STMARKS NEWSLETTER 1 (18 JANUARY 2023)
ATAR ACHIEVEMENT 2022
Though this is the first time our school teaches the Year 12 Australian ATAR program, it is with great pleasure to announce another phenomenal school achievement as the Australian Government recently made its announcement for the 2022 ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) results.
Our students received truly exceptional recognition for achieving phenomenal ranks in the ATAR examination. Among all the Year 12 students in Australia who took the examination last November, they received a “Top 5%” and a “Top 15%” rank respectively. A truly superb achievement!
Congratulations to our students and their families and a heartfelt appreciation to all of our teachers who are behind our students’ success.
TOP IN THAILAND FOR A-LEVEL CHEMISTRY
It is our pleasure to once again announce the Outstanding Learner Award winner for 2022. Tampraphon has been acknowledged for his remarkable achievement in attaining the Highest Mark in Thailand for the Edexcel International A-Level Chemistry. This is our 8th “Top in Thailand” award we have received since 2019.
On behalf of the school, we would like to congratulate Tampraphon and his parents on this outstanding achievement.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES (ECA) AND SUPPORT CLASSES
We are happy to inform parents that we will be offering all ECAs (both Music and Activity ECA) for this semester. They will start on the week beginning, Monday, 16 January, and end on the week ending Friday, 12 May. Please find our finalised Activity ECA schedule below:
With the exception of Swimming ECA which runs until 5 pm, all other ECAs classes will finish at 4 pm.
FAMILY SPORTS DAY
This year, the annual Family Sports Day will be held at the SAT Football Stadium on Friday, 27 January. Sports Day is a chance for students to have fun, participate in various games, and develop skills in different disciplines.
To ensure a smooth day, all students are expected to arrive at the stadium at 8:15 am sharp. Parents are welcome to join our Sports Day, which will continue until about 11:45 am. As this is a half-day event, there will be no lunch service on that day. Students are to wear the school’s sports’ uniform and participating parents should come in with sports outfits in the colour of your child’s colour.
Parents and teachers will actively participate in various sports events to provide a good example on the importance of sports, for good physical and mental health. The event will also provide an opportunity for parents to get to know various members of our school community. Our school will be providing drinks and snacks, but parents are welcome to bring refreshments and snacks to share with other school members.
Please note that there will be regular school bus service on the day and parents of students using our bus service will be able to use this service with their children. We look forward to seeing you at our Family Sports Day
For a map of our Sports Day venue, please click here
FIRST WEEK OF THE SECOND SEMESTER
The first week of Semester 2 is always a time of excitement and anticipation. Students are reunited with friends, meet new classmates, and get to know their teachers. As they return to the classroom, they are filled with a sense of hope and possibility, ready to tackle the challenges that lie ahead.
For many students, the first week of school is a time of transition. They are adjusting to a new schedule, a new routine, and a new set of expectations. They may feel overwhelmed by the demands of their classes, or anxious about making new friends. But with the support of their teachers and classmates, they will soon find their footing and begin to thrive.
One of the most important things for students during the first week of school is to establish a routine. This includes getting to bed at a decent time, eating a healthy breakfast, and setting aside time for homework and studying. By establishing a routine early on, students will be better prepared to handle the demands of their classes and will be more likely to succeed.
Another important aspect of the first week of school is building relationships with teachers and classmates. This is a great time for students to get to know their teachers, ask questions, and establish a positive rapport. It is also an opportunity for students to make new friends and connect with others who share their interests and passions. Building strong relationships with teachers and classmates is an important part of the school experience and can greatly enhance the student's overall academic experience.
As students return to the classroom, it is also important for them to set their academic goals. Whether it's getting good grades, participating in extracurricular activities, or preparing for college, setting goals can help students stay motivated and focused throughout the year. With a clear idea of what they want to achieve, students will be better equipped to make the most of their time in school.
We wish all the students a great start to Semester 2 !
