EDITION 2 Term 1 2014/2015

REGENTS’ NEWSLETTER SECONDARY THis Week in the secondary newsletter

CALENDAR DATES

Friday 26th Sept The Russell Cup Staff Football Match

Monday 29th Sept MODELLING PLANT AND ANIMAL CELLS Student Leadership Election process begins

Monday 29th Sept Public Speaking Assembly – student speeches being performed live ‘Children should be seen and not heard ? ’ Thursday 2nd Oct World Poetry Day

Monday 6th Oct Round Square International Should we listen to childrens’ opinions and points of view? the answers we find as we explore a deeper understanding MEET THE TEACHERS EVENING - SUCCESS Conference in Jordan Absolutely - an easy answer from my perspective! of our students learning needs and styles. We accept that the students will identify areas which they like and areas At the start of this new academic year, it is my mission to Friday 10th Oct they would like to change and this is the reason for asking Dodgeball Madness – listen to our students and use their views to shape learning the questions. As positive role models, it is important that after school fancy dress in our school. We have always had a strong student voice our students view the teaching staff as a group of active Dodgeball Tournament in relation to our commitment learners who are willing to listen to Round Square and student and respond to feedback as this leadership but we have never is the expectation we place on asked what it is like to be a them every day. student here at the Regents from an academic perspective. This is an exciting project and I will be looking for willing MEET THE “GAPPIES” ! Over the coming weeks I will volunteers from our student be making a video asking our body over the coming weeks. As students questions about their reflective practitioners, I believe learning experiences and how we must listen and use the voice accessible our curriculum is to of our students to continue our them. This video will then be journey, taking Regents from presented to our staff on Tuesday being a good school to a great 25th November during one of school. our professional development sessions. This is a brave move and, Paul McConnell, as a staff, we are ready to accept “ THE CHOSEN ONES “ Deputy Head of Secondary The Secondary School ‘Meet the Teachers Evening’ proves to be a huge success

By Sarah Travis-Mulford , Assistant Head of Secondary

‘The School is riding on the crest of a very successful wave, presentations, hosted by Assistant Head of Secondary, Mrs. with the highest examination results on record and the Sarah Travis-Mulford for KS3 and Mr. Paul McConnell, highest number of students on roll in the school’s history.’ Deputy Head of Secondary for KS4 and the IB Diploma Programme. These presentations proved very popular, with parents being given an overview of their son/daughter’s year group, academic expectations and key event highlights across Term 1, as well as positive developments regarding the Rewards and Sanctions Policy across the school.

We all look forward to the next parent/teacher event, with the first phase of formal Parent/Teacher conferences beginning with the Year 11 and Year 13 Parent/Teacher Evening on the 15th of October. In the meantime, in order to support This opening address given by Head Teacher, Garry Russell, the continuing progress of Regents’ students, all parents introducing parents to the Secondary School’s ‘Meet the are encouraged to contact their son/daughter’s Head of Teachers Evening’ on Wednesday 24th September, set the Year in the first instance, should they wish to discuss any scene for a hugely successful parent/teacher event. One of pastoral or academic matters. the reasons for the school’s success is due to a very strong relationship between parents and teachers.

Returning to tradition, parents were invited into the Secondary ‘The School is riding on the crest of a very successful wave…’ classrooms, to meet with relevant teachers from all of the Secondary subjects across the school.

The evening’s goal was to enable parents and teachers to connect face-to-face in order to acquaint themselves with each other. Parents and Teachers also got the opportunity to discuss students’ current level of progress based on the Settling-In Reports, which were issued to students on the same day.

