STMARKS NEWSLETTER 6 (15 SEPTEMBER 2023)

AWARD CEREMONY FOR SCHOOLS THAT PASSED THE MOE QUALITY ASSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

We are delighted to share some exciting news that fills us with immense pride and joy. St. Mark’s International School has received a Certificate of Recognition from the Office of the Private Education Commission (OPEC), Thailand, acknowledging our school as an exemplary institution in multiple categories.

School Management and Leadership – One of the cornerstones of any successful school is effective management and leadership. Our school climate, management practices, and planning have been recognised as exemplary by OPEC.

Learning and Teaching Practices – At St. Mark's, we believe in fostering a culture of learning that goes beyond textbooks and exams. Our teachers' attitude towards teaching, their classroom management skills, and our student-centered approach to education have all been commended by OPEC. We are incredibly proud of our educators who continually inspire and engage our students in meaningful ways.

Parent and Community Support – Education is a collaborative effort, and our parents and community play a vital role in the success of our school. St. Mark’s has been recognised for its exceptional support for parents’ participation and the involvement of our community in various activities. This achievement would not have been possible without the collective efforts of our dedicated staff, enthusiastic students, and the unwavering support of our parents.

We remain committed to continuous improvement and providing the best possible education for our students. This award serves as a reminder that we are on the right path, but there is always room for growth and innovation. We want to express our sincere gratitude to the entire St. Mark’s community, including parents, teachers, staff, and students for your trust, support, and dedication. Together, we will continue to nurture and educate the bright minds of the future.

INTERNATIONAL DAY ART COMPETITION

KINDERGARTEN THAI: ALPHABETS AND SOUNDS

Our Kindergarten students have been on an exciting journey into the Thai language. In their Thai lessons, they've been working steadily on getting familiar with the Thai alphabet, understanding sounds, and practicing with sample words.

The Thai alphabet, with its unique characters, has piqued the curiosity of our little learners. They're learning to recognize each letter and the sounds they represent – an essential step in language learning.

In class, our students have also been having fun tracing the Thai letters on the board. This hands-on activity not only improves their fine motor skills but also helps reinforce their understanding of the script. Their smiles during this activity reflect their enthusiasm for learning.

YEAR 2 SCIENCE: MAGNETS

Our Year 2 students have been learning all about magnets in their Science class. In their lessons, students learned what magnets are, what different shapes they can be, and the special parts of magnets, called poles.

One really cool thing they did was a hands-on activity where they checked everyday things like rubber bands, scissors, strings, paper, nails, buttons, and more to see if they stick to magnets or not. It was like being a detective in a science story!

This activity helped them understand magnets better and how to use science to solve questions. The students had a great time figuring out which things magnets liked and which they didn't.

Our Year 2 students are becoming mini-experts on magnets, and they're having lots of fun along the way!

YEAR 5 MANDARIN: COUNTRY NAMES

In our Year 5 Mandarin class, students have been learning how to say the names of different countries in Mandarin.

In class, our students answered questions like "Where were you born?" and "Have you been to (country name)?". It was neat to see them talk about their backgrounds and travel experiences using Mandarin.

This helped them to learn more words and phrases in Mandarin and also made them curious about the world. 

Our Year 5 students got to connect their language lessons with their own lives, which made the class more interesting.

YEAR 8 PHYSICS: FORCES AND MOTION

Our Year 8 Physics class has been hard at work, studying Forces and Motion. Their recent practical lab project brought the science right to our doorstep. They decided to measure the average speed of vehicles traveling down Rama 9 past our school, a subject of great relevance to our community.

In this experiment, the class was divided into two groups, each stationed on the footpath along the road. They measured out a 50-metre section, an ideal length for their investigation. As vehicles passed by, the students recorded the time it took for each one to traverse the designated 50 metres.

Back in the classroom, the students diligently processed their data. Their findings were straightforward yet significant – the average speed of the vehicles passing our school was calculated to be 33 kilometers per hour.

This discovery highlights the responsible driving habits of the motorists near our school. Traveling at an average speed of 33 km/hr aligns with safety standards and speed limits for areas surrounding educational institutions.

YEAR 10 PHYSICS: FOCAL LENGTH

In the latest physics practical, students investigated the relationship between the thickness of a converging lens and its focal length. Before carrying out the investigation the students worked in small groups to develop a procedure based on a list of available apparatus. Having formulated their method the groups moved into the lab where they carried out their investigation.

The students measured the thickness of their lens accurately by placing a lens between 2 blocks of wood and measuring the gap between the two blocks. They then placed a screen a fixed distance from a light box that produced a single ray of light. Starting with the lens close to the screen they moved it towards the light source until a clearly focused image was formed on the screen. The distance from the light box to the lens (u) and the distance from the lens to the screen (v) was then measured. The focal length of the lens (f) was determined using the following equation.

f = uv / (u + v)

The procedure was repeated for another lens of different thickness. The students found that the thinner lens has a greater focal length than a thicker lens.

STUDENTS' ACHIEVEMENT: AUSTRALIAN MATHEMATICS COMPETITION 2023 (AMC 2023)

In a remarkable academic feat, we are delighted to announce that Rachata, one of our Year 5 students, has achieved the prestigious High Distinction award in the Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC) Middle Primary division that took place on 6 August. The AMC grants a Certificate of High Distinction to students who rank within the top 3% of their year cohort.

Takrit (Year 5) got a bronze medal in the competition. This is a global recognition of their exceptional mathematical prowess and a testament to their dedication to academic excellence. The AMC, Australia's premier and most enduring math competition for students, has been a cornerstone of mathematical excellence since its inception in 1978. Widely celebrated for its rigorous evaluation of mathematical aptitude and problem-solving prowess, it continues to inspire and challenge young minds.

Rachata and Takrit's accomplishments underscore not only their remarkable talents but also the high standard of education our school provides. This achievement is a source of inspiration to their peers, highlighting the rewards of diligence and a passion for learning. Their success exemplifies the potential within our student body, and we eagerly anticipate their future academic triumphs. Congratulations, Rachata and Takrit, on this well-deserved global recognition in the world of mathematics!