DBS NEWSLETTER

 Dear Parents and Guardians, Unfortunately I have been out of school for most of this week due to covid. Today, my predecessor Mr McVeigh came to visit the school with his wife Lisa as they were passing through Bangkok. Whilst I wasn't able to give them a tour of the facilities myself, I did chat with them on the phone. They were delighted and amazed by how the facilities have improved in the last two years and were so pleased to see how some of the students they remembered from their time hear have grown up. Today, Prep and Senior students had a very touching Remembrance ceremony to pay respects to all who have died in wars around the world. Whilst this is a typically British celebration, our approach at DBS was to give it international relevance. Our students heard personal perspectives from staff with a range of nationalities. The mode of the assembly was poignant and as we watch the news, I'm sure we all sadly see the relevance of recognising this event almost 80 years sinc...

Dear Parents and Guardians, This morning, the Prep and Senior students attended a special assembly on Remembrance.  Remembrance Day is a special date in the British calendar where, on November 11th each year, we remember those who have given service to their country at times of war and especially to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. November 11th being the date on which the First World War finally ended. Today’s assembly was led by Mr Downs, who was supported by Mr Smith, Mr Dunphy, Mr Liu, Ms Chikushi, Mr Ang and Dr Thiwa. Each member of staff spoke eloquently about what remembrance looks like in their home country and what it means to them. Then followed a poignant reading by Mr Downs of the fourth stanza of ‘For the fallen’, a poem that is synonymous with Remembrance Day.  The assembly ended with the traditional playing of the Last Post by a guest bugler. It was a very emotional occasion that was a fitting tribute for those who have given so much so that we can live th...

In preparation for Anti-Bullying Week and Odd Socks Day on Friday the 17th of November, the senior school has been focusing on Anti-Bullying themes. One thing that has come to light is the importance of understanding the fact that restorative action when dealing with bullying is crucial, especially for those learning English as a second language. Unlike punishment, which focuses on consequences and retribution, restorative action aims to heal and build understanding. Bullying is horrific but it can be particularly challenging for language learners, as it not only affects their emotional well-being but can also hinder language development. Restorative approaches provide a more compassionate solution by promoting open communication between the individuals involved. This creates a safe space for expressing feelings and perspectives, fostering empathy on both sides. Restorative action also encourages accountability and personal growth. It helps individuals recognise the impact of their act...

  Dear DBS Prep Parents, At the start of this academic year, we introduced The DBS Code to staff, students and parents. This code refers to 'Developing Better Selves' and clarifies our expectations to build positive behaviour and a harmonious culture for all at school. The response to the code has been very positive and has supported our behaviour systems and practice. I understand that many parents are curious to know how we navigate and nurture this aspect of school life, and we invite you to a Parent Workshop to learn more next week. Mr Orton and I look forward to sharing insights with you on Tuesday at 8 am in the Black Box. This morning, we gathered in a poignant assembly to commemorate Remembrance Day. Students from both Prep and Senior schools united as teachers, representing their diverse home countries, shared heartfelt reflections on how they honour and express gratitude to those who have bravely served their nations. The occasion concluded with a one-minute silence w...

Last Friday, our team of Yr 5 and 6 Science Ambassadors, led by Mrs Katie McMillan (Yr1-4 Science Coordinator) and Ms Ploy (Science Technician), attended the Primary Science Competition at Shrewsbury Riverside.  The morning was full of fun science activities, but things got more serious after lunch when 14 teams from 7 schools across Bangkok went head to head in an extremely challenging competition format.  Students completed 3 rounds including a practical assessment using Eureka cans, a data analysis task and a very tough science quiz.  When the results were announced, it was the DBS Year 6 team who collected the 1st place trophy.  This is an incredible achievement for our young scientists and we are all very proud of their commitment to Science.  As part of the DBS Science Ambassador team, they lead the way in this area of the school and have already completed their first big mission of the year in the production of 'Feel The Atmosphere' Science Week 2023....

Reminder: The term 2 2023/2024 tuition fee invoices have been sent to parents on Wednesday, 8th November 2023. The due date of payment is Friday, 8th December 2023.  The late payment will be applied at the interest rate of 1.25% per month after the due date.