In addition to the individual parent/ teacher conversations, parents were invited to attend specific key stage SECONDARY TEACHERS PROFILE An Introduction to Regents’ Gap Staff for 2014-15

By Jenny Lundt, Gap Staff

FREDERICA GREEN FREDERICA GREEN Chemistry Teacher What is a Gappie, who are the Gappies at Regents this year Frederica Green holds a BSc (Hons) degree in Chemistry from and what do they do?! the University of Liverpool (UK), her home town, and a Post- Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) from Liverpool If you have spent any time on the Regents campus in the contributed thousands of hours of community service to John Moores University (UK). last several years, you will notice a group of enthusiastic, our local communities. We also have a professional salsa “I joined Regents for the 2014-2015 academic bright-eyed staff members running from Primary to the dancer, an up-and-coming musician, a rap artist, a leader of year after two years teaching Chemistry in pool to Secondary to the pool, to reception to the pool, the dream team (Benny), a Thespian, and a national chess Formby High School in the UK. Whilst at the over and over. champion. school I ran a successful Science Club and assisted with culture club, both of which All of these staff members, who don’t look quite old This year we are hoping to apply our individual strengths were great fun. I was also involved in the enough to be teachers are the Regents Gap Staff, otherwise to every aspect of Regent’s life. We are already actively organisation and running of a number of known as Gappies. involved in every type of class from Drama to Science school trips. Gap Staff either spend 6 For relaxation I enjoy cooking and watching months or a year in post. This films and I am looking forward to learning Thai.and I hope to continue to travel widely, year is unusual as most Gap gaining new cultural experiences whilst at Staff have started their term Regents.” in post together, with only 2 returning Gap Staff from last term. Gerard Egan In case you don’t know what GERARD EGAN a ‘Gappie’ is, we are a group of Mathematics Teacher students who just graduated Gerard obtained his BSc (Hons) in Economics from the from High (Secondary) University of Birmingham in 2007 and his Masters in Educational School who have decided Leadership from the University of Warwick in 2012. He has to take one year off before worked in UK schools for the last six years, specialising in attending university. secondary Mathematics. Regardless of our widely diverse upbringings, we all I was drawn to Regents by the professional nature of the school and its record for share one common motive: developing excellent staff. the desire to be at Regents. We are here to meet fantastic This is my first time working abroad and I am new people, travel around South-East Asia, earn a little bit looking forward to the fresh challenges to Spanish. We also participate in just about every type it will bring. Throughout my career I of money, and above all, help the students of this school have enjoyed inspiring young learners to reach their full potential. of after school activity you can imagine, from netball to think creatively and relish the challenges mountain biking! If you see any of us around, please say Our Gappie and Intern team this year really embodies mathematics can bring. ‘hello!’ Our year here would not be as significant without the Round Square ideal of Internationalism. Our team meaningful interactions and conversations with students, “I have moved to Thailand with my partner of 12 comes from 10 different countries - New Zealand, parents, and fellow staff members. and we are looking forward to exploring this Spain, Germany, Finland, Bulgaria, South Africa, Kenya, wonderful country. In my spare time I enjoy USA, Colombia, and the UK. Each of us brings a unique Stay tuned for every upcoming Newsletter - for a spotlight playing sports including football, squash on two specific Gappies! and chess. I also like relaxing with a book in approach to education, as we all come from so many the sunshine. that I have been appointed to Regents, I am excited about all the opportunities different backgrounds. ahead to encourage students to participate in music both in an outside of the classroom and to contribute to the successful extra-curricular programme.” Between us, we speak 17 different languages, play 7 different instruments, have visited at least 70 countries, and have Year 7 Geographers take the Principal on a tour of the world in The students become the teachers 80 minutes

By Timothy Spear, Head of Geography DEPARTMENT

As a start to the Year 7’s Geography Course, Geography Teachers have developed a challenging piece of work entitled ‘Landscape in a Box’. The students were asked to choose one location in the world that they had been to, or would love to go to.

They then were challenged to make a model of this landscape, which they all presented to their respective classes. The amount of work and effort put in by our students was truly amazing. The models represented over 70 different locations. As a Department, we were greatly impressed with the creativity and perseverance shown by all of our students.

