Term 1 - 2nd September

Matters of Principal

This week Mr Grindlay talks about the 'Purpose of Education':

Whole School Reminders

UNIFORM SWAP
Our RSTPA Reps are organising another uniform swap, which was really popular last term. Please drop your unwanted uniform off in the Green Room on Monday, 5 ^th September 15:00-17:30. You will receive a voucher that you can swap for uniform on Tuesday, 6 ^th September 15:00-17:30.

A reminder that the uniform should be clean, free of stains and free of holes. Please also remove any name tapes.

GOOGLE REVIEW
Please take a few minutes to leave us a review on Google. It helps prospective families learn more about life at RST: https://tinyurl.com/2wn52pey

Whole School News

BOARDING OVER EXEAT WEEKENDS AND HALF TERMS
We are delighted to let you know that, as of this term, boarders have the option to remain on campus over any of our Exeat weekends or half-term holidays, if they would like to do so. This is another way we are improving and developing our boarding provision to offer flexibility and support for boarding families' different needs.

If you would like to find out more please contact the Director of Boarding, Mr David Ennis-Billing dennisbilling@rugbyschool.ac.th. To sign up for a boarding trial or discover more about our boarding options and how they can help your child, please get in touch with the Admissions Department admissions@rugbyschool.ac.th

LET'S STOP CALLING IT SCREEN TIME
This week, Mr Burkhill held a workshop for our parents called 'Let's Stop Calling it Screen Time'. If you missed this workshop, you can access the slides here. He also invited our parents to drop-in sessions at Scrummy, where parents could get specific advice on how to manage devices with their children and any technological support they made need in the set up of their devices.

GOLDEN LOVE SONG FESTIVAL
The RST community is invited to this concert with legendary artists of the 80s 90s, along with new artists, all performing songs you love.

Special Discount for RST:

• 1-day ticket: THB 300, VIP THB 700
• 2-day ticket: THB 600, VIP THB 1,400

(Normal ticket price THB 800, VIP THB 1,500)

Tickets are on sale now, until 10^th September.

SENIOR DINING HALL
The Senior dining hall was completed on time for the start of the Academic year! The time-lapse video below shows it growing from ground zero to completion; an outstanding facility to support the feeding of our students’ minds:

CHANGE OF SECURITY PROVIDER
You might have noticed a change in the security provision here at RST; following a thorough tendering process and overall review, we have moved from IFS to Securitas as the designated security provider. Securitas is a global, specialist, security company, that will enhance the provision of safety for our community. As with any new service provider, there may be a few small issues during the phased handover, so we ask for your patience if this happens.

Senior News

FURTHER MATHS
Like expectant parents or grandparents, all teachers join you in our anxious wait for examination results to be announced in August. For Mr Miller, Mrs de Villiers and Dr Millard this was the case with the five Further Maths students. Disruptions to learning, mid-course subject changes and online teaching were all overcome with nurturing, many hours of focused work, and a determination to succeed.

In class, there was serious competition between students in tests and examination results. However, there was also a strong sense of togetherness, where students would willingly help each other with explanations and guidance. These factors all combined to make results day for the Further Mathematicians quite exceptional.

Students that take Further Maths are in a unique group; less than 2 percent of students who take A-Levels go on to take Further Maths. All five students, Tan Tharahirunchot, Pico Suthumpun, Grace Payne, Alex Faquet and Mikoto Ando, achieved an A* in both Maths and Further Maths, an outstanding achievement that places them at the top of that 2 percent!

HOW TO SURVIVE A RECESSION
Rew (Year 13) spent her summer break working with editors of a newspaper called 'Manager Daily' to publish an economics news analysis article entitled 'How to survive a recession'. Rew used knowledge gained at School and her own research to draft and re-draft her article. Rew discusses how recessions have impacted speculation in the market and offers suggestions on how to approach an economic recession and avoid scams.

We are delighted for Rew who is demonstrating academic curiosity and is being proactive with her learning. Here is a link to her article - https://mgronline.com/daily/detail/9650000074726

ASIAN SCIENCE CAMP
This summer, Ohm qualified for a place at the Asian Science Camp where his team represented Thailand, and his team came second! Ohm was able to benefit from discussing different topics with Nobel Laureates in different fields. These topics included a talk about cell protein secretion with Randy Schekmann (Physiology and Medicine, 2013), a discussion on high precision microscopes with Stefan Hell (Chemistry, 2014) and a discussion of Tim Hunt's life in science (Physiology and Medicine, 2001). Additionally, there were panel discussions and general discussions on the topics of dark matter and climate change.

As part of the competition, Ohm's group produced a poster that suggested a new drug for Alzheimer's patients, using astrocytes and neurotransmitters, with potential further uses in locating lumps of beta-amyloid that lead to brain inflammation that causes Alzheimer’s in the first place.

