STMARKS NEWSLETTER 17 (19 JANUARY 2024)

EXCEPTIONAL IGCSE RESULTS OCTOBER 2023

We are thrilled to announce the exceptional achievements of two outstanding students from Year 10 in the recent October 2023 IGCSE exam. Randa and Cleojai have showcased their brilliance in IGCSE Mathematics, achieving stellar results with scores of 96% and 93% respectively.

These remarkable accomplishments are a testament to the unwavering dedication of our esteemed teachers. The commitment to excellence demonstrated by our educators has not only guided Randa and Aulyn to success but has also resulted in the majority of the Year 10 students achieving A* grades for Mathematics. This positive trend builds upon the success achieved in the previous exam in May 2023, where three other Year 10 students also received A*, namely Xyren (96%), Manutsanunn (93%) and Sumarilyn (93%).

We also want to acknowledge the collaborative efforts of parents, teachers, and students that have contributed to this success. The strength of our school community shines through in these commendable scores, showcasing what can be achieved when we work together towards a common goal.

Congratulations once again to our Year 10 students. Your achievements are an inspiration to us all, and we look forward to witnessing your continued success in the future.

UNIVERSITY OFFER

Pun recently graduated in December 2023 with the Year 12 ATAR qualifications, achieving an ATAR rank of 83.7, which is an impressive result.

Immediately after receiving his ATAR result, not only did Pun receive many offers from top Australian universities, but he was also offered two scholarships from the University of Technology Sydney, one to further his studies in Artificial Intelligence, and the other in Property Economics. On top of this, Pun also received an offer from Monash University, one of Melbourne's finest universities to study a Bachelor of Business.

With all the different choices he has been offered, Pun chose Bachelor of Information Systems at the University of New South Wales.

The benefit of doing the ATAR at St. Mark's is the ability for students to graduate half a year earlier than their peers in other international schools. This equates to entering university a year earlier than other students, and that is a great benefit. In addition, the ATAR qualification allows for a seamless transfer to worldwide universities, particularly to all universities in Australia.

Congratulations to Pun on his achievement!

THAILAND ENGLISH SKILLS EVALUATION TEST AWARD

We are thrilled to share the remarkable achievement of one of our students, Rachata (Y5), who has brought honor to our school by securing the Gold Award at the recent Thailand English Skills Evaluation Test!

Rachata's dedication, hard work, and exceptional proficiency in English were on full display as he triumphed over the competition, showcasing his linguistic skills and also his deep understanding of the language. His achievement is a testament to his commitment to excellence and the quality of education provided at our school.

The Thailand English Skills Evaluation Test is a prestigious platform that assesses students' language proficiency, communication skills, and overall mastery of English. Rachata's outstanding performance highlights not only his brilliance but also the effectiveness of our school's English language curriculum.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Rachata for this well-deserved recognition. His accomplishment serves as an inspiration to his peers and a source of pride for our entire school community.

STUDENT TV GUESTING

Following his resounding success at the Cultural Network Awards last October with the following awards:

• Watthanakunathorn Award, Children and Youth Category
• Watthanathamwinit Award, Youth Group, Arts and Performing Arts
• Young Smart "Young Thum Dee" Award, Child Category
• Watthanakunathorn Award, Children and Youth Category
• Watthanathamwinit Award, Youth Category, Arts and Performing Arts

Kvin (Y8) has been inundated with invitations from various TV channels and programs to showcase his exceptional talent. This is a testament to the widespread recognition of his talent and the impact he has made on the cultural landscape. This is a fantastic opportunity for Kvin to share his passion with a broader audience, and we couldn't be prouder.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE FOR SRINAKARIN CAMPUS JANUARY 2024

We are pleased to provide you with an update on the progress of the construction at our Srinakarin Campus. The development has been advancing smoothly, and we are excited to share the latest milestones achieved.

Inside the main building, significant strides have been made in various areas. The flooring, ceiling, lighting, air-conditioning, doors and windows, painting, sound system, and alarm system have all been successfully completed. These essential elements contribute to the overall functionality and aesthetics of the facility.

In addition to the interior work, the exterior surroundings have also undergone substantial improvements. The concreting of the vicinity surrounding the outside of the school building has been finalised, creating well-structured roads and car parks for the convenience of students, staff, and visitors. This development enhances accessibility and ensures a smooth flow of traffic within the campus premises.

