On the 10th of October we had the absolute pleasure of welcoming back the incredibly talented and award-winning British writer, director, and actor, Daniel Foley*, to our school. 

Daniel Foley conducted a series of acting workshops for our Year 7 to 9 students, and it was an experience like no other. Our students had the opportunity to dive deep into the world of acting and gain valuable insights from a true industry professional.

Here's a glimpse of what the workshops covered:

1.  Acting: Students had the chance to explore concentration, short scene work, and an exercise in building stage confidence. Daniel's guidance helped them harness their creativity and express themselves through the art of acting.

2.  Voice: This session was perfect for anyone looking to enhance their voice, resonance, and projection. Our students learned exercises to make their voices truly resonate and captivate their audience.

3.  Movement: From centring and posture to neutral man, slow motion, group tableau, and rhythm tempo, the movement workshop was a whirlwind of physical expression and grace.

A huge thank you to Daniel Foley for inspiring our young talents and instilling a love for the performing arts. 

*Daniel Foley trained for the stage at The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama where he won The Percival Steeds Prize and Royal Lyceum Awards. With Performance Exchange, Daniel has appeared in more than a hundred stage productions in thirty-seven countries. He’s appeared at The European Arts Festival Berlin, The London International Festival of Theatre, The Shakespeare Festival Cologne, The Seoul Shakespeare Festival, The Edinburgh Fringe Festival and many more. He has directed more than fifty productions, ranging from the classics to stage works by modern writers and in 1982 and 1983 he won awards for Best Director.

Lines, cameras... action!

This month saw the RBIS English Department relaunch the exciting, energetic - and sometimes even contentious and controversial - topics as our students delved deep (and dug even deeper into their inner psyche) to produce some fantastic and fascinating slam poetry. This time the mission was to pit pupils against one another and their houses within a schoolwide contest which contained the added twist (and perhaps less performance pressure) of being recorded via selfie video.

Risking it all

Mr. Henderson and Ms. Reid were absolutely delighted to see so many performers take the plunge and put everything on the line for both their own self-esteem AND for the added rewards of both house points and a top 3 podium medal within three categories;  EAL at KS3, KS3 and KS4-5 .  Whilst our budding poets in Years 7 to 9 were allowed to choose any topic, Years 10 to 13 were required to choose a serious debate issue within which to integrate their lines and bars. 

The beauty of the slam poem format is that the competition genuinely allows contestants to actualise their freedom of speech  as they introduce topics that are close to the heart... and which they can get off their chest.  More poignantly, it was endearing to see so many students develop confidence with both their vocal and English intonation ability, as well as developing positive body language with their eyes and gestures very visible on screen. A superb presentation of English skills and every participant should be most proud of their efforts and achievements for this year's event. Each and every contestant will rightfully be awarded house points as a winner and our staff will be voting for the main winners so please do look out for the final results next month. 

Mathematics

Making shapes using the tangram puzzle is an excellent STEM activity.  The tangram was first invented in China thousands of years ago. It gained more popularity when it got introduced in European countries. In ancient times, tangrams were made from wood or glass. Solving tangrams helps develop the understanding of 2D shapes, spatial reasoning, problem-solving, visual perception, and geometry skills. Our year 7 and year 8 students enjoyed the challenges that they encountered, some were quite difficult, while working through the STEM activity.  

Field Trip to the National Science Museum  

As part of STEM Week, our Year 8 and Year 9 students embarked on a thrilling Biology school trip to the National Science Museum in Pathum Thani. They delved into interactive exhibits on human anatomy, genetics, and ecosystems, bringing the world of biology to life.

The trip also raised awareness about biodiversity and conservation.

It was a day of discovery, education, and inspiration, all within the context of STEM Week's celebration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics!

Sustainable City Design

During STEM week, students embarked on an eco-conscious adventure, designing and constructing sustainable green cities using recycled materials (from our well stocked recycling corner - thank you Mr. Reed!). Their innovative creations showcased renewable energy sources, green spaces, and waste reduction strategies. With enthusiasm and dedication, students later presented their eco-cities to the entire school, inspiring a future generation committed to a greener, more sustainable world. 

Stop Motion Videos  

Our students were challenged to create stop motion videos and boy did they deliver. Equipped with a smartphone and some props, they set out to create these spectacular projects. Enjoy their work here!

Escape Room

Did someone say ESCAPE ROOM? Yes, please! We set up our very own science themed escape room and treasure hunt for students. The competition was fierce - students had to solve puzzles, unlock secret codes, run from room to room and find other ways to beat the clock. Congratulations to Emery, Bianca, Jenny, Nammon, La Yaung and Ping Ping on winning first place and solving the clues in a record shattering 29 minutes!

Computer-aided design with TinkerCAD

Tinkercad, a web-based computer-aided design (CAD) software, plays a pivotal role in STEM education by offering students and enthusiasts a user-friendly platform to develop their design and 3D modeling skills. Through Tinkercad, key stage 5 pupils at RBIS, were able to model and create their own 3D models, design prototypes, while gaining hands-on experience in engineering and design principles. 

