Head of School Message

Dear Prem Community, 

What a wonderful week of celebration it has been. It was an absolute pleasure to witness our Grade 5 students graduate from the PYP and Junior School, transitioning seamlessly into the MYP and Middle School. The ceremony was beautiful, filled with heartfelt and inspiring messages from parents to their children.

Our youngest learners also had their moment of glory, graduating from EY3 to Grade 1. In true Prem tradition, with favorable weather, each child joyfully slid down the slide to collect their certificate, marking their successful completion of Early Years Education.

This week was a testament to the amazing work and achievements within our community. The Grade 3 Art and Poetry exhibition was exceptional, as was the IEP exhibition, which showcased an impressive collection of writing, artwork, and project work.

Cultural richness was prominently featured, with Grade 6 students sharing their knowledge of Folk Tales from different cultures. Our Grade 9 and 10 students enjoyed a trip to Mae An village, where they interacted with our local hosts and learned the art of making Lanna food. This week also featured some delightful stand-up comedy from the Grade 9 students, an amazing student-organized rock concert, and the hugely entertaining House Song Videos.

In Boarding, both Junior and Senior Schools had wonderful end-of-year celebrations, recognizing achievements and bidding a heartfelt farewell to our leavers. We wish all our departing students and teachers happiness and success on their new educational journeys.

Reflecting on this truly remarkable year, we are reminded of the exceptional students, dedicated teachers, and supportive community that make Prem so special. As we take a short break, I hope everyone has the chance to rest, relax, and recharge, ready to begin the next academic year with renewed energy and enthusiasm.

Thank you for your unwavering parental support throughout the past academic year. Wishing you all a fabulous holiday break.

With very best wishes, 

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

Celebrating Our Flourishing Community

As we conclude this remarkable school year, I am filled with immense pride for our students' achievements across school life arenas, our teachers' dedication, and our vibrant community spirit. This year showcased the power of collaboration, ambition, and meaningful relationships that make our Senior School exceptional.

Engagement in Learning:
Our students embraced academic challenges with enthusiasm and curiosity, resulting in innovative projects, intellectual discussions, and creative solutions across diverse subject areas. Classrooms buzzed with the energy of inquiry and intellectual enrichment, showcasing how our students not only learned but thrived.

Celebrating Student Leadership:
Our students exhibited exemplary leadership, organising events and leading community initiatives with integrity and compassion. Their ability to inspire and contribute meaningfully is a source of great pride.

Heart-warming Teacher-Student Relationships:
The mutual respect and care between students and teachers was a driving force that fostered an environment where everyone felt valued and empowered. Throughout the year, teachers provided personalised guidance, nurturing each student's unique talents, which was fundamental to their success.

Diverse Opportunities:
We continued to offer a rich array of opportunities catering to a buffet of interests and talents. This diversity of student life allowed every student to find their niche and shine, bringing our community closer through Exploria activities and community events.

Outstanding Achievements:
Our students consistently exceeded expectations, excelled in academics, and contributed significantly to community service learning projects. Their accomplishments within multiple facets of school life are a testament to their hard work, resilience, and the supportive environment at Prem.

Reflecting on this year, it’s clear that Prem’s Senior School is a place where students receive an excellent education, ready to take on the world with confidence and competence. The synergy between our students, teachers, and community certainly creates a unique space where everyone thrives.

I would like to convey heartfelt thanks to all Senior School students, staff, and parents for making 2023-2024 an epic year. Clearly, we continue to build a learning community where every student reaches their potential and inspires us all. We should feel incredibly proud of this. 

Wishing everyone a restful and enjoyable Summer break. We look forward to welcoming everyone back next year for the 2024-2025 chapter of excellence and growth in Senior School.

With heartfelt gratitude and Principal pride,

Shaun Hudson 
Senior School Principal

2023-24 House Summary at Prem

What an exciting two weeks we've had to end the year with some House fun!

One week ago the Junior School PE Department helped host a fantastic Swim Carnival for our younger students, an event where Air House came out on top with 97 points! On Wednesday our Grade 6 & 7s competed in the Senior School Swim Carnival where Earth House topped with 21 points! That same day, Grades 8-11 were competing in Senior School Sports Day #2 with rotations of golf, tennis, and fun challenge games; it was Water House who walked away with the victory there, earning 62 points! But perhaps the most exciting event of the week happened on Thursday afternoon: the House Shout Video Competition, worth double points. For the second year in a row, Fire House walked away with the #1 spot in that event. The most impressive part, though, was the communal cheering and fantastic filming and editing effects that came from our talented students. What fun and joy this event has brought our community! 

