Message from HS Principal
Dear Parents
This week, advisory sessions for all grade levels were devoted to the important topic of ‘Words Matter’ and the role that social media and peer influence can play in this area. We talked about the importance of being an upstander (not a bystander) and our students also gained a greater awareness and appreciation of the impact of words on marginalised groups. Do take a few minutes to chat with your children about their experiences and what was talked about in advisory this week.
There is a lot of excitement and energy around campus this week as we prepare to host a community service conference (called ServICE) on campus this Saturday and Sunday. In addition to this conference taking place, we have a number of Varsity and Junior Varsity teams playing matches this afternoon and on Saturday. It is really important for the well-being of our students to open up these opportunities (with appropriate safety precautions) for our students as we move into the second semester.
Speaking of safety precautions please be reminded that we are continuing with ATK testing on Sunday and Wednesday evenings for all students (and faculty) and that parents are required to complete the ATK forms after their children have completed their test. A negative test result and the completion of the form activate students’ ID cards for access to the campus. If you do forget to complete the form in the evening, then please contact us so we can arrange for you to complete the form in the morning. Students MUST complete the ATK test before entering campus.
In the weeks ahead there are a number of meetings and information being shared about course registration for the 2022-23 school year. Please be sure to read those communications carefully and speak with your child about their options for the coming school year. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to subject teachers, counselors, and the HS admin team.
Tuesday, February 1st – Current Grade 10 moving into Grade 11 Course information webinar (6.30pm) – links were sent out in a separate email
Thursday, February 3rd – Current Grade 9 moving into Grade 10 Course information webinar (10.30 am) – links were sent out in a separate email
Have a great weekend
Justin Alexander
HS Principal
SPRING 2022 – HS Principal’s Forum
HS Principal FORUM
hsppforum@isb.ac.th
Now inviting all questions from parents – Link for Intake Form
We are inviting questions from parents for the next Principal’s Forum. The HS Principal’s Forum (PF) is a channel of communication between parents and the administration. It is a platform to allow all parents to bring forward any questions, suggestions, or concerns to the Committee composed of parents representing grades 9-12 and EAL language communities.
All HS parents are welcome to attend PF scheduled 9am on March 24th (location and format TBC by the school administration). The meeting will be led by Principal Alexander with Dean of Academics, Justyna McMillan, Dean of Students, Andy Vaughan and HS Team members. There is one HS PF each semester, two per academic year.
All questions are shared with the administration anonymously: only the content is presented. The topics are addressed and discussed in an open meeting between administration and HS parents. Parents are invited to send their questions/suggestions/concerns to us before March 8th via: HS Principal’s Forum- Questions from Parents- Intake Form. We review, organize, and submit all queries to the administration. The administration organizes the presentation to parents. Your specific question may not be addressed during the public forum meeting as the topics covered during the meeting depend on the number of queries received on the topic.
As always, if there are time sensitive questions and individual concerns, please reach out directly to the teachers, The HS Principal’s office, counselors and Admin team. They are always your first port of call and will be happy to assist and support you.
Please feel free to be in touch with us if you have any questions, or would like to understand more about the HS PF: hsppforum@isb.ac.th
On behalf of our Principal’s Forum Parents’ Committee, we look forward to seeing you on March 24th,
Debbie Gundenson (Grade 9, Co-Chair 2021-2023)
Sibylle Newman (Grade 9, incoming Co-Chair 2022-2023)
Dhooleka Raj (Grade 11, Co-Chair 2020-2022)
Tuesday February 1st – Special Schedule
Justyna McMillan
justynam@isb.ac.th
Dear Parents,
In order to facilitate the Course Selection Process for students in GR9 and 10, we will be running a Special Schedule in the high school. Students in GR9 and 10 will be involved in presentations and a Subject Fair, during the last block of the school day. Students in Gr11 will either have a special support session for CAS during the last block (individual students will be notified), or they will be able to go home early or use the time for study. Please be on the lookout for a parent form if you are happy for your child to leave school early. Students in GR12 will be able to go home early if they possess a Senior Gate pass. Some students may be required to stay to complete various IB coursework.