Well done Ohm and we look forward to more students applying for this programme in future years.

WORLD SCHOLARS' CUP
A group of F Block students, Rute, Max, Xander, Si Eun Lee, Prinn, and Pam and taking part in the World Scholars' Cup this weekend. The competition last for the weekend and we wish the team well and look forward to hearing about their endeavours.

BATTLE OF THE BANDS
At the end of last term, E Block students in School House won Battle of the Bands. They worked so hard, practising in the Recording Studio every evening during their free time. We are incredibly proud of them. To celebrate, we had a relaxed evening in House, playing games, dancing to music and eating pizza together. Well done, boys!

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8^th September (5pm)
Planning for University talk by Ms Cecil for parents in LXX and XX

9^th September
Sixth Form Team building event

10^th September
Harrow Cup Football Competition

13^th September
Dr Guy Sutton 'Brain Day' for Biology and Psychology students

19^th – 22^nd September
RST MAD field trip to Mae Hong Song

23^rd – 25^th September
Year 11 (D Block) Geography Field trip

26^th – 30^th September
Year 9 (F Block) Residential

I was delighted to award the first set of Headmaster's Distinctions to an exceptional group of students. Joshua (E Block), Bunn (E Block), Jane (E Block), Dee-Dee (LXX), Rew (XX), and Ohm (XX) were all awarded a distinction for going 'above and beyond' in an activity linked to the Rugby Learner profile.

Both Bunn and Jane demonstrated resilience and courage, Ohm and Rew demonstrated an inquisitive and investigative nature. Joshua showed an awareness and compassion for the wider community, whilst Dee-Dee showed immense kindness. All these students were invited to my study at break time to be awarded their ‘Distinction’, interact with each other, and have chocolate milk and cookies. I look forward to meeting the next set of students who have exhibited areas of the Rugby Learner Profile.

The cast list is up, and rehearsals have begun! A big well done to all students who bravely auditioned for 'Pride and Prejudice' and congratulations for achieving your roles. It was fantastic to see so many happy faces when the cast list was published. Let the hard work begin... 

BUSINESS 
This week, D Block IGCSE Business students have been presenting their breakfast cereal product ideas to their class. Over the Summer break, they have been preparing their pitches, which involved creating a new type of cereal for the RST community.

Students discussed all elements of the marketing mix, conducted market research and created mock-ups of their packaging and advertising, including social media posts and TV adverts. Lysa, in the picture below, presented her ‘Granola Grabs’, a healthy cereal bar that could also be crumbled up into a bowl of cereal.

This was a fantastic opportunity for students to apply their business knowledge and investigate all aspects of the marketing process.

WHOLE ME PROGRAMME
During our 'Whole Me' session with the LXX this week, students explored the latest science behind human motivation. Using their personal values and the ‘Self-Determination Theory’ developed by Dr Ryan and Dr Deci, students reflected on the quality of their own motivations and considered how to improve their overall sense of competence, relatedness and autonomy in different areas of their lives.

DRAMA
During the first half of this term, F Block are learning how to devise an original performance, which is a key component of the IGCSE Drama course. Here they are experimenting with creating their own ending to famous fairy tales.

IGCSE Drama students in the E Block are working hard to create a performance for HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's visit. They are working on a piece of Physical Theatre, entitled, The Whole Person, The Whole Point.

CHEMISTRY
In Chemistry this week, F Block students sharpened their experimental skills by heating water and measuring the temperature change over time.

Prep News

EARPHONES REQUIRED
All Prep students need a pair of earphones to use with their iPads. These can be placed in their pencil case and should be named. See the image below for a cheap example that would be ideal:

3^rd September – SATURDAY ENRICHMENT
08:30-10:00
Y3 &4 Girls/Boys Football
Y5 & 6 Boys Basketball
Y7 & 8 Girls Basketball

10:15-11:45
Y5 & 6 Girls Basketball
Y7 & 8 Boys Basketball

Please meet in the CGA and collect your child from the Admin Building at the end of the session attended.

5^th September - YEAR 3 TEAMBUILDING
Year 3 will be having a team-building morning at our Outdoor Education Centre, which will be an exciting opportunity to collaborate and work with our new friends. Please bring in a hat, water bottle, sun cream and insect repellant.

5^th September 15:00-17:30 - UNIFORM DROP
Please drop off any unwanted but clean uniform to the Green Room. You will be given a voucher per item.

5^th September 17:00-17:40 - SETTLING IN MEETINGS
A reminder that our settling-in meetings with the Form Tutors will take place on Monday for all classes. You will have an opportunity to meet your child's Form Tutor and ask any questions about how we look after our students in School and what key information you need to know. This meeting is not an academic meeting and we will not be discussing the progress of individuals. That comes later!

