Secondary Newsletter

Greetings from the Head of Secondary

Dear RBIS Community,

As we release this October newsletter on Halloween, I’d like to wish everyone a fantastic day of fun and festivities! I hope you all enjoyed a refreshing midterm break earlier this month, spending quality time with family and friends. October has been an eventful month, filled with memorable moments that have brought our community closer together.

Sports Day, held on Friday, the 25th of October, was a highlight for us all. Gathering at the Bangkok Youth Center (Thai-Japanese Stadium), the entire RBIS community came together to celebrate athleticism, teamwork, and house spirit. Students from Early Years to Year 13 participated with enthusiasm in a range of competitions, from track events to engaging team challenges. With house colours on full display, the sense of camaraderie was evident. It was fantastic to see parents joining in the excitement, cheering alongside the students, and creating such a vibrant atmosphere. A huge thank you to our staff, students, and families who made the day such a success!

October also saw us hosting our Secondary Open Days. We had the pleasure of welcoming prospective families into our community, giving them a firsthand experience of life at RBIS. The sessions, held on October 21st, 22nd, and 24th, included an informative session, open lessons, a campus tour, and a lunch in the canteen. Thank you to everyone who contributed to showing what makes our school a wonderful place to learn and grow.

Our learning programme continues to broaden as well. This month, students participated in the HASSE/NASA distance learning session, “Newton Knew: The Laws of Physics,” which offered an engaging dive into the principles of physics. Additionally, we welcomed representatives from Norwich University of the Arts (UK), Hotel and Tourism Management Institute Switzerland, and Reading University (UK) for insightful sessions with our students, exploring their future academic and career options.

We also had our first online parent workshop, focusing on motivation and ways to support our students at home. Following the release of the first reports, parents and students participated in student-led conferences, where families met with teachers to discuss academic progress, social growth, and behaviour.

Our community service efforts have continued to make an impact, with donations this month going to the Minuri Cat Shelter, clothing to Second Chance Bangkok, and recyclables to Previous Plastic Bangkok. These activities reflect our commitment to fostering a spirit of giving and environmental responsibility in our students.

As we look ahead, please check our events calendar to stay informed on upcoming school activities. Thank you for your ongoing support and engagement .

Tom De Smet
Head of Secondary

Table of Contents

Sports Day 2024

On Friday the 25th of October, the entire RBIS community gathered at the Bangkok Youth Center (Thai-Japanese Stadium) for our annual Sports Day. It was a fantastic event that showcased the school's spirit, teamwork, and enthusiasm. Students from Early Years to Year 13 participated in a variety of exciting competitions, from classic track events to friendly team challenges, each highlighting the importance of athleticism and camaraderie. The house colours were out in full force, with students proudly wearing their house shirts and cheering on their peers. Parents were warmly welcomed to join in the fun, creating a lively and supportive atmosphere. A big thank you to everyone who helped make the day a success, from the dedicated staff to the enthusiastic students and families. We look forward to more spirited competitions in the future!

Secondary Open Days

In October, we hosted our Secondary Open Days, welcoming prospective families to experience the vibrant community at RBIS. Held on Monday, October 21st, Tuesday, October 22nd, and Thursday, October 24th, the events were designed to give an in-depth look into daily life at our school. Parents were invited to tailor their visit through a Google form, selecting from activities such as an informative session led by our Head of Secondary, a student-led campus tour, open lessons across a range of subjects, and a school lunch in our canteen. The sessions allowed prospective families to engage with our students, teachers, and community, providing them with a meaningful introduction to the RBIS experience.

HASSE/NASA distance learning session: Newton Knew: The Laws of Physics

On Wednesday, 30th October, our students had the exciting opportunity to participate in a long-distance learning presentation hosted by HASSE Space School. Led by a NASA employee based in Houston, USA, the session explored Newton's Laws of Motion, bringing physics principles to life. The interactive Zoom presentation included live demonstrations related to Newton's laws, a closer look at rockets, and videos of astronauts from the International Space Station speaking directly to RBIS students. Our curious learners were also able to ask questions, deepening their understanding of space science and sparking interest in NASA programmes.

Universities visiting RBIS

This term, our Year 12 and Year 13 students had the privilege of welcoming representatives from prestigious universities in the UK, starting with Eddie Ho from Norwich University of the Arts. Eddie engaged our students with an insightful presentation about the wide range of creative courses available, including fashion, graphic design, and architecture. His visit sparked lively discussions about the exciting career opportunities in the creative industries, and many students appreciated the chance to learn more about the university’s hands-on learning approach.

We were also visited by Amanda Shaw from the Hotel and Tourism Management Institute Switzerland, one of the leading institutions in hospitality education. Amanda highlighted the global career possibilities in the tourism and hospitality sector, emphasising the importance of having an international experience. As an IELTS examiner, she also shared invaluable tips with our students on preparing for their IELTS exams, ensuring they are well-equipped for their future IELTS tests.

Ms Shu from Reading University rounded off the visits with a detailed presentation on the wide variety of programs offered at Reading, particularly in business, law, and social sciences. Her talk provided helpful advice on university admissions, academic life, and the exciting opportunities awaiting students at Reading. These university visits offered our students essential guidance and inspiration as they begin to plan their higher education pathways.

Poetry slam competition

EXPRESS YOURSELVES!

The preparations for this year's RBIS Poetry Slam are well underway as our students draft out the fun and serious messages they wish to convey... PLUS the angst and issues they want to get off their chest... AND the awesome and inspiring imagery that is part and parcel of a Slam Poetry contest!

The guideline for this year's entry is to make a VOICE RECORDING that will be part of either a video or slide/poster presentation.

There is NO NEED to show your face unless you want to (which is still a strong entry)

Students can pick their own themes and message but they MUST INCLUDE 2 keywords from the Round-Square "discovery framework"

All presentations should be submitted by Wednesday 6th November.

Winners will be announced next Friday 8th November.

Year 7-9, EAL & SEN, Year 10-13 categories - 1st: 8 HP 2nd: 6 HP 3rd: 4 HP

GOOD LUCK EVERYBODY

Online workshop for parents: motivation

7th of October, 2024 Motivation workshop: Mindset Theory, Praise and Setting Goals By Mrs Rowley

The interactive workshop focused on the concepts of growth and fixed mindsets, the role of praise, and the importance of SMART goals. A growth mindset means that individuals facing challenges will persist and not give up. Research shows that students with a growth mindset perform better both academically and in life. Praise is extremely beneficial, with process praise being particularly effective in fostering a growth mindset. This type of praise emphasises the effort, strategies, and progress made rather than just inherent ability. Knowing how to formulate SMART goals helps make objectives more attainable.

Summarising the theory, to help children with motivation we can:

Praise! Process Praise is better!
Encourage Challenges. Encourage your child to try new activities, even if they might fail at first.
Model a Growth Mindset. We are Role Models. Talk about what you learned and how you improved through effort and persistence.
Teach Resilience. Help your child understand that failure is a part of learning.
Use Language that Promotes Growth. Use phrases like “not yet” instead of “failed” when discussing progress.
Set Goals Together. Help your child set realistic, achievable goals that encourage them to step out of their comfort zone. Break larger goals into smaller, manageable steps.
Cultivate Curiosity. Encourage questions and exploration. Show excitement about learning new things and emphasise that it’s okay not to know everything right away.
Celebrate Progress. Regularly reflect on how far your child has come. Acknowledge improvements, no matter how small, to reinforce their efforts.
Create a Safe Space for Mistakes. Ensure your child knows that it’s okay to make mistakes and that these are opportunities for growth. Encourage open discussions about challenges without fear of judgement

Student-led conferences

8th and 9th of October 2024

On Tuesday, 8th October, our Years 7 to 9 students participated in a Student-Led Conference, followed by Years 10 to 13 on Wednesday, 9th October. Formerly known as our Parent-Teacher Consultation meeting, the conferences were held from 3:30 to 6:00 pm and provided an engaging platform for students, parents, and teachers to discuss progress.

In this new format, students took the lead, guiding their parents and teachers through a digital booklet designed for the conference. This reflective approach encourages students to take ownership of their learning, enhancing their understanding and sense of responsibility. We look forward to seeing the positive impact of these conferences on our students’ journeys!

Trips

Community Service trip to Minburi Cat Shelter

Last month, our school held its first Free Dress and Crazy Socks Day, raising an incredible 16,000 baht for the Min Buri Cat Shelter! This month, our Year 7 students had the chance to visit the shelter and bring along food and cat litter to help care for the cats. We also donated 8,000 baht for vet fees and room repairs.

Our students received a warm welcome and were excited to spend time playing with and feeding the cats. Here’s what our Year 7 students had to say about their experience:

Namcha: "It was very exciting. The cats were full of energy, well-behaved, and cute. Thank you for letting us experience this. Some of the kittens were really playful and huggable."

Namfon: "The cats were cute and nice, and I fed them treats."

Namo: "I really loved this trip, it was so much fun. The cats were clingy and fun to play with."