Thank you for your understanding and let us know if you have any questions.
The Admin team
Course Registration for rising Gr11 students – Parent Information Webinar
Justyna McMillan
justynam@isb.ac.th
Dear Parents of Gr10 Students,
We would like to invite you to zoom into our webinar for Upcoming Gr11 students and parents.
The webinar is being held on Tuesday 1st February at 6:30 PM. This presentation will provide information outlining the course registration process, specific details with regards to things like the different pathways and all of the opportunities on offer in the High School in Grades 11 and 12. We highly encourage students to attend this session, along with their parents.
Please register for the meeting using the link below. The registration link also includes a space for you to enter a question you would like to have answered during the meeting. We can use these questions to help guide our discussions.
If you are unable to attend the webinar, please do not worry. We will send a recording of the webinar shortly following the session, along with lots of other information for your perusal.
Hope to see many of you on Zoom!
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
When: Feb 1, 2022 06:30 PM Bangkok
Topic: Course Information Session for upcoming Grade 11 students (Parents & Students)
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_TAz2T5rRQuK9ILsBOCMjPg
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Justyna McMillan
HS Dean of Academic
Course Registration for rising Gr9 and Gr10 students – Parent Information Webinar
Justyna McMillan
justynam@isb.ac.th
Dear Parents of Gr8 and Gr9 students,
We would like to invite you to zoom into our parent webinar for rising GR9 and GR10 students on Thursday 3rd February at 10:30 AM. This presentation will provide information outlining the course registration process, specific details with regards to things like HS credits, and all of the opportunities on offer in the High School for Grade 9 and 10 students.
Please register for the meeting using the link below. The registration link also includes a space for you to enter a question you would like to have answered during the meeting. We can use these questions to help guide our discussions.
If you are unable to attend the webinar, please do not worry. We will send a recording of the webinar shortly following the session, along with other information for your perusal.
Hope to see many of you on Zoom!
Here is the link for parents and community:
When: Feb 3, 2022 10:30 AM Bangkok
Topic: Grade 9 & Grade 10 Course Registration Webinar
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rQoQZ2a0QZqMkqHeu3YAsA
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Justyna McMillan
HS Dean of Academics
News from University Counselors
Debbie McDowell
debbiem@sb.ac.th
It’s that time of year again! Grade 10 students are starting to think about their course selection for next year. Next week, sophomores will be able to see who they have been assigned to for university counseling by looking in Powerschool.
The next two weeks will be busy for the grade 10 students and the university counselors as sessions have been scheduled for them to meet in small group settings. Any sophomore who does not have a free period will be assigned to a session with a university counselor on Tuesday, 1 February, between 1:20 and 2:40. Students who have a free period will be meeting with a university counselor on Thursday (Feb 3), Friday (Feb 4), Monday (Feb 7), or Tuesday (Feb 8) during their free period. General guidance about course selection will be discussed. Please encourage your child to seek advice and ask questions during these sessions.
Of course, grade 10 students are welcome to stop by and speak to a university counselor in the HS Counseling Office and/or once they can see who their university counselor is, they are welcome to set up an appointment to speak directly with him/her.
Grade 11 students should be working on the Junior Led Conferences that will be taking place during the next two months (please see below). All juniors should get their appointment time scheduled with their counselor now so they know when to have their presentation prepared.
Junior Led Conferences begin 1 Feb through 31 March (University Counselor office and/or Zoom). All grade 11 students are required to schedule a Junior Led Conference with their university counselor and their parents during the months of February and March. The meeting will be the starting point for the university research and selection process for each student and family. Please work with your child to set that appointment well in advance during the student’s free period or if the student doesn’t have a free, after school. This is a mandatory meeting and both parents are expected to attend, in person or via zoom. The counselors look forward to hearing from the students about what their plans are for after ISB!
The university counselors meet with the Community Liaison Officers for the Thai, Japanese, Korean and Chinese communities this week. The university counselors are thrilled to work with the liaisons and to answer questions and concerns brought forward from the community. We look forward to continuing the conversation with them and the members of each community.
