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TRAILL NEWS The Traill International School Newsletter

January 2011

Established 1966

   

Message from the Principal Firstly, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all parents and students a very happy, healthy and successful New Year. I am pleased to welcome four new teachers to the teaching staff. Mrs Suzuki will be teaching Japanese language and culture in the upper part of KS2 and KS3 and will be a key figure as we expand our provision of Japanese at the school. Mrs Anne Dukes has joined the Science Department to teach Chemistry to classes in Key Stages 4 and 5.

Mr Jonathan Wright has joined us to teach Year 5, and also to act as our whole-school CPD leader. Mr James O’Connell has joined the Science Department to teach Science and Physics. Ms Catherine Cutten will teach in our newly-divided Nursery class. I would also like to welcome all new students to the school and I trust that they have all settled into their new school and are making rapid progress. The introduction of Japanese into our curriculum this term to expand our Modern Foreign Languages provision has given students the opportunity to learn about the culture and language of Japan. We believe strongly that it is through this type of exposure that international students learn to live and work in harmony with other cultures of the world. It will also provide a smoother transition to our school for the increasing number of Japanese students. As with any new initiative, we have modified how Japanese has been incorporated into the curriculum and I appreciate the feedback which parents have given us in this process. Your views are always welcomed. Offers are continuing to come in for our Year 13 students. I am delighted to report that Mintra (Y12) has been offered an interview at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, which is one of the foremost music schools in the world. We all wish her the best of luck with that. Mr. Gordon Espley-Jones - Principal

From the Head of Primary School

A Happy New Year to you all. I hope 2011 brings you good health and happiness. The term has started very quietly and we are enjoying the slower pace after the busy Christmas period. The primary school has a new addition to the team. We welcome Miss Catherine as our new kindergarten teacher. The kindergarten is growing quickly. It has become necessary to separate the K1 and K2 children. Miss Catherine will be teaching K1 and Miss Leigh will be teaching K2. Miss Catherine is an experienced Kindergarten teacher; we hope she will be very happy here.

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TRAILL NEWS The Traill International School Newsletter

January 2011

Established 1966

I am from South Africa and have been teaching in South Africa, South Korea and Abu Dhabi for just over 3 years and I look forward to spending a few years in Thailand. I have a degree in Sport Science and a Post Graduate in Education where I specialized in the Foundation phase. I have joined the Traill International School as the Kindergarten 1 teacher and I look forward to getting involved in the school activities.

Ms. Catherine Cutten – Kindergarten Teacher

Welcome New Teachers!

Jon is a Canadian teacher who is newly arrived to Bangkok. He previously worked as a primary teacher at a UK school in Doha, Qatar. He enjoys playing basketball (and hockey, when in a colder climate) along with writing and playing keyboards. He is looking forward to experiencing Thai culture and helping to make a positive difference at Traill International School.

Mr. Jonathan Wright – Year 5 Teacher

Thursday 20th January was Wai Kru Day. All the teachers very much appreciated the kind thoughts and flowers presented to them by the children. Celebrating Thai cultural events at Traill International School is very important it provides opportunities for Thai students to celebrate their culture and heritage. Equally these events present the opportunity for international students to learn from and develop a greater understanding of the culture of the host nation. The primary school teachers are busy preparing for the residential trip to Khao Yai on the 15th February. The two night stay offers the opportunity for children to participate in a range of activities including trekking through the rainforest, archery and climbing, toasting marshmallows by the camp fire and having a fabulous fun time with friends. There are still a few spaces left. If you are in Year 5 or 6 and want to sign up please speak to Miss Megan or Miss Ali as soon as possible. Ms. Kerry Harris – Head of Primary

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TRAILL NEWS The Traill International School Newsletter

January 2011

Established 1966

All About Chinese New Year – The Year of the Rabbit

In China the lunar calendar is still used to determine traditional holidays like Chinese New Year. Since the lunar calendar is based on the phases of the moon – which has a shorter cycle than the sun – Chinese New Year is never on the same day each year, but typically falls somewhere between January 21st and February 20th.

My name is James O’Connell and I am delighted to be here in Bangkok and at Traill International School as the new Physics/Science teacher. I qualified as a science teacher in the UK for and a half years ago having studied science at university and have worked in the UK, Australia and my previous post was in Shanghai, China. I look forward to working with all the students and meeting you in the future.

Mr. James O’Connell – Physics/Science Teacher

My name is Takako Suzuki Chaoprasert. I am from Japan but have been in Thailand for many years. I have been teaching Japanese language at Japanese Association in Bangkok for 8 years and some universities in Thailand. I am very delighted to work at Traill International School as the new Japanese language teacher. I look forward to meeting you all.

Mrs. Takako Suzuki Chaoprasert – Japanese Teacher

My name is Anne Dukes and I come from New Zealand. I completed my Bachelor of Science at Victoria University of Wellington and my Graduate Diploma of Teaching at Auckland Teachers College. At Traill I teach Chemistry after having taught at New Sathorn International School for three years. I enjoy learning to speak Thai and I like running, especially with friends around Lumphini Park; last year I ran the Bangkok half marathon.

