Term 1 - 17 November 2023
Matters of Principal
Whole School
Announcements
NO SHAVE NOVEMBER
Embrace the scruff and join us for 'No Shave November'! Let those beards grow wild, and moustaches flourish - all for a good cause. It's not just about facial hair; it's a month of camaraderie, raising awareness, and supporting a great cause.
Donations will run from today until Thursday, 30th November, and all funds are being donated to the Mahavajiralongkorn Thanyaburi Hospital Foundation, a hospital that provides support to cancer sufferers at all stages of treatment. This cause is in honour of our late friend Mr Gareth Kelly, and teachers and Sixth Form students are taking part.
Are you ready to ditch the razor and let the facial fuzz take centre stage this November?
WINTER GALA TICKETS
Tickets for the Winter Gala will be available (free of charge) from the 'Box Office' at the Senior reception on the following dates:
23rd & 24th November - Pre-sale for performers families
27th November onwards - General release
Please note, there is limited availability for this concert.
RSTea NOW AVAILABLE AT SCRUMMY
We cultivate the food we serve! We trust that you'll relish the natural flavours of lemongrass RSTea, butterfly pea RSTea, and pandan leaf RSTea. You can find our offerings at Scrummy Cafe every week.
If you haven't experienced our RSTea, a Thai herbal tea, take a moment to savour it.
ODD SOCK DAY: MONDAY, 20th NOVEMBER
On Monday, 20th November it is Odd Sock Day. This is to mark Anti-Bullying Week. Please wear your odd socks proudly this coming Monday. Together, we can call out bullying.
Please support our anti-bullying pledge at RST.
THE MARSHALL HOUSE CHARITY POP-UP SHOP
Throughout this term, the boarders in Marshall House have been working in teams to create products to sell for charity. Under the guidance of our lovely gappies, Miss Buckley and Miss Mansfield, each team has brainstormed ideas, ordered materials and spent evenings crafting in the house.
You can see the fruits (or rather, sweet treats and mini gifts) of their labours at their pop-up shop in the Prep entrance on Friday, 1st December, from 3.30pm. All proceeds will go to Take Care Kids... so please come, spend and make their wonderful work worthwhile!
2023 COBIS ART COMPETITION
The 2023 COBIS art competition has finished, and we are delighted to announce our winners!
The 'A Future To Be Proud Of' theme was a great starting point for our creatives of all ages and the standards of entries across the School were very high. We have sent our winning artworks from each key stage to be judged against schools from around the world, and we are waiting with our fingers crossed for the results.
In the meantime, enjoy our winners and some highly commended pieces.
- Key Stage 1 Winner: Casper (Y1)
- Key Stage 2 Winner: Rhea (Y3)
- Key Stage 3 Winner: Ivy (Y8)
- Key Stage 4 Winner: Olya
- Key Stage 5 Winner: Jia
Casper - KS1 Winner
Rhea - KS2 Winner
Ivy - KS3 Winner
Olya - KS4 Winner
Jia - KS5 winner
CHRISTMAS FAIR RAFFLE TICKETS
Christmas Fair raffle tickets will be on sale next week. There are lots of amazing prizes to win, including an iPhone 15 and 5* hotel stays, so buy your tickets before the event to make sure you have a chance of winning!
You will be able to buy the tickets on the following days and times:
Pre-Prep Entrance
Wednesday, 22nd November (4-5.15pm)
Thursday, 23rd November (8-8.45am)
Tuesday, 28th November (3-3.45pm)
Prep Entrance
Thursday, 23rd November (4-5.35pm)
Friday, 24th November (3-4.00pm)
Monday, 27th November (4-5.35pm)
Wednesday, 29th November (4-5.00 pm)
Thursday, 30th November (4-5.35pm)
Tickets will also be available to buy on the day of the fair at the beginning of the event.
Our vendor spaces are now full, however, the RSTPA are still looking for additional sponsorship and raffle donations!
Please contact the team if you can support this wonderful event: christmasfair@rugbyschool.ac.th
Reminders
20th NOVEMBER:
08:15-10:30: RSTPA Cooking Class: Germany
Highlight of the Week
SENIOR/PREP INTER-SCHOOL DEBATE
Twelve students from Senior and Prep competed against Tara Pattana and St Andrews Green Valley last Monday at RST. We welcomed both schools back as part of our 'triangular tournament' with a rotation of host schools each term.
Our debaters navigated a range of motions from tourism to plant-based diets and ethical conflict.
Team B (Ming Jun, Melon and Andrey) and Team C (Sieun, Nadia and Alice) fought a good fight, winning one of two each. Team A (Don, Ethan and Elliot) reached the final and narrowly lost to St Andrews Green Valley; they tackled a very challenging motion with open-mindedness, collaboration and verbal dexterity.
We look forward to travelling to Tara Pattana for the next instalment!
Senior
Reminders
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
5th December is a public holiday in Thailand and there will not be any School on this day. Term 1 will finish at 4pm on Friday, 8th December.
RUGBY SCHOOL GROUP POETRY COMPETITION 2023
“Golden Shovels”
Calling all RST students and staff! The Rugby School Group Poetry Competition 2023 is now open (Thailand, Japan & UK).