Thursday's afternoon SS House Final Assembly culminated in the announcement of the overall House Cup Winner. Please join me in wishing a sincere "well done!" to Water House for their third victory in a row. (Very impressive!) Though, I want to applaud everyone as the other Houses gave them a good run, and as you can see above, right until the very end. Every single House has pushed hard to win a different contest in this last week alone, even in the final stretch of the race. I couldn't be prouder of you all! 

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank every single student, teacher, and community member - both present and past - who have joined in and made my three years of working with the House System, the Language & Literature Department, the Boarding Team, different events coordination, and the yearbook such an immense pleasure. I have treasured my time at Prem and, like the students, have been a risk-taker and been allowed to wear many creative hats along the way. Leaving on to my next journey will be bittersweet because I'll be saying goodbye (for now) to so many great friends, colleagues, students, and this beautiful campus. Thank you to every single person who made my days brighter when I came to work; you will forever hold a special place in my heart. Thank you, Prem. I'm so proud my son is a graduate from this fantastic learning community.

So, in the end - one last GREAT JOB to all 4 Houses who gave their best effort every event throughout the year. You made my job enjoyable and exciting, and I will miss you dearly!

Best wishes in the future, 

Trisha Pospisil
Head of Houses Coordinator (SS), 
Language A Curriculum Leader, EE Coordinator

Heartfelt Thanks from the Learning Support Team 

On behalf of the Learning Support team, I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the entire Prem community for your support and collaboration throughout the academic year 2023-2024. Working closely with Prem students, parents, and teachers has been a rewarding experience, and we are truly grateful for the opportunity to grow together as one big family.  Together, we will continue to foster an environment and community of growth, understanding, and joy, where everyone can reach their full potential. Thank you once again for being an integral part of this journey, and we look forward to continuous collaboration and success next school year!

Keiko Shofu
Learning Support Teacher

Trio Joins School as Heartwarming Canine Cuddles Coordinator

Meet Trio, our newest and most special member of the school community! Trio is a three-legged dog who has overcome many challenges and is now ready to give back as our official Canine Cuddles Coordinator. Trio will arrive with his Mum Guðrún, our new Assistant Principal for Wellbeing in the Senior School, as well as an English and French teacher. With his boundless energy and loving nature, Trio is sure to bring joy and comfort to students and staff alike. He'll be a regular presence at school events and in classrooms, where his enthusiasm for life will undoubtedly make a positive impact. We hope these few photos of Trio in action show his spirit and dedication. We're confident that Trio will show his gratitude through enthusiastic participation in school life.

Farewell to Petal: Prem School's Beloved Therapy Dog Graduates

Prem International School bids a heartfelt farewell to Petal, the cherished therapy dog who graduated with the Grade 5 students this year. Petal will be travelling to another country with her mom, Mary Ann. As the school's official cuddle coordinator, Petal's presence brought joy, comfort, and learning to everyone.

In classrooms, Petal’s calming presence helped students focus and relax, while her friendly personality and wagging tail brightened each day. Petal also helped many students overcome their fear of dogs, turning apprehension into trust. Teachers appreciated her emotional support during busy days, making her an invaluable member of the Prem community.

Petal and Mary Ann thank all her Petal Pup parents and community members for their love and affection. They will always remember them and are forever grateful.

Will Langston
Head Digital Media

Celebrating Local Traditions at Prem!

Last Tuesday, our Grade 9-10 Thai Language Acquisition class had an incredible opportunity to immerse themselves in the Thai Lanna tradition of "Khantoke" with the wonderful residents of Mae Ann Village.

Students learned to cook traditional Lanna dishes and enjoyed a Khantoke meal they prepared themselves in a traditional Lanna house. The menu included delicious Moo-Tod (fried pork), Khao-Niow (sticky rice), Nam-Prik-Ong (Thai pork and tomato chili dip), and Pak-Kad-Jor (sour soup with pork ribs and Thai flowering pak choy).

A heartfelt thank you to our hosts, Mae Pojjanee and Khun Don, for their warm welcome and valuable insights into the Lanna way of life. This hands-on experience offered our students a deeper understanding of the rich Lanna culture and traditions beyond the classroom, perfectly complementing our Cultural Celebrations and Traditions unit.

At Prem, we love to connect our students with local traditions, helping them appreciate and respect the diverse cultures around them. This unforgettable day of learning and fun has certainly enriched our students' educational journey. Keep exploring and celebrating, Prem!

