Rugby School Thailand eNewsletter

Matters of Principal

Whole School

Announcements

RICE CHALLENGE
Drumroll please......

Congratulations to the Seniors for collecting the most rice for our annual Rice Challenge! They collected a total of 3, 877kg of rice!

Congratulations also to Pre-Prep for collecting 1, 231kg of rice, and Prep for collecting 828kg of rice. In total, RST collected 5, 936kg of rice! This is the equivalent of approximately 226, 651THB, more than we collected last year!

A big thank you to all of RST for participating in this big fundraising event, Hand 2 Hand are thrilled with all the donations and they have already started to distrubute the rice to other charities, orphanages and people living in the slums. Our rice really is making a difference.

Thank you to everyone who participated in buying, collecting and sharing rice. Lots of people in our community, and within Thailand, will be fed. We can feel proud!

Thank you,
RST MAD Team

If you would like to join our next cooking classes, they are as follows:

7^th May – Korean
4^th June – Japanese

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.

Highlights of the Week

SONGKRAN CELEBRATIONS
At the end of last term, RST embraced the spirit of Songkran with a vibrant celebration of Thai culture. Students and staff joined together in traditional Thai attire, enjoying activities like water splashing and traditional dances. The event not only showcased the rich traditions of Thailand but also fostered a sense of unity and cultural appreciation within our School community.

Announcements

NON UNIFORM DAY – Tuesday, 30^th April
The theme for the day is 'Sports Jumpers/Tops'. The outgoing Levée have chosen the Karunyawet Home for Disabled Women to donate all the funds to. RSTMAD have supported this worthy charity in previous years and you can find more information about them on their website.

AUSTRALIA UNIVERSITY VIRTUAL FAIR
Hosted by One Education, we are delighted to inform you about the forthcoming Australia University University Virtual Fair

Headlining the event is a seminar featuring Professor Chang, renowned for his thought-provoking insights into labour market trends. Professor Chang will share how leveraging employer preferences data can illuminate undergraduate choices, offering a fresh perspective on career paths. With multiple breakout rooms available, participants can navigate between university booths and our seminar hall, engaging in one-on-one discussions with representatives from top Australian institutions.

Seminar - "Careers and Employability in a Post-Pandemic AI-Driven World"
The world is changing rapidly, and in an AI-driven world, many jobs of the 20th Century will not exist by 2025 and the remaining industries will see massive changes according to a Gartner Report. In addition, new positions have also arisen in the last 5-10 years that have taken over as the most lucrative jobs around the world. The post-pandemic world brings new careers, opportunities and challenges for students and graduates. Such changes have direct impacts on the future jobs of graduates, no matter which industry they want to be a part of. How do we prepare students for such a future?

Join this session to get ahead of the game; learn how students at the University of Melbourne might thrive in the future, through engaging with the opportunities offered by them.

Bio - Dr Shanton Chang (PhD)
Dr Chang is a Professor of Information Behaviour and Information Systems at the School of Computing and Information Systems, The University of Melbourne, and Associate Dean (International) at the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology. He has extensive experience in understanding people's information needs and behaviours in society, business and health. Shanton works closely with the University’s industry partners to understand the skills that employers expect from graduates; he's also published papers on the behaviours of international students.

Please note pre-registration is required and the event zoom link will be sent via email a few days before the event date.

WEBINAR: GETTING YOUR US STUDENT VISA – 2^nd MAY (3:30PM)
The AMCHAM Education Committee is hosting a webinar entitled, "Getting Your U.S. Student Visa," in partnership with the US Embassy at 3:30pm on 2^nd May.

This event is open to all students and parents who are interested in learning more about the US education visa process.

There will be a 30-minute presentation followed by a Q&A session. Anyone who is interested in attending can sign up at this link.

STUDY IN JAPAN - Online Japanese College Fair: 21^st – 23^rd May
Japan stands at the forefront of global education, offering a myriad of programmes designed to welcome international students.

From English-taught programmes and courses exclusively in English to flexible admission in the fall and generous scholarship opportunities,

Japanese universities are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment for students from around the globe.

This online fair proudly features 14 distinguished universities that are eager to open their doors to international talent.

