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Proud to be Ten!
PTIS International School celebrates “Founder’s Day”
A giant cake was made to commemorate Founder’s Day at PTIS.
By Joy Huss
The auditorium rang with voices
singing “Happy Birthday” while a huge cake sat center stage on Friday 18
November, the day chosen to mark “Founder’s Day” commemorating the first
ten years of PTIS International School, in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The
Traidhos Three Generation Community of which PTIS International School
is a central player came together to remember and celebrate the
achievements of the first ten years and to look to the future.
Founding President, Lister Hannah,
shared his memories of the opening day and early years, showing photos
of key moments and people who have helped shape the school today.
President and CEO ML Tri Devakul congratulated everyone and challenged
them to grow as good people so that like the-now mature trees on campus
all will be able to give shade and support to those around, and
leadership in whichever part of the world they find themselves in the
future. Head of School Maxine Driscoll reflected that PTIS was no longer
like a baby but entering the next phase of its life, proud of the
students who have already graduated and ready to work with twenty-first
century learners.
PTIS teachers and non-teaching
staff who have worked at PTIS throughout its ten years, were thanked and
students who had been at PTIS from the first day shared their memories
speaking warmly about how the school and community continues to
influence them.
Celebrations then continued on the
school fields where families and members of the local community joined
parents, teachers and students for a carnival with activities, games,
performances and two bouncy castles. It was a wonderful day made up of
happy memories and much positive energy bearing witness to PTIS’s growth
through her teenage years to adulthood.
A common sentiment was shared by
students, teachers, staff and parents about the days’ events.
I feel very proud and really good
that I am here on the 10th birthday. When I see the photos I think it is
amazing how the campus has changed – in a good way! – Mary, G11
Ten years! I feel so proud of the
way PTIS has developed my son. He enjoys school. It has something he
likes. - K Saeng, Parent
I enjoy the peaceful environment. I
love the trees and the diversity of people and cultures. - K Oye,
Secretary
PTIS is a unique natural learning
environment. - K Pu, Parent
I like the community and the
campus. Everyone is very friendly and welcoming. I have kept some
friends form when I first started. – Anna, G8
I feel good that the Nongplaman
students are here and we can all celebrate under the shady trees.- K.
Malee, Parent
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Small Hands, Big Heart
Panyaden School’s EM Balls Project
By Neil Amas
Everyone gets on their hands and knees to help make EM balls to help
clean water for flood victims.
Panayaden School’s EM Balls project is only
small. We have just 43 pairs of small hands, plus a few bigger ones provided by
teachers and parents. But while our EM balls may make a relatively small splash
in the flood waters around Bangkok, the effort and kindness of our children will
demonstrate our big heart.
Panyaden School is teaching our
children the significance of the floods and why we all need to show
kindness at this time of difficulty for many people. With parents,
teachers and children working together, the small ripples of our EM
balls will carry the big heart of our school.
No matter how small one's act of
kindness, it raises the level of kindness over.
EM BALLS
2: All hands on deck!
Chiang Mai Rajabhat University Faculty
Chiang Mai
Rajabhat University Faculty of Agricultural Technology students made EM balls to
send to Bangkok and Central Thailand to help treat polluted water due to the
flooding. The students worked together in a show of volunteer spirit to help
make the EM Balls, produced by Japanese technology they use microbial elements
in order to cleanse polluted water.
Learning and parenting seminar with Australian educator John Joseph
By Shana Kongmun
John Joseph and
PTIS Head of School Maxine Driscoll meet before the start of the seminar on
parenting and learning.
Australian educator John Joseph was in
Chiang Mai recently and met with parents of PTIS students in a seminar at the
Kantary Hills Hotel as well as paid visits to PTIS, CMIS and several other
international schools around Chiang Mai.
In his visits to the schools he not only
met with teachers but also with students since his program is aimed at teaching
students how to learn more effectively and how to use their brains in an
efficient manner for school.
The seminar at Kantary Hills was aimed at
parents and was titled “Parenting with the brain in mind – Raising great
families”.
John Joseph uses
graphics and multimedia to discuss his strategies.
Mr. Joseph discussed the various ways in
which children learn and encouraged parents to discuss their own children and
how they fit into those ways. He also encouraged parents to ask their children
why they go to school. He said that the top four reasons are because they have
to, they want to learn, to see friends and because they see school as a career
path. He informed the parents that there are many weighted elements that will
contribute to the success or failure of a child in school and these include
learning strategies, motivation, confidence, sleep patterns, nutrition, feedback
from friends. Teacher quality, peer influences and many more.
He said it was interesting to note that of
these weighted elements, sleep patterns by far and away was the most
significant. He added that many teenagers go to bed well after midnight,
disrupting the sleep patterns and removing the important hours of sleep that is
needed. Some did so for social networking or video games while many others
stayed up that late doing homework. He noted that it’s important for children to
learn effective and efficient ways of learning and studying so that they don’t
spend their time studying, often ineffectively, instead of sleeping.
The seminar discussed ways in which
children learn, and the benefits of using cognitive strategy training, that is
teaching kids how their brains work and how to learn. Mr. Joseph discussed the
different kinds of students and asked the parents to assess their own children
to determine what type of learner they were; anxious, high flier, competent,
struggling and underachiever. Each type can be determined on a scale of
motivation and confidence.
PTIS parents
joined the seminar held at Kantary Hills Hotel on November 14, 2011.
He also discussed the 4 worlds involved in
learning the inner world that comprises feelings and thoughts, the outer world
which is made of direct experience, abstract which involves learning and
abstract thought, and future hopes and dreams. He emphasized the importance of a
healthy inner world in students.
