Term 1 - 30 August 2024

Matters of Principal

Whole School

WELCOME BACK
Welcome back to School. We look forward to an enriching and successful term ahead.

NO NUT POLICY
Due to our "no nut" policy, we will no longer be able to provide almond milk. Instead, we will provide unsweetened oat or soy milk as alternatives.

WEBSITE TRANSLATIONS
Our website now has full Thai, Korean and Chinese translation options to help more of our families easily access the information there. On the website, you can find everything from School calendars and term dates, to weekly menus, our blog, curriculum guides and the parent portal. 

CAMPUS UPDATES
During the summer break, there have been various updates within the School, as we continue to cherish and improve our wonderful campus. This has included standardised signage, a new School Shop uniform photo shoot and some beautiful greenery in the Senior Dining Hall - amongst many other small but important improvements.

ADMISSIONS
A note that we are full in many year groups, so if any friends or siblings would like to join us in 2025, please contact admissions@rugbyschool.ac.th as soon as possible.

SOCIAL MEDIA
For daily updates on School life and the array of activities across the campus, follow our social media channels. In addition to the main RST accounts, we also have IG accounts to showcase boarding life, sports and performing arts. Explore our social media here.

RSTPA COOKING CLASSES
We're delighted that our popular RSTPA Cooking Classes will take place again this term. The first one will be:

• Greece
• Monday 9th September
• 08:15-10.30
• Food Tech Room, Veraphan Building (Prep School)

There will be a small fee of 300 THB per session to cover the costs of ingredients and you will need to bring some empty containers to take your food away. We have a maximum of 24 places, so if you are interested please reserve your place scan the QR or contact: irbis2002@bk.ru / Line: Helen Cool / 0907694661. 

WISDOM FIT MEMBERSHIPS
Kick off the new term by rewarding yourself with a healthier, stronger body! 

Wisdom Fit Gym Membership Promotion:

• Existing Members - Renew your membership for only 15,000 THB (down from 18,000 THB)
• Sign Up as a Pair - Get an extra 10% OFF!
• Non-Members: Enjoy FREE classes throughout September!
• New Parents: Visit the gym and get 7 days free trial + a chance to win a FREE Personal Training Session and 1 month free membership!

Come and check us out on 2nd Floor, Webb Ellis Sport Centre.
DM us on Line: WisdomFit / @wisdomfit

HEALTHY GAMING
One of the main focuses of our digital ethos is to train your children in good device habits. Many of our parent workshops often focus on screen time and digital behaviour. To extend this further, RST has now partnered with Healthy Gaming who, for a cost of 8,000 THB (including a money-back guarantee) offer a science-backed restorative course to help anyone who may be suffering from device addiction. This can include any form of device use from gaming, to social media and beyond.

If you feel that any member of your family may benefit from this service, please email Mr Burkhill rburkhill@rugbyschool.ac.th who can talk over your options in more details. Please note that the school does not take any commission for this service.

RSTPA CHARITY GOLF DAY
On Sunday 29^th September, the Parents Association is hosting their annual RSTPA Charity Golf Day at Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club. It promises to be a brilliant day, with prizes and a raffle to be won. You can register as a team of four, or as an individual (individuals will be placed in a team nearer the time).

To register, please scan the QR code below or click here.

IGCSE & A LEVEL RESULTS
It's been another fantastic year of results for our IGCSE and A Level students. Congratulations to our students who have received exam results this month - we're very proud of you all. Some highlights are below:

Senior

WELCOME BACK
Please see the start of term letter from Mr Groves, our Head of Senior School. 

PSAT 
In October, RST is offering students the opportunity to take the PracticeSAT (PSAT). We have one last opportunity to register additional students. Please fill in this form by Friday, 6^th September to reserve a spot for your child on their preferred testing date. Students will then have their place confirmed and parents will need to pay by QR code via the image on the form. If your child is thinking about attending a US, Thai or Korean university, the PSAT is a first step. Many Thai and Korean universities require the SAT as part of their admissions requirements; subsequently taking the PSAT will be of great benefit to them. For more information about the PSAT visit psat.org

The PSAT is being offered to RST students on an opt-in basis, and will cost 700 THB. There will be two testing sessions: Thursday 3^rd October (8:15 - 11am) Tuesday 8^th October (1:30pm-4pm).  