  Congratulations DBS Swimming Team! Waratchaya Kaewngarm (Earney Y5) 1 Gold 2 Silver Pimraphat Phiensahakit (Primmie Y6) 3 Bronze Rinlita Chaikittilak (Enfant Y5) 1 Gold Panthita Limworapan (Tale Y5) 1 Gold Ploypailin Srirueangphan (Ployya Y5) 1 Gold

  Congratulations, Mr. Woolaston! At DBS, we take immense pride in providing our students with a genuinely world-class education, delivered by exceptionally skilled educators hailing from the UK and beyond. Our talented teachers are dedicated to continuous learning and finding the best ways to support our students. Come and experience it for yourself!

  Gratitude in abundance! 🙏✨ A heartfelt thank you to all the wonderful parents who joined our Behaviour in EY Parents Workshop. Your enthusiasm and commitment to understanding your child's world made this event truly special. Here's to the incredible journey of getting to know our children better together! 💙👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Enjoy the gift of giving! Join our new campaign to help deliver smiles straight into the hands of children at Beaumont Ruampattana School.

Inviting families into the classroom for our termly Family Times brought joy and happiness as the children shared in their learning and school experiences. These times connect home and school, creating a special bond and we were thrilled to see so many family members join the event.

Year 12 Travel and Tourism students are planning an event as part of their A Level Coursework.  A message from Meena, Ping and Yui:  We are thrilled to announce an exceptional opportunity for our students in the senior school to embark on an unforgettable Travel and Tourism trip to IconSiam! This will take place on Tuesday 12th November and the trip will include lunch, cinema and free time for shopping. To make this experience even more special, we've devised a unique method for students to secure their spots. How students can earn a ticket: Starting today, students have the chance to accumulate house points, and with each point earned, their likelihood of being selected for the trip increases. This initiative adds an exciting element to the journey, where your academic and extracurricular efforts directly contribute to the possibility of joining this remarkable adventure. Lucky Draw Selection: The selection process will be conducted through a lucky draw, ensuring a fair and r...

  The Reception and Year 2 classes were full of joy and laughter as parents joined their little ones during Family Time. They received the opportunity to witness their children's progress since the beginning of the term and learned together with them. Thank you to all parents who joined us, your support means so much to your children's educational journey.

  DBS proudly present the Year 1-2 Christmas Show - The Penguin Save Christmas World.  Join us for a joyful moment with the Year 1 and 2 on Thursday 30th November 2023 from 3.30pm at the Araya Hall.

  Wear Your Differences Proudly! Embrace Diversity, Stop Bullying.

  Suphattha Chanpipatkul (D-Day Y4) 1 Bronze Phanchita Chaikittilak (Aunaun Y2) 1 Silver 3 Bronze Trophy 5th Waratchaya Kaewngarm (Earney Y5) 3 Gold 2 Silver 1 Bronze Trophy 4th Ploypailin Srirueangphan (Ployya Y5) 1 Bronze Porramust Phiensahakit (Pepper Y8) 1 Silver Pimpin Ngamcharoensuktaworn (Ping Y10) 1 Silver 1 Bronze Trophy 6th

  The U11 girls' football team enjoyed a fantastic day out at Rugby School for the end-of-season BISA tournament. There were some fantastic moments throughout the day, from winning two games and drawing one in the group stages, including two superb passing goals in the last two minutes to secure that draw. The team played their best and fought throughout the entire game, but unfortunately came up short in the semi-final against a strong Harrow team. Overall, it was a great day with plenty of playing time and smiles all around. Well done, girls. Thank you all parents for providing us with photos from the match.

  On Saturday 4th November, our boys U13 Basketball team went to Rugby International school to compete in the BISA tournament. We were placed in a tough group with Shrewsbury, Rugby B and St Andrews. We came out of this group in 3rd place having lost our first match to St Andrews, winning against Rugby and losing to the eventual Champions Shrewsbury. We qualified for the 3rd place playoffs, against King's College against whom who struggled to score baskets despite creating lots of chances. We eventually lost 9-4. Our final game was a rematch against Rugby B, who we had already beaten in the group stages. Carrying a lot of injuries and tiredness after a long day we struggled to remain competitive and lost. The BISA league is a real step up for our teams and our U13 boys did well to compete against some well established teams. Everyone enjoyed the competition and learnt a lot from the experience. Thank you all parents for providing us with photos from the match.