The top 10 Landscapes in a Box from all IB students take control of the classroom of Year 7 were chosen and their creators were invited to take the Principal, Mr Iain By Samantha Jones, Head of History DEPARTMENT, psychology Teacher Blaikie and Mrs Sarah Travis-Mulford, Assistant Head of Secondary on a tour of This week, History IB students have been participating in terms regarding German land, colonies, armaments and the world in 80 minutes. a role reversal task; they have been teaching the rest of the reparation repayments. As teachers we were all very proud of the effort put in by all the students. We look forward to the continuing success of class about the aims of each major leader at the Treaty of Year 12 students have been studying the major victors of Year 7 throughout the year. Versailles. World War One; Britain, France, USA, Italy and Japan, and The Treaty of Versailles was an agreement, produced examining how they decided to punish Germany. Around the World in 80 Minutes in 1919, to ‘deal with’ Germany after she and her allies The decisions the victors made were incredibly important, lost World War One, and has long been debated for its with many historians arguing the harsh terms were a major long term cause of World War Tw o .

As we know, this year celebrates 100 years since the start of World War One, and it is therefore of upmost importance to remember the horrors, the causes and the consequences of war.

Each student showed confidence and understanding, reflecting how much time and effort had been spent working on their presentations. An excellent start to IB History and a possible career path for the future…. Maths Workout – can you meet the challenge? Year 3 students visit the Secondary School Art Department! By Andrew Perrins, Head of Mathematics department

This workout is for all parents who would like to get a flavour for By Katherine Perrins, Head of Art Department the sort of Maths puzzles your children are being asked to work through each week at Regents. As part of Green and Healthy Week, Year 3 students were and tone to create some excellent sketches, which began

It is open to students as well of course. The next puzzle involves invited up to the Secondary Art Department to take part in to demonstrate 3D qualities. a little knowledge of a lesson on how to draw fruit. Congratulations to Riccardo Giacomelli in Year 6 for solving last Art students generally do two important things, which indices, and once again an newsletter’s puzzle, correctly identifying that the triple circle was honourable mention awaits Thirty five, extremely excited students arrived at the others often do not do: they look at things more closely the only shape it is possible to draw without taking your pencil the first three correct Secondary School Art classrooms, eager to develop their than most people do, and find great beauty in everyday off the paper or drawing over the same line twice. solutions submitted to drawing skills. objects and situations. These qualities were definitely andrew.perrins@regents- demonstrated by the Year 3 artists and I hope they enjoyed For a full explanation of why this is the only shape that works, a pattaya.co.th. Enjoy! The Secondary Art Department staff were deeply the session as much as we enjoyed having them! little investigation into the study of ‘Eulerian Cycles’ is required, impressed with these young artists’ concentration on the or you can ask some of our Year 8 students who successfully took task; all the students drew simple forms and added shade on this challenge as well.

Given that:

5p = 9, 9q = 12, 12r = 16, 16s = 20 and 20t = 25

What is the value of pqrst?

Thanks to www.nrich.maths.org for their weekly puzzles. Year 3 artists impress with their skills of observation and creativity

LAST WEEK’S PUZZLE

Congratulations to Riccardo Giacomelli in Year 6 for solving last newsletter’s puzzle, correctly identifying that the triple circle was the only shape it is possible to draw without taking your pencil off the paper or drawing over the same line twice. How do we see? Cross-curricular links in Psychology lessons

Modelling Plant and Animal Cells By Samantha Jones, Head of HISTORY DEPARTMENT, PSychology teacher

During the past few lessons, Year 10 Psychology students The Year 10 Psychology students finished the lesson with a By Jennifer Ball, have explored cross-curricular links with a Psychology peer assessment of how well the eye was labelled, and how Head of Year 9 / Biology Coordinator topic, including Biology and Art. The students have been proficiently everyone knew the key parts. These ‘eyes’ will studying the structure of the eye: learning what parts of now make a great display and remind all students how our On the 10th of September, Year 7 investigated the the eye help us to see, in order to find out how rods and eyes help us see the world. structure and function of both plant and animal cones work and what job the retina and cells as well as the difference between them. In the optic nerve has. The students tested order to show us what they learnt, they were tasked themselves by looking at optical illusions, with the challenge of creating a model cell of their drew and labelled the eye and next week choice. Year 7 used their creativity, teamwork they will see how the brain interacts with and incredible knowledge on cells to create cell the eye to learn how we perceive objects masterpieces that they presented to their peers. in our world.