What is a golden shovel poem? A golden shovel poem borrows a line from an existing poem or song and uses each word from that line as the last word of each line in a new poem.
More information on the competition, with examples of poems, can be found on the Virtual Notice Board at seniorstudents.rugbyschool.ac.th
Please submit your work by Friday, 1st December 2023 at poetry@rugbyschool.ac.th
The submitted works will be judged internally and externally, and prizes will be awarded for:
- Best poem in F, E and D Block
- Best poem in LXX – XX
- Best staff poem
- House with the most submissions
- Each participant will earn a Try
BLOOD BROTHERS
There are only a few seats on each night available, please collect your tickets asap.
Highlights of the Week
STUDY SKILLS WORKSHOPS
Elevate Education recently visited RST to run a series of study skills workshops with our F block and LXX students. Elevate is an independent research and workshop company, which presents research-backed skills to encourage students to use their study time efficiently.
In a lively interactive session entitled Study Skills Kickstart, F block students learned how to use dynamic reading, write efficient study notes and memorise them. The LXX learned how to manage time effectively in a session which covered study timetables, how to prioritise high-value work, and how to beat procrastination. An extra session, Ace Your Exams, gave the LXX hints and tips on how to prepare for exams.
The Elevate presenter described our students as ‘an amazingly driven group that brought energy and curiosity to each session.’
If you would like to learn more about how to support your child’s study skills, please use the QR code to access Elevate Education’s parent guidebook.
E-BLOCK RESIDENTIAL
Thank you to the lovely students from Rupert Brooke who wrote the following summary of their residential:
The Art Activity
In an art activity, we had to work together with someone to create a landscape piece based on views we saw in the artist's garden. It was a great opportunity for us as beginner artists to talk and work with a professional, which everyone enjoyed very much.
Yoga
During the E-Block residential we did yoga. It consisted of 3 parts: meditation, breathing and flow yoga poses. It was very relaxing and after some relatively difficult yoga poses, we relaxed whilst the instructor spoke in a soothing voice. It was very therapeutic.
Beach Clean-up
The beach clean-up was an interesting experience. Although it was extremely hot, we all had fun helping each other clean up the beach.
Beach Games
Hopefully, you're able to see the enthusiasm in these pictures. We took part in a session of beach volleyball and beach Olympics. We had to form a team of 6 and practise and devise a plan to win 7 points in a match against another team before they do. We also had to work together to form various shapes with our bodies.
Some teams had cheers and chants for their group, which made it all the more enjoyable for the referees. It was definitely one of the most enjoyable activities.
Prep
Announcements
PREP SCHOOL END OF TERM CHRISTMAS CONCERT
You are invited to come and listen to the students creating music together in an afternoon concert of ensemble performances.
This concert features the Prep ensembles, including wind, percussion, guitar, brass, Years 3-5 choir, Years 6-8 choir, string orchestra, prep orchestra, and rock bands.
The event will take place on Thursday, 30th November in the Veraphan Theatre.
Doors open at 4:20pm and the concert should conclude by 5:30pm.
READING RECORD BOOK
All students in Years 3-6 have a hardcopy Reading Record book. This is an important document. Students keep a record of their daily reading, and teachers comment on reading targets and ‘next steps for learning’.
Parental involvement is welcome, and students are encouraged to document their home reading as well. However, it is important that Reading Records come to School everyday so that teachers can use them in lessons.
Thank you for your support in ensuring that your child brings it back to School.
Reminders
PREP MAD CHRISTMAS GIFT COLLECTION
In the lead up to Christmas, we will hold a Christmas Gift Collection to support local children in need. We are working in partnership with 58:12 United, a local charity that runs weekly children’s groups in Pattaya. We hope that this activity will create a sense of community and giving in Prep this Christmas.
Dates for your Diary
18th NOVEMBER:
- BISA U11 Boys Basketball @STA
- BISA U11 Girls Basketball @Bangkok Prep
- BISA U9 Basketball @King's
- 09:00: U13 Football v Pattaya Inter FC
- 08:45-10:00 Session 1 of the Saturday Enrichment Programme (SEP) - Sign-up on SOCS
- 10:15-11:45 Session 2 SEP
20th NOVEMBER
- ESAC U9 Football
- Odd Sock Day
This is to mark Anti-Bullying Week. Please wear your odd socks proudly this coming Monday. Together we can call out bullying. Support our anti-bullying pledge at RST.
- 08:15-10:30: RSTPA Cooking Class: Germany
21st NOVEMBER: 15:00-17:45: Year 8 Parent Teaching Meetings in the Senior Dining Hall
22nd NOVEMBER: ESAC U13 Basketball
23rd NOVEMBER: 14:40-15:55: Year 6 Moana Performance to Parents: Cast A
24th NOVEMBER:
08:15-09:00: Anti-Bullying Parent Forum in the Veraphan Theatre
14:15-15:25: Year 6 Moana Performance to Parents: Cast B
Highlights of the Week
MINI-BUSINESS EXPO
Last Friday's event, the Mini-Business Expo for young creative marketers, was a great success!
