Term 2 - 13 January
Matters of Principal
Whole School News
SCRUMMY 2.0
An opportunity has arisen to partner with Rugby School Thailand to provide a Coffee Shop/Café onsite that would help cater for demand from our growing community.
Rugby School Thailand would therefore like to invite interested parties to submit their expressions of interest directly to our COO, Mr Gareth Tebbutt, via email (gtebbutt@rugbyschool.ac.th), who will then follow up with specific requirements and timelines.
Whole School Reminders
KEEPING YOUR CHILDREN SAFE
In order to keep our students safe, we require parents to wear their ID cards at all times when collecting child(ren).
All parents are expected to apply for a parent ID card (up to 3 cards, free of charge) from the first week of their enrolment. If parents forget to bring their ID badge on any particular day, you are required to show your photo ID and sign the visitor code of conduct form at the reception desk to receive a visitor badge before entering the School (black) gates.
Please note, without an ID badge or visitor pass, entry will not be permitted.
Senior News
Announcements & Reminders
D BLOCK STUDENT, PARENT & TEACHER CONFERENCE
Please note that the D Block Student, Parent & Teacher conference will take place in person on Friday, 3rd February. We encourage all D Block parents to attend to discuss the progress of their children following their IGCSE Mock exams. However, if parents are unable to attend in person, there will be an opportunity to speak with teachers from 31st January to 2nd February. Further details will be sent to parents in due course.
LUNAR NEW YEAR
We will celebrate Lunar New Year on 25th January. Students are welcome to come into School wearing traditional Chinese or Korean dress, or they can wear red or yellow clothes.
OUTSTANDING LEARNER AWARDS
This week, we received the amazing news that two more of our students have been given Outstanding Learner Awards from Pearson Edexcel for the highest marks in Thailand in Art GCSE and History IGCSE.
Congratulations to Dee-Dee (Art) and Ira (History). This is Ira's second such award, after previously receiving the highest mark in the region in languages. It also follows recent highest-mark awards for all three sciences from OxfordAQA. Well done to all of our student achievers.
UK UNIVERSITY PRESENTATIONS AND Q & A PANEL - 19 JANUARY 2023
I am delighted to advise that we will be hosting presentations, followed by a panel discussion with four UK universities, on 19th January 2023 from 16:10 – 17:10 in the Veraphan Theatre.
The University of Bristol, University of Birmingham, Durham University and Newcastle University will be providing overviews of their institutions, which will be followed by a panel Q & A discussion, where students and parents will have the opportunity to ask questions about applying to the UK.
Students and parents from D Block to XX are invited to sign up to attend the event by completing the form (linked below) by the 17th January 2023.
https://forms.gle/4qz7xBPQZDdgE68z5
CONGRATULATIONS
We are delighted to announce that Kirk Green, Deputy Head Academic, Seniors, has been appointed Deputy Head of Senior School at Brighton College Vietnam from August 2023. The School is a new venture for Brighton College and opens in August 2023. Kirk's position sits alongside the Head of Prep School, both of which report to the Whole School Headmaster.
Whilst we will be very sad to lose Kirk's skill and commitment, this is an excellent next step for him and we wish him, and all of his family, the very best in this exciting new chapter of their lives.
Dates for your Diary
14th JANUARY – Saturday Enrichment Programme
16th JANUARY
13:00 – IAL Maths P2 examination
16:00 – IAL Business Studies unit 2 examination
D Block Boarders' social at Scrummy's
17th JANUARY
Block Thai IGCSE - Trip to Thai Temple in Bangkok
16:00 – IAL Maths M1 examination
18th JANUARY
13:00 – IAL Maths S1 examination
Visit from the English School of Mongolia: basketball fixture and cultural showcase
19th JANUARY
UK University Presentations and Q & A Panel
16:00 – IAL Maths P4 examination
20th JANUARY
Senior inter-House sports day
16:00 – IAL Maths S2 examination
21st JANUARY– Saturday Enrichment Programme
25th JANUARY - Lunar New Year
30th JANUARY: Monday school closed (EXEAT weekend)
F Block: Whole Me Programme
DEVELOPING ACTIVE CONSTRUCTIVE RESPONDING (ACR)
Our F Block students have enjoyed exploring the concept of ACR this week. ACR is a positive method of responding when someone shares good experiences or information which can often provide a boost in well-being to both people involved in the conversation.
