STMARKS NEWSLETTER 26 (11 JULY 2025)
- HSK RESULTS 2025
- SIMOC 2025 ACHIEVEMENT
- GLOBAL LEARNING IN ACTION: STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM IN PERTH, AUSTRALIA
- JORAKAY JUNIOR BADMINTON CHAMPIONSHIP 2025
- MAHIDOL UNIVERSITY SUMMER SCHOOL LABORATORY 2025
- SUMMER SCHOOL MINI OLYMPIC
- EARLY YEARS AND PRIMARY COOKING: VIETNAMESE ROLLS
- GROUP B SCIENCE: SOLAR SYSTEM
- GROUP A MANDARIN: LEARNING NATURE AND 12 MONTHS
- GROUP C ENGLISH: CREATIVE STORY TELLING
- GROUP A & F SCIENCE: CAPILLARY ACTION
- GROUP C SCIENCE: PNEUMATICS VS. HYDRAULICS
- PRIMARY AND EARLY YEARS ENGLISH: AIR FOOTBALL
- PRIMARY AND EARLY YEARS COOKING: MANGO GRAHAM CAKE
- SECONDARY ENGLISH: SPAGHETTI STRUCTURE CHALLENGE
HSK RESULTS 2025
We are thrilled to announce the exceptional achievements of our students in the HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) Chinese Proficiency Tests! These internationally recognized assessments, designed to measure Mandarin language skills, yielded outstanding results from our students across all levels.
Several of our students achieved remarkably high scores, a testament to their dedication, perseverance, and passion for language learning. Whether it was their first attempt or an advanced-level challenge, our students consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of vocabulary, grammar, reading comprehension, and listening skills.
👏 Highlights include:
Multiple students scoring above 180 out of 200 and 280 out of 300
A significant number of learners achieving full marks in listening and reading sections
This success reflects not only the hard work of our students but also the commitment and excellence of our Mandarin teaching team, who continuously provide engaging, effective, and personalized instruction.
We are incredibly proud of all our students who sat for the HSK exams and look forward to seeing them grow even further on their journey toward fluency.
SIMOC 2025 ACHIEVEMENT
We are excited to announce the incredible success of our students at the Singapore International Math Olympiad Challenge (SIMOC) 2025, held on July 5 in Singapore. Representing St. Mark’s on the global stage, our students achieved outstanding results, bringing home a total of seven medals in various categories—a true testament to their mathematical brilliance and dedication.
Medal Breakdown:
🏅 1 Gold Medal
🥈 3 Silver Medals
🥉 3 Bronze Medals
Individual Achievements
In the Individual Math Olympiad category, our students displayed exceptional problem-solving abilities, earning both Gold and Bronze medals. Their sharp thinking, perseverance, and passion for mathematics were evident as they tackled challenging problems with ease.
Team Event Triumphs
Our students also excelled in the Team Events, including Math Master Mind (MMM) and Math Warrior (MW). Through excellent collaboration and mathematical reasoning, our teams secured additional Silver and Bronze medals, proving that teamwork and collective effort are key components of success.
This achievement is a powerful reflection of St. Marks commitment to cultivating critical thinking, problem-solving, and a love for mathematics and science. We are incredibly proud of our students’ academic prowess, which underscores their readiness to excel in future STEM challenges.
A big congratulations to all our medalists! This achievement would not have been possible without the continuous support of our dedicated teachers and parents, whose encouragement and guidance helped shape our students into the thinkers they are today.
Well done, St. Marks students! 🎉
GLOBAL LEARNING IN ACTION: STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM IN PERTH, AUSTRALIA
As part of our commitment to global education, eight of our secondary students participated in an enriching Summer Exchange Program with Carey Baptist College in Perth, Australia, from June 21 to July 2, 2025.
During this two-week program, our students had the incredible opportunity to experience school life in Australia, attending classes alongside local students, engaging in collaborative learning, and immersing themselves in a new academic environment. It was a chance to gain a fresh perspective on education, build international friendships, and practice independence.
Beyond the classroom, students also explored some of Perth’s most iconic attractions, taking in the natural beauty, culture, and lifestyle of Western Australia. This journey wasn't just about academics, it was about building confidence, cross-cultural understanding, and memories that will last a lifetime.
We are proud of our students for representing St. Marks with enthusiasm and curiosity. Programs like this highlight our mission to develop globally minded learners who are ready to thrive in any part of the world.
JORAKAY JUNIOR BADMINTON CHAMPIONSHIP 2025
We are incredibly proud to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our students at the Jorakay Junior Badminton Championship 2025 – Round 1, held from July 10 to 14 at Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai Campus, in Songkhla Province, Thailand.
