STMARKS NEWSLETTER 5 (08 SEPTEMBER 2023)

SCOUT CAMP TO KRABI FOR YEARS 6 – 12 (DECEMBER 12-14)

St. Mark’s annual Scout Camp is designed to give students the opportunity to participate in different hands-on activities that foster the development of their physical and teamwork abilities, as well as helping them build the skill of self-dependency. This is a regular part of our school curriculum and all students are required to participate. Below are details concerning this year’s Scout Camp. If you have any questions about these details, please feel free to contact the School Office.

This year, our students will be going to Krabi for 3 days and 2 nights, and the itinerary in brief will be as follows:

Day 1 (12 Dec)

1. Students will take an AirAsia flight from Bangkok Don Mueang Airport to Krabi. Depart Don Mueang airport at 8:55 am and arrive Krabi at 10:20 am. Students have to arrive at the airport not later than 7:30 am.
2. Students will be picked up by resort shuttle from Krabi airport to the resort
3. Check-in at Ananta Burin Resort anantaburinresort.com
4. Lunch at resort
5. Kayaking at Ao Tha Lane – (optional, additional fee of 450 baht per person to be paid at the site). Students who do not wish to participate in this activity may stay at the resort to play at the water park.
6. Dinner at resort
7. Team bonding activity
8. Bedtime

Day 2 (13 Dec)

1. Breakfast at the resort
2. Island hopping (4 islands and 1 cave) – Tha Le Waek, Koh Kai, Koh Poda, Au Rai Ley, Tham Phra Nang
3. Snorkeling (40 – 60 mins)
4. Lunch at one of the islands
5. Dinner at the resort
6. Team bonding activities
7. Bedtime

Day 3 (14 Dec)

1. Breakfast at the resort
2. Water park and activities at the resort
3. Lunch at the resort
4. Check-out at about 1 pm and leave luggage at the resort
5. Community service activities
6. Dinner
7. Return to the resort to collect luggage
8. Travel to Krabi airport by resort shuttle
9. Depart Krabi airport at 7:00 pm and arrive at Don Mueang airport at 8:40 pm. Parents may fetch their children home at Don Mueang airport.

Important notes:

• For emergencies, parents may contact our staff on the following number: 099-328-9090. Please make sure all your contact numbers are up-to-date in the School Website in case we need to contact you
• MOBILE PHONES ALLOWED BUT NO ELECTRONIC GAMES or IPADS. Mobile phones are allowed for contacting with family and photo-taking purposes ONLY
• If students wish to bring their own cameras, they must be responsible for their own in an event of damage or loss.
• Students are welcome to bring cards and board games.
• All students will be in a group and supervised at all times. However, please stress to your child the importance of staying with the group and following instructions.
• Please make sure all clothes and bags are labeled with student’s names to help us avoid lost items.
• Students will be sleeping in a room of four.
• Life jacket will be provided for all water related activities

Packing list

There will be no check-in luggage. Students may hand-carry a bag on board the airplane and the bag must not exceed 7 kg. Students are advised to bring the following:

• Wash kit: toothbrush and a small tube of toothpaste (less than 100 ml per piece)
• Five changes of clothes including t-shirts and shorts, undergarments, swimwear and a small towel (to be used during island hopping)
• Sunscreen, hat, swimming goggles and snorkeling gears
• Some snacks
• Flip-flops/Thongs
• Students will need pocket money of around 1,500 Baht for kayaking, dinner on the last day, before going to airport, and souvenir purchases

The cost per student for this trip is 5,500 Baht. This is inclusive of a 3-day and 2-night accommodation, 7 meals, transportation to and from the airport in Krabi, all activities (except kayaking) and transport (by land and sea) to all the activity sites.  Additionally, a round-trip air ticket is estimated at around 3,500 Baht.  For your convenience, the school will collect 9,000 Baht from each student and will help purchase the air-tickets, as this will ensures that everyone will be on the same flight.  Should there be any money remaining from the ticket purchase, we will return them to parents later. 

Please click here to fill in the Scout Camp Registration Form, by or before 20 September.  

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE: 6 SEPTEMBER

We are delighted to announce the following students who received our Award of Excellence in Effort this week. 

As a way of acknowledging our students' achievements, students have been given a special "Award of Excellence Breakfast" on Friday, September 22.