Bring your friends for a special discount, an offer you cannot miss. More information: 02-666-1933 📧  admissions@dbsbangkok.ac.th

We have had another lovely week in Magpies! The children have continued to to work really hard all week! In art we created another whale masterpiece by following a step by step whale drawing guide and then used beautiful watercolours to paint it! In English, we have continued to focus on The Storm Whale and have really thought hard about retelling the story. Well done Magpies!

  This week in Otter class, we have been extremely busy, learning about our new topic areas. In English, we have started to plan our persuasive letters, focusing on using the features of what makes a good letter. In Maths, we have continued to learn about shapes, now moving onto identifying 3D shapes by their properties and nets. We also continued our Art learning journey, looking at different ways we can make patterns using different strokes and textures. 

Mini Dragons have had a very busy week learning about animals in the jungle.  We have loved learning the words to 'Walking in the Jungle', and using our listening ears to figure out what animal sound we can hear.  The children have been learning English names for elephant, monkey, lion, tiger and frog! We have seen some very interesting insects in the Mini Dragons garden also, such as ants, butterflies and caterpillars! We love using our looking eyes to look at their colours and shapes. We have also had a visit to the Araya Hall, in preparation for our upcoming Christmas show on November 23. We love twirling around the big stage pretending to be the falling snowflakes.  We are so excited to show you all of our learning Friday afternoon during our first Family Time.   See you then!

This week in the Sunflower Class we have started our preparations for our Early Years Christmas Show which will be held on Thursday, 23rd November in the Araya Hall.  The children have had a wide range of snow related sensory and creative play activities which has really helped their understanding of our snowflake song.  On Thursday we took the children on the stage for the first time.  They coped really well with entering this big new space and we will be visiting a few more times before our show to help them prepare for this event. Thank you to all the families who were able to join us for Family Time on Friday afternoon.  It was lovely to see the children confidently sharing activities and their favourite songs with you. We hope you all have a restful weekend and look forward to seeing you all next week. Miss Cullen, Miss O, Miss Ploy and Miss Taryna 

In Woodpecker Class this week the children have enjoyed learning the remainder of our story map for The Storm Whale and have been practicing performing it in class. They particular enjoyed acting out scenes of the story and explained how the characters were feeling at that moment. In Maths, the children have been using equipment to find numbers that add up to 20. During Global Perspectives, we have been looking at fruit from around the world. This week they tried grapes and commented on the colour, taste, texture and smell. The highlight of the week was having the children’s grownups join them for Family Time. The children were so excited to share their classroom and show off all their hard work! Well done Woodpeckers.

  Well done Pufferfish on another super week!  This week we have enjoyed retelling our 3 Little Pigs story using real life objects. We are amazing at remembering the sentences, for example "I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll blow your house down!" We have enjoyed lots of creative activities including making snowflakes, candy canes and Christmas banners and have also enjoyed learning how to make slime and playdough.  This week we have also continued practicing our Christmas show and cannot wait for you all to see it! Super work Pufferfish

  This week in Seahorse Class we have started our story map for The Three Little Pigs along with actions to help us internalise the story. We have been using key points and language from the story in our play to help us build houses and try to blow them down. To develop our senses, we went on a sensory walk around the school where we discovered lots of different textures, sounds and smells. In preparation for our Christmas Show we have been rehearsing our siping in the Araya Hall. We can’t wait for all of our families to come at see it. See you next week 😊

  This week in Bumblebee class we have been very busy preparing for our Christmas show. We have been practising in the Aray hall, as well as contributing to the back drop by making snowflakes. On Tuesday we were very excited to welcome our families into our classroom. We created African necklaces as well as making decorations for our class christmas tree. Thanks to everyone who joined to celebrate our learning. In phonics we have been learning more special friends such as ng, nk and qu. In numeracy we have been focusing on number bonds to 5 to develop our number sense. For Talk for Writing we have been writing about African animals using our knowledge of sounds and the technique of pinching the sound. Well done Bumblebees!

Christmas show rehearsals are in full swing as we all try and learn the words and actions to our songs. This week we have been able to use the Araya Hall for some of our rehearsals and it was fun to get up on stage and practice our fabulous singing, acting and dancing. We all enjoyed Family Time this week and it was wonderful to see so many of you in the classroom. In Maths this week we continued our exploration of number and used the story “The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ to help us understand the concept of one more. In phonics we continued our Set 1 sounds by learning three new digraphs and then adding our digraph knowledge into word time, blending words together using ‘Fred talk’. We continued to create our story map and retell the story ‘Handa’s Surprise’ and we looked at how our lives were the same and different to Handa.There was also lots of excitement as we put up and decorated our Christmas Tree and began to make sparkly snowflake decorations.

Well done Butterfly class for another fantastic week of learning and fun. This week we were so happy to welcome all of our parents into the class for ‘Family Time’ . The children really enjoyed showcasing their ‘Handa’s Surprise’ story map for them all and were very excited to show them around the classroom and look through some of their books too. Next week we welcome the parents in again, but this time we will be showcasing a phonics lesson to better help the adults understand how to support their children’s learning of phonics and reading at home. 

  It has been an exciting week in the Dragonfly class, as we were delighted to extend a warm welcome to our family members during our first Family Time session. This special occasion allowed our students to showcase their ongoing exploration of South Africa, which has been a central theme in our classroom discussions, especially as we engage in the 'Handa's Surprise' story during our Talk4Writing sessions. The enthusiasm and dedication of our young learners in sharing their South African inquiries with their loved ones were truly heartwarming. In addition to our cultural explorations, we've also commenced preparations for our upcoming Christmas show, which promises to be a festive and heartwarming event. Our students recently had the exciting opportunity to step onto the big stage in Araya Hall, getting a taste of what awaits them during the performance. We're looking forward to the holiday season and all the wonderful experiences it brings.

  This week we have been learning our story map in preparation for our letter writing next week and our class assembly. In Maths we have explored the term symmetrical and identified which shapes have a vertical or horizontal line of symmetry. We also had a go at completing shapes using the line of symmetry. In Art we practiced colour mixing and explored what happens when we only use the primary colours. 

We've had another great week in the Ladybird Class, full of exciting discoveries. Thank you to the adults who came to our class on Tuesday. The children loved showing you our classroom and all the things in it that help us learn. In our maths adventures, we've been on a mission to find, subitise, and recognise the magical numbers 4 and 5. In literacy, we've embarked on a wild safari of words, writing about fascinating African animals inspired by Handa's Surprise. In phonics, we've made some new "special friends" with 'ng,' 'nk,' and 'qu' - they're our phonics buddies now! Our Jigsaw puzzle this week has been all about celebrating our unique differences while discovering the surprising ways we're all the same. Finally, our globe-trotting journey in Knowledge and Understanding of the World took us to Kenya, where we peeked into a day in the life of a Kenyan child. What a whirlwind of learning and fun! Until next week, stay cur...

I would like to extend a huge thank you to all who came and visited the Jellyfish class for Family Time on Monday. It was lovely to see the children so happy and excited to share their learning and interests with you.  We have continued to look at our story ‘The Three Little Pigs’ and the children have had fun retelling the story and looking at other very similar stories but with a twist, such as ‘Three Ninja Pigs’.  I would also like to share how proud I am of the Jellyfish for really trying to use English in play and around the school I can see they and becoming more confident in sharing their ideas and wishes with their friends and teachers.

  A wonderful week of learning for our young ones! In English, your children have mastered the entirety of the Storm Whale story, delving into its characters and setting. In Maths, they've been doubling numbers, honing their mathematical prowess. Additionally, exploring fruits from around the world has broadened their knowledge and appreciation of where fruit can come from. We're thrilled to witness their growth and engagement this week.

 

Our week 6th-10th of November 2023     We have had a great week of learning in Sea Turtles! In our phonics sessions, the children have shown great enthusiasm and have engaged in listening activities very well. In our Talk4Write sessions, nearly all children are able to retell the story of the 'Three Little Pigs' including all of the key words, and are also using this in their continuous provision when building houses too! We have been to the Araya Hall several times this week, to practice for our Christmas show - we are fantastic at singing our Snowman song! It has been nice to see children trying hard at completing challenges, for example using the scissors, dressing themselves and even beginning to write our names. A great week in Sea Turtles!