Ms. Anne Dukes – Chemistry Teacher

Welcome New Teachers!

All About Chinese New Year

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TRAILL NEWS The Traill International School Newsletter

January 2011

Established 1966

Chinese months are reckoned by the lunar calendar, with each month beginning on the darkest day. New Year festivities traditionally start on the first day of the month and continue until fifteenth, when the moon is brightest. Chinese New Year is celebrated with big family gatherings, gift giving, the eating of symbolic foods and display of festive decorations – all focused on bringing good luck for the New Year and celebrating the coming of Spring.

Hopping into the New Year

Legend has it that in ancient times, Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve came, and Buddha named a year after each one. He announced that the people born in each animal’s year would have some of that animal’s personality. Those born in rabbit years are popular, compassionate, and sincere. Francis Ford Coppola, Michael Jordan, and Drew Barrymore were all born in the year of the rabbit.

Fireworks and Family Feasts At Chinese New Year celebrations people wear red clothes, decorate with poems on red paper, and give children “lucky money” in red envelopes. Red symbolizes fire, which according to legend can drive away bad luck. The fireworks that shower the festivities are rooted in a similar ancient custom. Long ago, people in China lit bamboo stalks, believing that the crackling flames would frighten evil spirits.

The Lantern Festival In China, the New Year is a time of family reunion. Family members gather at each other’s homes for visits and shared meals, most significantly a feast on New Year’s Eve. The lantern festival is held on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. Some of the lanterns may be works of art, painted with birds, animals, flowers, zodiac signs, and scenes from legend and history. People hang glowing lanterns in temples, and carry lanterns to an evening parade under the light of the full moon.

All About Chinese New Year

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TRAILL NEWS The Traill International School Newsletter

January 2011

Established 1966

How to Use DVDs to Improve Your English Watching DVDs provides a unique opportunity for English learners to improve comprehension and vocabulary skills. Most DVDs provide original English language sound tracks, as well as sound tracks in different foreign languages. Most of these DVDs also provide English subtitles. However, just watching a film or sitcom in English or with subtitles doesn’t take full advantage of the learning opportunity. Here is advice on how to use DVDs to improve your son’s/daughter’s English comprehension and vocabulary. Difficulty: Average Time Required: 1-2 hours per each 30 minutes episode, more for films – 30 minute session max. Here’s How:

1. Get your learning tools out! Pen or pencil, paper and a dictionary should be close by when you begin.

2. Choose a scene. The first scene is always a good place to start. However, any scene will do. Most importantly don’t feel that you have to watch everything. If you want to watch an entire film, great. However, take it one scene at a time.

3. Watch the scene in English with no subtitles. Try to write any words or phrases you understand.

4. Watch the scene in English with no subtitles a second time. Write down a short description of what happens in the scene.

5. Watch the scene in your mother tongue. Check your understanding of the scene with the notes you have taken.

6. Watch the scene in English with no subtitles a third time. If possible, take note of phrases or words you don’t understand.

7. Watch the scene in English WITH English subtitles. Make sure to watch the scene all the way through without using the pause button on your DVD remote. Add words or phrases to your list.

8. Watch the scene in English with English subtitles and pause the scene to add vocabulary to your list.

9. Now that you have watched the scene six times (five times in English), try to define the words and phrases on your own by thinking about the context.

10. Use your dictionary to look up definitions of words or phrases you still don’t understand. Over time, you will be surprised at how many words or phrases you understand through context and without the help of your dictionary. Please believe me, it’s true!

DVDs & Your English

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TRAILL NEWS The Traill International School Newsletter

January 2011

Established 1966

Tips:

1. Change your thinking about watching films. Don’t try to watch an entire episode or film. Start thinking in terms of watching individual scenes. Repeat watching of individual scenes will help you focus on new vocabulary and gain a deeper understanding of what is said.

2. Each week, work in many short sessions rather than one long session. Four twenty-minute sessions per week focusing on one scene each time will quickly improve your English comprehension. Long sessions (2 hours or more) will kill your enthusiasm. Short and often is the key to comprehension success.

3. Ask others for patience or leave. You don’t want your little brother or sister bothering you during the film. They will want to hear it in their first language and to watch the entire show. Make it clear that you are watching the DVD in order to improve your English.

4. Rule number 1: Don’t worry if you don’t understand much (or anything). Be patient, following this advice you will begin understanding much more – if you keep doing these sessions often!