Egg drop challenge

The egg drop challenge proved to be an engaging and enlightening STEM activity that brought together students from Key Stage 3 and Key Stages 4 and 5, creating an environment where creativity and science converged. Participants were tasked with constructing protective devices for a raw egg, aiming to prevent it from breaking when dropped from varying heights. The challenge not only encouraged teamwork and innovation but also provided a practical application for physics and engineering principles. One thing was certain..... the designs that worked were all parachute based!

Robotics with Lego league

Participating in a robotics program like the LEGO League has proven to be a transformative and educational experience for our students. By dividing the groups of Year 9 and 10 into different roles such as robot designers, programmers, project managers, and more, we've created a dynamic learning environment that mirrors real-world engineering and problem-solving scenarios. Through this multifaceted approach, students not only get hands-on experience in building and programming robots but also develop essential teamwork and leadership skills. The LEGO League emphasizes a holistic understanding of robotics, encouraging students to think critically, design efficiently, and work collaboratively, all while solving complex challenges. This program has been instrumental in igniting a passion for STEM fields and equipping our students with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the ever-evolving world of technology and innovation.

RBIS is proud to announce our official partnership with HASSE, also known as The Houston Association for Space and Science Education (https://www.thehasse.org/). By joining forces with the HASSE organization, we aim to provide many exciting opportunities for our students.

Our first lesson with HASSE was held as part of STEM Week and focused on "Life on the International Space Station". During their time on the ISS, astronauts conduct experiments, perform maintenance tasks, and engage in a minimum of two hours daily to exercise. This exciting session was led by a NASA scientist who delivered a one hour lesson and answered students' questions. Our thanks to Peter Lee, Caleb Bennett and the team at HASSE, as well as our friends at NASA for delivering the session. 

Stay tuned for the next installment coming up in Term 2!

4 houses

The RBIS Houses are designed to embody the values and ethos of our school and are an integral part of our school community.

Our Houses' main aim is to provide every student in each house with a sense of belonging within the school community, opportunities to develop social, intellectual, physical and practical skills, a sense of achievement both inside and outside of the classroom including through the fun and excitement of inter-house competitions.

Students are assigned to one of our four Houses when they join the EY, Primary or Secondary sections of the school; entering a system which is designed to develop an awareness of individual and collective responsibility and opportunities for student leadership. Each house has two designated elected House Captains  (Primary and Secondary) who will act as representatives for all the students in their house throughout the year by: helping coordinate house teams, organise activities and events and represent their house at relevant meetings.

The school's badminton house tournament finals were a thrilling spectacle, showcasing the extraordinary talent and sportsmanship of the students. In the Key Stage 3 category, Benjamin, a determined Year 9 student representing Unicorn, faced off against Pune, a skillful Year 8 competitor representing House Dragon. The match was a nail-biter, with both players displaying remarkable agility and precision. In the end, Pune emerged as the champion of Key Stage 3, proving his prowess on the badminton court and earning well-deserved accolades for House Dragon.

In the Upper School division, the intensity reached new heights as Son, a Year 10 student representing House Lion, squared off against Peam, his fellow Year 10 from the same house. The game was a captivating clash filled with tension, as both players pushed their limits to secure victory. Ultimately, Son demonstrated exceptional skills and resilience, emerging as the champion for the upper school and bringing glory to House Lion. As the grand finale unfolded, Son from Year 10 faced Pune, the young sensation from Year 8. The battle was fierce, but Son's experience and determination prevailed, making him the overall champion of the tournament, amidst cheers and applause from his house and fellow students.

The RBIS chess tournament at the school is still ongoing between the four competing houses – Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix, and Lion.

Each house has fielded their best chess players with teachers also joining the battle for supremacy. Competitors have been meticulously plotting their moves, with every pawn, knight, and queen's gambit carrying the hopes of their respective houses. 

The round-robin format of the tournament ensures that each house competes against the others, making every match crucial in the quest for ultimate victory. But which house will prevail?  Can house Phoenix hold onto their dominant performance and superlative winning streak?

Sketchbook / Journaling (Mr Sein)

In our exciting sketchbook and journaling ECA (Extracurricular Activity) this month, our young talents have been exploring their creative sides by writing and sketching on a diverse range of weekly topics. From reliving the adventures of "A Day at School" to depicting the coziness of "My Home," savoring the flavors of "Food," experiencing the magic of "The Rainy Season Weather," and jet-setting their imaginations to "Traveling and Vacation" destinations, our students have been on an artistic journey like no other. They've been encouraged to express their thoughts and feelings through words and visuals, adding their unique touch to each topic. The creativity is flowing, and our budding writers and artists are making every page a canvas of inspiration and innovation. We're looking forward to seeing their remarkable creations!