Term 2 - 2 February 2024
Matters of Principal
Whole School
Announcements
MATILDA THE MUSICAL
Exclusive RST Discount Offer for 'Matilda The Musical' Tickets during Half Term for Students, Families, and Staff. The offer is valid from 21st February – 3rd March 2024. Kindly fill out the Google form to express your interest, and Mr. Furness will contact you with available dates and prices for this limited-time offer.
Additional information about the production, which will be held at Bangkok Muang Thai Ratchadalai Theatre, and the trailer can be viewed here.
WISDOM FIT UPDATE
Introducing our new Gym Manager
We are excited to introduce Khun Somyot, our talented, new Gym Manager, who is here to improve your fitness journey.
He has 20 years of experience and is a Certified Personal Trainer, Muay Thai Coach, and a Weight Training Coach
Your opinion matters
Scan the QR code on this poster or click the link to take part in our satisfaction Survey and get a chance to WIN a FREE Personal Training session! We're offering 10 exclusive prizes. Your feedback is important, just like your fitness success.
Complete the survey today for an opportunity to enhance your workouts with personalised training. Let's work towards your fitness goals together!
Reminders
AIR QUALITY MONITORING
A reminder that the School monitor the air quality every day and classrooms are all equipped with stand-alone or built-in air purifiers. The School uses Air Visual monitors on site and the Air Visual App which gives real-time readings from the monitors and shows readings for other monitors nearby. We follow the below procedures:
WISDOM ACADAMY FOOTBALL CLUB
RST PARENT SURVEY
Now that we have Term 2 up and running, I would like to survey all parents as to how they feel about the School and what, educationally, we can do to improve. I am very grateful to you for the number of surveys and Google Forms you fill out for us, but it is important to know your thoughts, and we really do value your feedback. It is only by learning and listening that we can improve and make RST as good as it can be.
This is a very short form, but please do complete it by clicking "HERE" and the deadline for submission is Friday, 16th February at the start of the half-term break.
The Teepsuwans and I will then make a time to give feedback to you from this survey and to answer questions and concerns from any of you wishing to attend.
Bruce Grindlay
Principal
5th FEBRUARY: RSTPA Cooking Class – China (08:15-10:30)
We have a maximum of 24 places, so if you are interested, please reserve your place via QR code / irbis2002@bk.ru / Line: Helen Cool / 0907694661.
There will be a small fee of 300THB per session to cover the costs of ingredients, and you will need to bring some empty containers to take your food away.
Senior
Announcements
Reminders
STUDY LEAVE
A letter has been sent to parents of students in D Block, LXX, and XX detailing the dates for study leave.
SAT PREPARATION AT RST
A reminder that RST offers both English and Mathematics SAT preparation sessions as an activity for students in D Block and above. Sign-up is made via SOCS.
The PSAT (practice SAT) will be offered in March to D Block and LXX students. Registration is here. Spaces are almost full, but registration has been extended until 6 February.
The SAT is a college admissions exam widely accepted in the United States and other global universities and a requirement for entry to many Thai universities. Rugby School Thailand is a registered SAT test centre. A guide to SATs can be found here.
UNIVERSITY LECTURE SERIES
In collaboration with the University of the West of England, Bristol (UWE), RST is delighted to announce a series of university taster lectures designed to provide students with a unique opportunity to explore diverse subjects and gain insight into potential academic and career paths.
The taster lectures will cover a variety of topics, including Robotics/Mechatronics, Forensic Science, and Digital Marketing, delivered by UWE academic staff. These sessions go beyond traditional academic boundaries, offering students a glimpse into the exciting and rapidly evolving fields shaping the 21st-century workforce.
Enrichment opportunities, such as these lectures, play a crucial role in fostering student engagement and curiosity beyond the classroom. By delving into these subjects, students can develop a deeper understanding of their interests and aspirations, essential for success in highly competitive global university applications.
The taster lectures will not only expose students to new and exciting subjects, but also highlight the essential skills required for success in 21st-century careers.
To participate in these sessions, students are encouraged to register via the individual links provided for each lecture.
Highlight of the Week
3RD YEAR ROTC STUDENTS FIELD TRAINING
In a remarkable achievement, 10 RST 3rd-year RorDor (ROTC) students have successfully completed their Army field training at Chonburi Military Centre No.14. This momentous accomplishment not only underscores their dedication to personal growth but also showcases the discipline, resilience, and leadership skills instilled during their rigorous training. We extend our congratulations to these students on reaching this significant milestone and wish them continued success in all their future endeavours.
Furthermore, we are thrilled to share that one of our outstanding students received recognition for achieving one of the top three highest scores in shooting. This exceptional accomplishment highlights not only individual excellence but also the high standard of training and commitment within our student community.