Also, Year 7 have been practising their skills in This week, demonstrating their skills as microscopy by discovering cell division using artists and sculptors, the students created budding yeast cells and having a look at their own a papier-mâché structure of the eye, so cheek cells. they had 3D versions to help them learn Coming up soon: We will be moving on to study the about how our eyes help us to perceive the structure and function of the reproductive systems world. The students started by blowing in plants and animals. up their balloons to form the shape of the eyeball. They then ripped newspaper into Well done, Year 7! Keep up the excellent work! long strips and covered them with papier- mâché mixture made from glue and water (thanks to Mrs Perrins who provided us with these materials!). Once the newspaper was covered As a continuation of this topic on perception, Year 10 in the mixture, the students covered their balloons with Psychology students will embark upon a class trip – to visit many different layers to keep the structure strong. Once it Art In Paradise… had dried, they painted the structure to look like a real eye ball and then labelled all key parts. Year 10 make eyeballs! Dissect a Digestive System Challenge DRAMA WORKSHOPS

By Jennifer Ball, Head of Year 9 / Biology Coordinator By MIKE Thomas , Teacher of Drama

On the 9th September, Year 13 Biology students took on the Highlights of the “Dissect a Digestive System Challenge”: On Saturday 20th September IB Theatre and IGCSE Drama soon cast a hypnotic fascination over the performer and challenge of locating key parts of the digestive system including students joined together for two exciting and stimulating audience alike. Terry explained the development of the - Discovering what the chicken had for dinner. the alimentary canal and its accessory organs. I was delighted workshop sessions focusing on Clowning techniques and Butoh art form as a reaction to the way Japanese society Thankfully only seeds, grain and corn were found, not like last with the enthusiasm and focus our Biologists demonstrated the extraordinary Dance theatre form originating from had developed since the Second World War. Through the year when fluorescent green pellets were the diet of choice. throughout their dissections. We may have a few surgeons in Japan called Butoh. our midst! Once everything had been cleared up, including - Squeezing out the intestines to push out faeces and The morning session was led by many trips to wash their hands, our budding Biologists had finish the digestive process. Andre Hille, currently teaching at to correctly draw and label all major organs in the correct Year 13 have now moved on to the heart and transport systems the Makhampom Arts Studio in position using biological drawing technique. in the body. Find out more about this exploration of a topic in Northern Thailand and formerly the next Secondary newsletter! from the Hamburg Youth Circus in Germany. Andrea led the group through a series of physical exercises and improvisation work which focused on unlocking new patterns of movement and the re-discovery of a sense of discovery, naiveté, wonder and playfulness so often missing from the sophisticated art form that modern theatre has developed into. In so doing the students discovered new insights into characterization work and ways of moving which often unlock the delicate and refined movements the performers are able to essence of character. discover their essence through looking intensely inwards. Altogether different, in the afternoon Terry Hatfield of The seemingly tortured movement also reflects the hard the Bangkok Butoh Co-op led a challenging and exciting life of the peasants’ in the hostile climate of Northern session on the mysterious form of Japanese Dance Drama Japan. Butoh is unique in the way that age is no barrier, Theatre called Butoh, an extraordinary hybrid of art, indeed the founder of Butoh performed publicly up to the incorporating elements theatre, dance, music, Japanese age of 95. Noh and Kabuki theatre and, at times, the Chinese Art of The sessions were challenging but fun like all good Tai Chi. After a series of introductory warm-ups the session teaching should be and the Drama Department looks moved into exploring different patterns of movement forward to welcoming more professional practitioners which to an outsider at first look painfully slow but very and performers in the future.

