ST. MARK'S INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL eNewsletter

SCHOOL POLICY ON MOBILE PHONES

We would like to take this opportunity to re-emphasize the school policy regarding the use of mobile phones in school. As stated in our school policy, the use of mobile phones during school hours is prohibited.

It has come to our attention that despite the clear prohibition, some students are still using their phones in class and during breaks. We would like to remind all students and parents that this policy is in place to ensure that students are fully engaged in their learning and are not distracted by their phones.

We understand that mobile phones have become an integral part of our daily lives, but during school hours, it is important for students to focus on their studies and participate actively in class. The use of mobile phones during school hours has been shown to have a negative impact on students' learning, attention span, and communication skills. We ask for your support in ensuring that this policy is followed and that our students are able to make the most of their time in school.

Starting from Monday, 13 February, it will be to the best interest of our students, if mobile phones are not brought to school at all. However, if this cannot be done and you feel it is necessary that your child has to bring one to school, surrendering of phones to the homeroom teacher during the morning homeroom will now be required. For those students who arrive to school later than 8.20 am, surrendering of phones will be done at the school gate through the school guard. After school, students will be able to redeem their phones from the School Canteen.

HEALTH ADVISORY: HAND, FOOT & MOUTH DISEASE

As the world continues to grapple with the ongoing pandemic, it's more important than ever to be proactive in taking steps to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. One such disease that is currently affecting many individuals is called Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD).

HFMD is a highly contagious illness that is caused by certain strains of the Coxsackie virus and Enterovirus 71. It is primarily spread through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person, such as saliva, nasal mucus, or blister fluid. It can also be spread through contaminated surfaces and objects.

The symptoms of HFMD usually appear within 3 to 7 days of exposure and can include fever, sore throat, fatigue, and a rash on the hands, feet, and inside the mouth.

Here are some practical tips that can help you prevent the spread of HFMD:

Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Avoid close contact with individuals who have the symptoms of HFMD.
Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with the virus, such as toys, doorknobs, and light switches.
Avoid sharing utensils, towels, and other personal items with others.
Stay home if you have symptoms of HFMD and seek medical attention if necessary.

By following these simple steps, we can all help to reduce the spread of HFMD and protect our communities. If you have any further questions or concerns about this disease, please consult a healthcare provider.

FIELDTRIP: KINDERGARTEN TO YEAR 5

This year’s excursion at St. Mark’s is scheduled for Friday, 10 March 2023. Our students from Kindergarten to Year 5 will be visiting Chul Farm at Sansiri Backyard. Located in Phra Khanong Nuea, Bangkok, this is an urban farm where students can experience a variety of agriculture-related activities. For example, picking different types of organic vegetables and eggs, feeding farm animals, making smoothies or gelato ice cream and learning about butterflies. You can find out more at https://www.facebook.com /Chulfarmbkk/. Students will be having their lunch at the restaurant in the farm.

The cost for the day, including admission, activities, snack and lunch, and two-way transport is as below:

Early Years (Kindergarten, Pre-prep and Prep) – 1,000 Baht per child

Primary (Year 1 – Year 5) – 1,300 Baht per child

It is important to note that due to the relatively high cost for admission and lunch at the farm, this has pushed the cost of this field trip to be higher than previous years.

All students must arrive at school promptly by 8:00 am as the buses will be leaving shortly after. Early Years students will be back in school by 1:30 pm, while Primary students will be back by 3:30 pm. Students should wear their sport uniforms/shoes for the day.

Please submit your Reply Form no later than Friday, 24 February, by clicking this link. We are looking forward to a fun time for everyone!

PREP SCIENCE: LISTEN TO OUR SHOW

Our Prep class explored how musical instruments can help them develop their sense of hearing!

Our sense of hearing is an important part of our ability to understand and enjoy the world around us. Exposing our Prep students to different sounds, including the sounds of musical instruments, can help them develop their sense of hearing and improve their overall listening skills.

In their Science class, students were able to play different kinds of musical instruments such as maracas, tambourines, drums and etc to distinguish different sounds. They were also asked about what they heard and were also encouraged to make the sound themselves. Our Prep class enjoyed exploring the sound of music in ways they can improve their sense of hearing while having fun.