Congratulations to all the students who excelled in their Army training. Your hard work and dedication are truly commendable, and we look forward to witnessing your continued success in the future.
Prep
Announcements
LUNAR NEW YEAR
On Friday, 9th February, we will celebrate Lunar New Year at the Webb Ellis Centre. Parents are very welcome to join us for both the Lion Dance and the performances.
13:45 Parents arrive
13:50 Lion Dance
14:20 Various performances by Prep School students.
14:50 Students will return to their classrooms
15:30 Pick-up
We would like all our students to come into School on this day in traditional Chinese or Korean costumes, or in the colours yellow or red. For our snacks and lunch, we will also be sampling some typical Chinese food. It should be a fun and cultural day for all and please look out for our photos on social media.
If you have any questions about our celebrations, please do not hesitate to contact: lyushan@rugbyschool.ac.th
YEAR 5 AND 6 ART EXHIBITION
Next Thursday and Friday we will open our Year 5 and 6 exhibition of their project based on Japanese art. The project features work based on Palow, a Japanese sci-fi and fantasy illustrator, as well as traditional ink landscape paintings.
The exhibition will be outside the Veraphan theatre and available to view at normal collection times, from 4 pm on Thursday, 8th February and from 3.30 pm on Friday, 9th February.
We would love to see you there!
Reminders
MUSIC RECITAL
Wednesday, 7th February will be the first Music Recital of the term with over 40 students showcasing their talents on a variety of instruments. If your child is thinking of learning an instrument, these recitals are a great opportunity to come along and see their peers perform.
The recitals will run in two venues: Music Room C2344, on the third floor and the Veraphan Theatre on the ground floor.
If your child is performing, please see the list below for their venue. The children will go straight to their performance venue at 4:00pm and will therefore miss their normal co-curricular activity that afternoon.
Dates for your Diary
3rd FEBRUARY
- 08:45-10:15: Saturday Enrichment Programme (SEP) Session 1
- 10:30-11:45: Saturday Enrichment Programme (SEP) Session 2
Please sign up on SOCS. Meeting place is the entrance of the Senior Building (Setti Metha)
- ESAC U13/U15 Football @STA
- U11 Football @Bangkok Patana
5th FEBRUARY
- 08:15-10:30: RSTPA Cooking Class - China
- U11 Basketball v ISE (away)
- U13 Football v ISE (away)
6th FEBRUARY: U9 & U11 GIS Swim Meet
7th FEBRUARY:
- 16:30-17:30: Prep Music Recital in the Veraphan Theatre
- U13 Volleyball @RST
8th FEBRUARY: 16:00-18:00: Year 5 & 6 Art Exhibition
9th FEBRUARY: 15:30-17:30: Year 5 & 6 Art Exhibition
10th FEBRUARY:
- 08:45-10:15: Saturday Enrichment Programme (SEP) Session 1
- 10:30-11:45: Saturday Enrichment Programme (SEP) Session 2
Please sign up on SOCS. Meeting place is the entrance of the Senior Building (Setti Metha)
- U13 Football v Pattaya Academy
- U13 BISA Volleyball Tournament
Highlights of the Week
YEAR 8 SPANISH TRIP
Recently, some of our Year 8 students embarked on a flavourful adventure at local Mexican restaurant, Taco House. They savoured diverse dishes, worked on their Spanish skills by navigating menu items, and successfully tackled real-life scenarios like requesting drinks and utensils. They learnt to talk about flavours, likes and dislikes and ventured into different types of spices. A delightful blend of culture, language, and delicious memories!
YEAR 8 THAI CULTURE TRIP
Year 8 students in the Thai programme embarked on a Thai culture trip to the Historical Park in Ayutthaya province, on Thursday January 25th 2024. The students explored Wat Chai Wattanaram and Wat Phra Sri Sanphet, linked to their currently learned historical literature, 'บุพเพสันนิวาส,' where they study Thai history during the Ayutthaya period. This journey allowed the students to explore Ayutthaya and establish a direct connection to their cultural and historical roots, enabling them to appreciate the significance of Ayutthaya as a former capital and its role in shaping Thai identity. Additionally, students gained a deeper understanding of the efforts put into preserving Ayutthaya's historical sites, instilling a sense of responsibility among them to protect and conserve their cultural heritage. Lastly, learning about the conservation efforts in Ayutthaya fostered a sense of environmental responsibility, encouraging students to value and protect natural and cultural resources, aligning with our Learner Profile of being Globally-minded.