2022 GRADUATION CEREMONY
On 3 December 2022, St. Mark's International School held its Year 12 Graduation for Class of 2022. As a school, we came together to cherish this special moment together with our graduating students, sharing with them a glimpse of their journey and their success and achievement stories. They have been in our school for many years, so the day was filled with a mixed feeling of happiness - witnessing the success of their educational journey as well as a missing feeling - realising they are leaving us and moving on. As a close-knitted community, we have been together for many years, some enrolled since Pre-Prep, but it is definitely heartening to see them conquering another successful milestone.
During the past few years, these graduating students have thrived through a difficult period, where they had experienced exam cancellations, online learning and various delays stemming from the pandemic. However, with dedication and determination, they were able to seize their goal and came out successful, able to achieve among the top in the subjects they undertook.
Their resilience and willingness to pursue despite having to go through difficult situations, has shown to us that they are ready to move on to the next level of challenge in their life. We will definitely miss these remarkable students and will continue to keep good memories of them in our hearts.
May they march forward with their heads up high on their life journey, while pursuing their dreams.
Congratulations once again, as we pray that God will continue to bless them on their journey of life.
CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION
On 3 December, our students and teachers prepared various presentations for parents and the rest of St. Mark's community. Students from Early Years and Primary showed their talents in dancing and singing along to beautiful Christmas songs. Teachers from primary alongside our secondary students prepared the Christmas Fun Fair, where students and parents enjoyed the day with a wide range of fun-filled activities.
It was a new chapter, a great time of bonding between students, parents and teachers, enjoying the Christmas spirit, after a long period of no activity due to the pandemic.
PRIMARY SCOUT CAMP
On 6-7 December last year, our primary students took part in our Primary Scout Camp held at Nongnooch Camp, Pattaya. The day started with great fun and exciting games aimed at cultivating team-building spirits among our students.
In the evening, teachers prepared a bonfire party for students to enjoy, where they danced and had opportunities in building bonds with friends. When night fell, students enjoyed their camping experience - gazing over the dark clear sky, decorated with millions of brightly lit stars, while sleeping in tents and enjoying the cool winter breeze. With this experience, we hope to see our students mature and develop the skills of being independent.
On the second day of the camp, students had a good time visiting Dinosaur Valley, where they saw hundreds of man-made dinosaurs and other animals. Everyone had a really good time riding on them and taking photographs with the gigantic and fascinating creatures.
Looking forward to the next fun-filled Scout Camp next year.
SECONDARY SCOUT CAMP
Recently Year 6 to 12 students had the opportunity to participate in a social work volunteer camp in Suan Phung, Rachaburi. Students were looking forward to making a positive impact in their community by volunteering to teach in a rural public school in Suan Phung. The camp took place over the course of 3 days from 6-9 December, and involved working with local organisations to support educational projects and initiatives in the area.
During the camp, students had the opportunity to teach a variety of classes, including English, Mandarin, Maths and Science. They had the chance to learn new experiences, meet new people, and make a real difference in the lives of those in need.
In addition to the volunteer work, the camp also included cultural activities and excursions to help students learn more about the area and its people, who are mainly the Karen people who migrated to Rachaburi from Myanmar many years ago. This was a great opportunity for students to gain new perspectives, broaden their horizons, and develop a deeper understanding of the world around them.
During the participation in the camp, students worked hard, were flexible with their living conditions, and had a positive attitude. Students also experienced some good times during this trip - visiting a waterfall, a hot water spring and participating in various fun activities at a sheep farm in Suan Phung.
PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCE (SEMESTER 1)
On Friday, 9 December, parents had the opportunity to meet with our teachers in school to hear their child's progress during the past semester.
Not only do our teachers discuss with parents on students' academic progress, but also on the social-emotional aspect of their development. Teachers had the opportunity to share some helpful advice with parents on how they can support their child's learning effectively.
It was a great day of meeting, getting to hear, understand and exchange point of views and vital information, which will in the end, benefit our students.