Year 13 Biologists dissect a chicken to identify the structure and location of its digestive system. MUN After School Activity students engage in serious debate

By Sarah Travis-Mulford , Assistant Head of Secondary

In preparation for an upcoming MUN Conference, MUN after school activity students practiced their researching and debating skills in timed conditions. Hot debate soon filled the room as the participating students considered the merits of After School Activities (ASAs). The esteemed judges, Mrs. Tamara McKenna (Head of English) and Sarah Travis-Mulford (Assistant Head of Secondary) had a tough time deciding upon the winning ‘Students should focus on their academic studies rather than taking debate team. However, in the end, it came down to how part in ASAs…’ much time and location relevant material was applied to the arguments to decide on a winner. The ‘For’ Team therefore won with their relevant, school-related evidence and health related organization research.

You can decide for yourselves who you think should have won, following the key points made by each side in the debate, below:

FOR AGAINST

Students need to get exercise. ASAs often provide this ASAs are a waste of time! Most ASAs are time fillers *exercise. Sports teach students real life skills: they reduce –* aimed only at keeping students busy for an hour after stress, depression, teach social and physical skills such as school, twice a week. team work – all these skills are needed for later life. More time is needed to perform to a high standard In the USA, according to government health *academically; ASAs take away time to dedicate to academic *organization data, the amount of children aged 6 - 19 who studies. are overweight, due to physical inactivity and poor diet, ASAs distract students from studying. ASAs make has tripled since 1980. This is a clear argument in favour *students late home and give students stress as they have to of encouraging students to engage in sporting after school do homework in a shorter time, twice a week. activities. Students can practice public speaking skills during A wide range of clubs allow students to pursue an *assembly. *activity which cannot be accommodated in curriculum time. For example, students can prepare for the whole All students at Regents are required to take Core PE school production, ‘A Christmas Carol’, through the ASA *lessons every week, thus keeping them healthy. time, without affecting their time dedicated to studies. ASAs should be focused on academic studies, to Students have a short attention span, which means *improve students’ chances of reaching top university *that students need to be exposed to a variety of activities destinations. Students can do sports once they reach to develop their capacity to be flexible in life and to be university! disciplined enough to concentrate on their academic endeavours.

The percentage of students who play sports outside *of school curriculum time is only 60% , according to the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission. Get involved in extra-curricular Music! THE CHOSEN ONES!

By Emily Andrews, Head of Secondary Music department

By Tom Hart, The Secondary Music Department have been overwhelmed with Secondary PE Coordinator the number of students who have opted to take extra instrumental lessons so far this term. From over 80 students who attended the U15 FOBISIA and Senior Phuket football trials held at Regents recently, Mrs Lucy Lewis, the Head of Primary Music & Whole School the final teams have now been selected. The selection Instrumental Manager has said we have a “record breaking” number process proved difficult for the P E Department, due to of students on our instrumental timetables, many more than ever the hard work and determination shown by the students before! during the trial week. The U15 students were gathered If you would like the opportunity to be taught by our highly together in the Roundhouse on Monday 8th September experienced instrumental teachers, lessons are available on brass, at lunch time to hear the news. woodwind, strings, piano, percussion and the voice, please contact Following their selection, the students will now Miss Emily Andrews or Mrs Lucy Lewis for a form and further be training four nights a week (Monday-Thursday), information. alongside friendly warm-up matches in preparation Following are links to watch and hear our guitar teacher, for the competitions ahead. The first friendly matches Mr Champ and voice teacher, Miss June doing what they against St. Andrews saw the U15 Girls football team walk do best. If you like what you see, why not enquire about away victors with a 1-0 win, whilst the U15 Boys narrowly lessons? lost 1-0; both games were very close encounters with Mr Champ, Coffee Break Grooves a number of positives to take forward into the next fixture. The first Senior football matches also took Miss June, The Voice Thailand place this week with the Senior Boys winning 3-2 and the Miss June, performing a Roger Quilter composition Senior Girls winning 1-0. Both matches were extremely competitive and some excellent football was on display from the Regents players.

