STMARKS NEWSLETTER 12 (10 NOVEMBER 2023)

STUDENTS SHOWCASE 2

Our program, the Student Showcase, aims to provide an opportunity for parents to experience what our students have been learning in school across different levels. It also provides a venue for our students to demonstrate their capabilities and presentation skills. By getting involved with the Showcase presentation, our students learn to develop their soft skills, which are essential abilities for the 21st century.

Showcase 2 will be held on Friday, 17 November from 3.30 to 5.30 pm.

Parents of the performing students in the Showcase are strongly encouraged to attend and be a part of our Showcase, showing support for your child during their performance. At the same time, other parents who wish to attend the Showcase are also welcome. Please note that not every student will be performing in the Showcase, but every student will have their turn in at least one of the Showcases.

For parents who wish to participate in Showcase 2, please sign up by clicking to REGISTER HERE.  

We value your cooperation in registering in advance, as this will enable us to carry out the program smoothly on the day of the event. We sincerely hope parents will be able to join us in this learning journey, as our students look forward to showcasing their talents at this special learning occasion.

Itinerary for Showcase 2

YEAR 1-5 SCOUT WEEK AT THE PINE RESORT (12-14 DECEMBER)

We are excited to inform you about the upcoming Scout Camp as part of St. Mark's annual Scout Week, which is designed to provide our students with valuable hands-on experiences that promote physical development, teamwork, and self-dependency. This is an integral part of our school curriculum, and we encourage all students to participate.

Below, you will find important details regarding this year's Scout Week. If you have any questions or require further information, please don't hesitate to contact the School Office or visit the Pine Resort Website at https://thepineresort.com/

Day 1 (December 12): At the School

• Activities: Team-building and character-building activities
• Time: 8:00 am to 3:10 pm
• Dress Code: Regular white school uniform
• Details: Students will learn about their upcoming camp experience at Pine Resort and prepare for it. Primary students will participate in a gift exchange activity with their classmates, so please have them bring a Christmas gift.

Day 2 (December 13): Trip to The Pine Resort

• Meeting Time: 7:45 am (at school)
• Departure Time: 8:00 am
• Dress Code: Colored sports uniforms and sports shoes
• Activities: Arrival at Pine Resort, group briefings, lunch, afternoon team-building activities, group activities, campfire at night

Day 3 (December 14): Return Trip to School

• Activities: Additional activities, lunch
• Return Time: Approximately 3:30 pm (school buses may experience delays)

Important Details:

• In case of emergency, contact Ms. Karen during Scout Camp at 086-980-3915.
• No phones, electronic games, or iPads are allowed. Students may bring their own cameras but are responsible for their belongings.
• All children will be supervised and grouped. Stress the importance of staying with the group and following instructions to your child.
• Provide necessary medication and notify the school nurse, Ms. Ivory, of any health or food restrictions.
• Label all clothes and bags with your child's name to prevent lost items.
• Students will sleep in separate log homes, with teachers in the same room for supervision.
• Separate shower facilities are available for boys and girls.
• Teachers will be on duty during the night to ensure safety.

Packing List:

• Wash kit: toothbrush, toothpaste, shower gel, shampoo, comb/hairbrush, and a towel
• Sleeping clothes
• Swimming clothes
• Two changes of clothes: t-shirts, shorts, undergarments, socks
• Sleeping bags, blankets, and pillows (optional, provided by the school)
• Mosquito spray or cream
• Sunscreen
• Flip-flop shoes
• Hat (optional)

The cost per student for this trip is 2,200 Baht, which covers a 2-day and 1-night accommodation, 4 meals, all activities, and transportation. Please sign up on our Primary Scout Camp Registration Form by or before November 20^th by CLICKING HERE.

If you have any questions or need further information about this scout camp, please feel free to contact us. We look forward to a successful and enriching Scout Week, and we appreciate your support in making it a memorable experience for our students.

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE (08 NOVEMBER)

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

As a way of acknowledging our students' achievements, students have been given a special "Award of Excellence Breakfast" on Friday, November 24.

Aswin - Year 2 Effort (Achieving Excellent Results)

Natphasith - Year 2 Effort (Achieving Excellent Results)

Thniz - Year 2 Effort (Achieving Excellent Results)

Larsen - Year 6 Respect

Enxi - Year 7 Respect

PREP ENGLISH: INITIAL LETTERS

Recently, our prep students had a great time practicing their initial letter recognition skills in their English class. It was always a pleasure to witness our young learners in action as they built their foundation in language and literacy.