What You Need:

DVD of a film or TV show that is originally in English

Pen or Pencil

Notebook

Patience with yourself! Ms. Penny Weston – English Team Leader, Senior Teacher – Student Welfare

DVDs & Your English

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TRAILL NEWS The Traill International School Newsletter

January 2011

Established 1966

Wai Kru Day at Traill This year TIS celebrated “Wai Kru Day” on Thursday 20th of January. On that day all students and staff gathered at the Basketball court. The students sat down in a line, year by year facing the teachers. Seniors students who will be leaving school at the end of the academic year had speeches to praise and thank all the teachers for educating them. Year 10 students sang “Phrakhun tee sam”, when translated to English the song title is “the third great person” which we believe that teachers are the 3rd most important people in a child’s life, the other two being parents. We also had a moment of silence in remembrance of Mr. Anthony Traill, founder of Traill International School and former teachers who has passed away. Preceding this primary school sung the “Sarapanya”, the song where students praise the teachers and offered “Puong Ma Lai”, a garland or flower to their beloved teachers. This was followed by the secondary students paying respect to their teachers. The staff at Traill were impressed by the overwhelming respect that the students had for their teachers. You can see more ceremony pictures at www.traillschool.ac.th. Mr. Sooksunt Wangern – Thai Language and Culture coordinator

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TRAILL NEWS The Traill International School Newsletter

January 2011

Established 1966

News from PATT

24 January, 2011

Dear Parents, Guardians and Students,

An Update On What's Happening....

We managed to raise over 90,000 Baht from the School Fair in November – thank you all for your very generous support! Of that sum, 5,325 Baht, (raised by Y11A+B activities at the Fair), has been passed on to the Prom Committee and a further 22,580 Baht has been spent on equipment and materials for the new Cookery ECA which has started this term.

And what a success the Cookery ECA has been! For a planned 12 places, we received 27 applications – and that was just from Y4 and Y6.... To accommodate the overwhelming interest, the ECA has been extended from one day, (last week), to two days per week from this week onwards.

So far we have recruited several parents as 'cook for the week', to demonstrate basic cookery skills and introduce simple recipes to the students; a big thank you to all those parents! But we are still looking for more volunteers.... So as to provide varied 'menus' and demonstrate a range of skills to the students, we would like more parents to volunteer to take turns in leading a cookery class. We anticipate each 'parent trainer cook' only committing to one day in the whole term – not much to ask! So, what about you? What is your favourite recipe or cookery dish? Could you show students how to prepare it? Are you willing to share your cookery knowledge and pass on your skills? The students will really appreciate you contributing to their enjoyment of cookery and we already can see this new ECA becoming a firm favourite! Please volunteer now....

Yours sincerely,

David Burn

President Parents and Teachers of Traill Committee

Contact PATT:

email - patt@traillschool.ac.th

mobile: David Burn - 0814807242 Pada Merillat - 0850431299

or leave a message for PATT at the School front desk

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TRAILL NEWS The Traill International School Newsletter

January 2011

Established 1966

At TIS we believe that a broad, coherent and rigorous education with a global outlook conducted in an environment that nurtures mutual respect and concern for the welfare of others is the key to producing successful learning communities. We challenge all members of our community to work hard and to commit with enthusiasm to all that they do. We want our students to enjoy learning and attain the highest standards so they can face the future with confidence and become active members of society.

If you enjoyed trying the last puzzles, then here are some more.

1. A snail is at the bottom of a 20 meters deep pit. Every day the snail climbs 5 meters upwards, but at night it slides 4 meters back downwards.

How many days does it take for the snail to reach the top of the pit?

2. Here you see five equal squares.

How can you leave three squares by removing three matchsticks?

3. In a contest, four fruits (an apple, a banana, an orange, and a pear) have been placed in four closed boxes (one fruit per box). People may guess which fruit is in which box. 123 people participate in the contest. When the boxes are opened, it turns out that 43 people have guessed none of the fruits correctly, 39 people have guessed one fruit correctly, and 31 people have guessed two fruits correctly.

How many people have guessed three fruits correctly, and how many people have guessed four fruits correctly?

Solutions to the Puzzles from last month’s Newsletter.

1. School Bus. The answer is 5170. If you got 5160, that was because you forgot to include the driver.

2. Archery. Each shot has a chance of 1/3 to be

the best. This is because the result of a shot is not dependent on an earlier shot. The chance that the third shot is not the best shot, is 1 minus the chance that the third shot is the best shot. Therefore the answer is 2/3.

3. Cipher Square. There is only 1 solution to this problem, when you leave out all rotations and mirror solutions:

4. Old Masters.

Take a look at the statements about the number of paintings of Rembrandt. If Pablo would be right (“at least four”), then Henri (“at least one”) would also be right. If Henri would be right (“at least one”), then or Pablo (“at least four”) or Edvard (“less than four”) would also be right. So this means only Edvard can be right and Leonard possesses less than one Rembrandt, so no rembrandt at all.

5. Cards with Crosses. Take 14 cards from the stack. Of these 14 cards, k cards are with the cross up, and therefore 14-k cards are with the circle up. In the remaining stack of 9 cards are 14-k cards with a cross up. Then turn the stack of 14 cards round. Now there are 14-k cards with a cross up in both stacks.