6^th September 15:00-17:30 - UNIFORM COLLECTION
Swap your vouchers for secondhand uniform. Items will also be for sale at 100THB per item.

10^th September - FIXTURES
U9A Boys / U9B Mixed Football Festival @BKK Patana. Teams will leave RST at 07:00 and will return at 15:00.
U11 Girls & Boys Football Tournament @ISB. Teams will leave RST at 06:30 and return at 16:00.

Further details will be sent to team members soon.

17, 18 & 19 September - EXEAT
School will be closed for Exeat. Students will return on Tuesday, 20 September at 08:00 am

We value reading so much in the Prep School that every student has a designated reading slot every day. This slot helps them relax as well as builds their vocabulary and cultural knowledge. The benefits of reading every day include:

• Improving literacy
• Improving sleep
• Improving concentration
• Increases knowledge
• Exercises the brain
• Reduce stress
• and it's also fun!

Here, 4J are making good use of their flexible learning environment to read their favourite books. 

Year 3 students have started their place value unit in maths by exploring numbers through a variety of games, and a scavenger hunt around the classroom. While completing these tasks, students develop their Learner Profile skills, which will form the foundations of lifelong learning.

In this lesson, we discussed what collaboration means, and what it looks like in a classroom setting. The children worked really well together, and we're so proud of the start they have made this year.

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In a new incentive to celebrate music at RST, Year 4 will be having an extra music lesson each week. We are so fortunate to have the wonderful resource of our highly skilled Visiting Music Teachers (VMTs) who came in on Tuesday to show their instruments to the children.

In the coming weeks, every child in Year 4 will have the opportunity to experience playing these instruments, in the hope that they will then decide to take their learning further by having individual lessons. We are confident that our VMTs are amongst the best that South-East Asia has to offer. If you would like your child to start individual lessons, please contact Christine Third or Khun Boom.

As part of their Science lesson this week, Year 8 students used quadrats to estimate the population size of the plants next to the CGA:

Pre-Prep News

CURRICULUM MEETINGS
It was wonderful to see so many parents from Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 attend their Curriculum Information session and Meet the Teacher this week. We hope you enjoyed meeting your child's class teacher and learning what they would be covering in their studies this term. These sessions are a chance for you to see their learning environment and to ask any questions you have about the class. Of course, our door is always open if you have other questions later.

SETTLING IN
It has been great to see the children starting to settle in as they become more familiar with the routines, the building, the teachers and each other. Of course, for some children settling in and adapting to their new environment takes longer.

Please do not worry if your child is taking more time to settle or if they are coming home and saying they do not want to come to School. This is normal for some children. Every child is different and needs different help and methods to adapt to their new learning environment. Each teacher will be able to help with ways to calm them and support them as they build up trust and learn to separate themselves from you, their parents.

If you are worried, do either talk to us at the gate or with your child's class teacher. A big thank you to all the children who wave and say "good morning" at the gate – you really make our day.

FAREWELL
Khun Opas, our Security guard at Pre-Prep, had his last day with us on Wednesday. The Year 2 children made a card and said a super thank you to him for all his hard work. He has been brilliant looking after us all, doing so with a friendly smile. We wish him all the best in his new job, but we know he will miss all of Pre-Prep very much.

Tuesday, 6^th September – Tapestry Workshop for New EYFS Parents
8:30am – 9:00am In the Pre-Prep Assembly Hall

Wednesday, 7^th September – Nursery Curriculum Session and Meet the Teacher
8:30 – 9:00am Nursery classrooms

Friday, 9^th September – Exploring Eagle Day
Pre-Prep children will be learning more about what it is to be an ‘Exploring Eagle’ from our Learner Profile. They will be spending the day exploring!

This week in Nursery we have continued to settle into our new classes. We have been introduced to the 'Caring Koala' and have been looking at some of his characteristics. 

So far, we have focused on learning to use our 'walking feet' around School and our 'listening ears' to listen to our teachers and friends.

What fun we have had learning these important things:

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This week, the reception classes are excited to have started their phonics journey. The first set of sounds we have focused on is 's', 'a', 't' and 'p'. We have been painting snakes with sandy paint, playing a sound-talking game with ‘angry red A’, sorting initial sounds into the correct boxes, and practising our letter formation. We can't wait to continue our phonics journey and start reading and writing:

The Year 1 Ducks class started off their 'Plants' topic with some creative observational drawing in the Eco-Garden. During their visit, they were greeted by a little lizard who ran up and down the tomato plants. Fascinated by its agile movements and beautiful colours, the children were inspired to detail its features, as well as its natural habitat:

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Year 2 students had a fun week, as we started our favourite topic of dinosaurs. We had two surprise dinosaurs walking and dancing around the School early on in the week. We then went on a fossil hunt around the playground and drew some amazing dinosaur pictures. We followed this up by creating our own questions about what we wanted to learn about dinosaurs. In maths, we have been having fun counting in 2s, 5s and 10s.