Students compared this form of communication with three other common types of responses and reflected on how they can better incorporate ACR more often in their daily lives.
Learning
SPANISH
As part of their 'Food and Health' IGCSE topic, E-Block students performed their "En el restaurante" roleplay in Spanish, and they had to write the script all by themselves:
Prep News
Announcements & Reminders
DIGITAL WELL-BEING
We know the importance of building resilience for children's mental health, and in the digital age that we live in, developing digital resilience couldn't be more relevant. Have a look at the latest advice from DiGiiSocial through our digital well-being website for some very useful advice.
BASKETBALL INDIVIDUAL SKILLS
A reminder that students in Y5-8 may sign up on SOCS for the Basketball Individual Skills that take place on Mondays – Thursdays from 07:00-07:40. The deadline for signing up is Sunday, 15th January 2023. This replaces the Open Gym evening sessions that will no longer take place in the evenings. Further information can be viewed in this letter that has already been sent out to all Prep School parents.
REQUIREMENT FROM THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
This term, the RST nursing team will be doing a physical check of height, weight and eyesight on all the students in the Prep School in accordance with the requirement from the Ministry of Education. If there are any issues that arise during the course of these checks, the nursing team will be in contact with parents directly.
LUNAR NEW YEAR
Lunar New Year is coming up on the 25th January. Students are welcome to come into School wearing traditional Chinese or Korean dress, or they can wear red or yellow clothes.
SOCS ACTIVITIES
You will not be able to make changes to activities after 19:00 on Tuesday. Please make any changes as soon as possible through SOCS before the deadline.
Dates for your Diary
14th JANUARY:
05:45-13:30 U11A Basketball v NIST (away)
08:30-16:15 U11B Basketball v NIST (away)
08:30-11:45 Saturday Enrichment Programme - A reminder that the sign-up opens on Tuesdays through SOCS
16th JANUARY: Deadline for the House Lego Competition
21st JANUARY:
07:00-15:30 U9 & U11 Futsal Tournament @NIST
09:15-13:00 U9,U11 & U13 RST Rugby Festival @RST
08:30-11:45 Saturday Enrichment Programme - A reminder that the sign-up opens on Tuesdays through SOCS
25th JANUARY: Lunar New Year
09:00-10:30 Parents are welcome to join us for a Lion Dance and other performances in the Webb Ellis Centre.
30th JANUARY: Monday School closed (EXEAT weekend)
House Lego Competition
Design Brief: Fantasy Castle Lego Competition
Objective: To create a unique, imaginative fantasy castle using Lego bricks.
Guidelines:
- Entries should be built entirely out of Lego bricks.
- Entries should be original designs and may not replicate existing castle models.
- Entries should incorporate elements of fantasy, such as mythical creatures, magic, or advanced technology.
- Entries may include figures, but they are not required.
- Entries should be no larger than 30cm (a standard ruler) in any direction.
Judging Criteria:
- Creativity: Based on the originality of the design, the innovative use of pieces, or the incorporation of unique building techniques that capture the theme.
- Attention to detail: Based on the accuracy of the model, the level of realism, or the overall polish of the finished product.
- Theme: Points are awarded for models that best fit the theme of "fantasy castle"
Good luck, and we can't wait to see your fantastic castle creations!
The deadline for entries is Monday 16th January
To enter, join the google classroom: https://classroom.google.com/c/NTgxMDM2MjA4NjM1?cjc=b7mebxa
Scan here to join the classroom
Flawsome Creators
The Flawsome Creators have been working hard to write not only one, but three, new editions to their student newsletter this week. As it grows in popularity, more and more students are taking ownership of their content. The team has chosen, written, edited and designed all parts of its newsletters and have covered stories such as ‘The World’s Deadliest Animals’, ‘Bees’ and the ‘Adventure, Explore, Survive course’.
