Message from the Principal
Justin Alexander
justina@isb.ac.th
Dear parents,
We enjoyed our second full week of school with our students settling into their work and getting back into the rhythm of school. We held a successful club fair on Tuesday and Thursday where student leaders manned their club’s booth and welcomed new members to their respective clubs. Most of our clubs have a service focus and we are very much looking forward to being more active in our service clubs this school year.
Athletes in our Season 1 Varsity and JV teams continued dodging rainstorms after school but were still able to continue with their practice sessions and tryouts. We are all looking forward to the first round of games taking place next week for a number of our teams.
Mark your calendars for the upcoming HS Open House on Wednesday, September 14th at 6 pm. We will be sharing more information in next week’s Enews about how you can come along and meet the teachers, and learn about the curriculum and the expectations of each class.
Have a great weekend and see you at the Panther Run (7am on Saturday morning).
Regards
Justin Alexander
High School Principal
Upcoming Focus Meetings for HS parents
Justyna McMillan
justynam@isb.ac.th
A quick heads up to save the date, for informational meetings, focused on different groups in the High School.:
Informational Meeting for parents new to the High School – September 7th at 10:30
This meeting is aimed at new HS parents (Gr9-12) who would like to know more about academics in the HS and how you can best support your child in this journey as a new student. If you are not a new parent, you are of course also welcome to attend! More details about the venue and agenda will be shared in the coming weeks.
IB Matters for Gr12 – September 9th at 10:30AM
This meeting is aimed at current Gr12 parents of students taking either the full IB Diploma or IB Yr2 courses leading to certificates. We will provide an overview of the year ahead, with tips of how you can support your child through this year in preparation for the IB exams in May 2023.
IB Matters for Gr11 ‘Welcome to the IB’ – September 13th at 10:30
This meeting is aimed at current Gr11 parents of students who have just begun their 2 year IB journey. We will provide an overview of the program, including focus on IB assessment, academic honesty, and your role as a parent of an IB student.
Further details and agendas will be published closer to the date. Later on this semester, we will hold an ‘IB Basics’ meeting, an Advanced Placement Program (AP) meeting, as well as other meetings focused on academics, pathways and student life in the HS. Watch this space for further details.
Grade 11 & 12 CAS Graduation Requirement
Peter Assimakopoulos
petera@isb.ac.th
For the next two weeks, 11th and 12th graders will meet with Mr Assimakopoulos to review the graduation requirements for CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service). Grade 11 and 12 students will meet with Mr Assimakopoulos during their Core block (period 8) between now and September 3rd. Please encourage your child to participate in service, creativity and physical activity experiences this year. There are so many to choose from at this school. Getting involved makes all the difference in any child’s school life and helps build community.
If you have any questions on how your child can get involved, please reach out to Mr Assimakopoulos (petera@isb.ac.th)
iCare & Panther Fun Run
Peter Assimakopoulos
petera@isb.ac.th
iCare Thailand Foundation is a charitable organisation committed to meaningful community development that helps the underprivileged. They need our help to provide food and supplies to 7 different slums.
A food supply bag costs 450 baht, and a fresh produce bag costs 115 baht. Every little bit counts towards helping our communities in need. Consider making a small contribution this weekend during our Panther Fun Run. The iCare donation box is located at the ISB Guard Station at the front of the school.
News from School Counselors
Jackie Valenzuela
jackiev@isb.ac.th
Yesterday was the last day students were able to make changes to their schedule. Overall, there have been few requests which leads us to believe students are happy with their choices and settling into their classes.
This week we started meeting individually with high school students who are new to ISB. Transitions aren’t easy. It takes time to develop meaningful friendships and sometimes might feel like it will never happen again. We promise it will. Please check in with your child and ask how they are doing. If you have any concerns, please reach out to their counselor – Ms. Leoni (shannonl@isb.ac.th), Mr. Sambula (franks@isb.ac.th) or Ms. Valenzuela (jackiev@isb.ac.th).
Entering Grade 9 is also a big transition. This week we met with all Grade 9 advisories and talked with the students about relationships. Quite often, they feel left behind by people they used to consider friends. Their interests are changing, their values may not align any longer or they may have a disagreement and not know how to fix it. We discussed ways to make new friends, the number one quality they value in a friend and new activities they can participate in this year.
Have a great weekend!
News from University Counselors
Debbie McDowell
debbiem@isb.ac.th
The new year is in full swing as the Grade 12 students started their Senior Seminar class on Thursday. The students reviewed the Dates and Deadlines for university applications, updated their Maia Learning profiles and considering lists. Those applying to the US linked their Common App with Maia Learning so that we can electronically deliver application materials to the universities to which they are applying. Seniors were given several assignments: schedule a check in with their counselor, make an appointment for their Senior Family Conference, and the Senior Questionnaire (due 9 Sept.). Any student applying to Oxford, Cambridge, Medical/Dental/Veterinary programs in the UK must meet with their university counselor ASAP as those deadlines are very early!
Senior Family University Night is next week. The university counselors look forward to welcoming all seniors and parents to the Chevron Theater at 6:30 pm on Tuesday, 30 August for an overview of the university counseling program for grade 12.
Grade 11 students will have their first Junior Seminar in September but remind them that if they have questions for their university counselor, they can set an appointment or drop by the office!
On campus university visits are kicking off next week! All students are invited to attend the sessions. High School parents are welcome to attend as well and are reminded that students must take the lead. So, please be gracious in allowing the students to ask questions and connect with the admission representatives before parents participate.