Our students showcased their talent, teamwork, and sportsmanship against top players from around the region, bringing home an impressive set of victories!
🥇 Chonnada (Donut), partnered with Phannara (from Satee team), emerged as the Champion in the Girls’ Doubles U13 category.
🥈 Phukit (Drift), teamed up with Pannapat (from P.B.C. Hatyai team), secured the 1st Runner-Up position in the Boys’ Doubles U13 category.
🥉 In the Mixed Doubles U13 event, Drift and Donut joined forces and earned the 2nd Runner-Up title.
These achievements reflect the dedication and perseverance of our student, and we couldn’t be prouder. Congratulations to Donut and Drift!
MAHIDOL UNIVERSITY SUMMER SCHOOL LABORATORY 2025
As part of our engaging and enriching summer program, our students had the incredible opportunity to visit the Excellent Center for Drug Discovery (ECDD) at Mahidol University on Friday, July 4th, 2025. The visit was designed to give students a hands-on introduction to biomedical science and real-world research practices.
The day began with registration and an important lab safety briefing, where students learned proper laboratory protocols and practiced essential skills like pipetting. Fully geared in lab attire, including gowns, gloves, and hairnets, our students then dove into an interactive learning session titled “What Are Cells?” This was followed by a lab-based activity, during which they observed how cells react to different drug treatments, providing them with a glimpse into how medications are developed and tested.
Throughout the session, students were introduced to key stages of the drug discovery process. They explored target validation, compound screening, and lead optimization, and even learned how researchers test drug safety and effectiveness during pre-clinical and clinical trials. A highlight of the day was using 3D cell culture models and performing an MTT assay, a colorimetric test to measure cell viability, a crucial step in evaluating potential drugs.
This immersive experience sparked curiosity and scientific thinking among our students, giving them a greater appreciation for how science contributes to healthcare advancements. It was truly an eye-opening day of discovery, experimentation, and inspiration!
SUMMER SCHOOL MINI OLYMPIC
Last July 11 marked a joyful conclusion to our 2025 Summer School Program with a high-energy Mini Olympic held in our school gymnasium!
Our students came together for a morning of laughter, teamwork, and excitement as they participated in a variety of creative and challenging games, from relay races to hopping like frogs and crabs, and even battling it out in a round of giant volleyball! The event kicked off with an upbeat Zumba warm-up, where students danced their hearts out and got pumped up for the fun ahead.
Working in teams, the students displayed great sportsmanship, determination, and lots of smiles throughout the games. It was a true celebration of collaboration, energy, and the friendships formed over the past few weeks.
To top it all off, everyone was treated to a well-deserved ice cream reward, adding a sweet ending to a memorable summer experience.
Thank you to all our teachers, staff, and students for making this summer special. We look forward to seeing everyone again soon, ready, recharged, and smiling!
EARLY YEARS AND PRIMARY COOKING: VIETNAMESE ROLLS
On the final day of our Summer School Program, our students enjoyed one last hands-on activity, a fun and healthy Vietnamese Roll cooking session!
Gathered together with big smiles and curious minds, the students had the opportunity to create their own fresh Vietnamese rolls. Using a variety of colorful ingredients like vegetables, sausages, and imitation crab sticks, they eagerly wrapped their own rolls, some neat, some creative, and all delicious!
It was not only a tasty treat but also a great way to learn about healthy eating habits and explore new cultures through food. The students were proud of their creations and enjoyed every bite of the snack they prepared themselves.
A perfect way to end the summer, with teamwork, creativity, and a yummy reward!
GROUP B SCIENCE: SOLAR SYSTEM
In their Science summer class, our Group B students took a journey through space as they learned all about the solar system! They explored the sun and the eight planets, discussing their unique features and positions in orbit.
To make learning even more exciting, students created their very own solar system models. Using styrofoam balls of different sizes, they painted and crafted each one to represent the sun and the planets, from the fiery orange of Mars to the icy blue of Neptune.
The hands-on activity not only helped reinforce what they learned, but also sparked creativity and teamwork. Great job, Group B!
GROUP A MANDARIN: LEARNING NATURE AND 12 MONTHS
In Mandarin class, our Primary students explored nature-themed vocabulary with a special focus on the words for “sun” (太阳 tàiyáng) and “moon” (月亮 yuèliàng). The lesson took an exciting turn when students discovered that in Chinese, the word for “moon” and “month” are the same - yuè (月)!