YEAR 4 THAI: AESOP'S STORIES

We are excited to share with you the recent Thai-speaking activities that have been taking place in the Year 4 Thai class. As part of our efforts to promote language and cultural understanding, our Thai language students have been participating in storytelling sessions where they retell Aesop's fables in their own words.

These storytelling sessions have been held in front of the classroom, providing an opportunity for students to practice their Thai language skills and showcase their creativity. By putting their own spin on classic tales such as "The Ant and the Grasshopper" and "The Tortoise and the Hare," students have demonstrated a deep understanding of the values and lessons that these stories convey.

We are proud of our students' efforts and the enthusiasm they have shown for learning the Thai language and culture. We believe that by providing these opportunities, we can help our students develop a greater appreciation for diversity and foster a love of learning.

YEAR 6 MANDARIN: VOCABULARIES

This week our Year 6 students, will be focusing on vocabulary development in their Mandarin class. Learning new vocabulary is an essential part of learning any language.

In this class activity, students worked on strategies to help them learn new vocabulary words by reading challenging characters, writing them on the board, and making sentences using the words they just learned.

Students were taught that vocabulary is the foundation for successful reading, writing, and communication in any language. By expanding their vocabulary, they will be able to express themselves more effectively, understand what they read, and communicate their thoughts and ideas more clearly.

YEAR 9 PHYSICS: ELECTRICITY

In our Year 9 Physics class, students will be focusing on the topic of electricity, one of the most fundamental and fascinating concepts in Physics. Understanding electricity is essential to understanding how the world around us works.

In their lab class, students learned how to set up the components in Series and Parallel circuits where they took the readings for Voltage and Current using the Multimeter. They are learning the relationship between Voltage, Current, and Resistance. This experiment demonstrates the properties of electricity and how it can be measured and controlled.

YEAR 10 ENGLISH: DEBATE

Our Year 10 English class discussion this week was centered around the debate topic of Bravery is more important than Obedience. This was an exciting opportunity for our students to delve into the complexities of this issue and engage in a respectful, informed, and thought-provoking conversation.

In preparation for the activity, the students researched both sides of the debate and familiarize themselves with the key arguments and supporting evidence. They also considered different perspectives and be open to new ideas and information. Students were reminded to be aware of any potential biases and to critically evaluate the sources of information they are using.

During the discussion, Year 10 students actively participated and engage in respectful dialogue with their classmates and had the opportunity to share their thoughts and hear the perspectives of others, and the teacher encourage them to listen actively and consider other viewpoints.

STUDENTS' WORK CORNER

PRE-PREP: LETTER L

One activity they did was Lion Drawing/Cut-out. They drew a lion using pencils and markers as well as cut the paper to make Lion's mane. Students learned about the different parts of a lion and how to create texture in their drawings and designs.

Students really enjoyed this activity and learned something new in our Letter L lesson.

PREP: NEVER TAKE FOOD THAT IS DIRTY

As part of our Prep ongoing topic in Health class, students were reminded about the importance of avoiding foods that are dirty. In their activity, students drew and expressed their understanding of the topic "Never take food that is dirty."

In class, it was explained to the students that Food that is dirty can cause a range of health problems, from minor stomach upsets to more serious illnesses such as food poisoning. They were also given some basic food safety rules to follow in order to avoid these health risks.

YEAR 1: ANIMALS' FEET

Year 1 had fun in their English class activity where they explore different creatures and their unique characteristics. They also draw some of the animals they have read and describe them. Students were not afraid to use their imagination and creativity to add their own flair to their drawings.

YEAR 2: DIALOGUE WRITING "SCENE 7"

In Year 2 English class activity, students were given a chance to write a dialogue of their story about "Scene 7". Dialogue is an essential tool in writing, allowing students to bring characters to life and convey meaning through conversation. In this activity, students made each of their dialogues sound natural. They practiced writing it to show readers how the characters feel and show emotions. Students used short and long sentences, questions and statements, and different types of punctuation.

STMARKS NEWSLETTER 4 (15 FEBRUARY 2023)