E BLOCK PARENT REPS
We are looking for an E Block parent to join the RSTPA and be the parent rep. Please email the Head of Senior, Mr Groves if you are interested: rgroves@rugbyschool.ac.th 

KEY DATES
Please find a document of important dates for this School year. Our SOCs calendar will also be useful for checking events throughout the year to ensure you remain up to date.  

SUNDAY 22nd SEPTEMBER: UNIVERSITY FAIR
Save the date for the Global University Fair on Saturday 22nd September in Pattaya. RST is a partner for the event, which is fantastic for Sixth Form students looking to learn more about future pathways by meeting different universities and hearing more about their courses.

ALUMNI EVENT IN PATTAYA
Last week, we hosted an inaugural RST alumni event at Sea of Love, Pattaya. The venue's stunning position overlooking the beach offered a relaxed atmosphere for this intimate gathering of around 50 people. Every Sixth Form cohort was represented, from the first graduating Class of 2020 to our most recent Class of 2024 graduates. The alumni were joined by Mr Grindlay, Senior Management and the Sixth Form team. We look forward to hosting more alumni events in the future.

OPPIDAN EDUCATION
To enhance readiness for the Sixth Form, work towards developing oracy, and build on character strengths, our LXX participated in a fantastic three-hour mentoring training workshop, where they learned about all the attributes required to mentor and be mentored. They also had the opportunity for a 1:1 mentoring session during the first week of term. We are the first school in Thailand to have partnered with Oppidan Education to provide these sessions and a team of specialist mentors and trainers have joined us in person from the UK.

Prep

RSTPA REPS
Please find a list of our Prep RSTPA Reps with the QR codes for each year group. A reminder too of our expectations when communicating on Line. The groups should be professional, supportive and relevant to all.

NEW NURSES
This academic year, we are pleased to welcome two new nurses to the Prep School and Boarding.

Patcharanan Chotinanpichai (Nurse Patty) is our new Prep Nurse. She graduated from Khon Kaen Nursing College and has worked in various hospitals across Thailand for 29 years, primarily in the OPD, ER, Delivery Room, and Nursery. In addition to her role as a staff nurse, she also worked in health promotion within the hospital. After this extensive hospital experience, Nurse Patty decided to shift her focus to school nursing, spending a year at Regent’s International School before joining us.

Mia Hyacinth Salvo (Nurse Mia) is our new School Nurse and On-Call Boarding Nurse. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Adventist University of the Philippines and is currently pursuing her Master's Degree in Psychology at the same institution. Before coming to Thailand, she worked as a staff nurse in the Surgical Unit at Asian Hospital and Medical Center in the Philippines. In Bangkok, she has served as a School Nurse at the Australian International School and the Thai-Singapore International School, where she cared for Pre-Prep and Prep students. Her diverse experience will be a great asset to our School.

Please join us in welcoming Nurse Patty and Nurse Mia to the team! You can reach our nurses by sending an email to nurse@rugbyschool.ac.th

COFFEE MORNINGS
Our coffee mornings will continue this year. Below is a poster for the first presentation and meeting that will be hosted by Mr Howell.

INSTRUMENTAL OPPORTUNITIES PROGRAMME
Research shows that learning a musical instrument can improve academic achievement, increase attention span and enhance language acquisition, amongst other things. That's why Mr Cain and the Prep music department have introduced the Instrumental Opportunities Programme, which gives your child a chance to have a go at playing different instruments and, hopefully, fall in love with learning to play one!

Register here to attend the discovery session on 10th September: https://tinyurl.com/4ma92f7c

Or click to find out more: https://tinyurl.com/2p9khkz3

START TIMES
A reminder that students should be in School by 08:00. Gates open at 07:50. This allows time for notices and reading.