Year 3s Crocodile Visit
To launch our new English unit, The Enormous Crocodile by Roald Dahl, Year 3 had a very special visitor on Monday morning… A one-year-old crocodile was brought by Ivy’s family so that the students could see one up close! The children were thrilled and some even braved touching it. We're just glad they brought a Not-So-Big-One and not an Enormous-Crocodile!
Thank you to Mr Beck for organising this visit!
Y7 & Y8 Maths and English Leaders Award
This term, we see the start of our Maths and English Leadership programmes. Students who signed up for this programme are being taught various leadership skills centred around our Learner Profile and they will eventually organise, plan and run prep sessions for our Year 3 and Year 4 students in Term 3. We are just starting our journey.
Pre-Prep News
Announcements and Reminders
LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS
Lunar New Year celebrations will take place on 25th January. Parents are invited to dress up and join us on this day. We will all head over to the Web Ellis Centre at 8:40 am where we will watch a Dragon Dance. After this we will return to Pre-Prep for some Chinese activities in our classrooms. Reception, Year 1 and 2 will also have a Chinese Wake and Shake with Miss Chloe.
SPORTS DAY
Sports Day is on the 27th January. Early Years classes (except Panda class) will take place at 9:00am and Key Stage 1 will take place at 1:30pm. More detail will be sent out shortly, but parents are invited to join us for these events too. This will take place on the Athletics field near the Webb Ellis Centre.
LIBRARY OPENING TIMES FOR PARENTS AND CHILDREN
Dates for Your Diary
16th JANUARY: Year 1 bikes or scooters to School – don't forget your helmet
18th JANUARY: Year 1 Parents coffee morning 8:30am
25th JANUARY: Lunar New Year celebrations
Please arrive on time at 8:30 am as we will be heading to the WEC around 8:40am.
27th JANUARY: Sports day
9am – EYFS 9am
1:30pm – Key Stage One
30th JANUARY: Monday School closed (EXEAT weekend)
1st FEBRUARY: Reception Parents Coffee Morning
STEAM Day
Pre-Prep participated in a STEAM Day on Tuesday, 10th January. Our theme was ‘Under the sea’. Students accessed hands-on activities that involved science, technology, engineering, art and maths.
Some of the activities included creating sea creatures with Lego, saving creatures out of a block of ice, creating an underwater environment in a jar, creating fish with foil and so many other exciting activities. The students had a great day filled with fun and educational activities that left them with a greater appreciation and understanding of the wonder of the sea.
Pre-Nursery Rabbits
This week in Rabbit Class, we have been working on our counting skills. In our 'Down in the Jungle' topic we met lots of monkeys so we sang one of our favourite songs to help us with our counting - 5 little monkeys bouncing on the bed.
The children were able to count the monkeys in and out of their beds but don't try this at home - Mama called the Doctor and the Doctor said - "No more monkey business bouncing on the bed!" Great counting Rabbit class!
Reception Giraffes
This week, the Giraffe class has been focusing on weight and using the language 'heavier' and 'lighter'.
Using the balance scales, the Giraffes were challenged to find two items. One light and a heavier item that could still be picked up and fit into the weighing bucket. Children then tested their items to find out if they were correct.
Year 2 Rhinos
Year 2 Rhinos had a great week at School this week: we made model vehicles for STEAM day that tied in with our transportation topic; we learnt about the soft 'g' sound in phonics and continued with division in maths; and we also started our new writing unit on 'persuasive writing'.
The children have also been excited to add more technology to our lessons by using laptops and bee-bots this week.
English Learning in the Year 2 Hedgehogs Class
This term the Year 2s are learning all about 'persuasive writing'.
Talk 4 Writing Hook activity: Something shocking happened in the Hedgehogs class this week. The crayons left! They left us a letter saying they had enough and would never return! The Hedgehogs discussed the reasons why the crayons could have for leaving:
- using them too much;
- not using some of them at all;
- breaking them;
- taking off their clothes;
- losing them so they get lost.