Future Parent Coffees:
The next two months of Parent Coffees will be focusing on the application process in different countries. This is a great introduction for grade 9 to 11 parents about what is coming in the next few years for your child. So, mark your calendars! The dates that are set so far are:
February 7: United Kingdom and the UCAS Application
February 21: Applying to Canada
February 28: Applying to the Netherlands
March 7: Applying to Hong Kong
March 14: Applying to Australia
March 21: Japanese Community Meeting
March 23: Korean Community Meeting
March 28: Thai Community Meeting
March 31: Chinese Community Meeting
Watch this space for the details and times! As we get closer to the dates we will announce if these meetings will be virtual or on campus.
Virtual university visits: Be sure to check the Virtual University Visit list for university presentations that are available for students and families to join.
Please check the ISB University/College Counseling website for loads of information. You will find university research tools, transition resources for students and parents, recordings of Parent Coffees and family presentations, virtual university visits, information about testing and how to sign up for the SAT at ISB, a list of summer programs about which the counselors have been informed, and the ISB School Profile.
Ms. Debbie McDowell (she, her, hers)
Head of University Counseling
News from HS Counselors
Shannon Leoni
shannonl@isb.ac.th
It’s that time of year- course registration time!
We’d like to make sure parents are aware of a few upcoming webinars and information sessions. Registration opens next week for high school students. Please note that registration is not first come, first served, as we like to allow students ample time to reflect and discuss options with their parents and teachers.
Information sessions for students:
Tuesday, February 1 is an early release day for all HS students.
Current grade 9 students will have a presentation in Chevron from 1:20 – 1:55 about their course registration process. Following this, the grade will be split into groups and use the opportunity to find out more about elective programs they are interested in.
Current grade 10 students will participate in a subject fair where they will be able to learn more about the program of studies and course options.
Current grades 11 and 12 students will have an early release day for students, with time built in for students to get caught up on any work they need to update.
Information sessions for parents. Links for these webinars were sent to parents this morning.
Tuesday, February 1, 2022 06:30 PM Bangkok
Topic: Course Information Session for rising Grade 11 students (Parents & Students)
Thursday, February 3, 2022 10:30 AM Bangkok
Topic: Rising Grade 9 & rising Grade 10 Course Registration Webinar
Please encourage your child to get in touch with their counselor if they have any questions about the course registration process next week.
Meet your PTA Governing Board Members! Feb 2
Dunke Tostevin
ISB PTA President 2021/2022
Dear Parents,
We hope that you can stop by to say hello on Wednesday, 2nd of February, 2022 at Sweet Poppy. 8am to 12pm
Your PTA Governing board members will be available to chat to and answer questions.
Due to Covid restrictions we will not serve any food and drinks so that everyone keeps their masks on at all times! We will provide you with a to go bag on your way out.
Thank you and see you there!
ISB PTA 2021/2022
News from HS Library
Christopher Bell
christob@isb.ac.th
Please click News from HS Library
ISB Athletics News
Chris Mott
chrism@isb.ac.th
ISB Athletics season 3 registration is now open for Grade 9-12
Tryouts for Baseball, Softball, Track & Field and Golf start on Monday 21st February. Please register on the ISB Athletics website https://inside.isb.ac.th/isbathletics/.
Season 2 game schedules can be viewed on www.isbathletics.com.
Upcoming events
Saturday 29th January
BMAC short course swimming @ISB
BMAC Varsity Basketball Invitational @ NIST
BMAC Varsity Tennis Invitational Boys @ Patana
BMAC Varsity Tennis Invitational Girls @ ISB
Saturday 5th February
BMAC U14 Volleyball @ ISB
BMAC U12 Volleyball @ BPS
BMAC U14 Softball @ BPS
IASAS CHESS SUCCESS!!!
Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th
The ISB Chess Club achieved a very pleasing third place finish in the recent IASAS Chess competition; the best result seen in years. The fact the club itself continues to grow and attract new members every week, alongside having a young squad the future of chess at ISB looks very bright indeed. Star performers on the day were Friend and Hyunmin with four out of five wins each. Jonathan, Nicholas and Hyunmin should be very proud of their leadership efforts – it is because of them we can show off our bronze medal with honor.
