Head of School Message

Dear Prem Community, 

With very best wishes, 

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

Prem welcomed students and families on their first day back!

Prem International Day & Boarding School welcomed students and families on their first day back! Bicycles cruised through our beautiful campus as students reunited with friends and teachers. We’re excited to see everyone back and ready for an incredible year of learning and growth.

Welcome back! Let’s make this 2024-2025 school year the best one yet!

MEET OUR NEW STAFF

We are thrilled to welcome our new staff members to Prem International School community. Your expertise, passion, and dedication will be invaluable as we continue to provide an exceptional learning environment for our students. We're excited to have you on board and look forward to working together to achieve great things this year. Welcome to Prem!

Amazing Race: New Teachers Explore Prem

As the new academic year begins, we’re delighted to introduce our newest team members to the vibrant and dynamic community here at Prem. In the past few weeks, they embarked on an exciting journey of discovery and preparation, setting the stage for a successful year ahead. From diving into Thai culture to mastering our divisional schedules and preparing their classrooms, our new teachers have been busy laying the groundwork for an enriching educational experience. Here’s a look at what they’ve been up to and what’s on the horizon as they settle into their new roles.

• Exploring Thai Culture New teachers have started to immerse themselves in the rich traditions and vibrant culture of Thailand. Understanding and integrating these cultural elements is essential for connecting with Prem’s diverse student body and enriching their teaching experience.

• Understanding Divisional Times Teachers have been introduced to the structured timetable across the Primary, Middle, and Diploma Years. Familiarity with these schedules is crucial for supporting students’ academic needs and ensuring smooth daily operations.

• Classroom Preparation New staff members have participated in hands-on activities to prepare their classrooms and familiarize themselves with Prem’s student-centered teaching approach. Their creativity in setting up engaging learning environments will significantly impact student experience.

Prem is excited about the contributions new teachers will bring to the school community. Support is always available, and staff are encouraged to reach out with any questions. Welcome to the team!

MEET OUR MARKETING & ADMISSIONS TEAM

As we embark on a new academic year, the Marketing & Admissions team is thrilled to showcase what makes Prem a standout choice for students and families seeking an exceptional educational experience. From our pioneering status as the first Southeast Asian school to offer all four International Baccalaureate (IB) programs to our rich cultural immersion and state-of-the-art facilities, Prem is dedicated to providing a unique and comprehensive learning environment. Join us as we explore the many facets of life at Prem and discover how we can support your child’s journey towards academic excellence and personal growth.

If you are interested in sharing your news with the Prem community, please email your submissions to us! Our newsletter will be in your inbox every other Saturday, please submit your articles every Thursday at noon by using this form: Submit your article for the Community Newsletter. If you don't have pictures, check out the social media calendar to see if our photographer may be available, and if there is availability, fill up this Social Media Form to book Prem’s photographer.

Thank you for your support. We're excited to keep you updated and connected every other Saturday! For suggestions, email Bow and Rico: news@ptis.ac.th

UPDATE ON THE CAMPUS RENOVATION

During the school holiday, we successfully completed several exciting renovations across our campus. We have upgraded the toilet facilities at key locations, including the Village, the 1st Floor Middle School Building, the Art House, and the Swimming Pool area. In addition, we renovated student apartments in the Boarding area, featuring new 2-bedroom units and a spacious 3-bedroom apartment. Classroom enhancements include the improvement of the Design Center within the Art House and the transformation of two standard classrooms in the Senior School Building into a larger, more versatile space with a concertina wall. These upgrades are designed to better support our students and enrich their learning environment.

I would like to extend my gratitude to our operational and administrative teams for their dedicated efforts in ensuring that all renovations were completed on schedule for the school reopening. I also wish to thank our Management Team and the Board of Governors for their continued support and vision, which drive our school’s ongoing development and commitment to excellence.

Sopong Suwanpintun (Net)
School General Manager

Senior Sunrise

Grade 12 began their final year at school with our Prem tradition, Senior Sunrise. Our newly crowned seniors arrived on Sunday evening for a special meal with their homeroom teachers and coordinators. It is always so meaningful to see them connect after the summer holiday in the evening before. Students and homeroom teachers played boardgames, went swimming or played sports together in the gym. Lights were out at 10, and unsuprisingly students needed fairly persistent encouragement to get up and onto the vans for 4.50am. They were rewarded with a beautiful view of the sun rising in cool mountain air over Chiangmai, and I was rewarded by the collective sighs of “Oh Wow” as they crested the hill. It’s always a special moment. 

It is a lovely tradition that we have here, and it is always a privilege to share it with these students who will go on to face a year of challenges and successes. The tradition reminds them that they have a team of teachers to guide them through this year, but also that they have each other for support, encouragement, humour and empathy as they ride through the year. 

Abbie Neall
IB Diploma Coordinator 
MYP and DP English Language and Literature Teacher
MA English Literature

PREM STUDENTS COMPLETED 10-DAY MILITARY TRAINING CAMP

Nineteen students from Grades 10 to 12 at Prem International School participated in a 10-day military training camp from August 5 to 14, 2024, held at the Phichit Prachakon Pichit Preechakorn Training Camp in Chiang Dao, Chiang Mai. We are delighted to report that all students successfully completed the program. On August 11, parents were welcomed for a visit to see their children at the camp.

Chanrit Jindamorakot
Thai Military Service Supervisor

BOARDING STUDENTS ENJOY A FUN ORIENTATION

It is very important  that our boarding students settle as quickly as possible and enjoy their time here in Prem boarding. To ensure that this happens we have an extensive boarding orientation.

We did give the new students a couple of days to make themselves at home, and then on Tuesday we made sure that the orientation was a combination of basic information in a presentation,  but also an opportunity to enjoy an 'ice breaker' to get to know other students,  and then we had staff at different stations giving them face-to-face information. 

Station 1: Boarding Lounge - presentation/ice breaker and weekend activities. Also information on signing out at weekends.

Station 2: Cluster 11 for registering on the boarding Line group and learning about delivery services to boarding.   Emphasis on the importance of privacy for all students, not entering other students' apartments without approval.                  

Station 3: Tour of Nurses clinics, and an explanation on how the nursing system here at Prem works for boarders. 

Station 4: Laundry room - days and system for sending laundry. Swimming pool rules.

Station 5: Art House - Evacuation Drills, use of bikes on campus.

We will make sure our new and existing students enjoy the year ahead. If you have any questions regarding our boarding community please do not hesitate to contact me.

Linda Buck
Director of Boarding

ARTIST RESIDENCY THAILAND WELCOMES RENOWED CREATIVE THINKERS

We are incredibly excited to start this year’s Artist Residency Thailand program with a collaboration between Mark Randall, Associate Dean of Parsons School of Design, and the renowned artist and activist,Janeil Engelstad. Together, they will bring their project, What About Empathy, to life, working with junior, middle, and senior school students to inspire empathy and social change through creative practice.

In a world that is full of social, environmental, and humanitarian challenges, many of their workshop engagements will encourage students to engage in collective thinking and skill- sharing. Through design philosophy, participants will explore ways to create interventions that bridge divides—political, racial, and cultural—all underpinned by empathy. The project involves hands-on activities, including design exercises, dialogue, and rapid prototyping, empowering students to apply empathy both personally and professionally.

Engelstad’s interdisciplinary practice has addressed global social and environmental concerns, while Randall has been recognized for his contributions to socially responsible design. Their partnership offers a unique opportunity for Prem students at all levels to learn from these influential figures and think creatively about how empathy can be a driving force for positive change in their communities and the world.

Alex Soulsby 
Creative Director