The Hedgehogs went to the Oval as Miss Wendy was sure she saw some of the crayons out there and luckily they found all of them!
They wrote them a 'persuasive letter' to make them come back to Hedgehogs class.
Y2 Bikes to School
Year 2 had a great week this week as they got to bring their bikes and scooters to School. The children enjoyed riding around the track with their friends, and followed the safety rules excellently.
Thai
Reception learnt about ผ and ฝ. They learnt the difference between ผ and ฝ and they can find and point to ผ and ฝ. Also, they can colour and circle ผ and ฝ.
Year 1 learnt about สระเอ and สระแอ. They learnt about sounds and words of สระเอ and สระแอ and how to match the words with pictures.
Year 2 non-Thai students learnt about fruits and matched pictures of different fruits.
Intensive English
In Mr. Roger's Intensive English Class this term's topic on transport allowed us to get imaginative in our Softplay session. The children really enjoyed making an aeroplane and a train!
The children also enjoyed a visit to the Prep playground and the opportunity to test out all its amazing equipment during the 'Exploring & English' activity:
Football at Playtime
Football has become increasingly popular in Years 1 and 2. We have moved our pitch, set up goals and now have staff designated to referee at playtime. (Although Miss Sarah's rules may be a little different to Mr Chris').
The children are not only developing their teamwork skills, but also their English as they call for the ball, discuss rules and argue with the dodgy decisions of the various referees!
Useful Links
Enrichment & Sport
DOMINO TOPPLING
KS1 students were introduced to the domino toppling game this week. The children were given dominos and wooden blocks to create a chain reaction. Over the next few weeks, they will learn domino techniques such as building domino walls, and creating circles and diamond patterns.
BASKETBALL AND FOOTBALL TOURNAMENTS
Saturday, 3rd December saw RST host the largest sporting event so far in our history. 75 football teams played in the Bangkok Youth Football Cup and Schools from across Thailand competed in the U11 FOBISIA Basketball Championships in the Webb Ellis Centre. Here are some videos of the teams in action:
Boarding Life
The Marshall House full boarders had a great first weekend back at School! They went biking around Wisdom Valley, learnt how to do Sudoku puzzles with Mr Dunn, visited the aquarium, and did some excellent community work in the form of a beach clean!
On Saturday night, freshly baked cookies and hot chocolate were exactly what the School House boys needed to help them unwind after a busy week:
Some Sixth Formers in School House, Grahame W, Pupa M and Tetsuo P, worked on creating a short film. What a fantastic way to spend a weekend in the boarding house!
Chess is very popular in School House. On Friday evening, there were battles on the board as the boys went head-to-head!
Sometimes there is nothing better than a moment with a pet. We are so fortunate to have two cats and two dogs to keep us company in our Senior Boarding Houses.
Sixth Formers took a well-earned break from exams, enjoying our new giant chess set:
Marshall House had some special visitors this week! Mr & Mrs Jones, who were the House Parents from 2018-2021, stopped in to say hello with their two little boys, Freddie and Hugo. It was great to see the Jones family on their way through Thailand, before they head home to Australia after their Christmas break.
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 Natalie Rees, Head of Business and Economics, Senior School and Boarding Tutor, Rupert Brooke:
Community Offers & Events
HOLIDAY INN- RST COMMUNITY DISCOUNTS
We’d like to thank our friends from the Holiday Inn, who are offering our RST Community preferential hotel rates and discounts in their restaurants for 2023:
WISDOM SWIM RACE PERFORMANCE COURSE
Wisdom Fit will host another Swim Race Performance Training Programme at the Webb Ellis Centre this term, and the RST community is invited to join!
Dates: 9th Jan – 29th Apr 2023 (excluding 6 Apr - 23 Apr)
Times: Mon – Fri at 6:00 - 8:00pm / Sat at 6:30-9:00 am
The programme has limited places (20 max.) and costs 20,000 THB for 4 months. Please scan the QR code if you would like to find out more or register.
