STMARKS NEWSLETTER 19 (2 FEBRUARY 2024)

WACE BURSARY WEBINAR: STUDY IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

The WACE Bursary webinar, which is only offered to ATAR schools outside of Australia, was held on January 18th. Below is a summary of this webinar that encourages our students to consider a university in Western Australia.

Perth, the capital of Western Australia, stands out for its natural beauty, strong economy, and cultural richness, making it a prime destination for students globally. With its stunning weather and scenic beaches, Perth offers an unparalleled outdoor lifestyle.

In addition to its natural charm, Perth boasts over 135 esteemed educational institutions offering diverse programs in fields like science and the arts. Its affordability, coupled with connectivity to over 110 destinations worldwide via Perth Airport, enhances its appeal.

Perth's multicultural community ensures a safe and welcoming environment for international students, promoting cultural exchange and personal development. The city's thriving economy provides ample work opportunities, supported by post-study work rights and incentives like the Western Australian Premier’s WACE Bursary.

The Government of Western Australia will grant any non-Australian student graduating from St. Mark's Year 12 ATAR program with the Western Australian Premier's WACE Bursary. This scholarship will provide a one-off payment of $20,000 (Australian Dollars) to all successful applicants to reimburse some of the costs involved with studying at any university in Western Australia. St. Mark's is the only school in Thailand that qualifies for this scholarship, which is an unconditional offer from the Western Australian Government and does not depend on the student's ATAR achievement.

In addition, the following universities in Western Australia offer scholarships of up to $12,000 (AUD) per year based on ATAR results from 70 to 98 and up: Curtin University, Edith Cowan University, Murdoch University, The University of Notre Dame, and The University of Western Australia.

Through various programs, including employability support and wellbeing services, the Western Australian Government and StudyPerth nurture students' journeys. In essence, Perth's blend of natural beauty, educational excellence, economic opportunities, and community support makes it an exceptional city for living, studying, and working, embracing individuals from diverse backgrounds.

UPCOMING ISA ASSESSMENT

We would like to inform you of the timetable for the upcoming ISA Assessments for Years 3 – 8. Please ensure that your child has a good night’s rest and a hearty breakfast prior to the assessments. Please note that the assessment fee is subsidised by the school and no payment is necessary.

What is ISA?

ISA is an annual assessment program that specifically measures mathematical literacy as well as reading and writing skills of students in international schools.  It is based on the internationally endorsed reading and mathematical literacy frameworks of the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) developed by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.  ISA was designed and developed in Australia by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER).

What is ISA not?

ISA is not a competitive or comparative test, such as the IB Diploma or Advanced Placement.  It is not a test that students “pass”.  It will not be used for purposes other than providing data to us, you, and your child, about his/her learning.  While we give opportunities for practice, students do not ‘prepare’ for the tests, since they are consistent with what students learn on a regular basis.

Who uses ISA?

A number of international schools worldwide now use and acknowledge the ISA as an international assessment benchmark that is effective in measuring students’ academic abilities in English and Mathematics.  This includes many of the acknowledged world leaders in international education.

How do the assessments work?

Students complete a reading literacy test (Year 3-8), a mathematical literacy test (Year 3-8) and two writing tests (Year 5 -8), each of which takes between 45 minutes and one hour to administer.  The tests include both multiple-choice and open-ended tasks.

When is ISA administered at St. Mark’s?

The tests are administered during normal school hours here in the regular St. Mark’s environment that students are comfortable and familiar with. 

How will St. Mark’s use the results?

As a school, we will analyse all data about the general patterns of performance and use these as one of the ways in which we monitor and modify our educational program.  These data will serve as one of the 'success indicators' that we pay attention to each year.

What information will I receive as a parent?

We will pass on all information about your child to you in the form of an individual report provided by ACER.  These reports are very comprehensive and give you a detailed record of your child’s performance in relation to scales that describe increasingly advanced skills in mathematical literacy, reading literacy and writing.  You will receive them by the end of May 2024. 

In Conclusion

We consider participation in ISA to be significant in international education, as it offers clear information about your child’s progress against credible, objective international standards. We would like you to encourage your child to perform to the best of his/her ability. Please ensure that your child is present on these dates. We advise that you put your child to bed early on the night before the tests, and provide them with a nutritious breakfast before coming to school.

It is important that your child arrives at school by 8:00 a.m. so as to give them enough time to settle, listen to the test instructions and concentrate well during the tests.

If you have any questions about the administration of the ISA at St. Mark’s, please feel free to contact the School Office. You may also wish to visit the websites of PISA (www.pisa.oecd.org) and ACER (www.acer.edu.au) for further information.

MITIGATING PM2.5 EFFECTS: ENSURING STUDENT WELL-BEING

As part of our ongoing commitment to providing a safe and healthy learning environment for our students, we wanted to update you on the measures our school has implemented to mitigate the effects of PM2.5 pollution.

1. Daily Monitoring: Our school is equipped with a PM2.5 measuring device, which we diligently use every morning to assess air quality. On days when PM2.5 levels are moderate to high, our priority is to safeguard the health of our students. Therefore, we have implemented a policy where all teachers are instructed to keep students indoors during school hours. Outdoor activities are suspended to minimize exposure to pollutants in the air.