Buabucha - Year 1

Xinxin- Year 1

Magnus - Year 2

Enyi - Year 2

Natsuda - Year 4

Ilyanna - Year 4

Charanparada - Year 4

Pariyachat - Year 5

Rachata - Year 5

Thanaporn - Year 9

Annabelle - Year 11

Jessica - Year 11

PREP MATHS: COMPARISON OF NUMBERS

Our preparatory students have been exploring numbers in their recent math classes, focusing on comparing them. In their recent lessons, students have been actively engaged in identifying the smallest and greatest numbers on the board. They've been using their whiteboards to jot down their answers, making learning interactive and enjoyable.

Beyond identifying numbers, our prep students are learning to understand the relationships between them, determining which number is greater or smaller than another. These activities are aimed at building a solid mathematical foundation and enhancing critical thinking skills.

Our classroom atmosphere has been lively as students participate in these hands-on activities. Whether it's a friendly competition to find the smallest number or collaborative work on comparing digits, math is becoming an engaging subject for them.

YEAR 3 SCIENCE: LIVING THINGS

Our Year 3 students are learning about four big groups that help us understand living things better—animals, plants, fungi, and tiny creatures called microorganisms in their science class.

Our students are doing more than just reading about these groups. They're talking about them, sharing examples, and working together in class. They're finding out that the world is full of different living things:

Animals: Cats, dogs, and dolphins are some examples. They come in all shapes and sizes.

Plants: Trees, flowers, and other green things are in this group. They make the world colorful and provide us with oxygen.

 Fungi:  You might know mushrooms, but there are other types of fungi too, like molds.

Microorganisms: These are tiny, like bacteria you can't see without a microscope. They're everywhere, even on our skin!

Our students are also learning how to group these living things correctly. This helps them use their eyes and thinking skills. They also ask questions and talk about what they see. It makes their science class fun!

YEAR 4 MANDARIN: LEARNING NEW WORDS AND SENTENCES

Our Year 4 students are busy learning new sentences and words in Mandarin, and they recently took part in a fun activity. Students have been learning new words and sentences in Mandarin, expanding their language skills day by day.

To make learning more enjoyable, our Year 4 class had a fun activity. They listened to music on audio clips and had to find the matching cards or words. This game not only made learning fun but also helped them practice their language skills. This activity also encouraged teamwork and cooperation among classmates as they worked together to find the matching words.

YEAR 7 ENGLISH: JEOPARDY STYLE-REVIEW GAME

Our Year 7 students recently had a fun learning experience with a Jeopardy-style review game to help them prepare for their Unit 1 English test. This unit covers things like subordinate clauses, mystery story features, and important vocabulary.

During the game, students got to practice what they've learned about subordinate clauses, a grammar concept. They also reviewed the elements of mystery stories, like plot twists and character development. The game also tested their knowledge of important words related to the unit.

The game encouraged teamwork and thinking on their feet. It was a great way to make learning engaging while reinforcing what they've learned in class.

YEAR 11 BIOLOGY: DNA EXTRACTION

In our Year 11 Biology class, students recently enjoyed a practical lesson where they extracted DNA from bananas. This experiment was designed to help them grasp DNA structure and cell organelles, enhancing their classroom learning.

In this hands-on experience, students followed clear instructions and used lab equipment to prepare a mixture of mashed bananas. They then extracted DNA using enzymes and alcohol, resulting in a visible, stringy substance.

This activity reinforced their understanding of DNA and showed how the nucleus, where DNA resides, coordinates cell functions.

STUDENTS WORK: YEAR 1 LITTLE SCARECROW

Our Year 1 students have created a lovely collection of drawings featuring the "Little Scarecrow." These drawings showcase their budding artistic talents and imagination, portraying the classic autumn figure with simplicity and charm. With a focus on cheerful colors and playful details.

STUDENT'S ACHIEVEMENT: INTERNATIONAL YOUTH MUSIC COMPETITION

In a wonderful display of talent and dedication, we are delighted to share the exceptional achievement of Kvin from Year 8. Kvin recently secured the Grand Prize and the esteemed title of "Artist of the Year" in the International Youth Music Competitions held in New York last September 3. Impressively, Kvin achieved this recognition in the category of Thai flute.

Kvin's journey to this accolade has been characterized by his deep passion for the Thai flute and his unwavering commitment to mastering this traditional instrument. His performances in New York were well-received by judges and audiences, showcasing his remarkable talent and dedication to sharing the beauty of Thai music.

Kvin's accomplishments are a source of pride for our school community and a reminder of the boundless opportunities that arise from hard work and dedication.

Let us celebrate Kvin's impressive success and eagerly anticipate the delightful musical journeys he will take us on with his Thai flute performances. His talent and determination serve as an inspiration to us all, showing that remarkable achievements are within reach when one follows their passion.