This fair serves as an unparalleled platform for students to explore their academic futures, engage with university representatives, and learn more about the unique opportunities available to them in Japan.

Why Attend?
- Discover comprehensive programmes tailored for international students, including the "English Admission System" and "English Only Courses."
- Learn about "Fall Admission" processes and scholarship opportunities designed to support your academic journey.
- Engage directly with representatives from 14 leading Japanese universities.
- Equip yourself with all the information needed to make informed decisions about your higher education prospects in Japan.

Full details of the event and participating institutions can be found on the flyer below. Please note that timings are shown in US West Coast time (PDT)

Highlights of the Week

27^th RAMAPANITHARN MEDICAL CAMP: STUDENT FEEDBACK
I recently participated in the Ramapanitharn medical camp for three days, gaining valuable insights into the life of a medical student. Out of over 3,200 registrants, only 144 were selected, and I was fortunate to be among them. Attending the 27th Ramapanitharn was a privilege, and I am grateful for the opportunity to partake in this longstanding tradition. This experience enhanced my skills in teamwork, empathy, communication, and leadership.

During the camp, I had hands-on experience in various medical procedures, including CPR and assisting choking victims of all ages. I also practised suturing stitches and using traditional blood pressure monitors.

Moreover, I learned about the significance of research projects at Ramathobodi Medical School. The institution emphasises the importance of research, encouraging students to innovate and explore beyond the standard curriculum. Engaging in research allows one to pose unique questions and develop experiments or innovations to address them, fostering innovation and expanding knowledge beyond the classroom.

Announcements

TRANSITION MEETINGS

NEW TEACHERS
We are delighted to welcome three new teachers to RST this week. Find out more about them below.

Peter Monaghan - 6J (covering for Mrs Johnson in English)
pmonaghan@rugbyschool.ac.th
A self-confessed bookworm, Peter was described by his secondary school’s librarian as her best customer! Peter has had a love of English ever since and graduated from Lancaster University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature. Peter gained his Postgraduate Certificate in Education from the University of London and spent fifteen consecutive years teaching at an outstanding London secondary school, where he worked in a variety of different roles, including Head of English and Assistant Headteacher and Head of Sixth Form. Peter is passionate about English teaching and seeing his students fulfil their potential, both inside and outside of the classroom. Peter enjoys sport and the great outdoors, and he loves to travel and experience different cultures.

Emily Davies - 8F (covering for Mrs Furness in Drama)
edavies@rugbyschool.ac.th
Emily is thrilled to join the RST community as Head of Drama for the upcoming year. After graduating with an undergraduate degree in Theatre, she worked professionally in England and Australia before completing her teacher training. She has since taught drama for over a decade in schools in the UK and internationally, and she recently completed a Masters in Education. She is passionate about the transformative power of drama in enabling students to develop key life skills such as collaboration, communication, creativity, and confidence. Emily is excited to get to know your children in the weekly lessons and while preparing for upcoming productions. She can't wait to begin this new chapter and looks forward to meeting you all throughout the year.

Leslie Hough - 4F (covering for Mrs Fogden in Year 4)
lhough@rugbyschool.ac.th
After graduating from the Univeristy of Leeds, Leslie Hough has now been a primary teacher for 10 years, working in a variety of locations, from the Peak District to London in the UK and even in China. He has a range of experience across Key Stage 2 and has been the Numeracy and English Lead in his previous schools. He is an avid reader and always open to any book suggestions, so please feel free to share. Leslie is also a keen football and basketball fan, although he is quite happy watching almost all sports. He is excited about this new opportunity and is looking forward to meeting you all.

In addition to these new teachers, Mrs Pool will temporarily take over the Head of Year 4 role until Mrs Fogden returns in December.

MR & MRS FOGDEN BABY NEWS
Congratulations to Mr and Mrs Fogden who welcomed Posie to the family during the Songkran break. Mother and baby are doing very well.

TERM 3 PREP MUSIC RECITAL WEDNESDAY, 15^th MAY
This is the last week for you to be able to register your child for the final 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 practice 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 below.

Registrations will close on Friday, 3^rd May.

Reminders

RSTPA PREP REPRESENTATIVES
Please find an information sheet about our RSTPA Prep Reps. New parents, please join your year Line group.