To help them understand and remember the 12 months in Mandarin, the class engaged in an interactive activity where 12 students each represented one month of the year. They were divided into odd and even months and took turns saying their assigned month in Mandarin, bringing the calendar to life with their enthusiastic performances. To wrap up the lesson, the students practiced writing the new words and created colorful drawings.
GROUP C ENGLISH: CREATIVE STORY TELLING
Our Group C students enjoyed a fun and interactive English activity that showcased their creativity and teamwork. Each student was given a limited time to start writing a story. When the timer went off, they passed their paper to the next person, who continued the story from where it left off. This process continued until everyone had a turn to add their own twist to each tale.
Once the stories were complete, the students took turns reading them aloud to the class, helping them practice both their writing and reading skills in English. The results were imaginative and funny, a true showcase of collaborative storytelling!
It was a wonderful way to build confidence, improve language skills, and enjoy learning together.
GROUP A & F SCIENCE: CAPILLARY ACTION
In Groups A and E science class, our students explored the fascinating concept of capillary action through a fun and colorful experiment known as “Walking Water.”
The students began by setting up cups of colored water, separated by empty cups, and connecting them using folded tissue paper. Their task was to observe whether the colored water would "walk" through the tissue into the next cup. As the minutes passed, they watched in amazement as the water slowly traveled upwards and across the tissue, eventually dripping into the empty cups.
An exciting part of the activity was seeing what happens when two different colors meet. Students predicted the results and then observed as the colors blended together in the center cups, creating beautiful new shades. It was a great way to combine both science and creativity!
To wrap up the lesson, the teacher challenged the students with a thought-provoking question: Would the same thing happen if we used plastic, foil, or cloth instead of tissue paper? This led to a lively discussion as students began forming hypotheses based on their understanding of how different materials absorb water.
The Walking Water experiment not only helped students understand how water can move through materials using capillary action but also encouraged them to think critically and make predictions.
GROUP C SCIENCE: PNEUMATICS VS. HYDRAULICS
Our older primary students in Group C tackled a question: Pneumatics vs. Hydraulics – which one is better?
Led by Mr. DJ, the class dove into hands-on experimentation to explore the properties of both systems. They began by learning the basics: pneumatics uses gas (usually air) as its medium, while hydraulics relies on liquid. From there, students got to work, testing how each system performs when it comes to moving objects of different weights.
One of the key discoveries was that while pneumatics is useful for many tasks, gas is easily compressed, making it less effective for lifting or moving heavier loads. Hydraulics, on the other hand, provided a smoother and more powerful response, as liquids cannot be compressed.
The students also examined how the length and surface area of the master cylinder affect the force needed to move the slave piston. It was a fantastic opportunity to see how small changes in design can drastically affect performance.
As seen in the video clips from the lesson, the children thoroughly enjoyed building and testing their systems. They came away not only understanding the science behind each method but also appreciating that both pneumatics and hydraulics have their unique strengths and applications.
PRIMARY AND EARLY YEARS ENGLISH: AIR FOOTBALL
In English class, our Primary and Early Years students had an exciting, hands-on learning experience that brought science to life!
As part of our integrated English and science activities, students explored the concept of thrust by using balloons to power various toys. Through playful experiments, they discovered how air pressure can create movement, launching balloon rockets, racing balloon-powered cars, and even playing a round of air football!
One highlight was a fun attempt to send a balloon to "Neptune" with lots of laughter and, of course, plenty of hot air!
This engaging activity not only sparked curiosity but also supported language development as students learned to describe their observations and discoveries in English.
PRIMARY AND EARLY YEARS COOKING: MANGO GRAHAM CAKE
Our Primary and Early Years summer school students had a fun and delicious cooking activity!
The students learned how to make mango graham cake, a popular no-bake dessert that’s perfect for hot days. Each student carefully assembled their mini cake by layering milk-dipped graham crackers to soften them, followed by fluffy whipped cream and fresh mango slices. To make it even more special, they topped their creations with crushed Oreos and extra mangoes.
This hands-on activity not only encouraged independence and creativity but also gave students a chance to follow instructions, practice sequencing, and enjoy the reward of their own homemade treat.
SECONDARY ENGLISH: SPAGHETTI STRUCTURE CHALLENGE
In this engaging English lesson, our secondary students explored the strength and properties of spaghetti while learning about structures through hands-on experiments.
They discovered that spaghetti is weak when bent, but surprisingly strong under compression and tension. Working in small groups, students built creative spaghetti models and tested how much weight they could support using books as units of measurement (approx. 50g per book).
Although it was an English lesson, students also gained valuable insights into engineering concepts, teamwork, and problem solving.