Term 1 - 4 October 2024

Matters of Principal

Whole School

COACH SAFETY MEASURES AND FUTURE TRIPS
Many of you will have seen from the Ministry of Education the restrictions being put on School trips and coach travel following the tragic accident earlier this week. This directive was for Thai Government schools whereas the International Schools follow the guidelines and requirements of OPEC. 

The OPEC announcement reminds schools to follow sensible field trip regulations. The focus is on bus safety with the onus on each individual school deciding whether a trip can go ahead or not. Most importantly, trip safety measures must be in place and emergency evacuation plans discussed. We continue to apply to the Ministry of Education for trip permission and we are looking into the appropriate age groups for trips without parents needing to accompany their children.

Please rest assured that we have extremely robust health and safety measures in place already but, following this week's horrible events, we have also amended some of these and intend to review others. Please see the letter below from our Transport Department.

NON-UNIFORM DAY CHARITY APPEAL
Our School community came together to raise money to support families impacted by the tragic flooding in Northern Thailand. Our non-uniform day saw generous donations coming in from students and families with all proceeds being given to the Thai Red Cross to help those who have been affected. Donations are still coming in but we are pleased to share the total funds raised so far in each School:

Pre-Prep: 36,545 THB
Prep: 37,736 THB
Senior: 38,705 THB

Prep also raised an additional 35,047 THB which will be given to the Soi Dog Foundation. 

We are still collecting the following items for donation until Friday, 11th October:

Clothes (Clean, and grouped by size and gender)
Blankets
Tinned/dry food
Toiletries

Donation drop-off points are located at the Pre-Prep entrance, Prep entrance and the Senior atrium.

RSTPA CHARITY GOLF DAY
Last Sunday, we tee'd off for our third annual Charity Golf Day and the event was a huge success. The day was filled with laughter, friendly competition and a shared commitment to making a difference in our community. Congratulations to our winners, The British Learning Centre, and a heartfelt thank you to our generous sponsors and all the participants who made this event possible. All proceeds from the day will be given to the Thai Red Cross to support those affected by the recent floods in Northern Thailand. We are committed to making a positive impact in our community and we are grateful for the continued support of our members and friends. Thank you again for your support. We can't wait to see you next year!

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RSTPA REPS' COMPLIMENTARY GYM MEMBERSHIP
In recognition of everything our RSTPA representatives do for the community, the School has decided to offer them complimentary membership of our fabulous gym, WisdomFit. Several of our Reps visited the Gym for their induction earlier this week. We are so grateful for the time and effort they invest into helping the School develop, raise money for charity and enhance our community.

RSTPA SUSTAINABLE MARKET
The RSTPA would like to register interest in organising a Sustainable Market to be held on School campus, with all benefits going towards the RSTPA charity fund. Items on sale may range from fresh fruit and vegetables to second-hand books and clothes. The market schedule will be determined by interest from the RST community so if this is something you would like to see, please fill out this form to share your thoughts.

INTERNATIONAL DAY
There is still time to sign up and represent your home country for our International Day Food Market on Friday, 18^th October. This year, the RSTPA will be offering some financial support to those who will be hosting a stall to help with any food preparation and decorations. Those who have already signed up will be contacted by email early next week.

We'd love as many of you as possible to help us bring this gastronomic journey to life so we can create a global adventure right here at RST. If you would like to sign up, you can do so here. 

WAT KHAO MAI KAEW COMMUNITY SCHOOL
Our English teaching programme at Wat Khao Mai Kaew Community School has had an incredible start. We welcomed a larger group of 50 eager students from the local community which demonstrated the growing impact of our initiative. This year, a dedicated team of 13 Sixth Form students are leading engaging and interactive English lessons. Our primary goal is to enhance students' confidence in speaking, reading and writing English through creative and practical learning experiences.

In addition to supporting younger learners, we are also focused on helping students who are preparing for their National Examination. By providing targeted practice and guidance, we aim to equip students with the skills and confidence necessary to excel in their exams. We are excited to continue this rewarding journey and witness further growth in both student participation and English language proficiency.

