Mew performed in the Hong Kong piano competition this weekend and did fantastically well! She received the silver prize in her Senior class category and for her Grade 8 category, she came third overall and received a second runner up trophy! Congratulations Mew!
On 16th January 2019, Year 4 set off on their first ever residential! We stayed at an Outdoor Education Centre in Khao Yai for 2 nights. For a number of the children, this was the longest that they had been away from their parents so the first morning was filled with apprehension and excitement.
As soon as we got the campus, we plunged straight into our first activity. We headed out to the field to test our balance and dexterity on the low-ropes course. We had to step and climb across a range of obstacles to complete the course. Some of the obstacles were particularly challenging; the swinging planks and tyres really tested our skills, but we did a fantastic job at overcoming our insecurities and all managed to complete the entire course.
We then had lunch and returned to the field for team-building games. These included: having to get our team through a giant spider web, blindfolded directions and gathering games and a team ‘ski’ race.
We finished off the day with a movie night and relaxing ready for our next full day of activities.
On day 2, we packed our day bags for a day on foot and went down for breakfast. After we had eaten, we took the buses into Khao Yai National park, where we were greeted by dozens of macaques littering the road! This was a great sight and really got us excited for the other animals that we were hoping to see.
When we got to our site in the national park, we took part in a scavenger hunt and a game called ‘Loris ball’, which look at human impact upon our planet and the animals that live here.
After lunch and reflection, we changed location and began our trek through the jungle! We were split into 3 smaller groups and each assigned a guide to help keep us safe and give us information about the environment we were in. It was hard work hiking across this fascinating terrain; we saw giant banyan and cinnamon trees, elephant salt-licks and got to survey our surroundings from an observation tower.
After our exhausting and exhilarating activities, we returned to campus for a BBQ and campfire. We roasted marshmallows and learnt some funny campfire songs before heading to our dormitories to pack our bags and get some sleep.
Our final morning was a very memorable one. We travelled down the road to a small elephant conservation centre, where we were taught about the wild elephants of Thailand, got to see a real skeleton of an elephant and then meet 2 real elephants! It was breakfast time for the pachyderms and it was our job to fill their bellies. We shucked 4 big baskets of corn and fed them to the elephants by hand. We couldn’t believe how much they could eat and enjoyed watching a resident wild boar stealing what they dropped.
We said goodbye to the elephants and went back to campus for a quick lunch before beginning our journey home to Bromsgrove with some fantastic memories and a greater awareness of conservation of our planet.
On 15th of January, Magpies and Pelicans embarked on the short trip down to Sattahip to investigate and explore the natural environment and the negative effects of pollution and human impact on the area. After eating a delicious BBQ lunch, the children set to work in teams to build a raft out of materials found on the beach. Whilst some of our vessels were more successful than others, I was delighted by the teamwork and creative ideas to reuse the materials we had gathered, all of which was recycled afterwards.
Our second day was spent primarily on the beautiful island of Ko Samae San. After a relaxing walk along the beach, the children conducted a litter survey, collecting washed up trash from the beach and marking down the types of waste. It was lovely to see the children (literally) getting their hands dirty (although we all wore gloves) and making a huge effort to improve the condition of the beach. However, the real highlight of the day came after lunch when we splashed in the water and explored the underwater marine life on a snorkeling trip. This was a first for many of the children and they all commented how fantastic the experience was.
However, even more amazing sea-life was just around the corner. On our final day we planted our own trees in the mangroves, visited a turtle sanctuary and saw the beautiful Buddha atop Khao Chi Chan, all of which were brilliant experiences, but, once again, the most exciting experience came last! Our final night was spent in an aquarium!! Once all other guests had left, we were given a guided tour of the entire aquarium, including the feeding and breeding areas! When it was time to sleep we curled up in our sleeping bags and drifted off with rays, sharks and eels swimming above us, what an incredible experience!
Our final morning began with birthday cake before we attended a muay thai session and a swim in a huge Sports Centre pool. We met world champion fighter, Stamp Fairtex, who signed autographs for many of the children before eating a quick lunch and getting back on our buses to school.
All students had a fantastic time on the trip, their behaviour was impeccable and it was a pleasure to share the experience with them! However, even though we had such a great time, everyone was happy to get back home to see their parents!
A hearty congratulations to the 13 determined students who successfully completed their Bronze Level International Award Qualifying Journey in Kanchanaburi last weekend. The group travelled down the River Kwai 39km by stand up paddle board in three teams; navigating the route, decision making, cooking and making camp independently. Well done all!
On 14th of January, Year 6 travelled to Kanchanaburi for a 4 night residential and they all had a fantastic time, demonstrating what kind, independent and risk-taking individuals they are! After arriving on the first day, they took part in lots of team building activities which required them to work together and come up with various strategies to succeed. Year 6 parents will get a chance to participate in some of these activities at our parent event later this term!
On the second day, Year 6 went to Surasi Learning Centre where they learned about plant propagation and reforestation. They even had a go at making their own charcoal fertiliser which made them very muddy!
The third day was a particular highlight and started with a trip down the River Kwai on a bamboo raft. Everyone got extremely wet and had to be risk-takers when they had the opportunity to jump in and float down the river before taking part in some adventurous water activities including a sofa boat! In the afternoon they visited Duang Prateep Foundation where they learned how to make keyrings, soap and cakes with the staff that work there. They then mingled with the children living at the foundation and donated stationary which the children and staff greatly appreciated!
On the final day, the children took part in orienteering and survival skills activities, which included learning to build a fire. This involved a lot of determination as matches and lighters were not allowed! They then played various sports, including gaga ball and badminton, and even had a go at archery!
The evenings were also full of exciting activities and included a dance battle, an ice-cream challenge, a quiz, a disco and time spent on the water obstacle course! Even the adults had a go!
Dr Moore, Headmaster & CEO, visited our sister school, Bromsgrove School, UK today to meet with Mr Peter Clague, Headmaster and to see how our one-term placement students, Tien Hom and Melody were getting on since arriving in January 2019 for the start of Term 2. Both students are settling in well, although they told Dr Moore that they are finding the UK climate a lot colder than Thailand! Our one-term placement programme enables two Year 7 or Year 8 students at BIST to experience life at our sister school in the UK for one academic term each year and is unique among international schools in Thailand, who have a sister school in the UK.
Enjoy the video from “Bromsgrove Charity Fun Run 2018” at Windsor Park campus on Friday the 7th of December. It was a great opportunity for students, parents, staff and friends of the community to get some exercise and give something back to the community via our three main local charities; SOS Children’s Villages Thailand, HDF Mercy Centre and Soi Dog Foundation. A big thank you to everyone who helped make this event possible!
On Tuesday 15th January, Year 1 children launched their new topic with an exciting Superhero Day. They took part in a variety of challenges which tested their super powers, including their agility, speed, strength and brain power. The children began their day with a series of mathematical challenges on shape and number. Next came the obstacle course which they had to complete while blindfolded, before making their way through a complicated laser maze. The day ended with some water fun and a superhero quiz. What a fabulous day we all had!
How joyful it is to look back at the Windsor Park Campus Primary and Secondary Christmas Assemblies and Christmas Fayre, that took place on 13 December 2018. We hope students, parents, teachers, and staff enjoyed the festive celebration here at BIST!
As we are experiencing higher pollution levels than normal here in Bangkok, we are closely monitoring the AQI level throughout the day here at school. We have a clear Pollution Policy in place and we react and respond to pollution levels accordingly, which may include restricting some or all outdoor activities depending on the level. Please contact us at 02-989-4873 if you have any questions further to the information already shared with you from school.