The evening gave the large group of
interested parents quite a bit to consider and discuss as the seminar
progressed.
John Joseph is a well known lecturer who
has travelled and lectured extensively in many areas of the world. His goal is
to challenge young people to learn about learning behavior and their emotions
and to teach parents and educators the importance of feedback and efficient use
of study and learning. The seminar outlined strategies for parents and what the
schools are looking for in their children. More information about his program
can be found here:
http://www.focuseducation.com.au/.
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Flood Relief and EduCare offered by PTIS International School and Traidhos Three-Generation Community
PTIS students helped Bangkok
students displaced from the flooding settle in to their new environment.
On Monday 31 October the Traidhos Three-Generation
Community together with the PTIS International School welcomed its first
Bangkok students and their families to take part in its newly-formed Flood
Relief EduCare Program.
Over the past weeks, Thais and the international
community have stood together, neighbor helping neighbor, supporting each
other in their works to recover from the devastating flooding that has
affected the whole country and most currently its capitol city of Bangkok,
home to over 115 International schools.
On 26 October, Mr Usa Somboon, President of ISAT
(International Schools of Thailand), notified ISAT schools throughout
Thailand of the closure from 1-14 November of all schools in twelve of
Bangkok’s flood-affected areas. This also included cancellation or
postponement of any field trips or off-campus activities previously
scheduled. Schools affected by this announcement were asked to provide
make-up classes, using available and appropriate resources and timing, such
as e-learning, additional periods, weekend school, summer school, or
additional school days in the coming weeks and months.
As a concerned and caring community, home to a diverse
campus and multiple resources, PTIS International School and Traidhos
Three-Generation Community for Learning saw an urgent need for immediate
education assistance to families as a viable alternative to school closures.
In just over 24 hours, an initial Flood Relief and EduCare Program was
created, presented and approved by the ISAT President. The President’s
Council worked with many facets of the Traidhos Community to develop a
program to continue learning in a safe environment for all Grades 3-12
children affected by the floods. The ISAT President immediately contacted
all ISAT schools to inform them of the initiative and begin immediate
implementation.
The new “no-cost” relief program called Flood Relief and
EduCare offers the children of families directly affected by the disaster
selective classroom study and care during a difficult time. It has been
launched to provide temporary short-term schooling and on-campus living
arrangements for up to eighty students and their families.
The first priority is to get the students who are
temporarily or permanently affected as a result of the disaster back in the
classroom. Under this program, staff from all areas of the Traidhos
Community offer co-ordination support, classroom teaching, extended studies,
after-school Exploria activities, supervision, nursing care, security and
empathy. Several housing alternatives are available - from boarding to
apartment living for the whole family.
As it is both a short- and long-term program, the
Traidhos EduCare program is being developed as part of the curriculum that
can cater for any form of natural disaster and executable at short notice.
“I am overwhelmed by the generosity of people to help
others. It really is what PTIS and Traidhos are all about. This program
builds upon Traidhos Three-Generation Community’s sustainability initiative,
and its education and care: caring about people, caring about our planet and
caring about and doing something for people in times of need.” says Head of
School, Maxine Driscoll.
Flood victim students are not the only ones gaining
experience as interim visitors to our campus: through them PTIS students are
also seeing first-hand how natural disasters affect families, their homes
and their livelihood. Although we cannot protect our children from natural
disasters, we can open them to learning, seeing and interacting with
compassion and understanding at a very early age.
In the words of our visiting students: “I have always
wanted to come to PTIS since the summer last two or three years ago. Now
that Harrow, my school in Bangkok closed because of the flooding. I come to
Chiang Mai and my cousins told me about the flood relief programme PTIS is
running and I am very interested in it. The night before the first day I am
very nervous, but when I come here I think there is nothing to be nervous
of. I have no problem at all.
Today is the second day here at PTIS. The student(s) are
very friendly. I like the environment here very much. It is nice and cool
with the trees and river. Teacher and staff are very nice and helpful said
Ploy in Grade 9.
“About 10 days that I stay and study here. Every teacher
is so nice and kind. They advice and take care of me very well. This campus
is a lot of tree, not like mine (most of schools in Bangkok do not have) and
I love it. Many things here I never met in my school, it is quite cool and
the facility here is complete, swimming pool, tools, and a lot of activity
to do. And the best thing here (in my opinion) is nature because I come from
the place where nature is the stranger and toxic is my friend,” added Kik,
Grade 12.
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CMU implements measures to aid students from flooded areas
Chiang Mai University President Professor Dr. Pongsak
Angkasith announced the CMU has implemented measures for those students
wishing to enroll in school because they come from flood stricken areas.
Students from flood stricken areas who
cannot afford to pay because of losses from the flooding will see the
University cover their registration expenses for the next semester and will
see a tuition waiver through the Office of the Registrar, this must be made
before February 15, 2012. Students in urgent need of assistance because of
damage to their homes from flooding will receive funds from the Board, they
will assess the situation of each student based on need, in addition,
dormitory fees may be waived for those severely affected.
Students who already attend Chiang Mai
University and are unable to attend because they are trapped by the floods
should contact the Office of the Registrar so that exceptions can be made in
their courses.
NARIT astro kids see the stars
The National Astronomical
Research Institute sponsored the Astro Kids trip to Hong Kong, bringing
children chosen through the Young Astronomers Youth Ambassador contest to
visit the Hong Kong Space Museum and the Hong Kong Observatory. 5 lucky
primary school students travelled to Hong Kong with a representative of
NARIT and a lecturer in Astrophysics at Chiang Mai University. The kids
spent two days, from October 18 to 20 visiting various exhibitions and
learning more about space and astronomy.
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