Bangkok International Preparatory and Secondary School (Bangkok Prep) PREPAZINE bkkprep.ac.th | bangkokprep Term 2 2020/21 The Bangkok Prep Base for Sustainability in Bangkrajao - page 13 IN THIS ISSUE 2 Head of School’s Message 12 Eco-Schools Green Flag Award Business and Technology Education 4 Council (BTEC) 18 University Offers & Alumni Updates Bangkok Prep Drive to Create 10 Sustainable Sports Uniforms WELCOME Head of School’s Message Sustained Success! I am sure that you will all enjoy reading this Term 2 years and we have an annual increase in students 2020/21 edition of the Prepazine. Clearly, Bangkok achieving ‘Top in Thailand’ and impressive ‘Top Prep continues to demonstrate sustained success in the World’ awards. We also have witnessed an despite the challenges that we have experienced increase in the number of students interviewed for during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bangkok Prep Oxbridge applications in the past 3 years. has continued to grow in stature and reputation Without doubt, the last seventeen years have securing its rightful place as a leading international proven that students at Bangkok Prep are able school. to achieve their potential. The word ‘sustainability’ is now synonymous with As you will see from this publication, Bangkok Bangkok Prep. This is mostly due to our relentless Prep continues to flourish in many areas and I am efforts to develop sustainability in all aspects of very excited about the strategic developments our school. Bangkok Prep is the first international that we have planned for the future. These school in Thailand to have been re-awarded the developments are designed to impact positively Eco Schools Green Flag. We are also continuing on the learning experiences of our students. The to embed our links with the UN, embassies and teachers and students will continue to focus on UK Forest School accreditation - not to mention outstanding academic progress and high quality the efficient ‘Trash Lucky’ recycling initiative, the learning experiences. abundance of energy saving solar panels and our clean air purifying systems on both campuses. Thank you all for your ongoing support, The term sustainability can be applied to our students’ continual improvement in academic Duncan J Stonehouse results. Our IGCSE and A Level results have shown Head of School sustained annual improvement during recent 2 PREPAZINE - Term 2 2020/21 WELCOME Head of Primary’s Message “Do I continue to be proud of our incredible high staff (including myself) actually went to standards and of our teachers and children!?” university to learn about Online Learning and teaching through a computer; To write an article for this edition of Prepazine, without mentioning coupled with having to work away COVID-19 and how proud I continue to be of “The best school from their families for so, so long, our in Bangkok!” is impossible. Therefore, what an amazing job our teachers have produced their best school community has done in remaining, as in my humble opinion, ever teaching skills which I believe to of being the best school in Bangkok. My thoughts, about the be second to none. Not only have we constant challenges I am given about this, remain untarnished, taken Online Learning to the next level of despite COVID-19! outstanding commitment and progress, we have also accepted I continue to be proud of our achievements here at Bangkok Prep the challenge of a new, more demanding criteria in order to be Primary. Despite COVID-19 we have once again completed an accredited with the prestigious Green Flag award. You will all outstanding recruitment process as our philosophy of recruiting hopefully be aware that we were the first school in Thailand to the right candidate for our teaching positions every time, continues! be accredited with this prestigious award, and we have done it Most importantly, once again, I believe we have chosen the right again! You will see what I am talking about in this edition of our teachers to join our fantastic team here at Bangkok Prep Primary! Bangkok Prepazine! However, as a result of COVID-19, it is also my opinion that we have Finally, from me, our community continues to grow at a steady provided (for a second time) the best Online Learning possible. I rate, welcoming superb families and friends to our outstanding have carefully looked at many, many leading schools and how they community. And, although recent times have been so incredibly have managed their Online Learning. What appears to separate difficult for everyone, Bangkok Prep continues to flourish and us from the rest, is the relentless request for parent, children and build upon its already outstanding reputation of being “The best staff feedback at every opportunity. An example of this showed in Bangkok!”. 100% of parents taking part in our feedback requests, agreeing “Yes, I continue to be very proud to be part of this that our Online Learning has been good to outstanding, everytime! amazing school and its growing community.” I must also acknowledge our teaching staff here at Bangkok Prep. They have managed to keep my quote intact, regardless of what COVID-19 has tried to do to the world of teaching and Brad Owen learning. Although none of our experienced and highly qualified Head of Primary Head of Secondary’s Message What will our future hold? All we do is for our children and we will continue to do more as it is our goal and A year ago, I wrote my first welcome letter to Prepazine as the responsibility to continually improve. We Secondary Head Teacher at our school. So much has changed can do so by engaging with guidance since January 2020 so I was surprised to find that my message and feedback from you and from the then is still the message I want to share now: Council of International Schools. We Every person is different. We need to learn about each other and will look around us at lessons learned celebrate our similarities and differences. We need to understand globally, we must constantly keep our eyes, what will best support and challenge each child we care for. We ears and minds open and anticipate the future. must make sure they are heard and encouraged and able to grow. Both what it could be and what it might be knowing that the Grow their awareness, understanding, values, skills and gather people who will shape it are the young people who learn with knowledge along the way. us right now. I want us all to be part of a community with teachers and students Schools can and should be agents of change and so we strive and families who feel a sense of belonging. Somewhere that to learn together so that each member of our community has children are heard and planned for as the individuals they are. A sustainable living, moral actions and ethical intentions at the heart community where we can all safely learn from mistakes, follow of their decisions. I truly believe that no matter what we do, or our own pathway and belong to something special. This is key what challenges we face, that if we can keep our values with us to our vision: To be an outstanding learning community that is and show empathy and kindness to others, there is no greater internationally minded, inspiring all members to achieve their measure of success. potential. Tia Court-Smith Head of Secondary Term 2 2020/21 - PREPAZINE 3 SCHOOL NEWS Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC) Bangkok Prep is offering a coursework-based BTEC programme to students which gives career advantage and a solid pathway to universities around the world. The additional pathway, BTEC, has a career focus and is grounded in the world of work for students to gain skills and knowledge in their chosen subject area and then put those skills into practice in real-life scenarios. Bangkok Prep is launching the BTEC (Business Technology Education Council) programme for the last 2 years of secondary school, in Years 12-13 (age 16-18), focusing on coursework and real world examples of education. This exciting qualification will allow students to develop a range of skills and knowledge required by workplaces and universities and is recognised by universities around the world. Head of School, Duncan Stonehouse, marked the launch of the programme. “This pathway is a great addition to our rigorous A Level programme.” We believe that every single student is talented in their own way and we must celebrate that. This BTEC will recognise talents in every one of our students and will enable them to reach their full potential, as stated in our school vision and mission statement.” Sarah Dixon, Faculty Leader of Humanities and BTEC Quality Nominee, added, “Some students are very good at sitting exams. There are also many talented students who enjoy learning by doing practical coursework in the subject area they are really passionate about. The BTEC programme is definitely the answer for them.” BTEC courses are designed with employment in mind and have a focus on practical skills. “Students will learn essential skills such as presenting in front of their class, negotiating, writing reports and conducting independent research tasks through their coursework.” Nikita Arora, Lead Internal Verifier for BTEC Business, commented. With a BTEC, students will gain a certificate and qualification that will enable them to do further study at college or university. “BTECs are recognised by universities around the world and particularly in the UK, it can be used as a solid pathway to university,” said Lucy Allen, University Guidance Counsellor at Bangkok Prep. Marlon recently joined Bangkok Prep and is studying a combination of 2 A Level courses and 1 BTEC course.