STATIONERY
All students are required to bring their own equipment and stationery to school. Please click here to find the list of items that they need.

PARENT HANDBOOK
You can find the updated Prep Parent Handbook here. Please pay attention to page 14 & 15, where it outlines our dress and appearance expectations.

KEY DATES
Please find a document of important dates for Term 1. Our SOCS calendar will also be useful for checking events throughout the year to ensure you remain up to date. 

31st AUGUST: Saturday Enrichment and Sport Programme (please check SOCS)

2nd SEPTEMBER: Year 8 Outdoor Education Centre Morning

5th SEPTEMBER: Year 9 Outdoor Education Centre Morning

7th SEPTEMBER: Saturday Enrichment and Sport Programme (please check SOCS)

INSPIRING STUDENTS TO READ
It is lovely to see the Prep School Library full of life after the summer break. This week the teachers have been prioritising getting books into the hands of every student, as we continue our mission to foster a love of reading in all. 

Here are some of Year 6 on the first day of School, choosing books to read during their English lesson.

NEW CLIMBING ACTIVITY
This term we have an exciting new activity on offer. Our climbing activity on Tuesdays will teach students a fun and sociable skill that builds strength and flexibility, as well as the capacity to solve complex problems. In their first session this week, our climbers took part in an introductory  'learn to climb' lesson, which will lead to belay climbing in due course.

The activity is open to Year 7 upwards and it's not too late to join! You have until Tuesday 3rd September to sign up.

Pre-Prep

WELCOME BACK
It has been lovely to welcome Pre-Prep back to School this week, as well as our new families that have joined. Please read the start of term letter from Miss Sarah, the Head of Pre-Prep and information about our RSTPA REPS for this year.

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BIG TALK & LITTLE TALK
We are changing the style of our workshops this year and moving to the following:

BIG TALK - where parents come to listen or see a presentation.

LITTLE TALK - where parents come and discuss issues, ask questions and get involved with the topics.

Our first BIG TALK is for new EYFS parents to learn about Tapestry and how we use Tapestry at School. This will take place on Friday, 6th September at 8:30am.

Our first LITTLE TALK will be held on Wednesday, 25th September and is for KS1 to learn how to make their child's devices safe. This is interactive and you can bring your child's devices in for our team to make safe!

PRE-PREP HANDBOOK
Please find below the updated Pre-Prep Parent Handbook. 

AFTER SCHOOL CARE
If you need to arrange After School Care, please register and sign up here. 

2nd SEPTEMBER: Year 2 Curriculum Meeting. 08:30am in the classrooms - Parents to meet the teachers and learn about the curriculum

2nd SEPTEMBER: Activity Season 1 starts

3rd SEPTEMBER: Year 1 Curriculum Meeting. 08:30am in the classrooms - Parents to meet the teachers and learn about the curriculum 

4th SEPTEMBER: Reception Curriculum Meeting. 08:30am in the classrooms - Parents to meet the teachers and learn about the curriculum 

6th SEPTEMBER: Tapestry Workshop for new parents in Pre-Nursery, Nursery or Reception only

9th SEPTEMBER: Year 2 Bring your bikes (and helmets ) to school week

Boarding Life

MARSHALL HOUSE
Marshall House has welcomed 20 new boarders this term, so there have been lots of community-building activities to help everyone get to know each other!

On Tuesday evening Mrs Douglas and Mrs VK did some fun problem-solving games in the DT studios and on Wednesday the Stokers and Fouries organised an extravaganza of ice-breakers in the CGA, including a quiz, a TikTok dance challenge, a balloon race and a paper plane contest, amongst other things. It's been great to see the old boarders welcome new friends so warmly.

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RUPERT BROOKE
We have been delighted to see our boarders back this week. Everyone in RB joins a family when they arrive with a mix of big sisters and little sisters to help our new boarders to settle in. This week they have enjoyed breakfasts together and our first 'family challenge' where each group had to work together to make a stylish outfit, along with accessories out of only bin bags! 

Social Media and More

Keep up to date with all that's happening at RST via our social media channels and our website blog section.