We teamed up with the Junior Chefs, Bracelet Making, Creative Scrapbooking, Doodling, and Clay Modelling activities. Mrs. VK contributed by donating aloe vera plants for a touch of green. Thanks to our amazing partners, we didn't spend any money as all the products were donated. The marketeers showcased their skills through videos and posters, managing the booths like professionals.
The result? We earned a fantastic 8,020THB, all set to be donated to our chosen charity. This builds on the success of our Kidpreneurs from last term, where they donated 11,000THB. Cheers to creativity, collaboration, and making a positive impact!
Pre-Prep
Announcements
COME AND MEET OUR PRE-PREP SCHOOL COUNCIL TEAM!
After a busy campaign and election process, we have now voted for our 10 School Council members this year. A huge congratulations to Baatyr, Data, Baiyoke, Melody, Anna, Jin, Sirjan, Alisa, Sean and Yun.
Using their Teamwork Tiger skills, this year's team is already planning ways to raise money for different charities, improve playtime equipment, and introduce new foods to their snacks. We look forward to seeing their hard work and determination pay off.
Reminders
LOY KRATHONG CELEBRATION
Our Loy Krathong celebration this year will take place on Tuesday, 28th November. The theme this year is about Phaya Naka or Lord of Nāga.
In Thai beliefs, Nagas are considered the patrons of water and are believed to live in either water or in caves.
Please click on the link below for more information on the day's schedule:
END OF TERM
We finish School on 8thDecember at 3:15pm.
ODD SOCK DAY
On 20th November, we will be celebrating Odd Sock Day at School, where the children can wear an odd pair of socks to celebrate our differences, and friendships. We will also focus on friendships at School.
We aim to inspire children to make a positive impact on the lives of others, particularly those different from our community at RST. Specifically, we want to support children who lack basic essentials like shoes or socks.
We invite Pre-Prep children to contribute by donating a pair of their gently-used shoes from home. These donated shoes will be given to children in Pattaya who currently lack proper footwear. Instead of monetary donations, we kindly ask for the donation of shoes to support those in need. A collection box will be placed outside the reception area on 20th November for your contributions.
Please see the poster attached for more details. Also scan the QR code to watch our Odd Sock day video:
Dates for Your Diary
20th NOVEMBER: Odd Sock Day
We will celebrate friendship and that we are all different, and that is ok. Wear your odd socks to School!
21st NOVEMBER: Parent Workshop- MONSTER PHONICS 8:30am
24th NOVEMBER: 9am - Year 1 Play - parents invited to Fe Fi Fo Fun a Jack and the Beanstalk Pantomime
28th NOVEMBER: Loy Krathong Celebrations
4th DECEMBER: Father's Day Breakfast
Highlights of the Week
Diwali
Pre-Prep enjoyed learning about, and celebrating, Diwali on Friday 10th November. The children took part in Diwali crafts, created beautiful art and learnt about why, and how, Diwali is celebrated around the world.
Happy Diwali to all of you who celebrated it!
Year 2
Year 2 children have enjoyed another action packed week. We have been using bee-bots and laptops to help with our topic lessons, creating actions and story maps for our persuasive writing unit, and doing lots and lots of addition and subtraction in maths!
MANDARIN:
In Year 2 Mandarin, students have been working hard in learning the basic greetings, as well as the Chinese Phonetic Alphabet, Hanyu Pinyin. We had fun learning the vowels and consonants through hands-on activities, games, sing-along and many other activities.
TALK FOR WRITING
Year 2 had a very important meeting this week with Mr. Grindlay. As part of the hook for their current Talk for Writing unit on persuasion, they were called to an emergency meeting by Ms. Sarah to inform them that all the trees in the School were to be cut down!
The children then had to plan and write a letter to Mr. Grindlay to persuade him to change his mind. They also decided to ask teachers and other children in Pre-prep to sign their letter.
Yesterday, some of the children got to go to the boardroom to present their reasons to Mr. Grindlay.
Useful Links
Sport
RUGBY
Over the exeat weekend, the U12, U14, and U16 teams RST rugby players enthusiastically participated in the Bangkok Helios 10s rugby tournament.
The U12 team demonstrated remarkable progress, securing a 4th place finish in their age group and taking pride in their accomplishments.
The U14 team performed exceptionally well, delivering powerful tackles in the face of tough competition. Despite a challenging final against a formidable New Zealand team, the U14 players claimed a commendable 2nd place finish.
The U16 team embraced a significant learning experience, building confidence and achieving a respectable 8th place finish in their age group.
A heartfelt thank you to all the players and coaches who contributed to this weekend's success. RST truly showed up, and the rugby community flourished. What a fantastic weekend filled with memorable rugby moments!
RSTeam Spotlight
Get to know a little better our dedicated team of teachers and support staff who make our School great, by learning more about them and their roles.
This week we focus on Napattra Pansuwan (PA to the COO):
Social Media and More
Keep up to date with all that's happening at RST, through these dedicated channels:
Instagram
RST
Boarding
Sport
Performing Arts