วันพฤหัสบดีที่ 25 มกราคม พ.ศ. 2567 นักเรียนไทยระดับชั้นเยียร์ 8 เดินทางไปทัศนศึกษาที่อุทยานประวัติศาสตร์พระนครศรีอยุธยา เพื่อเยี่ยมชมวัดไชยวัฒนารามและวัดพระศรีสรรเพชญ์ ซึ่งเป็นส่วนหนึ่งของบทเรียนวรรณกรรมอิงประวัติศาสตร์เรื่อง “บุพเพสันนิวาส” ที่นักเรียนกำลังเรียนอยู่ในภาคเรียนนี้
การเดินทางเพื่อเยี่ยมชมสถานที่สำคัญทางประวัติศาสตร์ช่วยให้นักเรียนตระหนักถึงความเป็นมาของชาติไทยและความสำคัญของอยุธยาในฐานะที่เป็นเมืองหลวงเดิมและเป็นที่วางรากฐานความเป็นไทย อีกทั้งยังสร้างความเข้าใจที่ลึกซึ้งเกี่ยวกับการอนุรักษ์สถานที่ท่องเที่ยวทางประวัติศาสตร์ เสริมสร้างความรับผิดชอบและความภาคภูมิใจในฐานะพลเมืองที่ดีของไทย เพื่อธำรงรักษาไว้ซึ่งมรดกทางประวัติศาสตร์และวัฒนธรรม
นอกจากนี้การเรียนรู้ประวัติศาสตร์ยังส่งเสริมให้นักเรียนเห็นคุณค่าของการดูแลรักษาสถานที่ที่เป็นมรดกทางวัฒนธรรมและทรัพยากรธรรมชาติ ซึ่งสอดคล้องกับคุณลักษณะอันพึงประสงค์ของโรงเรียน (Learner Profile) คือ เป็นผู้ที่มีความใส่ใจต่อความหลากหลายทางวัฒนธรรมและความเปลี่ยนแปลงของโลก (Globally-minded)
Pre-Prep
Announcements
HEAD’S APPRAISAL
Mrs Sarah Shuttleworth is now in her seventh year of Headship here at RST and we would like to conduct a 360 degree appraisal of her in this role. This will entail gathering thoughts and feelings from you as parents, the Pre-Prep staff, and students. Mrs Sarah Shuttleworth will fill out a self-appraisal and reflections form and then we will pull all these together to create a constructive and useful document.
The google form (link here) is anonymous, but please do try and be constructive and honest in your responses.
If you could complete the form by the end of February, that would be hugely appreciated.
MAD JUNIOR BAKE SALE
The MAD Juniors raised an incredible 15,625THB at their first bake sale of the year last week. The Hand 2 Hand Foundation will use the funds earnt to provide School supplies for their 100+ sponsored students. We are delighted to make a difference in the lives of children who attend school just like us, and who now have pencils, rubbers, and rulers to use.
Thank you to all the parents who contributed by donating baked treats to sell, helped set up, and even helped us sell when the maths became tough! Without you, none of this would be possible.
STAFFING UPDATE
Miss Ae is leaving the Rhino class and RST after this week and is taking time to further her study. We say a big thank you to Miss Ae for all she has done with us at RST. Good luck in your future. We will be welcoming a new TA to Rhino class shortly.
Reminders
HALF-TERM
Our half-term holiday is from Monday, 19th February until Monday, 26th February. The first day back will be Tuesday 27th February.
LUNAR NEW YEAR
On Friday, 9th February we will celebrate the Lunar new Year at Pre-Prep between 8:35 and 9:20am. Parents are welcome to come dressed up and join in the event with us in The Oval. We will have a couple of performances from parents as well as the children.
Dates for Your Diary
5th FEBRUARY: Year 2 Bike to School - please bring a named helmet - scooters welcome
6th FEBRUARY: Parent Workshop- Fine and gross motor skills 8:30am
7th FEBRUARY: RSTPA Meeting with SMT 8:30am
8th FEBRUARY: Parents' Evening - NO ACTIVITY PROGRAMME TODAY - Parentss evening runs from 3pm to 6pm.
9th FEBRUARY: Lunar New Year celebrations in The Oval from 8:35 am. Parents are welcome to wear special dress too, or red or gold coloured clothing.
12th FEBRUARY: Year 1 Bike to School- please bring a named helmet -scooters welcome
Highlights of the Week
SPORTS DAY
Pre-Prep celebrated a wonderful Sports Day last week. Sports Day took place over two days, with Y2 (featured last week) on the first day and Pre-Nursery, Nursery, Y1, and Reception on the second. The children were all excited to finally participate in the activities they had been practising for so long! The parents were also invited, and it was wonderful to see so much support for our children on Sports Day.
Both days began with a lot of excitement, some nerves, but mostly smiles and energy all round. The activities were similar across all year groups, with older children facing greater challenges and younger children facing fewer.