Suchaya Santivarakom (Ni)
Thai Teacher

Grade 6 English Language Acquisition Folk Tales Project

Today saw the culmination of the G6 Folk Tales unit in English Language Acquisition where students had the opportunity to present their magazine articles to Ajarn Rachel and Ajarn Shaun. The unit was begun with Ajarn Sandra setting the students the authentic task of writing magazine articles about folk tales for the wider Prem community. Relishing the challenge, the students got to work and explored folk tales around the world as well as learning about the features of a magazine article. They spent time examining the Pulse magazine to help identify the key concepts of audience and purpose and then carefully began planning their writing. It was clear that this was the perfect platform for them to showcase the considerable progress they have made this year in terms of skills development and self confidence when using English. Ajarn Rachel was very impressed as she could clearly see how this project supported the development of the students as global citizens. Joyful learning was identified by Ajarn Shaun as a clear outcome, as was their growing awareness of summative requirements at MYP.

Well done everyone!

Sam Dawkins
Curriculum Leader Language Acquisition

Cultural Integration in Language Learning

It is well known that Mandarin is different from other alphabetic language systems and may be difficult to learn. We believe that the best way to stimulate students' interest in learning Chinese is to immerse them in Chinese culture and customs. In our unit, Food and Drink, we immersed students in an authentic language environment by going to the Friday Chinese Market. Students asked for prices and practised the Chinese names for vegetables and food, among others, which enhanced their interest in learning Chinese. This semester we also made traditional Chinese paper flowers using imitation banknotes to help students recognize the RMB — Chinese money. In addition, during the traditional Chinese festival, the Dragon Boat Festival, we made lanterns and learned the historical stories of the festival, further encouraging students' exploration of Chinese history. These cultural activities took place throughout the semester to motivate their language learning. We hope learning and practising Mandarin will encourage students to travel to China to explore more of this culture and customs someday. 

Ersong Zhang
G7 Mandarin Language Teacher

Grade 5 Graduation

As we wrap up another fantastic year, we are thrilled to celebrate the incredible journey of our Grade 5 students. Throughout this year, they have truly blossomed, demonstrating remarkable growth. Through inquiry-based learning and engaging in creative projects, our students have grown not just academically, but as independent thinkers and compassionate individuals. This year, our classrooms were filled with curiosity and creativity. From exploring new concepts to tackling complex questions, our Grade 5 students have shown resilience, determination, and a passion for learning. They have embraced challenges, collaborated with peers, and showcased their talents in countless ways. One of the many highlights of our year was undoubtedly the graduation ceremony on Tuesday. Watching our students walk across the stage, beaming with pride and confidence, was a moment we will cherish forever. Their accomplishments are a testament to their hard work and the supportive community that has nurtured their growth. As they embark on new adventures, whether continuing their journey at Prem or exploring new horizons elsewhere, we wish them all the best. We have no doubt that they will continue to shine brightly, bringing their enthusiasm, creativity, and inquisitive minds to whatever comes next. Congratulations, Grade 5! We are immensely proud of each and every one of you. Here’s to your future successes and the exciting adventures that await you!

Alison Thompson and Alix Snyder
Grade 5 Teachers

Early Years Graduation Ceremony

Today, Prem celebrated the accomplishments of our Early Years 3 students with a heartwarming Early Years Graduation Ceremony! Parents gathered to witness this beautiful event, marking the students' transition from the early years to Grade 1. In a touching tradition, the EY3 students symbolically slid down the Prem slide, signifying their exciting move to the next stage of their education journey.

Congratulations to our EY3 graduates!

Justin Jarman
Junior School Principal

Grade 4 Market Day Success: 26,000 Baht Donated to Mudita Foundation in Mae Sot

After spending some time researching to find a really great local charity, this week Grade 4 were able to donate their profits from their Grade 4 Market Day! A grand total of 26,000 Baht was donated to the Mutida Foundation in Mae Sot.  

This foundation runs the Mudita School in Mae Sot. The students at the school are running a family support program in cooperation with HPC International school, an IB school in Germany. With their first donation of 1,000 Euros from the HPC school, they were able to support 8 families with food packages, medical supplies and microfinance to help some families start small businesses. 

The school is now in need of further donations to help with more food packages and computer screens for the school students. The money donated will go directly to those who need it most to help facilitate further education and training for students at the Mudita School as well as support for the refugee families. 

Brett and Mon Joyal, the parents of Quinn, one of our current Grade 4 students, have a very close connection with this charity and visited the school last year. Mon Joyal has recently been added as a board member for the foundation. They visited Prem and shared with the students many photos of the school and housing conditions where the families live. They will be able to provide updates and share photos of where the student's donations have been used. 

