this event, please contact us, either at pscchairperson@ptis.ac.th or collegeoffice@ptis.ac.th
Please register your participation areas by 20 June. https://forms.gle/vDJ4g8865THpzjBN8
PSC Team