STMARKS NEWSLETTER 8 (16 MARCH 2023)

ST. MARK'S PARTNERSHIP WITH CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL

We are delighted to share with you some exciting news about our upcoming new campus. Our school will soon become an examination center for Cambridge International assessments, providing the IGCSE examinations. To ensure that our facilities are up to par, a representative from Cambridge International recently visited our construction site to give input on the examination room and safe storage room for examination documents.

Recently, we had the honor of hosting a representative from Cambridge International at our construction site.  The representative, Mr. Daryl Khong, was impressed with the progress of our construction site and commended our efforts in creating a suitable environment for international standardised assessments. The input provided will help us ensure that our facilities meet the high standards set by Cambridge International.

As we prepare to move into our new campus, we are confident that our students will benefit greatly from this partnership with Cambridge International. They will be able to take international standardized assessments within the school campus, making it more convenient and accessible for them.

We are committed to providing our students with the best possible education and opportunities for their future. Our partnership with Cambridge International is just one example of how we are working towards this goal.  This partnership will be on top of the current existing partnership our school has with SCSA (Schools Curriculum and Standards Authority) Western Australian Government.   We look forward to sharing more updates with you as we progress towards our move to the new campus.

UPLIFTING THE REQUIREMENT OF ATK TESTING

We are writing to inform you that due to the reduced number of COVID-19 cases in Thailand, students are no longer required to perform ATK test with immediate effect. This decision has been made after careful consideration of the current situation and consultation with the relevant health authorities.

We would like to remind everyone that while the ATK test mandate has been lifted, it is still important to practice good hygiene habits such as washing hands regularly and informing the school about your child(ren) well-being, especially if they have flu-like symptoms such as coughs and fever.

We will continue to monitor the situation closely and make any necessary adjustments to our policies and procedures in response to changing conditions. We appreciate your continued cooperation and support in helping to keep our school community safe and healthy.  Thank you.

YEAR 6 - 12 FIELDTRIP

We are pleased to inform you that our school will be taking our students on a field trip to Mama instant noodle factory in Lam Chabang on Thursday, 23 March. This trip will provide a unique opportunity for students to witness the manufacturing process of instant noodles and gain a deeper understanding of the production process.

During the tour, students will be able to observe various stages of production, from the raw materials to the packaging and distribution of the final product. They will also have the opportunity to interact with industry professionals, who will explain the science and technology involved in the production process. This experience will help students connect what they have learned in the classroom to real-world applications.  We believe that this field trip will help our students gain a valuable insight into the food manufacturing industry and the various processes involved. It will provide a deeper understanding of how the food industry works and how it meets consumer demands. It will also help students to appreciate the importance of quality control, hygiene, and safety measures in the manufacturing process.

We assure you that we will take all necessary precautions to ensure the safety and well-being of our students. On this trip, students will leave school at 7.30 am sharp and will be expected to return back to school at around 4.00 pm.  The transport cost of this field trip will be 600 Baht.  Students will be expected to bring some money (approx. 300 Baht) for their lunch and souvenirs.

Please submit your Reply Form no later than Friday, 3 March, by clicking this link.  

KINDERGARTEN -YEAR 5 FIELD TRIP

Last week, our school organized a fun-filled field trip to Chul Farm at Sansiri. Our students had a blast and learned a lot about agriculture and farm animals.

We started our day with a tour of the farm, led by a knowledgeable guide. Our students learned about different types of crops grown on the farm, including fruits and vegetables, and saw firsthand how they are harvested.

Next, they headed over to the animal area, where our students were thrilled to see sheep, chickens, goats, fish, and butterflies. They even got to feed some of the animals and learn about their diets and care.

One of the highlights of the day was when our students had the chance to ride on a bicycle blender and made their own smoothies. They also made their own penny bank which they color and customized to their own liking. 

Finally, our students enjoyed the scrumptious organic pizza provided by the farm for their lunch. All are made from produce grown on the farm.

Overall, our field trip to the farm was a huge success. Our students had a great time while learning about agriculture and farm life. We would like to thank the farm staff for their hospitality and for providing such an engaging learning experience.

STUDENTS' SHOWCASE #2 (3 MARCH)

YEAR 5 SCIENCE: SIMPLE MACHINES

We are excited to share with you the recent student showcase that our science class presented on the topic of simple machines. Our students have been working hard to understand the six types of simple machines and how they make work easier.

During the showcase, our students presented their projects and experiments, demonstrating their understanding of the 2 examples of a simple machine. 

One group presented a pulley system that was able to lift a heavy object with ease. Another group demonstrated the power of a lever and showed us that when you apply force in one direction, and the pivot point re-directs the force in another direction like a seesaw.

Overall, the student showcase was a great success, and we are incredibly proud of our students' hard work and creativity.

YEAR 6 MANDARIN: IDIOMS

In our Year 6 recent showcase, students presented a famous Chinese story ”刻舟求剑, which means carve a mark on the  side of the boat and aiming to find the lost sword.

During this showcase, it was a great opportunity to demonstrate our students' language skills and at the same time, sharie with parents some Chinese cultural knowledge. Our students acted out a skit to demonstrate this story, where in the ancient state of Chu, a man accidentally dropped his sword into the river while rowing his boat. He was not thinking wisely and carved a mark on the side of the boat at the position where he saw the sword dropped into the water.  After that, he rowed his boat away from that spot but he still believed that if he would jump into the river at the position with the mark on the side of the boat he had made, he would still be able to find his sword. He did not realise that as he rowed his boat away from the spot that he dropped his sword,  he had already moved away and would no longer be able to locate the position of the dropped sword.

This story teaches us to realise that the world is constantly changing; we will need to be aware of the actual or present situation in order to understand the situations and consequences better.

Overall, students had a great time at the showcase and were proud to demonstrate their Mandarin  skills.

YEAR 9 CHEMISTRY: IODINE CLOCK REACTION

Our Year 9 chemistry class presented on the topic of the iodine clock reaction in our recent students' showcase. Our students have been learning about chemical kinetics and the factors that affect the rate of chemical reactions.

During the showcase, our Year 9 students presented their experiments and demonstrations, showcasing their understanding of the iodine clock reaction and the science behind it. They worked in teams to conduct experiments and test different variables that affect the reaction rate, such as concentration and temperature.

YEAR 4 SOSE: ENGLAND

In the recent student showcase our social Year 4 studies class presented on the topic of iconic landmarks in England. Our students have been learning about the cultural and historical significance of these landmarks and their importance to English heritage.

During the showcase, our students presented their research and findings, showcasing their understanding of the Angel of the North, the Blackpool Tower, the White Cliffs of Dover, and Hadrian's Wall. They worked in pairs to create presentations that highlighted the history, architecture, and cultural significance of each landmark.

We hope that their projects have inspired them to continue exploring the rich history and culture of England.