Three university visits are currently planned for the week of 29 August – 2 September:
Monday, 29 August: Les Roches Global Hospitality Education and Glion Institute of Higher Learning, 11:00-11:40 AM, HS Conference Room
Monday, 29 August: Shoreline Community College, 3:00-3:30 PM, HS Conference Room
Mark your calendars for the ISB Greater Bangkok University Fair which will be on 22 September, 8:30 – 10:40 AM in the MPB and Rajendra Hall. Over 200 universities from over 20 countries will be present to speak about programs offered at their institution. All grade 10, 11, and 12 students will be released from class to attend the fair. Parents are invited to attend as well. Watch this space for details as the time gets near.
There are still many virtual events taking place and our students are invited to attend. Please have your child check the Virtual University Events spreadsheet to know what’s available. Please note that pre-registration is needed for some events.
SAT this weekend!
ISB will be administering the SAT on Saturday, 27 August. Check-in will begin at 7:30 AM outside the MPB and the test is scheduled to start at 8:00AM. All students must bring the following items with them to be admitted to campus and the test rooms: School ID, National ID (passport or Thai national ID card), printed admissions ticket. Students are allowed to have a clear water bottle with them during testing but no food can be consumed in the testing room. Students may only bring pencils, erasures and acceptable calculators into the test room. Students must properly wear their masks at all times or they will be asked to leave the testing site and their test will be canceled without being scored. If you have any questions about the SAT, please reach out to Ms. Shrestha in the HS Counseling Office.
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.
Kindly,
Debbie
News from HS Library
Christopher Bell
christob@isb.ac.th
Please click News from HS Library
ISB Athletics Update:
Kelly McKenna
kellym@isb.ac.th
Junior Varsity Season 1 sports begin on Monday, August 22nd. Please make sure that you know where to go and bring the proper equipment. Have fun, work hard and good luck! Tryout information is below:
| JV Tryout Information | |||
| Team | Tryout Dates | Time | Location of Tryouts |
| JV Cross country | Monday, August 22
Wednesday, August 24 Friday, August 26 |
3:00- 5:000pm | Track |
| JV Girls Volleyball | HS Auxi | ||
| JV Boys Volleyball | HS Auxi | ||
| JV Girls Soccer | Reinsch Field | ||
| JV Boys Soccer | Field D | ||
Panther Run:
The Panther Den: Home to Arts, Activities & now…Alumni
Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th
Yes, it’s true. Harold Albert, ISB’s own Alumni Coordinator, is now headquartered in the Panther Den. Come by to say hi to ‘The Legend’ and check out his new digs, or stop in to share an alumni story or connection. Chances are, if you know a student who attended ISB anytime over the past forty years, Harold will remember them, and they will certainly remember Harold. Once a Panther, always a Panther!
Invention Center Laser Engraving – 27th Aug
Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th
Want to learn how to convert a photo into a laser engraving? Come to the Invention Center on Saturday, August 27th from 10am-12pm and learn how to use our laser cutting machines to engrave a photo into wood. This project is free and open to any middle or high school students, or ISB parents. This is a great skill to learn and engravings can make great gifts. Contact Travis Dynes at travisd@isb.ac.th to sign up. We will have time and space for the first 10 participants that sign up. A reminder that the Invention Center is open to students and parents every day after school until 6pm and on Saturdays from 8am-2pm (elementary students need to have a parent present).
ISB Korean Parents Community (ISB KPC)
We would like to welcome our new Korean family and introduce all Korean families to ISB KPC (Korean Parents Community).
ISB KPC is a Korean volunteer group within the ISB that supports children’s happy school life, helps parents bond and exchange information, and supports the smooth adjustment of new families. New families as well as returning families who want to join, have questions or need help please contact us by filling in the ISB KPC Form.
By Anna Ko
ISB Korean Parent Community
Permission to Leave Campus Early Form (Repeat)
Andy Vaughan
andyv@isb.ac.th
Standing Agreement to Leave Campus Early During a Free Last Block.
Students in High School may apply for the privilege of leaving school early on days that they have the last block free. Parents need to complete an online form this year through Operoo to approve this standing agreement. This permission may only be used in the last block of the school day where the student has a free block.
When exiting campus, students will still need to come and collect a temporary gate pass from the HS Attendance Secretary to indicate they have permission to leave campus.
Please note that students who leave campus are not covered by the school’s insurance policy since they are unsupervised during this time. While off campus, the Parent assumes responsibility for their child.
For information on how to access Operoo, please refer to this video.
To complete this form for your child, please follow this link.
Please note that ISB Bus travellers are not able to be issued this agreement as they are not travelling home on school sponsored transport
Andy Vaughan
HS Dean of Students
Girl Powered G8&9 Robotics (Repeat)
Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th
Always wanted to try robotics? Thinking about finding out more about STEAM in your future? In G8 or 9? Then this is the event for you. We are looking to form a Girl Powered VEX Robotics team from G8&9 this year and are holding this event to find some interested members.
When: Saturday 3rd September 12pm – 4pm
Fill in this form to reserve your spot
We will be starting in the invention center at 12pm and building your first ever VEX robot in small teams. We will then move up to the MPB for a mini competition where we will invite your families to come and watch. The cost of the event is 300 THB and will include the cost of snacks, all the supplies and some special gifts for you all. Spaces are limited to 25 participants and will be given on a first come first served basis.
More information will follow after sign-ups. Contact Sarah Steward sarahst@isb.ac.th with any questions.