STMARKS NEWSLETTER 18 (21 MARCH 2025)
NEW ACADEMIC YEAR CALENDAR (2025-2026)
The academic year calendar for 2025-2026 has been officially published. The calendar outlines important dates, events, and holidays for the upcoming academic year.
You may access the calendar through the following channels:
- School Website: Please click HERE to view and download the calendar in digital format.
- SZapp: The calendar is also available on SZapp for your convenience. Simply log in to the app and navigate to the calendar section to access it.
We encourage you to review the calendar carefully to stay informed about key dates such as parent-teacher conference, holidays, examinations and school events.
HOSPITAL WORK EXPERIENCE FOR PORTFOLIO
At St. Marks Australian International School, it is our priority to assist our secondary students in building a strong profile (portfolio) that can be used for the Thai universities' selection programs, especially for admission into high-demand courses such as medicine and dentistry. Volunteer work at renowned hospitals is a valuable experience that significantly enhances their profile for such programs.
We are pleased to inform you that we have information of two prestigious hospitals, Rajavithi Hospital and Siriraj Hospital, which provide our students with the opportunity to gain meaningful volunteer experience. By volunteering, students will not only contribute to the community but also enhance their chances in university admissions.
Below are links for registering work experience at these hospitals. You can choose the department and the day that best suits your child’s availability. To apply, kindly register your child’s information via the system and refer to the details provided in the link.
https://oapp.rajavithi.go.th/RjvtRegisterVolunteer/
Please also refer to the attached details below.
We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to help your child build a strong portfolio for their future academic journey.
KINDER P.E.: HAND-EYE COORDINATION
Our kindergarten students had an exciting and energetic time in their Physical Education class! Through engaging activities, they practiced and developed their hand-eye coordination—a key skill that helps with movement, balance, and overall motor development.
One of the highlights of the class was an activity where students worked on their foot-eye coordination by kicking a ball toward a goal. With great enthusiasm, each students took turns aiming, kicking, and celebrating their successes. This fun and interactive exercise not only enhanced their coordination but also encouraged teamwork, focus, and perseverance.
Through play-based learning, our students are building essential physical skills while also gaining confidence in their abilities. Activities like these help improve muscle control, reaction time, and spatial awareness—all while having a fantastic time with their classmates!
PRE-PREP SCIENCE: DOES IT FLOAT?
This week, our pre-prep class had an exciting hands-on science experience as they explored the concepts of "float" and "sink." Through this engaging activity, students were introduced to new vocabulary words and learned how to make predictions based on their observations.
Each student was given a variety of objects and asked to predict whether each item would float or sink when placed in water. After making their guesses, they tested their predictions by dropping the objects into a container filled with water. The excitement in the room was undeniable as they eagerly watched the results unfold!
Through this fun and interactive experiment, students developed critical thinking skills, enhanced their ability to make hypotheses, and discovered the properties of different materials. By the end of the activity, they could confidently identify which objects float and which sink, reinforcing their learning through firsthand experience
PREP P.E.: BALL GAMES
In Prep's P.E. class, our prep students had an exciting time playing with balls! Before starting their activities, they warmed up with stretching exercises and a little run to prepare their bodies for action.
Once warmed up, they explored different ways to move and control the ball, from catching and throwing to bouncing. The students laughed and cheered as they practiced their coordination and reflexes through playful activities. Whether tossing a ball to a friend, bouncing it on the ground, or catching it mid-air, each child had the opportunity to improve their motor skills while enjoying the game.
These activities not only strengthened their muscles and enhanced their hand-eye coordination but also encouraged teamwork and social interaction. The joy on their faces was a clear sign of how much fun they had while learning new skills!
SOCCER ECA 2025
Last week, our students met their new coach and got straight into action with a well-structured training session. The ECA now runs from 3:20 to 5:00 pm, giving students plenty of time to develop their soccer skills in a fun and engaging environment.
Each session starts with a warm-up at the outdoor gym, ensuring students are physically prepared before heading to the field. Once on the field, they participate in practical lessons where they learn essential soccer techniques, including passing and kicking the ball with accuracy.
With expert guidance from their coach, students are gradually improving their skills while also developing teamwork and sportsmanship. The Soccer ECA is a fantastic opportunity for students to stay active, refine their abilities, and enjoy the game. We look forward to seeing their progress throughout the season!
YEAR 5 SCIENCE: ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS
Our Year 5 students had an exciting time in science class this week as they learned about electrical circuits and how power plants generate electricity. The lesson began with a discussion on how circuits work and the role of power plants in supplying electricity to homes and industries.
After the discussion, students put their knowledge into practice using an interactive app on their iPads. They designed and built their own virtual electric circuits, carefully placing components like wires, switches, and bulbs. Each student then explained their circuit to the teacher, describing how electricity flows and predicting whether their circuit would work.
To test their designs, students tapped the switch in the app to see if the bulb turned on and off. This hands-on activity allowed them to see how circuits function in real time and reinforced their understanding of electrical flow.
It was a great learning experience, combining theory with digital experimentation. Our Year 5 students showed enthusiasm and curiosity throughout the lesson.
YEAR 6 PIANO: THE CLOWN
This week, our Year 6 students learned to play the piece The Clown in their piano class. Under the guidance of their teacher, each student took turns playing beside the piano. This hands-on experience helped them practice their skills and gain confidence in performing.
In addition to their individual performances, the students took part in an activity to improve their listening skills. As their teacher played different notes on the piano, they had to identify them correctly. This exercise encouraged careful listening and helped them recognize musical notes by ear.
Through these activities, our Year 6 students are developing their musical abilities and building an appreciation for music.
YEAR 9 ENGLISH: TRAVEL PRESENTATIONS
In their recent English class, our Year 9 students took on an exciting challenge—preparing a 3–5 minute presentation about a unique holiday destination that offers more than just lounging on the beach. Students chose a variety of destinations, including Bangkok, Ayutthaya, the Vatican, Switzerland, and more.
Each student had the opportunity to showcase their chosen destination, highlighting its unique attractions, culture, and activities. They described breathtaking scenery, historical landmarks, and adventurous experiences that travelers can enjoy. Some students focused on nature escapes, while others explored bustling cities rich in history and culture.
The presentations were filled with vivid descriptions, engaging visuals, and even short videos to enhance their storytelling. From exploring ancient ruins to hiking in national parks, students shared compelling reasons why their chosen destination is worth visiting. They also demonstrated excellent research and public speaking skills, making their presentations informative and captivating.
This activity not only allowed students to practice their presentation skills but also inspired discussions about travel and cultural appreciation. It was a fantastic opportunity for them to transport their classmates to different corners of the world and spark interest in exciting travel destinations!