It has been a wonderful learning experience for the students to witness how their donation is directly helping those in need and see how their learning and action can have a positive effect for people here in Thailand.

We hope to continue this new relationship with the Mudita Foundation and encourage future Grade 4 students to take action and create fundraising opportunities so that we can continue to support this program further. 

Vicki Jagger
Grade 4 Teacher

Grade 3 Poetry & Art Exhibition

Over the last three weeks, in collaboration with our Unit of Inquiry—How We Express Ourselves, Grade 3 had the privilege of working with visiting Chilean Artist Camila Paz and our creative director Alex Soulsby. The students learned techniques such as contrasting and how to sketch portraits by incorporating different elements of art.

On Wednesday, 19 June, our students had the opportunity to share their artwork and poetry journals with the Prem community. The artwork created with Camila Paz included two incredible canvases, each featuring individual portraits contributed by the students, showcasing how they express themselves. These portraits were placed together to create a stunning visual admired by all, symbolizing our strengths and individuality as human beings. As a collective, we come together to inspire others and bring happiness to our community.

The students took great pride in their canvases and poetry journals, showcasing a variety of art forms, many inspired by Camila! Well done to our creative and dedicated Grade 3 students, and a big thank you to the visiting art program for this incredible collaboration. These memories will stay with them long into the summer months.

IEP Celebration of Learning

The Intensive English Program (IEP) hosted a Celebration of Learning this week to evidence and share the amazing work they have done this year! Student works included poetry, visual artwork, and writing samples to demonstrate where they began and where they are now in their learning journey.

This year IEP students have demonstrated tremendous resiliency and determination. As we settled into the learning environment of Prem at the start of this year many students were also navigating a new country, new school, new home, new friends, and a new language! This is no small feat, and all of the IEP teachers are so proud of the progress they have made!

Well done IEP!

Jennifer Verontaye
IEP Principal
SS Assistant Principal (Pastoral)
Lead for Professional Development

Yoga Class Brings Peace and Progress to IEP Students

In an exciting development for our school community, the IEP students have made remarkable strides in their yoga classes. The introduction of yoga has proven to be a wonderful addition to their timetable, fostering physical well-being and mental and emotional growth.

The yoga sessions encompass a variety of practices, including exploring different postures (asanas), breathing exercises (pranayama), meditation, and the deeply relaxing Shavasana posture. These activities help students develop mindfulness, enhancing their ability to focus, manage stress, and cultivate inner peace.

Our students have shown impressive progress in their yoga journey. They are mastering the physical aspects of the practice and embracing the principles of meditation and relaxation. The class has become a cherished part of their week, and it's heartening to see them enjoy each session with enthusiasm and dedication.

The benefits of yoga are manifold, and our IEP students are experiencing them firsthand. They are learning to connect with their bodies, manage their emotions, and find tranquillity amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life. The positive impact of these classes is evident in their improved focus, increased calmness, and overall well-being.

We look forward to continuing this journey with our students and witnessing their growth and development through yoga. Their commitment and progress are truly inspiring, and we are proud of the serene and mindful community we are building together.

Namaste, 

Carla Ramírez

Farewell to Boarding and Happy Holidays!

Wednesday evening saw us saying farewell and happy holidays to our boarding students.   Thanks to A. Bobby, they certainly left in style. Our boarding lounge took on a great makeover with colourful lights and as many balloons as he could find. The evening got off to a great start with music by our resident boarder (DJ) James and great food with some of the students' favourites. We followed this with some very lively games of Bingo. Every student received a certificate congratulating them on the personality traits we most admired and then, by request, more Bingo.

Thank you for being the most amazing group of young people. You bring so much joy and fun to our community. 

Thank you to our dedicated boarding team and to our guests from other parts of the school.

May you have a wonderful holiday and come back ready to see what the next year brings.

Linda Buck
Director of Boarding

We have a heartfelt message to share about a member of our extended family. It has been brought to our attention that there is a house for sale located across the street from Prem, making it an ideal investment for families with children attending or planning to attend Prem. It offers the convenience of being within easy walking distance to our school.

The house was originally listed for 11.8 million baht but has now been reduced to 7.5 million baht for an urgent sale, due to family financial reasons. The house is brand new and has never been lived in.

If you or anyone you know might be interested in purchasing this property, please keep this information in mind. Scan the LINE code for additional information. Your support could make a significant difference for a family during this difficult time.