Furthermore, we are pleased to announce that progress has been made on the outdoor spaces. The soccer field and playground located behind the main building have been land-filled and leveled, setting the stage for upcoming landscaping work. This landscaping initiative will add greenery and recreational areas, contributing to a vibrant and conducive environment for our students.

As we move forward, the focus will shift towards the interior of the building, with the commencement of interior work scheduled for the near future. This phase will bring us closer to the completion of the entire construction project.

We are genuinely enthusiastic about the visible transformation taking place at our campus. The collaborative efforts of our dedicated team and the skilled contractors have ensured that the project is on track and progressing according to plan. We look forward to witnessing the continued development and eventual completion of our Srinakarin Campus.

Thank you for your continued support and patience throughout this construction process.

PHOTO-TAKING SESSION

We would like to inform parents that our annual photo-taking session for all of our students has been scheduled for the following dates:

1.    Wednesday, 27 March

2.    Thursday, 28 March

3.    Wednesday, 24 April

On the days mentioned above, we ask that all Early Years students wear their white polo shirts while all other students wear their regular white student uniforms to school. Students who have P.E. on those days may bring their P.E. uniforms to change during their P.E. lessons.

YEAR 1- 5 SCOUT CAMP

From December 13 to 14,2023, our students went on a trip filled with fun activities at Pine Resort for their Scout Camp. They were happy to be together in a natural environment.

Our students did exciting things like climbing nets, walking on sky staircases, navigating a terrestrial skywalker, facing a spider web challenge, zooming down a zipline, and running fast by the lake. 

They also enjoyed swimming with their teachers and friends, making a splash together. At night, they had a nice dinner and gathered around a campfire. They danced and talked, making it a really lovely evening.

The next morning, they started with stretching and Tai Chi warm-ups to get everyone energized. There were ball games to play, and they had a yummy breakfast together.

Our Year 1-5 students had an awesome time at Pine Resort, making memories and having fun adventures.

YEAR 6 - 12 SCOUT CAMP

From December 12 to 14, 2023, our students had a great time exploring Krabi and engaging in a variety of activities.

Our students got to visit different islands, which was fun. They saw beautiful beaches and cool rock formations in the Andaman Sea. They even tried snorkeling and explored the colorful underwater.

Back at the hotel, some cool games and activities made everyone laugh and work together. The students also enjoyed swimming in the hotel pool and had a good time together.

But it wasn't just about fun – our students also showed their care for the community. They did a Beach Cleanup Drive, picking up trash from the beach to keep it clean and safe. This was their way of giving back to the place they visited. We are thankful for this memorable trip for our students and staff.

Y3 MATH : MONEY

Our Year 3 students had an engaging and hands-on learning initiative during their math activity at the nearest 7-Eleven, our young learners were given a unique task – to navigate the aisles of the convenience store with a budget of 100 baht each.

During this interactive excursion, students put their mathematical skills to the test by carefully selecting snacks and calculating the total cost of their purchases. With each item carefully chosen, our students meticulously added up the prices to determine the total spent.

After making their purchases, students engaged in real-world problem-solving as they identified the change they should receive based on their calculations. To ensure accuracy, they cross-checked their expected change with the receipts provided by the store.

This immersive activity not only reinforced basic math concepts but also honed essential life skills such as budgeting and problem-solving.

YEAR 8, 9, 10 HISTORY: 20TH CENTURY HISTORY

Our Years 8 to 10 students are exploring a big question: Was Germany responsible for starting the First World War? In their history class, they've been learning about this important time in the past.

They engaged in critical thinking and spirited discussions. The students have immersed themselves in the depths of historical archives, explored primary sources, and listened attentively to witness statements that present diverse perspectives on the events leading up to World War I.

In this activity, our Years 8-10 have become historical investigators, carefully examining the narratives surrounding Germany's role in the outbreak of the Great War. Each student has been tasked with forming their own informed opinion, drawing on evidence and thoughtful analysis.

The classroom is set for an intergenerational dialogue as students from Year 7 step into the role of jurors. With knowledge and a keen understanding of the historical context, these students helped their seniors to deliberate and decide on one of four possible verdicts regarding Germany's responsibility for igniting the flames of World War I.