Teddy: "At first, I was scared with so many cats, but their cuteness made my heart warm."

Upper: "I was overwhelmed at first, but the cats grew on me. It was one of my favourite field trips."

Victoria: "The cats were sweet and tame. This was my favourite field trip!"

Cloris: "I lay on the floor, and all the cats came to me—it was so much fun!"

The visit was an eye-opening experience for our students, helping them understand the challenges faced by abandoned cats in Bangkok and the incredible efforts by volunteers to make a difference. We are proud of our Year 7 students for their contributions and compassion!

Y.7 - 9

What's Going on?

Year 7 maths

We had a busy month starting with sequences and moving onto 2D shapes.

The unit of study sequences included number and pattern questions and introduced many key words that we had to learn such as term, position number & term to term rule. The pattern sequences were interesting as we could draw the terms as well as use the related number sequence.

When studying 2D shapes we looked at all polygons classifying triangles, quadrilaterals, pentagons, hexagons and octagons and describing them by their properties.

Year 8 general science

Our Year 8 students have been diving into the fascinating world of chromatography! 🧪✨ Recently, they conducted experiments to separate substances from ink and spinach leaves, gaining hands-on experience with this essential laboratory technique.

Through these experiments, our Year 8 students have developed vital experimental skills, including:

🔬 Precision Measurement: Learning to measure and apply solvents accurately for effective separation.
🎨 Observation: Noticing color changes and the formation of different pigments.
📝 Data Recording: Keeping detailed notes and drawing conclusions based on their results.
🤔 Critical Thinking: Analyzing what their results reveal about the components in ink and plant pigments.

Year 9 drama

Year 9 have been experiencing an engaging and role-revealing time in their playscript performances of Shakespeare's timeless tragedy "Romeo and Juliet".

The class get to use modern playscripts from an adaption of Shakespeare's original play, and also get the choice of which character to perform depending upon the Act and Scene they are studying. Currently, they are about to begin the 3rd Act with Act 5 being the finale of the story.

As the students already know, the school will be putting on their own version of the classic play entitled "Romeo and Juliet: Duality" (A Play on Words) which aims to use the added skills of video editing and photography to 'get through' all of the many scenes in the play!

Y.10 - 13

What's Going on?

Year 10 IGCSE computer science

In Year 10, we have studied data transmission and communication, which are vital for understanding how information is sent and received in via computers. This knowledge is important because it helps us grasp the underlying technologies that connect people and devices, such as the internet, mobile networks, and satellite communication.

By looking at past exam questions, we are reinforcing our learning and preparing ourselves for future assessments, ensuring we have a solid grasp of these essential concepts that will be relevant in various fields, including technology and engineering.

Year 11 IGCSE physics

This month the topic of study for year 11 IGCSE physics was Electricity and Magnetism. Students began their learning journey with magnetism. First some simple theory was introduced and then some experiments relating to magnetism were performed. Some of these activities included how to determine if a material can be magnetized and how to find field lines using a compass or iron filings.

Electrical quantities were covered next, with students first learning about charges, electric fields and electric forces. Following this students learned about the key ideas of voltage, current and resistance and were able to apply them in various situations. These included alternating and direct current circuits and series and parallel circuits.

Practical skills were developed when working with circuits. Students learned how to use a multimeter to measure basic electrical quantities, how to use a power supply and how to wire circuits properly amongst other things.

The unit finished with electromagnetism which is one of the most challenging topics at IGCSE. Students learned about magnetic forces due to currents and how to figure out their direction using Flemings left hand rule. The ac generator and dc motor were studied to show that they are just the opposites of each other from an electromagnetic point of view.

The final activity of the unit was to make an electromagnet. Students chose their own configurations for the shapes of electromagnet. To make an electromagnet a wire coil is wrapped around a piece of magnetizable material such as iron and a current is then sent through the wire. The iron then behaves as a magnet but turn the power off and the magnetism disappears just like magic.

Year 12 A level psychology

In Term 1.1 students focused on Social Psychology, exploring concepts such as obedience, conformity, and minority influence. Students had to learn and analyse classic and contemporary studies. Students also independently conducted their own investigation to determine whether women are perceived to be more obedient than men.

In Term 1.2 students will study Memory, including its capacity, duration, and concepts of short-term and long-term memory. They will explore the multi-store model of memory, working memory model, reconstructive memory and the different types of long-term memory, analysing studies conducted by various cognitive psychologists. To extend their understanding and support their reasoning while evaluating new concepts students will also study notable cases of amnesia.

Students will learn about conducting psychological experiments in great detail, including new statistical tests and analysis. And finally they will conduct their own psychological experiment on memory. This will involve proper methods for gathering and analysing data, presenting their findings, drawing conclusions, and outlining and evaluating their study.

Year 12 students in psychology steadily work hard and demonstrate impressive motivation and fascinating assessment results. Lessons are engaging, featuring lively discussions, interactive activities such as quizzes and games, as well as collaborative and independent projects, alongside exam practice.

Year 13 HSD English

In Year 13, our HSD students have been engaging in a unique and comprehensive approach to IELTS preparation, blending their language studies with a Gothic literature twist! By exploring Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, they are enhancing their English proficiency while delving into the novel's iconic themes of ambition, creation, and consequence. This approach not only strengthens their reading and writing skills but also fosters critical thinking and literary analysis, both of which are essential for university-level studies.

Through this integrated method, students tackle IELTS-specific tasks such as essay writing, summarising, and text analysis, using Frankenstein as a springboard for deeper reflection. They are encouraged to engage with the novel’s complex characters and thought-provoking themes, honing their ability to evaluate and express their ideas clearly and persuasively. In doing so, they are building a strong foundation in both language and literature, skills that are invaluable as they prepare for the rigours of university.

This unique approach allows students to practice the key components of the IELTS exam, such as identifying trends in reading passages, improving vocabulary, and mastering formal writing techniques. At the same time, it nurtures their ability to analyse and interpret literary texts—an essential skill for those planning to pursue higher education. By combining the demands of IELTS with the study of classic literature, our students are not only preparing for their exams but also sharpening the academic skills needed for successful transition to university life.

HOUSES @ RBIS

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.

House events at Secondary (October) :

House rap battle

In an exciting house rap battle, the Unicorns triumphed over the Dragons by a very narrow margin, with the Lions finishing third and the Phoenixes in fourth, creating a fun atmosphere that encouraged creativity and teamwork while developing students' digital skills in video editing.

Football Tournament

The Dragons have once again claimed the RBIS football league championship, with Nawin taking home both the MVP and top goal scorer awards, while Copter from the Dragons earned the most clean sheets. Pune, also from the Dragons, received the award for most assists, and Son from the Lions was recognized for the best goal, a direct banger strike from a corner.

Now, the anticipation builds for the cup final between the Dragons and Lions, while Phoenix and Unicorn face an intense relegation battle.

House ranking

(Based on the HP earned since the start of the school year)

House Point Leaderboard

(Based on the HP earned in October)

House Point Leaderboard

(Based on the HP earned since the start of the school year)

Student achievements

ROUND SQUARE @ RBIS

RBIS is proud to announce it is a global member member of ROUND SQUARE which is a prestigious international organisation with schools in over 50 countries, across six continents.

It focuses on holistic education practices through the following six key IDEALS:

Internationalism: Students are taught to value and respect all cultures, religions and languages. They learn to see themselves as global citizens and are asked to look beyond gender, class, race, nationality and culture to understand human nature.

Democracy: Freedom of thought and speech is greatly encouraged and appropriate forums and channels of communication are in place for students to voice their views. Students are also taught to appreciate the importance of self-discipline and are trained and expected to share in the responsibility for development of the school.

Environment: Round Square students are expected to demonstrate concern for all natural environments, to be aware of proven problems and to play a practical role in tackling environmental issues. Students are taught the interdependence needed to maintain a healthy relationship between human beings and the planet.

Adventure: Building character through adventure, meeting physical challenges and developing an appreciation of the outdoors: these are all central to Round Square schools.

Leadership: Students are taught that true leadership is found in those whose convictions are rooted in personal responsibility, kindness and justice. Opportunities for student leadership in the school community are fostered extensively.

Service: This is the key element utilised by Round Square schools to prepare students for life through the expectation of serving others. Students commit themselves to local, regional and international service projects.

Round Square related events at Secondary (October) :

Round Square Friday Quiz

To wrap up a fantastic first half term, students enjoyed an exciting quiz filled with challenging questions across a range of topics, from science and pop culture to the weird wonders of the animal kingdom. The quiz brought out lively competition, laughter, and plenty of "aha" moments as students showcased their knowledge and teamwork. It was a fun and engaging way to end the term, leaving everyone energized and ready for the break!

Round Square Zoom Postcard

Earlier this month, Jenny and Nammon from Year 12, and Peam and Phin from Year 11 attended a Zoom Postcard led by a fellow Round Square member school, Inventure Academy, India. The topic of the postcard was "The Impact of Social Media on the Mental Health of Students" and our students joined 120 of their peers from Round Square schools worldwide.