PREP PARENT HANDBOOK
A reminder that all the information you need about our Prep School can be found in the Prep Parent Handbook. This has been recently updated with our new staff members

PREP EARTH DAY 2024
On Tuesday, 30^th April, Prep will celebrate the important occasion of Earth Day. We encourage all students to wear green clothes and bring a 100THB donation. The aim of this day is to raise awareness for environmental challenges and fundraise for Thai Environmental Charities. The money will be donated to Trash Hero and

มูลนิธินิเวศวิถี EcoThailand Foundation.
Please find more information about these worthy causes by using the links. The Prep MAD team appreciates the support.

HOUSE PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION 2024
This year’s House Photography Competition is linked with the FOBISIA photography competition.

The theme is “Technology; The future vs the past. How has technology progressed over time?"

When: 3^rd April – 17^th May 2024
Who: Year 3 – Year 8

Dates for your Diary

27^th APRIL:
- 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)
- Girls Football @STA BKK - CANCELLED due to heat
- Lightning Swim Meet @RST
- U13 BISA Football Tournament - CANCELLED due to heat
- U9 & U11 BISA Netball Tournament @Shrewsbury City Campus

30^th APRIL:
- Golf ISGT
- Non-Uniform Day (wear green for Earth Day - 100TH to go towards our School charities)
- U13 Badminton v TPIS (Away) - CANCELLED

4^th – 6^th MAY: School Closed for Exeat

7^th MAY:
- School Resumes
- RSTPA Cooking Class

Highlights of the Week

YEAR 7 LEADERSHIP DAY
Year 7 Leadership Day was an inspiring showcase of teamwork and innovation! Our students embarked on a journey of growth as they delved into team-building activities, explored diverse communities, and tackled global issues with passion and determination. From planning presentations on pressing global matters to presenting them in a spirited House Competition, each student showcased their collaborative spirit, effective communication, resilience, adaptability, and reflective thinking. It was a day filled with learning, fun, and leadership, setting a strong foundation for our future leaders.

Pre-Prep

Announcements

TEDDY BEAR PICNIC
The Pre-Prep (Pre-Nursery to Year 2) are having a Teddy Bears’ Picnic Day on Tuesday, 30^th April. We would like all children (and teachers) to wear pyjamas (with shoes!) to School and to bring a favourite teddy bear. The teddy can be a cuddly of any animal type - it doesn’t have to just be a teddy bear. Please ensure this is named.

Please click on the link below for more information:

Teddy Bear Picnic

BIKE TO SCHOOL
Y2 bike to School has been CANCELLED due to the heat. If it stays this hot, we will also cancel Year 1 the week after.

CREATIVE CHAMELEONS
This week has been a Creative Chameleon week in Pre-Prep as we celebrated ART of all types. The annual Art competition results will be announced next week. We hope that parents enjoyed the interactive art around The Oval. Here is our latest Creative Chameleon video!

Reminders

LOST PROPERTY
Please check the lost property as we have many items not named. If you need items naming please come to the office.

Dates for Your Diary

30^th APRIL:
Teddy Bears Picnic Day (non-uniform day)
Wear pyjamas and bring your soft toy/teddy (donations of 100THB for charity - not compulsary)

Parent Workshop- EYFS MATHS (for Pre-Nursery/Nursery and Reception only) 8:30-9:00am.

1^st MAY: Pre-Prep Parent Reps meet with SMT 8:30am

6^th MAY: Exeat- School closed

8^th MAY: 8:00am-8:45am - Come and See (join your child in their classroom to see what they have been learning)

10^th MAY: Ducks and Sharks class assembly- 8:40am- open to parents

Highlights of the Week

ART WEEK
This week, we celebrated Art week, with a theme of 'Amazing Colours' in Pre-Prep. The children designed beautiful art pieces in their classrooms while learning new techniques. We had a whole Pre-Prep Wake and Shake session themed 'colourful scarves' and KS1 went to the OEC where they made colourful art as well.

What a fabulous celebration of Art!

OEC Art - Year 2

Year 1 were Creative Chameleons at the Outdoor Education Centre for Art Week. They made detailed models using air dry clay, made vibrant nature spray paintings and explored bubbles to make colourful artwork.