Senior

DYSLEXIA AWARENESS WEEK
Join us in acknowledging Dyslexia Awareness Week which will take place from 7th – 13th October, with the theme for this year being "What's your story?" You can find out more about dyslexia awareness week here and keep an eye out for our blog post coming next week where some of our students will be sharing their own unique stories. 

THAI UNIVERSITIES: A DAY OF CAMPUS TOURS AND RECONNECTING
Higher Education Adviser and Alumni Officer, Mr Markes, shares his experience visiting some of our recent Rugby School Thailand alumni at two prestigious Thai universities. Find out more about the visit in his blog post here. 

MDKMITL OPEN HOUSE
For those interested in Medicine, the MDKMITL Open House is being held on Wednesday, 23rd October at King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL). This event is designed specifically for students interested in the First International Medical Doctor Programme (MDKMITL). During the Open House, students will have the chance to meet with the faculty to learn about the curriculum, admission process and career paths in medicine and have the chance to participate in interactive sessions. Registration is open until Friday, 18th October. Sign up here. 

• Wednesday, 23rd October
• 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• MDKMITL, KMITL Campus, Bangkok

2024 LECTURE SERIES - UNIVERSITY GUIDANCE
There is still time to register for the webinar on Saturday, 5th October, with Indiana University Indianapolis open to any students interested in the field of Media, Arts and Science. Further details are available in the below poster. To register, click here. 

STUDY AT A UNIVERSITY COLLEGE IN THE NETHERLANDS
Find out more about University Colleges in the Netherlands in comprehensive webinars on the following dates:

• Monday, 25th November (English)
• Tuesday, 10th December (Dutch) 
  

Learn about academics, student life and how to make a successful application.
Register to attend the session here.

OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY WEBINARS
As part of our Oxbridge candidate preparations, students can access a series of insightful webinars about the application process.

Applying to Oxford: Understanding Oxford interviews (an academic’s perspective)
Tuesday 8th October
10am-11.15am (BST) - Register here 
4pm-5.15pm (BST) - Register here 

Applying to Oxford: Understanding Oxford interviews (a student's perspective)
Thursday 10th Oct
10am-11.15am (BST) - Register here
4pm-5.15pm (BST) - Register here

Applying to Oxford: Interviews AMA (ask me anything)
Thursday 28th November
10am-11.15am (BST) - Register here
4pm-5.15pm (BST) - Register here

Applying to Cambridge: Applicant Webinar Series
The Applicant Webinar Series will run until Thursday, 21st November. To access the series and to find out more, please click here. 

10th OCTOBER:
Geography Coastal Environmental Trip

11th OCTOBER:
Parent Information Session in the Science Lecture Theatre introducing SATs and IELTs

14th OCTOBER:
School Closed H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great Memorial Day

GLION AND LES ROCHES VISIT RST
In the latest of our Innovation, Economics and Entrepreneurship workshops, our students explored unique educational opportunities at Glion and Les Roches, renowned institutions for international business and hospitality management. Find out more about the visit here. 

EQUITY PARTNERSHIP EVENT
The Equity Partnership's Schools' Network Programme is a collaborative initiative that brings together students from International and rural Thai schools to work creatively, develop essential skills and make a positive impact on their communities. Students collaborate to design, produce and sell products through online platforms, generating revenue that benefits their rural Thai government partner schools. 

We are thrilled to announce that our School team achieved remarkable success at the Equity Partnership's Schools' Network Season 5 celebration event. Our talented students, Marwin, Perth and Nonny (XX), along with their Thai school peers, secured the first runner-up position. Their exceptional performance was rewarded with certificates and a generous donation of 30,000 THB to our partner Thai school. This outstanding achievement is a testament to the teamwork, skills development and dedication of our students.

We are immensely proud of our team's success and the positive impact it will have on our partner school. The donation will contribute to enhancing educational opportunities and resources for students from a different socioeconomic background.

Here is the full catalogue of products created this year. 

Prep

HOUSE NEWS
The House System is sadly losing one of its founding members, Ms Barnes, who is stepping down as Head of Arnold House. We are sorry to see her go and would like to offer a heartfelt thank you for the amazing work she has done and for all the contributions she has made to the House System. Ms Barnes will be focusing all her efforts into her current role as Head of Year 3. 

In light of this news, we are pleased to welcome Mr Fogden as our new Head of Arnold House. Mr Fogden brings a wealth of experience to the role from his time as a member of Hardy House, and we look forward to him joining the team.

THAI LIBRARY
We have some very exciting news from our Thai department - the Thai Library on the top floor of the Prep building is now open! Students are invited to explore a cozy space where they can enjoy reading and playing Thai crossword puzzles with their friends. Our goal is to create a welcoming atmosphere that encourages students to dive into Thai literature and foster a love for reading. We look forward to seeing everyone there.

NEW CHESS AREA
Our Design and Technology department is creating a special chess area outside the Prep library. This new space will provide a dedicated area for our chess enthusiasts to enjoy their favorite game. To make this project even more sustainable, our students have designed and printed the chess pieces using our new 3D printers. These pieces are made from PLA, a plant-based plastic that's better for the environment than traditional plastics. As we continue to explore greener alternatives, we hope to spark conversations about plastic waste, responsible consumption and the importance of proper disposal. Stay tuned for updates on the completion of the chess tables.

HANDWRITING COMPETITION
Last term, we submitted work from our Prep students to the Sunthorn Phu Day handwriting competition, which involved many Thai schools. We are thrilled to announce that Tumtim's work was selected for its impressive quality and is now displayed on the Twinkl website. Congratulations to Tumtim on this wonderful achievement.

PREP MUSIC RECITAL: TUESDAY 12th NOVEMBER
Enrollments are now open for the second Prep Music Recital. This recital is open to all Prep students who learn an instrument and have a piece ready to perform. Signing up for a recital is a great motivator for students to practise and playing in front of an audience can help develop their confidence and performance skills. Register your child by clicking this link or scanning the QR code. Registrations will close on Thursday, 31st October.

Your child's performance time will be communicated to you via email during week 10, and will also be published in the School newsletter on Friday, 8th November.

BE RST
Mr Howell led our recent coffee mornings for all year groups where he introduced BE RST - our new Student Code of Conduct. If you were unable to attend, you can find his presentation here.

PLAYGROUND 
A reminder that the playground is not supervised by staff at the end of the day. If you would like to use the facility, please ensure children are monitored at all times.

CAR PARK
To help ensure the safety of everyone in our car park, please remember to turn off your engine while parked, avoid parking on the road outside the admin building and drive slowly and cautiously, especially near pedestrian crossings.

5th OCTOBER:
Please see SOCS for our Saturday Enrichment Programme, Sport Programme and Fixtures.
Swim Meet Bangkok Prep Puppy Cup
U9 Girls Football Festival at St Andrew's
U11 Football Tournament (home)
U12 Basketball v ISC (away)

7th OCTOBER:
08:15-10:30: RSTPA Cooking Class (England)

9th OCTOBER:
08:10-10:35: Y6-8 Cross Country (students to wear House Tops) - Parents welcome to attend

10th OCTOBER:
08:10-10:35: Y3-5 Cross Country (students to wear House Tops) - Parents welcome to attend
U13 Basketball v GIS (away)

11th OCTOBER:
10:45: U14 Basketball v ISB (away)
13:30: Meet the Tutor (Senior Dining Hall)

12th OCTOBER:
Please see SOCS for our Saturday Enrichment Programme, Sport Programme and Fixtures.

RST Community Fun Run
07:00 - WEC opens
08:00 - Race Starter

08:00-09:30: U11 Football Training
10:00: U11A Football v FC Act (home)
10:00: U9A Football v FC Act (home)

14th OCTOBER:
School Closed H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great Memorial Day

ECO GARDEN ACTIVITY
Our Eco garden is flourishing thanks to the incredible collaboration between our Senior and Prep students. This activity has taught them about sustainable gardening practices and has also fostered a sense of community and environmental responsibility. By working together, our students have learned the importance of growing their own food and have gained hands-on experience in planting and caring for the garden. Our Eco garden is a place of learning, growth and connection, showing that we can all contribute to a greener future—together.  

Pre-Prep

LION CLASS
We would like offer a warm welcome to Miss Mind, our new Reception Lion class Teaching Assistant. Miss Mind joins us from another school, so has a wonderful understanding of the role of a TA. Please join us in making her feel welcome to Pre-Prep.

CAR PARK
Please note that the car park is a one-way system. There have been several vehicles spotted going the wrong way round and this may ultimately lead to an avoidable accident. The 'In' and 'Out' routes are clearly signposted and the arrows marked on the ground also indicate the one-way system. Please ensure signage rules are being adhered to at all times. 

11th OCTOBER:
Parent Teacher Settling in meetings 

14th OCTOBER:
School Closed H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great Memorial Day

18th OCTOBER:
International Day (more information coming soon)

21st-25th OCTOBER:
Half Term

4th NOVEMBER:
Reception bikes and scooters to School.

LEARNING LANGUAGES
In Year 1 Mandarin, children have been working hard in learning the basic greetings, as well as the basic Chinese characters. They have had great fun learning through different hands-on activities, games and sing-alongs. It has been great to see them being exposed to languages in a playful yet enthusiastic way and we look forward to seeing their progression throughout the year.  

MUSICAL FUN
Our Pre-Prep music classes have been bursting with energy and excitement this term as our young learners have been enthusiastically exploring rhythm, melody and movement, filling the classroom with laughter and excitement. From singing catchy tunes to experimenting with various instruments, their joy and curiosity have been evident in every session. We can't wait to see what musical wonders they will create in the future. 

Boarding Life

HOUSE LEADERSHIP TEAMS
Our Year 9-13 boarding houses, Rupert Brooke (girls) and School House (boys), have selected their House leadership teams. These students work to support efforts in six areas of School and boarding life: Academic, Sport, Service, Music, Drama and Art. The opportunities for leadership within boarding are many, with Boarding House Prefects being key roles that develop decision making and the ability to work as a team. Well done to all our boarders who are helping to lead this academic year.

BOARDING OPPORTUNITIES
We have limited spaces available in our fantastic Year 6-8 boarding house, Marshall House, and also in Rupert Brooke, for girls in Year 9-13. If you are interested in part, weekly or full boarding for your child, please contact the Director of Boarding - dennisbilling@rugbyschool.ac.th

Sport and Enrichment

RST CHRONICLE
This week you can expect to read more interesting articles about a wide range of topics, including what new books are available in the School library. Our House article will also keep you informed on what we have coming up in the next few weeks. The third edition of the RST Chronicle is available now for you to read here. 

BISA SHORT COURSE CHAMPIONSHIP
Our Swim Team made a splash at the BISA Short Course Championship, which was the inaugural championship of the season and showcased the team's impressive progress and dedication. Our 11 and under swimmers delivered outstanding performances, demonstrating the effectiveness of their training and a strong foundation for the season ahead. Special recognition goes to our 8 and under combined team, who secured an impressive second-place finish. These young swimmers are a testament to the bright future of the School Swim Team. 

Congratulations to all of the swimmers for their hard work, dedication and commitment.

Community Events

OCTOBER MUAY THAI CAMP
The Wisdom Fit Muay Thai Camp for Kids is running this October Half Term, and is available for 6 to 15-year- olds. This is a great opportunity to boost their fitness, sharpen their focus and learn the traditional Thai Ram Muay Wai Kru – a unique cultural experience that no other camp can offer. Discounts are available for RST students and Wisdom Fit members, and as a bonus, parents can enjoy free fitness sessions while they wait. Register now by scanning the QR code on the poster below or contacting us on Line @WisdomFit.

CHRISTMAS CAMP 2024
This year's popular Christmas Camp will take place from 15th-21st December 2024 and is available for 7 to 12-year-olds. As always, it will offer children unique and enriching activities to keep them happily entertained in the term break. For more information or to register your child for this fantastic opportunity, please head to our website.

PORTAL VR PATTAYA
We have kindly been offered an exclusive 20% discount for the RST community at the Portal VR Arena in Pattaya. Please show your RST ID card at the venue to take advantage of this exclusive offer. 

Social Media and More

Keep up to date with all that's happening at RST via our social media channels and our website blog section.