ST. MARK'S INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL eNewsletter

INTERNATIONAL DAY 2023

International Day is a wonderful opportunity for our students to learn about the rich cultural diversity that exists around the world. It’s a day when we come together to celebrate the various cultures, traditions and backgrounds. This year, St. Mark’s will be holding our annual International Day on Thursday, 12 October.

Here are some important details about International Day:

Theme: Peace of Possibilities

Time: 8:00 am to 1:00 pm (half-day event)

Attire: Clothing or traditional outfit of the country your child represents. Students will be required to arrive in school already dressed up in their costumes.

Activities:

Parade of Nations – We will kick off the event with a parade, where students will proudly display the flags of the countries they represent.

Classroom Performances – Students will showcase their talents through music, dance and other performances that highlight cultural diversity.

Cultural Showcases – Each classroom will have a display representing a country. Students will have the opportunity to learn about various customs and traditions.

International Food Fair – Parents may bring a savoury dish to share, enough for at least 6 persons (NO desserts please).

Please register here: https://form.jotform.com/232639508447464

International Day Art Competition – The competition will be divided into 4 categories, Early Years, Years 1 to 3, Years 4 to 6 and Secondary School. The theme is Peace of Possibilities. Students are to use any type of A4 size paper and any colouring materials eg. oil pastel, watercolour, charcoal (EE), coloured pencils etc. Students have to submit their completed artwork by Monday, 9 October to Miss Gigi in the Primary Science room.

School Bus – The pick-up time will be the usual time but our buses will be sending students home, leaving school earlier at around 1:30 pm.

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE BREAKFAST: (22 SEPTEMBER)

On Friday, September 22nd, we hosted our first Award of Excellence breakfast for this Academic Year. This event was dedicated to acknowledging and celebrating the exemplary character of our students.

The Award of Excellence breakfast is a cherished tradition at our school. It serves as an opportunity to shine a spotlight on those students who consistently demonstrate exceptional character, both in their interactions with peers and in their contributions to our school community.

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE (20 SEPTEMBER)

We are delighted to announce the following students who received our Award of Excellence in Effort (Achieving Excellent Results) this week.

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

Rinnada - Year 2

Matthew - Year 2

Karnkawin - Year 2

Gawin Finlay - Year 2

Thanakorn - Year 2

Chawapon - Year 4

Phasit - Year 6

Prin - Year 6

Ajiraya - Year 7

Yossavat - Year 7

PRE-PREP PIANO: COCONUTS AND JUNGLE WALK SONGS

Our pre-prep students recently had a great time in their piano lesson. They clapped and danced along to the music with their teacher, and then they tried playing a couple of songs on the piano.

First, they clapped and danced to the beat of the music Mrs. Pon played. It was a fun way for them to feel the music and move their bodies to the rhythm. Everyone had big smiles and enjoyed themselves.

Afterward, they took turns playing two songs, "Coconut" and "Jungle Walk," with Mrs. Pon's help. They followed the notes in the music, and it was amazing to see them try so hard and do a great job.

This piano class was not just about music; it also helped them with coordination and working together. It was a fun and educational experience for our students, showing them the joy of making music.

YEAR 3 THAI: ANTONYMS

Our Year 3 students are not only mastering the Thai language but also making their learning experience exciting and engaging. One of the recent activities in their Thai class has brought a wave of enthusiasm and laughter to the room as they learned about opposites.

To foster a deeper understanding of the Thai language and expand their vocabulary, our students recently started to explore antonyms right in the heart of their classroom. This playful activity not only tests their knowledge but also sharpens their linguistic skills.

Words with opposite meanings are carefully laid out on the table and our Year 3 students take turns selecting words they believe to be antonyms. The teacher, with a watchful eye, then steps in to verify if the chosen words are indeed antonyms. This interactive process not only keeps the students engaged but also provides immediate feedback, enhancing their learning experience.

YEAR 5 ENGLISH: COMPLEX TEXTS AND IRREGULAR VERBS

Our Year 5 students have been working hard to read more challenging texts and explore the world of irregular verbs. Students have been reading a variety of complex texts, from exciting stories to interesting books. This helps them get better at understanding what they read and learn new words.

Irregular verbs are special words that don't follow the usual rules. Despite their complexity, our students have been identifying these words in their readings and using them correctly in sentences.

Our Year 5 students have been creating sentences with these tricky verbs to practice their skills. They read these sentences out loud with clear voices, building confidence in their speaking abilities.

YEAR 7 SCIENCE: CIRCULATION AND RESPIRATION REVIEW

Our Y7 students have been diligently reviewing Chapter 2: Circulation and Respiration in preparation for their upcoming unit test. In this lesson, they explored and understood the intricate workings of the circulatory and respiratory systems, laying a strong foundation for vital biological concepts.

Their focus primarily centered on the circulatory system. They described the journey of blood within the heart, explaining its path through chambers, ventricles, and valves.

Furthermore, our Y7 students skillfully differentiated between arteries and veins, explaining how arteries carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to nourish body tissues, while veins return oxygen-depleted blood to the heart.

Going deeper, they dissected the composition of blood itself, enumerating the various types of blood cells and their functions.

Recognising the close connection between the circulatory and respiratory systems, our Y7 students showcased their in-depth understanding of components like the lungs, diaphragm, and bronchi, crucial for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

They also mastered the processes of inhalation and exhalation, meticulously outlining the steps involved in breathing, and demonstrating a thorough grasp of the mechanics behind this fundamental process.

YEAR 9 HISTORY: THE INTER-WAR YEARS 1919-1939

In their recent history class activity, our Year 9 students were tasked with completing the sentence, "The victors did not all get what they wanted because..." Each student had to choose one of three phrases to finish the sentence and provide a paragraph explaining their choice:

• Clemenceau bullied Wilson and Lloyd George into agreeing to a harsh treaty.
• The leaders' aims were too different - they could not all have got what they wanted, and someone was bound to be disappointed.
• Public opinion in their home countries affected the leaders’ decisions.

The students engaged in a thoughtful exploration of these factors, showcasing their understanding of the complex dynamics behind the Treaty of Versailles.

STUDENTS WORK: YEAR 3 LITTLE SCARECROW

Our Year 3 students have taken their artistic talents and imaginative storytelling to new heights by crafting their own captivating endings to the "Little Scarecrow" story. These narratives exemplify their growing creativity and narrative skills, offering fresh and imaginative conclusions to the classic autumn tale, complete with cheerful colors and playful details.