The full IASAS squad
- Jonathan Lamontagne-Kratz (11)
- Karan Colaco (10)
- Shota Karasuddhi (10)
- Rohan Rajan (10)
- Friend Sukparangsee (11)
- Hyunmin Bae (12)
- Ishabh Dutta Majumdar (9)
- Nicholas Jankovic (12)
Celebration of Chinese New Year
Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th
Sweet moments come again! On the first day of Chinese New Year, Feb 1st, the Chinese community is in honor to offer 1000 cups of HOMEMADE BOBA to MS & HS students and teachers for free. You can grab them during the lunch time near the stage outside the cafeteria, or the entrance to the dining tent, but please enjoy them at table ONLY. Don’t miss it, and we’ll see you then.
New Sessions start January 31st!!!
Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th
New sessions of Panther Activities programs in Art, Baseball/Softball/BBSA, Basketball, Dance, Golf, Gymnastics, Music, Native Language Academy, Rugby, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Volleyball, AND new this semester – Cool Art Club, Creative Ukuleles and Surf-Skating begin January 31st!
Parents will be notified with confirmation of their selections by Friday, January 28th.
Confirmation of Activities: January 28, 2022
Payment Window: February 4-11, 2022
For general questions contact Anthony or Lucas at PantherActivities@isb.ac.th. Or, for program specific questions, please contact our Panther Activities Coordinators at the email addresses listed below.
PantherArts@isb.ac.th, PantherBaseballandSoftball@isb.ac.th, PantherBasketball@isb.ac.th, PantherDance@isb.ac.th, PantherExplore@isb.ac.th, PantherFitness@isb.ac.th, PantherGolf@isb.ac.th, PantherGymnastics@isb.ac.th, PantherMusic@isb.ac.th, PantherNativeLanguageAcademy@isb.ac.th, PantherRugby@isb.ac.th, PantherSoccer@isb.ac.th, PantherSwim@isb.ac.th, PantherTennis@isb.ac.th, and new this semester… PantherXtreme@isb.ac.th
Hanuman Film Festival Postponed to March 24, 2022
Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th
We invite you to participate in the Hanuman Film Festival happening on March 24th! This is open to all grade levels and we are currently accepting entries until March 17. Any creative original film is welcomed! Please sign up using this link (or using the QR code) – https://forms.gle/Dpaxh9X7Ea8mXGPcA and send your film or questions you have to hanumanfilmfestival@isb.ac.th !
SWIM, BIKE, & RUN FOR EVELYN!
Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th
Tri Kids Triathlon @ ISB
February 27th, 2022
As you know, Evelyn Durbin, daughter of ISB teachers Augusta Harison-Denby and Charlie Durbin, has been fighting cancer for the past year. Complications from her most recent chemotherapy are requiring daily blood transfusions, and facing near total kidney failure has required a special emergency treatment.
The registration fees collected for this year’s event will go to Evelyn and her family to help with her cancer treatments, medications and medical bills.
Let’s swim, bike and run for Evelyn!
Tri Kids Triathlon info:
ISB students only, registration will be open next week.
-
- Ages 4-18,
- Try a Tri – 50m swim, 600m bike, 200m run (Prek 2, KG, 1st, 2nd )
- Standard – 200m swim, 5.5km bike, 1.1km run (Grades 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th)
- Do the Double – 400m swim, 11km bike, 2.2km run (Grades 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th)
Or, if you don’t want to race alone:
- Relay Team of 2 Standard – 200m swim, 5.5km bike, 1.1km run (Grades 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th)
- Relay Team of 3 Standard – 200m swim, 5.5km bike, 1.1km run (Grades 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th)
- Relay Team of 2 Do the Double – 400m swim, 11km bike, 2.2km run (Grades 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th)
- Relay Team of 3 Do the Double – 400m swim, 11km bike, 2.2km run (Grades 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th)