Great job everyone!

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In Mr Roger's ‘Intensive English Class’, we have been learning the names of shapes and colours. We have also been practising our fine motor skills to cut and stick these shapes into our books to make alien monsters.

All good fun!

This week, Reception students learnt about the letters บ and ป: they learnt the difference between the letters บ and ป, and they can point to the differences between them. They also drew pictures of บ and ป which they used to play a game.

Year 1 learnt the letters จ ว น ฉ and ม; they learnt to match the letters with the pictures and practised writing the letters.

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In Pre-Prep we use Makaton signing to help students learn to communicate more efficiently. Signing supports the development of essential communication skills such as attention and listening, comprehension, memory, recall and organisation of language and expression. 

Signing is also a lot of fun. See if you can learn to sign at home too as a family.

Learner Profiles

Enrichment and Sport

PRE-PREP CLAY ART
Our Pre-prep students have enjoyed creating flowers in their 'clay art' after School activity this week:

PRE-PREP COOKING AND BAKING CLUB
This week, the children were learning about healthy snacks and had to work on their cutting and slicing skills to make fruit kebabs. They used Mango, Grapes, Pineapple and Melon.

ACTIVITIES IN PREP:
We have now had a full week of Enrichment activities in Prep. We are proud at RST to run such a varied and extensive programme and we hope that students are being versatile by trying out new things each term.

Have a look at what some of the students were doing on Tuesday: debating, LAMDA, swimming, ballet, cooking, tennis, football, leadership, basketball, Mandarin, bracelet making and basketball:

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PREP: CROSS COUNTRY
The first Y5-8 Cross-Country practice for the year took place this week. We did a time trial around Goose Lake to set some targets to work towards as we get fitter throughout the term. 

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PREP: CULINARY ARTS
In the Culinary Arts activity this week, students had a health and safety training session to start off their journey into gastronomy. After some tips and tricks, students learnt about ingredients, and measurements, and then prepared an iconic Canadian dessert, the ‘Beaver Tail’ – a yeast dough, fried in oil and then coated in cinnamon sugar.

Students mixed and rolled out the dough to create these delectable treats to share with their families. 

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PREP: STEAM
STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths) is an opportunity for children to develop their creative problem-solving skills. It is a fun and hands-on way to embed our Learner Profile attributes of thinking, communicating, collaborating, reflecting, being versatile, and being resilient. 

Students are given weekly challenges to explore ways in which these subject areas come together to learn more about how the world works. 

This week, Years 5 & 6 STEAMers learnt about cantilevers. A cantilever is a projecting beam supported at only one end such as a balcony, awning, signpost or bridge. They used everyday classroom items such as rulers and building blocks to test their engineering skills and correct design flaws.

The Years 3 & 4 STEAMers went on an 'Addition Quest'. They needed to work collaboratively to find hidden gems that contained number clues which then allowed them to crack a code by adding the sum of the mystery numbers. 

SENIOR: FOLLOW YOUR PASSION
Rew initiated this after School activity, designed to prepare other students with the skills to succeed in leadership and to provide them with the tools to set up their own charitable initiatives, which twenty-five students have signed up for!

The first session was this week, and involved a series of fun ice-breakers designed to get to know each other, and included activities that identified the characteristics that students felt made a ‘good leader’.

Later sessions will include identifying personal leadership styles, removing barriers to change, and even university tips and tricks, all designed & taught by Rew herself. 

Boarding Life

Saturday night movie night has become somewhat of a tradition in School House. This week, we gathered with snacks and blankets to start watching Phillip Pullman's famous 'His Dark Materials' series.

This weekend our senior boarders from Rupert Brooke and School House enjoyed some downtime after a busy first week back, watching a movie together on Sunday afternoon with cookies and popcorn.

Nature walks, arcade games, bead craft and a trip to Ramayana: our weekends in Marshall House are full of wonderful activities to keep the boarders happily entertained:

On Monday evening, School House and Rupert Brooke, our Senior boarding houses, gathered at the Wisdom Outdoor Education Centre for our annual campfire evening. The boys and girls chatted to each other, toasted marshmallows to make some delicious s'mores, and practised mindfulness. It was great to get off our phones, socialise and spend some time in nature.

We can't wait for the next trip!

RSTeam Spotlight

Get to know the people who make RST great by learning more about them and their roles.

This week's spotlight is on Paul Clements - Head of Key Stage 1 and Head of Year 2 in Pre-prep: