Secondary Newsletter

Greetings from the Head of Secondary

Dear RBIS Community,

As we approach the end of this short but vibrant December, I would like to reflect on the many exciting events and activities that have taken place over the past two weeks. Despite the brevity of the term, the energy and enthusiasm from our students and staff have been truly remarkable.

We enjoyed the RBIS Christmas Show: A Celebration of Talent, featuring performances by the winners of the Secondary Talent Show and captivating choir renditions by all Year 7 to 9 students. Our students also showcased their creativity in the FOBISIA Short Story Competition, with results eagerly awaited next term.

This term, we highlighted our extracurricular achievements through the ECA Club Exhibition, where parents and students explored the incredible work done during lunch and after-school clubs. Other standout moments included the Annual Secondary Talent Show, the RBIS Photography Competition, and an insightful online workshop for parents on effectively balancing technology and focus.

Our Year 12 and 13 students demonstrated the spirit of giving through their community service visit to Wat Tha Chumnum School, making a positive impact on the local community.

As always, we are proud to recognise student achievements, share the current house rankings, and provide a calendar of upcoming events for Terms 2 and 3.

Wishing you all a joyful holiday season! We look forward to welcoming the children back to school on Monday, 6th January for another exciting term.

Tom De Smet
Head of Secondary

Table of Contents

Greetings from the Head of Secondary

RBIS Christmas Show: A Celebration of Talent

Fobisia Short Story Competition

ECA Exhibition

Annual Talent Show

RBIS photography Competition

Online workshop for parents: Technology & Focus

Trips

Year12 & 13 Community service: Visit to Wat Tha Chumnum School

HOUSES @ RBIS

House events at Secondary (December)

House ranking

House Point Leaderboard

Student achievements

ROUND SQUARE @ RBIS

Community service at Secondary (December)

Alumnus or alumna of the month

ECA Focus

Upcoming events

RBIS Christmas Show: A Celebration of Talent

The RBIS Christmas and Performing Arts Show 2024, held on Wednesday, December 4th, was a stunning celebration of talent and festive spirit. Our students dazzled with incredible performances, spreading joy and holiday magic throughout the event. We hope you cherished the lovely moments and enjoyed the show as much as we did! A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for this spectacular showcase of creativity and community!

RBIS photography competition entries

Photos with Santa

Student art work exhibition

The winners of the Secondary Talent Show

Fobisia Short Story Competition

English Department Report: The FOBISIA Short Story Competition provided a valuable platform for students to explore the theme of intercultural awareness through creative writing. Participants showcased impressive imagination, critical thinking, and storytelling skills while reflecting on the complexities of cultural diversity.

The submissions demonstrated a deep understanding of the theme, with stories exploring themes of acceptance, empathy, and the importance of bridging cultural divides. Students drew inspiration from personal travel experiences, historical events such as World War II, and fictional narratives, weaving tales that were both thought-provoking and poignant.

Notable entries included stories that depicted cross-cultural friendships, the challenges of adapting to new environments, and the beauty of shared traditions. These narratives emphasized the universal values of kindness, respect, and the celebration of differences.

The competition was a wonderful opportunity for students to develop their literary talents while gaining a greater appreciation for global perspectives. It was inspiring to see young writers tackle such a significant theme with maturity and insight.

ECA Exhibition

Last week, students from across the school showcased their talents and creativity at the annual After-School Club Exhibition. The event, held in the Primary Library , featured a wide variety of student-led projects, performances, and displays representing over 20 different clubs, ranging from robotics and drama to art and culinary skills .

Parents, teachers, and fellow students were treated to an inspiring afternoon as participants demonstrated the skills and knowledge they have gained throughout the term. Highlights included a live performance from the primary school choir , a Taekwondo demonstration and presentation of achievement certificates , and a vibrant dance performance by the primary school Hip-Hop Dance Crew .

There was a definite buzz of excitement as the RBIS students were able to sample the variety of clubs on offer next term. With many booths, stalls, and demonstrations on offer, the children were spoilt for choice. Head of Primary and ECA coordinator, Mr. Jones praised the event, saying, "This exhibition is a testament to the dedication, creativity, and passion of our students and staff. It’s wonderful to see their hard work come to life in such diverse and meaningful ways."

The After-School Club Exhibition looks to become a cherished tradition, celebrating the importance of extracurricular activities in fostering personal growth, teamwork, and innovation among student

Annual Talent Show

On Friday the 29th of November, our Secondary School Assembly Hall came alive with the incredible talents of our students during the annual Talent Show!

The afternoon was filled with a dazzling array of performances, including singing, dancing, instrumental music, and poetry. Our students showcased their hard work, creativity, and dedication, making it an unforgettable event for everyone in attendance.

A big congratulations to the performers selected to feature in this year’s Christmas and Performing Arts Show:

San (Year 7) – Piano performance
Arale, Ping Ping, Janice & Zaizi (Year 8) – Dance act
Aiko (Year 8) – Self-written poetry reading
Pias (Year 9) – Piano performance
Peam (Year 11) – Piano performance

We are so proud of all the participants for their incredible effort and talent. Thank you to our judges, teachers, and parents for making this event a success!

RBIS photography Competition

1st Place - Ava Year 9

2nd Place - San Year 7

3rd Place - Victoria Year 7

Capturing Moments of Creativity

This term, the school held an exciting Photography Competition with two engaging themes: Portrait and Adventure. Students from Year 7 to Year 13, as well as teachers, participated across two categories: Year 7–Year 10 and Year 11–Year 13 + Teachers. The overwhelming number of submissions showcased not only exceptional creativity and technical skill but also highlighted students' growing awareness of the world around them.

Photography is more than just snapping pictures—it’s about capturing memories and moments that tell a story. This competition provided a platform for students and staff alike to express their perspectives, hone their photography skills, and reflect on the power of visual storytelling. Participants were rewarded with house points for their involvement, adding a fun and competitive spirit.

The photos were displayed during the Performing Arts Evening, where students, parents, and staff had the chance to vote for their favorites. In a unique twist, all submissions were anonymous, keeping the voting unbiased and the winners a surprise.

We are thrilled to announce the winners:

Year 7–Year 10 Category
- 🥇 First Place: Ava, Year 9
- 🥈 Second Place: San, Year 7
- 🥉 Third Place: Victoria, Year 7
Year 11–Year 13 + Teachers Category
- 🥇 First Place: Miss Paliwala
- 🥈 Second Place: Ete, Year 11
- 🥉 Third Place: Miss Reid

Congratulations to all the winners and participants for their incredible efforts. Your photographs truly captured the essence of the competition themes and inspired everyone who viewed them!

1st Place - Miss Paliwala

2nd Place - Ete Year 11

3rd Place - Miss Reid

Online workshop for parents: Technology & Focus

On Monday, 2nd December, at 10:00 am, Mr De Smet, our Head of Secondary, led an insightful online workshop for parents. The session focused on how students can effectively utilise technology to enhance their learning while also managing and minimising potential negative effects.

During the workshop, parents gained practical tips on how to support their children in using digital tools for studying and staying organised. Mr De Smet also highlighted strategies for setting healthy boundaries around screen time and fostering a balanced approach to technology use.

Below, you will find some of the slides presented during the workshop, offering a glimpse into the valuable guidance shared.

We are grateful to all the parents who attended and look forward to welcoming you to future sessions. Together, we can ensure that technology serves as a powerful ally in our students' educational journey.

Trips

Year12 & 13 Community service: Visit to Wat Tha Chumnum School

Our Christmas Charity this year was an amazing success. We received clothes, toys and snacks from the RBIS community and our 6th form traveled to Wat Tha Chumnum School to visit the children and give them gifts.