2. Air Filtration Systems: Ensuring that our students breathe clean air is paramount. To achieve this, classrooms in our school are equipped with high-quality air filters. These filters operate continuously throughout the day, efficiently removing particulate matter and other pollutants from the air. By maintaining clean air indoors, we aim to create a conducive environment for learning while prioritizing the health and well-being of our students.

We understand the importance of proactive measures in safeguarding the health of our school community, particularly during periods of increased air pollution. As such, we remain vigilant in monitoring PM2.5 levels and will continue to implement appropriate measures to minimize exposure and ensure the safety of our students and staff.

Should you have any questions or concerns regarding our school's efforts to address PM2.5 pollution, please do not hesitate to contact us. Thank you for your continued support and cooperation in prioritizing the health and well-being of our students.

HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT DEPT OF BMA CONDUCTS ROUTINE CHECK

On January 17, 2024, the Health and Environment Department of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration conducted its regular inspection at our school premises, as part of its ongoing efforts to uphold stringent health and environmental standards. This organization conducts these comprehensive checks biannually to guarantee the maintenance of optimal health and environmental conditions within our educational facility.

This past January, a team comprising health and environmental officers meticulously carried out a series of examinations. Their assessment encompassed various crucial elements, including the collection of samples from diverse sources such as our food items, drinking water, utensils, students' plates and cups, cooking implements, and chopping boards. These collected samples were then transported to their laboratory facilities for analysis, specifically targeting the detection of potential contaminants such as E. coli and other harmful bacteria.

Furthermore, as part of their meticulous examination, the health and environmental officers conducted thorough inspections of our chef and other staff responsible for handling our students' food. This encompassed scrutiny to ensure that these staff members exhibited no signs of contamination or infectious diseases, thereby reaffirming the commitment to maintaining the highest standards of food safety and hygiene for our students.

KINDER ENGLISH: THE LETTER "Uu"

In our Kindergarten English class, our students are learning about letters and words with enthusiasm and curiosity.

This week, their focus was on the letter "Uu." It's amazing how something as simple as a letter can spark such excitement and discovery in our young students. With wide eyes and eager minds, they explored words that begin with the letter "Uu."

One of the engaging activities our students participated in was a lively session on word identification. With bright smiles and a hint of competitiveness, they eagerly pointed to items like "umbrella," "unicorn," and "up" on the board, giggling with each discovery.

Students also practiced writing the letter itself. With careful strokes and focused determination, they traced and formed "Uu" on the board and their papers, each stroke a small triumph in their journey toward literacy.

YEAR 4 THAI: THAI TRADITIONAL GAMES CHARADE

Our Year 4 students recently had fun during their Thai language classes. They've been exploring the vibrant culture of Thailand, specifically exploring traditional Thai games such as เก้าอี้ดนตรี = Musical Chairs and ชักเย่อ = Tug of war, and it's been quite an adventure!

In one of their recent sessions, our students participated in a lively activity centered around charades. The idea was simple yet effective: one student would act out a traditional Thai game while another attempted to guess its name. To add an extra layer of learning, the guessed names were then written in Thai script on the board. The room buzzed with laughter and excitement as each game was acted out and guessed.

Our students embraced the diversity of Thai games with enthusiasm and joy. It was heartwarming to see them engage with Thai culture in such a hands-on way.

These activities not only allowed our students to learn about traditional Thai games but also fostered teamwork, creativity, and cultural appreciation.

YEAR 6 ENGLISH: EXPOSITORY ESSAY

Our Year 6 students have been learning about how to write expository essays that explain things clearly.

Students first identified the three essential parts of an expository essay: the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. With the help of our teachers, students looked at examples to understand how each part works.

After learning about essays, students got to try writing their own! They were given a topic to write about, and they had to explain their ideas clearly, step by step.

During the week, we saw our students become better writers. They worked hard to plan their essays, organize their thoughts, and make their writing stronger.

YEAR 7 MATHS: PERCENT CHANGE

Percent Change refers to the measurement of how much a value has changed to its original value, expressed as a percentage.

When we talk about a percentage increase, it means that the value has grown or expanded compared to its original state. On the other hand, a percentage decrease indicates that the value has decreased or shrunk relative to its original state.

These concepts are commonly used in various fields to analyze changes in quantities, such as prices, populations, or measurements. By expressing changes as percentages, it allows for easier comparison and understanding of the magnitude of the change.

Our Year 7 students learned the concept by considering percentage increases and decreases from the perspective of ratios. Engaging them in discussions and activities that involve comparing the difference between the new and original values to the original value as a fraction is a great way to reinforce the concept. Expressing this fraction as a percentage by multiplying it by 100% helps them see the relative change more clearly.

Involving our students in learning by pairs, doing board work, and interactive activities allows them to actively apply the concepts to real-world situations and problems. This hands-on approach helps students connect theoretical concepts to practical scenarios, enhancing their understanding and problem-solving skills.

Overall, this teaching method encourages active participation, critical thinking, and application of the concepts, making the learning experience more engaging and meaningful for our Year 7 students.