The class started with the pleasant strains of a song that set the stage for an engaging learning experience. This song was more than just a cheerful tune; it served as an introductory prelude to the lessons that followed.

Our prep students gathered around the board, each taking their turn to participate in an interactive reading exercise. This activity helped students develop their reading and language skills while boosting their self-confidence. As each student stood at the board and read a sentence, they received encouragement from their classmates, creating a supportive and positive learning environment.

The core of the lesson involved the recognition and pronunciation of initial letters in words. The ability to identify and pronounce the first letter of a word was an essential step in developing strong reading skills. Students explored a variety of sentences, each thoughtfully selected to challenge and enrich their vocabulary.

YEAR 1 MATHS: COMPARING NUMBERS

In their mathematics class, our Year 1 students have been developing a fundamental skill set—understanding numerical relationships. The focus has been on comparing numbers and classifying them based on their relative magnitudes.

A noteworthy moment in this mathematical journey was the interactive board exercise, demonstrating the students' growing proficiency in comparing numbers. Each student took their turn, contributing insights to the collective learning experience. The classroom buzzed with a sense of enthusiasm as these young students tackled the challenge of discerning numerical disparities.

With each student's deliberate steps towards the board, a set of distinctions between various sets of numbers unfolded. The joy of learning filled the room, creating an atmosphere of shared excitement. This activity not only strengthened their grasp of numerical concepts but also nurtured a positive and inclusive learning environment, where collaboration and support quietly flourished.

YEAR 6 MATHS: CIRCUMFERENCE

Exploring the realm of geometry, our Year 6 students immersed themselves in the intricacies of circles, focusing on the concept of "circumference." This fundamental aspect of geometry involves measuring the distance around the edge of a circle, playing a crucial role in solving real-world problems related to circular structures, such as determining the length of a running track or calculating the distance covered by a rotating wheel.

Throughout their lessons, the students discovered a relationship between the circumference and the diameter of a circle—a relationship that remains a constant multiple. This insight adds complexity to their understanding, highlighting the interconnectedness of geometric elements.

To make this exploration engaging, the students participated in activities and explored practical examples. As a result, they solidified their comprehension of the formula for calculating the circumference of a circle. With measured enthusiasm, they accepted the idea that the formula involves multiplying the diameter by the mathematical constant pi (π), enhancing their mathematical toolkit and laying a valuable foundation for more advanced concepts in the future.

YEAR 7 THAI: BUA LOI

In Year 7's Thai class, students dove into Thai culture by making Bua Loi, a traditional Thai dessert, from scratch. Under the expert guidance of their Thai language teacher, they mixed glutinous rice flour, water, and food coloring to create the dumpling dough. They then shaped it into small balls and boiled them until they floated to the surface.

This hands-on experience not only introduced them to Thai cuisine but also fostered a sense of cultural appreciation and camaraderie. After the hard work, the students enjoyed their homemade Bua Loi, savoring the unique combination of sweet and salty flavors.

To elevate the experience, students also added coconut milk and poached eggs to their desserts, adding an extra layer of authenticity to their culinary adventure. 

This was more than just a cooking lesson; it was a cultural exploration, connecting our students to a different part of the world through the universal language of food.

YEAR 10 BIOLOGY: OSMOSIS PRACTICAL

In their most recent Biology class, Year 10 students completed a practical about osmosis. Osmosis is the process through which water molecules move through a selectively permeable membrane from an area of higher water concentration to an area of lower water concentration. It is a fundamental concept in biology and plays a crucial role in understanding how living organisms maintain their cellular integrity.

For this practical, our students had the opportunity to put their knowledge to the test. They were tasked with investigating osmosis by using potatoes as a model system. Each student group prepared several potatoes and subjected them to two different solutions: water and saltwater.

The students began by measuring the initial mass of each potato and recording their findings. Half of the potatoes were placed in a beaker filled with distilled water, while the other half were submerged in a saltwater solution. The students then allowed the chips to soak for 40 minutes. After the soaking period, the students carefully removed the chips from their respective solutions and recorded the final mass of each chip.

The students diligently calculated the percentage change in mass for each potato and compared the results from the water-soaked and saltwater-soaked chips. These calculations allowed them to draw insightful conclusions about the osmotic process.