We were warmly greeted by the director of the school as well as teachers and children. Our 6th form students then began the proceedings by giving each of the children a Christmas card, which had been created by our Secondary students and teachers.

Next the children were given the opportunity to choose a present from the pile of toys and they also received a bag of snacks each. This was followed by Khim and Nammon picking 4 names 'out of the hat' and the lucky children chosen were given a big cuddly toy each. As we still had some toys left we continued taking names out of the hat until all the gifts were gone.

Next was lunch followed by a walk around the school to discuss projects that our 6th form will carry out when they visit the school as part of their Community Service residential in June 2025.

Reflections from our 6th form students:

"We are so grateful to be able to help those who are less fortunate than us, and helping the kids made us appreciate what we have a lot more." Jenny and Lolo
"The community service trip was a great experience where we got to help others and learn a lot about working together and showing kindness." Nammon, La Yaung and Ping Ping
"It is one of the most enjoyable moments in my life! Being able to provide toys and Christmas cards to less fortunate children, truly made me feel proud." Sinchan
"It was an incredible opportunity to be able to help give away toys, clothes and snacks to the students." Copter

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 (December)

Dodgeball tournament

The dodgeball tournament was packed with excitement and standout moments. In the first game, Phoenix edged out Lion in a thrilling match where a Son from Lion almost staged an incredible comeback, but Pias saved the day with a clutch play for Phoenix. Next, Dragon triumphed over Unicorn, with Ville putting up a strong performance for Unicorn but falling short. The final saw Phoenix dominate Dragon in a one-sided showdown, securing the championship in style. For the 3rd place playoff, Lion swept past Unicorn with ez ease to claim the bronze!

House ranking

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

House Point Leaderboard

(Based on the HP earned in December)

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.

Community service at Secondary (December)

Kao, year 9, helped collect donations at the RBIS Christmas Show in the form of banknote leaves .

We collected 5170 baht which will enable us to provide toys, snacks and some board games for the children at the Foundation for the Better Life of Children.

We received many wonderful toys and enough snacks to help more than 200 children.; we also had lots of second- hand clothes which we shared with them.

More cardboard and paper collected this week. We also have 15 bags of recycables ready for "pick up" but will wait until Jauary 2025.

Alumnus or alumna of the month

Natthapee (Bank) Sriarunluck who graduated from RBIS in 2020

I began my education at RBIS in Year 7 and remained there until graduation. RBIS holds a special place in my heart as it is filled with cherished memories. Learning under the guidance of dedicated teachers, participating in school events, and playing basketball during every break. As a badminton athlete, I am especially grateful for the school's unwavering support. The teachers were incredibly understanding, setting up meetings with me and my parents, offering thoughtful advice and making sure that I had access to educational materials even when I was competing abroad. RBIS played a significant role in shaping the person I am today.

Currently, I am in my fourth year of studying Computer Science at Mahidol University International College. While the major is undoubtedly challenging, it has been a fulfilling journey, especially as it completes my passion for programming and technology. The first year was particularly difficult as I worked to keep up, but I managed to push through. I have also been fortunate to have a supportive group of friends, who have made these past years both productive and enjoyable. I still play and compete in badminton at the university’s team. RBIS has taught me well how to balance competing and studying and I am grateful for that

I still keep in touch with my RBIS peers, who are one of the best groups of friends throughout my life.”

Bank with friends

Mahidol University International College

Bank and the badminton team

ECA Focus

EAL club

The EAL (English as an Additional Language) ECA takes place every Monday from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm, providing a focused and interactive environment for students to improve their English skills.

This month, our sessions centred on the present continuous tense, exploring its usage in various situations. Through engaging activities, students learned how to describe actions happening now, temporary situations, future plans, and trends. Interactive exercises, role-playing scenarios, and discussions ensured that students not only understood the grammatical rules but also felt confident applying them in real-life contexts.

The EAL ECA continues to be a valuable platform for students to enhance their language abilities in a fun and supportive setting. We look forward to more progress in term two!

Upcoming events

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