DAY LUNCH 11:15 - 13:45 AFTER SCHOOL 15:30 - 16:30

MONDAY MUSIC TECH CLUB CHAMBER ORCGESTRA TUESDAY BRASS GROUP WEDNESDAY CHOIR SECONDARY ORCHESTRA THURSDAY MUSIC TECH CLUB ROCK SCHOOL FRIDAY BIG BAND

In preparation for the upcoming Christmas Concert, students will soon be invited and encouraged to join:

• Guitar Group • Drum Group • Year 7 Voices

Also, musicians are needed to perform with the Pit Band for the Secondary School production of A Christmas Carol:

• Experienced string, brass and woodwind players • One experienced drummer and guitarist

These are great opportunities to get involved in the musical life of the school and also earn commendations (and House points). If you require further information, please contact either Mr Ross Crichton or Miss Emily Andrews in the Secondary Music Department. REGENTS’ Students become Sailing Champs! Looking for a Penpal? By Alexander - Year 9 and Bobby - Year 12, STUDENTS By Stephanie Morand, French and Spanish Teacher – Exchange coordinator

skolinks.com is a free and safe site for young The weekend of August 16-17 saw a keenly sailed battle for The ‘Easy Tiger’ Team won the Thailand National Platu people and teachers who are looking for the Thailand Platu 25th National championships, which Championship by one point; headed by skipper Tom Spithill penpals/epals around the world. were held at Ocean Marina Yacht Club in Pattaya. Nine This project was developed by Skolidarité, teams with 45 experienced a French non-profit association, in addition Platu crews participated in to its actions in favour of education in the the annual event with the first Democratic Republic of Congo. It has the day proving difficult due to following objectives: unpredictable conditions and - Promote brotherhood and solidarity lack of wind. Results showed between young some yachts coming first in earlier races then dead last - Fight against racism and discrimination in the late afternoon legs. By - Raise awareness on the Rights of the Child the day’s end, the wind had completely lulled, leaving the yachts becalmed with a slow Why Skolinks ? crawl around the course on the - For youth to be at the heart of globalization! last race. Globalization should not be reduced to The second day by contrast, only the flow of goods and capital. Human opened with magnificent relations and mobility of citizens should be weather and constant wind, encouraged and facilitated. resulting in the teams sailing more competitively. As the wind freshened, so did the By facilitating the meeting of young people and Peter Winter and ably supported by the Thai teenage tension and adrenaline aboard all the boats, with the mark from other countries and the relationship crew from Royal Varuna Yacht Club (RYVC) consisting of roundings in particular being challenging and a lot more with teachers to develop educational Lorenzo Cassio, Miki Romanyk, and Brothers Bobby and like navigating a minefield of oncoming boats as they projects Skolinks allows everyone to become Alex Frefel. In second place was the Stingray team led by jostled for position. The finishes were incredibly close a citizen of the world. Dylan Whitcraft, also from RVYC. with each boat constantly trying to scramble for the extra - For the discovery and respect for cultures couple of meters to beat out other yachts. Understanding of cultures, religions, and customs is essential to build a more tolerant world, encourage intercultural dialogue and thus fight against extremism political, religious...

- For a window on the world and a better understanding of it

By sharing with other young people, you will hear about the great of their country but also about their difficulties. You will understand the geopolitical issues that nations and people face in the twenty-first century.

- For greater solidarity

Beyond the initial step of talking to other young people, may be the desire to go further by carrying out projects of solidarity and see what could be done to build a more equitable World.