Dress-up races, egg and spoon races, high jump, shot put, and bike racing were some of everyone's favourites. At the end of each sports day, there were exciting races in which the children could demonstrate their speed and resilience as their parents cheered from the sidelines.
Thank you to everyone who came to watch our children and enjoyed the day with us.
Pre-Nursery & Nursery
Reception & Year 1
YEAR 1
This term's topic has been all about toys! We started off the topic with a hunt to find our missing toys. Since then, we have been exploring the materials that our favourite toys are made from and their properties. Together we collected data on the most and least popular materials that our toys are made from and followed algorithms to draw toys.
We have also gone back in time learning about toys from the past, making comparisons as we play games and make our own toys, and discovering new vocabulary: past, present, similar, and different.
During art, we have learnt about the German inventor Gutenberg and the history of print, becoming Creative Chameleons to create our own artwork using toys and stencils to make vibrant prints.
Useful Links
Enrichment & Sport
Enrichment
MUAYTHAI
Our Muay Thai class is already making waves with students fully immersed in the dynamic world of martial arts. The energy in each session is excellent, and we're thrilled to witness our students embracing the discipline and fitness benefits that Muay Thai offers.
Under the guidance of our professional instructor, the class has become a space where students not only learn self-defence techniques but also develop essential life skills such as focus, perseverance, and teamwork.
TEACHING ENGLISH ACTIVITY
In Senior, we are thrilled to introduce a new enrichment opportunity focused on cultural exchange. A dedicated group of 8 senior students has embarked on a meaningful journey to a local Thai school in Pattaya, where they are passionately teaching English to a diverse group of Thai students. Their inaugural visit last week was a resounding success, filled with laughter, fun, and joy as they connected with enthusiastic and happy children. Stay tuned for more heartwarming updates as our students continue to make a positive impact on young lives through education and cultural connection!
ADVENTURE EXPLORE SURVIVE (AES) ACTIVITY
The AES Activity has been very busy this term with many familiar faces joining us again to advance their bushcraft skills. Or maybe it's the toasted S'mores....
Year 3-4
Our younger AES students have started the term learning the fundamentals of bushcraft starting with building shelters. Set in an authentic forest clearing the students worked in small groups to build their shelters. The older Year 4 students showed great leadership qualities as they helped the younger students with some of the tricky construction steps.
Year 5-6
Taking the basics a step further, our Year 5-6 students learned how to erect more complicated shelters and developed their fire lighting and campfire building. The students also practised their camp cooking skills on gas stoves and, as a treat, had S'mores toasted over campfires!
Year 7-8
Our Advanced AES students were challenged to erect larger and even more complicated shelters and they had great success with their advanced camp cooking.
ECO-GARDEN AND ZERO WASTE ACTIVITY
We extend our sincere gratitude to Mr. and Mrs. Wimmer for their generous donation of wood palettes for our eco garden. Thanks to their support, we've successfully constructed a new shelter for our gardener and a designated storage space for materials. Special appreciation goes to Kevin and Patrick for their inspirational commitment to eco gardening and promoting sustainability at RST.
The senior Eco Garden activities have been bustling this week with the involvement of four teams.
One team worked diligently to relocate and organise the extension area, setting up new compost bins and beds for our garden, including the mushroom house planing.
The second team planted a variety of new vegetables, such as eggplants, tomatoes, kates, sweet chard, lettuce, and fruit trees. Another group took on the initiative to recycle and minimise plastic usage across the campus, led by Kevin and Patrick.
Lastly, the fourth team crafted menus using produce from our garden, resulting in delightful dishes like Somtum and Moo thod with fresh herbs. Our culinary creations were complemented by the delicious blended RSTea made from pandan and butterfly pea.
Thank you so much to Khun Mong for her time demonstrating in the Somtum section.
Excitingly, we are anticipating the launch of new eco-garden products that will further enhance our sustainable initiatives.
Stay tuned for more updates, and feel free to join us in making our eco garden flourish!
Sport
CHIANG MAI INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (CMIS) BASKETBALL INVITATIONAL
The U18 boys' and girls' basketball teams had the opportunity to go to Chiang Mai for the CMIS Basketball Invitational. RST students had an incredible time at the tournament, which included 10 international schools from across Japan, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Thailand.
The RST teams represented the School well by displaying great sportsmanship and teamwork. Despite multiple injuries, the boys' team managed a respectable 5th place, while the girls' team proved once again to be a force to be reckoned with by taking home a trophy and earning 2nd place.
The 3-day tournament gave RST students plenty of time to build team camaraderie as well as the opportunity to meet and socialise with students from other schools across Asia.
Overall, it was a fantastic experience for our teams. Thank you to Chiang Mai International School for hosting us!
Social Media and More
Keep up to date with all that's happening at RST, through these dedicated channels:
Instagram: