Term 1 – half term update from Secondary Principal

The first half term of this year has flown by and it is hard to believe that it was eight weeks ago that all the students returned to school after the summer holidays!

 

In Secondary, there has been an immense amount of learning and enrichment taking place, both in and outside the classrooms; with students demonstrating their academic knowledge with their creative and innovative independent home learning projects: ELOs and ILTs. Showcases of this type of work are in the process of being planned so that we can share the wonderful work produced by students with parents and guardians. Our enrichment activities through our comprehensive ECA programme are proving a huge success once again. Students are working on developing a range of skills and it has been thrilling to see students engaged in activities such as building their own guitars, cooking different types of food, developing their football skills and producing self-devised performance poetry to name but 4 of the 40 plus ECAs on offer.

 

The first half term has also seen the Bromsgrove basketball teams compete in 23 different fixtures and 2 tournaments in TISAC competitions. As in previous years our senior boys team has started very well but possibly our biggest success has been the introduction of primary basketball teams.

 

In a season that still has another 5 weeks to run, there are always a number of highlights and first half term has already had many. The highlight of the U13 girls’ season to date has to be the thrilling away win at Charter International School. Important intercepts and points by Sang Sang were vitally important to the team as has the emerging talent of Selina in Year 7 who made a number of important rebounds. The U13 boys’ team are a fast and athletic team who are improving with every game. The highlight of their season to date is definitely the 23-12 win away at Regents International School Bangkok. Both of the U13 teams are looking forward to their respective tournaments that take place on Saturday 11 November.

 

For the U15 boys, it has been a tough start to the season as they have had to compete against some of the bigger schools involved in TISAC. Their highlight was a nail-biting victory away at St Stephens’ International School, which had PE staff consulting TISAC rules and regulations. For the first time at TISAC U15 level, after a tie in normal time, the game had to go into overtime which BIST won thanks to two successful free-throws from Kong.

 

Our Senior Girls’ team has become a competitive force to be reckoned within TISAC this year. The highlight to date is definitely the final quarter performance against St Andrews 107. After a very even first 3 quarters, BIST took control in the final stanza with a dominant defensive display and counter attacking basketball. All 9 of the involved girls played a huge part in that victory with Estelle and Issa really shining.

 

Our Senior Boys are once again a strong team with a mix of boys from Years 11, 12 and 13 in the team. Having come a very impressive 3rd at the tournament, the team are yet to lose in the league. Their high point was a 99-39 victory over Singapore International School – one of the biggest ever seen in TISAC.

 

Our Student Leadership Team has also been finalised in the first half term and we are delighted with their work so far and their plans for future projects. Congratulations go to the following students:

 

Head Boy – Peter Park

Head Girl – Michelle Langner

Deputy Head Boy – Kevin Schurch

Deputy Head Girl – Anaïs Verny

 

Edwards

House Captains – Nicholas Stanig and Eunseol Seo

Deputy House Captain – Xindy Phumimuang

Taylor

House Captains – Karn Nuket and Farsai Sittichoksuwan

Deputy House Captain – Ben Park

Walters

House Captains – Kai Fred Tarrant and Nina Thomle

Deputy House Captain – Joon Ho Byun

 

House Spirit has been captured and maximised this half term and our first formal House Event took place on Friday 29th September, when the secondary school enjoyed the annual Trashion show in The Oriental Siam Performing Arts Centre. It was decided that this year, the event would have more meaning and each House would focus on the SDG’s. Each House had to make sure that their costumes and set pieces were made out of trash, rather than buying recyclable materials. Each house also had to produce an informative video which highlighted the SDG that they were campaigning about. The resulting shows were wonderful: informative and educational but, as ever with our students – ingenious and creative with the right amount of comedy! Congratulations to Walters House who were victorious on the day, with Taylor coming second and Edwards in third place.

 

In response to our SERVICE work last year, the students have been inspired more than ever to give back to Charity and we decided that each House would select a charity to raise money for throughout this academic year. In each House, form reps were invited to make a presentation in a recent House Assembly and the rest of the House voted. A wide range of charities were presented for the students’ consideration; both local to Bangkok and wider afield in Thailand.

 

Edwards House have selected The Mercy Centre, presented by Thomas in Year 12, which is a charity that supports members of the slum community in Klong Toei. Part of their operation is a shelter for children left without responsible adults to care for them. Their role within The Mercy Centre is to organise English language education for the children in its care through a network of volunteers.

 

Taylor House have voted for The Soi Dog Foundation, after a passionate presentation by Pom Pam in Year 10. The Soi Dog Foundation provide care, treatment and rescue for Soi Dogs across the Kingdom through a vast programme of veterinary and outreach works. They are also working towards ending the dog meat trade across South East Asia and look at rehoming dogs both nationally and globally.

 

Our highly contested House Point Competition is also well underway and I am pleased to report the standings at the end of this first half term:

• Walters 721
• Edwards 686
• Taylor 548

 

Many of our students have also been able to take part in Thai Cultural Trips this half term, with Years 8, 9 and 10 all taking part in day trips to various sites within the local vicinity. Students who study Chinese were also lucky to visit Chinatown for the Chinese Autumn Festival and learn about its associated traditions as well as the architecture of the area and taste some of the delicious food. There was also an opportunity for students to experience traditional games and activities linked to Korean Thanksgiving and it was superb to see so many students taking part in the lunchtime activities coordinated by our Korean Department. Our musicians were given a chance to shine on the local stage when they performed at the Living in Bangkok Fair hosted at Bumrungrad hospital; sharing their talents and skills with our Bangkok community.

 

I am looking forward with enthusiasm to the second half of the term which is filled with vital learning opportunities, celebrations of success and cultural events.

Ruth Young
Secondary Principal