The 90-minute session included discussions on various themes, such as the effect that a constantly curated life has on a teenager's mental health, embracing your true self in an increasingly online world and the power of face-to-face communication. Students were split into breakout groups for individual discussions, which were then shared with the larger group later in the call. The discussion was fruitful and allowed students to gain diverse perspectives from peers worldwide, highlighting both shared challenges and unique cultural insights.

Our students expressed how the session deepened their understanding of social media's psychological impacts and appreciated the chance to collaborate on potential strategies for healthier online habits. The experience also reinforced the value of authentic connections, both virtual and in-person, leaving them inspired to be more mindful of their digital interactions.

Community service at Secondary (October) :

As well as recycling it is important to reuse; our latest community service event gave us that chance.

We have been collecting secondhand clothes for two causes.

Firstly, we will give some of the clothes collected to Second Chance which uses the donations to help provide affordable clothes for the residents of the Klong Toey slum community. Year 8 will take the secondhand clothes to Second Chance on Friday November 22nd.

We will keep some of the children's clothes for the students, ranging from kindergarten through year 10, who attend Wat Tha Chumnum School, in Ang Thong. We will be taking the clothes to the school in early December when we visit the children to also give each child a Christmas gift and snacks bag.

Min Buri Cat Shelter thanks RBIS on Facebook

The number of stray dogs and cats in Thailand is astronomical, and continues to rise. According to estimated figures from the Department of Livestock Development, the country had around 350,000 stray dogs and cats in 2007. Fast-forward to 2017, the number more than doubled to 860,000. Bangkok Post By 2027 will it have doubled again?

Two weeks after "pick up 1" we were ready for another collection. We had about 35 bags of recyclables consisting mainly of plastic water bottles with a few bags of other plastic items. The van could only take a few of our bags so we will have "pick up 3" this month as well.

"Pick up 3" - we were ready for the rest of our recyclables to be picked up. There were many bags of plastic bottles and other plastic items to be collected; the van arrived at 3:20 pm on Thursday 24th and soon the bags were being carried out to the van. Thank you to Ava, Pias, Kaopun and Pune for helping with sorting out the bags. A successful month - thanks to all students and teachers who brought in recyclables.

The recycling area is sorted out weekly by the sixth form students. We are receiving recyclables on a daily basis which shows that many of the Secondary students understand the value of recycling, reusing and reducing.

Precious Plastic Bangkok 'picked up' plastic bottle tops from RBIS on Thursday 3rd October. In 6 weeks we managed to collect more than 14000 tops with Plawaln Y8 bringing in more than 4000 tops.

Our collection of ring pulls and aluminum cans have been sent to the the Pollution Control Department, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to support “the Aluminium Donation Project for the Making of Prosthetic Limbs for the Disabled,” which the Pollution Control Department has collaborated with the Prostheses Foundation of HRH the Princess Mother.

Our thanks to Mr Samran for taking the boxes of aluminum cans to the collection point.

There are some soft plastics that we cannot find anyone to recycle and therefore you are asked to no longer bring these to school for recycling. These include sandwich plastic pack and plastic egg cartoons.

Also we can no longer recycle crisp packets and detergent packets

The current company which collects our recyclables makes a payment to us each time they collect. In the last two months we have raised 1920 baht which will go towards buying snacks for our Christmas charity.

Community Service Point Leaderboard

(Based on the CSP earned in October)

Community Service Point Leaderboard

(Based on the CSP earned since the start of the school year)

Alumnus or alumna of the month

Kunlanan (April) Chanjirakitti who graduated from RBIS in 2019.

My time at RBIS was truly special. The small, supportive community and close-knit environment helped me build lasting friendships and confidence in my studies. I always felt encouraged to be the best version of myself.

University was both challenging and rewarding. I attended Thammasat University where I studied for a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA). I had to adjust to a more independent lifestyle and balance my studies with other responsibilities, but it was a time of growth. I met amazing people from different backgrounds, which expanded my perspectives. The learning opportunities were endless, and I truly enjoyed exploring my chosen field in depth.

Having graduated, I’m eager to apply my skills in a professional setting. I’m focusing on securing a position that allows me to grow both personally and professionally, while making a meaningful contribution to the field I’m passionate about, business. I’m excited about the journey ahead!

ECA Focus

Mobile gaming club

The ECA mobile games club supports teamwork and friendship among students by providing a fun, relaxing environment to play games together during lunchtime, enhancing social connections and collaboration skills.

Upcoming events

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